Monday, June 9, 2008

Cabos FAQ

Headed to Mexico soon? Here are a few Frequently Asked Questions about Mexico in general and Cabos!

Where is Cabo San Lucas?
Cabo San Lucas is located at the southern tip of the Baja Peninsula in the State of Baja California Sur. Cabo is approximately 1,000 miles south of San Diego, California, 10 degrees below the Tropic of Cancer at a latitude of approximately 22 degrees. Cabo San Lucas is approximately 20 miles southwest of the Los Cabos International Airport.

What time zone is Los Cabos in and does the time change with daylight savings time?
Los Cabos and Baja California Sur are located within the Mountain Time Zone. The time changes here whenever Daylight Savings Time changes.

What will the weather be like in Los Cabos?
Most of the year Los Cabos is warm and sunny, with an average temperature of 78 degrees F., or 26 degrees C. Occasional rains fall in the stormier months from August to October. Winters are cooler and nights can be chilly on the water. Late summer is hot, with temperatures in the high 90s F., and warm nights.

Will I be able to use my credit cards? Can I get cash from the banks with my credit cards?
Answer: Yes, to both questions. All major credit cards (except Discover) are widely accepted. In restaurants, it is best to ask before ordering, not every business accepts credit cards, just as back home. All of the banks will give cash advances, most have ATM machines at their locations, for after hours cash.

Currency and money matters...The peso is Mexico's official currency, but almost all purchases can be paid in US dollars with change in pesos. Dollars are accepted almost everywhere, however large bills can be difficult to break. It's a good idea to bring along plenty of $1's, $5's, and $10's or use ATMs. If you go on an adventure out of the main tourist areas, take small denominations of pesos. Before traveling to Los Cabos, we suggest you have $100 US in small bills for tips and unexpected expenses, etc.

Are there dress codes, and how late will I be staying out?
The dress code is casual, some clubs do not accept sandals, tank tops or shorts, but generally anything goes, as long as you are wearing shoes! You can stay up as late as 5 am in some bars in Cabo San Lucas, known as the party capital of Mexico.

Will my hair dryer (portable iron, electric toothbrush, etc.) work in México?
Answer:
Yes, if you are from the U.S. or Canada. México uses the same voltage as the United States. If you are coming from Europe, or any country that uses 220 volts, you will need the proper adapters.

Will my cellular phone work in Mexico?
Answer: We have local cellular service. Some (very few) cellular services will allow you to roam in Mexico. Most cell phones will work, but they must be reprogrammed by the local service provider (Baja Celular or Telcel). Remember to have it reprogrammed again before returning to the U.S.

Can I drink the water?
Answer: In the hotels and most restaurants, you will get purified water. I would not drink the water from a private home or condo, unless you know there is a purification system installed. The water here is very pure, but the distribution system is not so perfect. Buy bottled water. Why not be completely safe!