With the blue waters, endless rows of palm trees and miles of sandbanks, Los Cabos was worth the time away. Mexico had been on my travel list for a long time, ever since I started seeing photos on Instagram and Pinterest but I could never decide where exactly to go between Tulum or Cabo or find detailed information about how to visit. But after some quick research and spontaneous motivation, I finally booked a week-long trip to explore Cabo, Mexico, fall in love with the beaches, the culture and of course the food.
To help make it easy for you as you plan your trip to Cabo, here's a detailed guide to visiting Cabo, Mexico; everything you need to know. This post will give you all my tips and recommendations on some things I've learned to make your planning more seamless. I hope you find it helpful!
Travel Guide to Cabo, Mexico: Everything You Need to Know
Entry Requirements
Certain countries require visas to Mexico, and others do not. You can find out which part of the spectrum you fall on. If you have the U.S. or Canadian passport, you do not need a visa. If you also have a Canadian travel document like a Permanent Resident Card or a Student or Workers' Visa, you also do not need a visa. I have a Canadian Permanent Resident Card and a Nigerian passport and was able to get in comfortably. To figure out if you need a visa, check out this website. In addition to a valid passport, you will also need to fill out a Multiple Migratory Form (FMM) that will be provided by the airline or at the airport/port of entry.
With the current COVID-19 pandemic, you will need to take extra precautions while travelling. Masks are required for the entirety of your flight as well as going through border services. You will also need to fill out a COVID-19 questionnaire confirming that you are negative and have had no exposure to anyone with COVID-19, but no COVID test is required for entry. If you are in Canada, Visit Transport Canada for updates on measures and guidance for your trip. Bring a mask with you and some hand sanitizers.
flying to Mexico:
Finding affordable flights is one of the biggest challenges of travel, especially for Canadians. I booked my flight (roundtrip) over a month in advance through Google Flights for $675. For a trip that included 2 connecting flights, I believe it was a fair rate. When booking your next vacation, make sure to compare different platforms to make sure you have the best rate available.
Flying in from Winnipeg, my route was Winnipeg > Calgary > Los Cabos. Then I took a 30 minutes taxi ride to Paradisus Los Cabos, which would be my home for the next six days.
currency in Mexico:
There are two major currencies in Mexico; the Mexican Peso and the US Dollar. 1 MXN is equal to approximately $0.050(USD). The USD is a strong currency in Mexico, and almost every establishment accepted payments in USD. I made most of my payments using my Canadian Visa debit cards (billed in USD) but, cash was also accepted. Make sure to carry cash from home as changing money is easier (as long as it is below $10K), and remember to bring change for tips while on your trip.
language in Mexico:
The most common language spoken in Mexico is Spanish. However, I found it very easy to communicate and get around in Cabo because there are so many English speakers in Mexico, especially Cabo San Lucas as it is a popular tourist region. However, to be safe, download the Google Translate app offline so you can reference it when you need it.
getting around in Cabo, Mexico:
From my experience, the most convenient way to move around in Cabo was by Uber. Although my resort offered transportation options and shuttles, I found the Uber app to be very convenient. The drivers were close and always respectful and the rates were very affordable plus I felt safe using an app I already trust. All you have to do is put in your destination and current location and you would have a driver waiting in less than 5 minutes. My most expensive ride was the ride to the airport which cost about $20. The majority of my trips were around $10-$15.
best time to visit Mexico:
I visited Mexico in January, in the middle of Winnipeg's merciless winter and I must say that the weather contrast was worth it. It was warm and humid and even though rained, it was still better weather than being back home. I experienced two major days of light rain and grey clouds but even that, I’d still say January is a great time to visit.
I asked some of the residents when was the worst time to visit and they said to avoid visiting Cabo in August/September because they have the highest amount of rain and the mosquitoes do come out to play then.
experience Cabo, Mexico: everything you need to know
where to stay:
I don't know about you but the best vacation is an all-inclusive vacation. I stayed at a beautiful resort with a swim-up pool Cabo called Paradisus Los Cabos. The resort has an elegant and simple design with lots of pools peppered around the facility as well as an opening right onto the beach. There were 12 restaurants in the facility as well as a gym, a full-service spa and an emergency center. I stayed for 6 nights night at the Reserve Oceanfront Swim Up suite and with an all-inclusive package which covered breakfast, lunch and dinner at any of the restaurants on-site, room service and as many cocktails, as you'd like, it cost about $3600 (approximately US$2,800).
I also checked out the spa on-site called Yhi Spa where I had a relaxing 80-minute massage session and a Brazillian wax. The massage was great and relaxing but it was definitely on the pricy side. Even though it was a great massage, I'd recommend you check out other massage options in the city.
I booked the resort through booking.com. I book most of my hotels/accommodations through booking.com because I love their flexible cancellation policy. With COVID-19 cancellations always changing, I love knowing that I can cancel and adjust my trips with little to no penalty.
where I ate:
The best part about an all-inclusive resort is that you don't have to worry about food! Paradisus Los Cabos had 4 out of their 12 restaurants/bars open during my stay there, and I made sure to try out each of them.
On my first night, I ate at Mole, their onsite Mexican restaurant. The ambiance was warm and intimate, and the staff was very friendly. I tried some beef and chicken tacos that were tasty and their signature steak. But my favourite item on the menu was their grilled salmon served with a rich tomato sauce. I loved it so much that I ordered it again when I went for my second visit.
Naos was the breakfast spot. Although it typically was a buffet-style restaurant, with COVID-19 restrictions, I was served at my table. The menu was international and I made sure to get my favourite breakfast order; over-medium eggs, a side of bacon and fresh fruit juice. It wasn’t the broadest menu, but they had a bit of everything for everyone.
Gabi Beach was my launch hour spot. This elegant Al Fresco dining spot was overlooking the beach, close to the pool and in the sun. It was the perfect " I am on vacation spot". My favourite item on the menu was the cervece, it is worth the try.
La Palapa is a restaurant that you do not want to miss. Of all the restaurants on the resort, this was the fanciest. From the starters, down to the desert, every course was well plated and tasted lovely! Make sure to call ahead to book your reservation.
Capella is an onsite Italian restaurant. The vibe is vibrant yet casual, perfect for an evening of unwinding. The menu included pasta, pizza and steak dishes. I recommend their spaghetti with bolognese sauce with a side of smoked salmon!
Apart from the breakfast and dinner restaurants, Paradisus had multiple lounges and bars where you could grab a quick cocktail...or two! My favourite bar was the Celsuis wet bar which is located right in the main pool! I also had access to room service till 11 PM and a minibar stocked with soft drinks and treats, all included.
Although dining in the resort was great, I still wanted to try out some local restaurants off the resort. My photographer suggested I try out El Agumala for some seafood cuisine. This is where I spent my last full evening in Cabo. It was worth the visit.
what to do in cabo, Mexico:
My goal with my visit to Cabo was more relaxation than exploration. I spent most of my first couple of days either sunbathing by pool or restaurant hopping. But I did find time to see a little bit of the city. From my experience, these are some activities that I recommend.
THINGS TO DO IN CABO:
Los Cabos is has a great diving and snorkelling scene, so if you are like me and love water adventures, definitely book a snorkelling tour. You also have the option to go on a boat tour, and humpback Whale watching or see some of the beautiful Sea Turtles that Cabo San Lucas is home to! Small Eyed Stingrays, Sharks and even Humpback Whales or go kitesurfing or horseback riding. I particularly enjoyed taking walks on the Playa Hotelera beach, which wasn't the best for swimming due to the strong ocean currents but made for some nice time by the water.
If you don't care for the beach as much as I do, check out the Campamento Tortuguero Don Manuel Orantes, a protected turtle nursery operated by the government to monitor turtle releases. Alternatively, you can check out Estero San José (San José Estuary and Bird Sanctuary), home to some large water birds and animals.
Alternatively, if water activities are not your favourite things to do, you can also go horseback or camel riding. Or visit the lovely town of Todos Santos to check out beautiful craft shops, art galleries and restaurants. I loved how colourful the city was and the multiple dining options it offered.
budgeting for your los cabos adventure:
There's a lot to see in Cabo, and you can do that without breaking the bank too bad. I love luxury experiences which is why I opted for an all-inclusive resort because you can't compromise on accommodation or comfort. But you can still have a good time, eat great food and fall in love with Los Cabos without the cushion of an all-inclusive resort. Los Cabos is well-priced in the sense that you can get everything you want within your budget.
Your major cost will be Flights + Accommodation. Apart from those expenses, I believe $1000 is more than enough for a week in Cabo if your budget is mid-range. Find activities that fit within your budget and ask your hotel staff for recommendations, they always know the cheaper options.
final thoughts
Visiting Cabo was worth every single penny, and although it was affordable, I must admit that it isn't the cheapest place to visit. Regardless, I loved everything about my time there and would highly recommend it to anyone. I can’t wait to go back and spend more time exploring more of the culture and some other Mexican cities like Tulum or Cancun.
I hope this inspires your next trip to Cabo. If you are in Canada and need more travel recommendations, check out my travel guide to Vancouver, BC.
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