How to Ruin a Trip to Los Cabos …and 11 things you are about to do to make it happen
Last Updated on May 19, 2022
There are many ways of ruining your trip in the best style of Mr. Bean, that’s right, getting things wrong for being a fool, and I don’t mean doing nonsenses, I mean not even knowing what you are about to do wrong. So let’s leave the improvisation to comedians, and be smarter than that.
You and only you are responsible for having the perfect Cabo trip, you just need to be a little cautious.
In Los Cabo, there is no place for slips, you’ll see, if you’ve never been there before, you must know that the place is better known for being the heaven of Mexico.
And the reason is that it really has everything to please you. From its incredible diversity of landscapes, to its delicious food, luxury spas for relaxation, wild adventure activities, and a colorful nightlife.
Los Cabos is pretty much the “Genie in the bottle” of travel locations, conceiving you whatever wish you want to come true, you just have to ask for it.
So why taking the risk of ruin it? Just don’t!
We know that when it comes to traveling abroad, some things can slip through your fingers; such as having a delayed flight, overpaying services because you don’t know very well how the local currency works, or misunderstanding something due to the language interference. All of these things could ruin the fun of your trip.
Now, since we are pro-fun, (and we are sure so are you) we are going to tell you all the ways possible in which you could ruin a trip to Los Cabos, so that you don’t do it, and have the most awesome vacations.
1. Not packing the right stuff
The first thing you have to know is that you could ruin your trip even before it begins if you pack the wrong way.
Not packing the right things could be a headache later because even if you can buy those things there, they could cost a lot more. To avoid all that follow the next packing tips:
Pack light, overpacking is a mistake since you use unnecessary space in your suitcase that you could use for bringing back home things you want to buy in Los Cabos, or gifts you’ll probably want to bring for people you love.
Know that you won’t need to pack a raincoat given its dry climate, but a light sweater will be fine for the cooler nights.
Pack bug repellent. In Los Cabos you’ll find some bugs around, and probably you are not used to this. In Los Cabos, repellents are expensive and in limited supply, so the best is to buy some at home and bring them with you.
Pack a good sunscreen. Don’t be a fool and ruin your trip getting second-degree burns from exposure on the first day. It is very easy to get burned when you are relaxing around the pool or swimming at the beach. The sun in Los Cabos shines bright and strong, and though at first, it feels warm and nice in your skin it could have serious consequences later if you don’t protect your skin.
2. Not having a Plan B in case something happens with your flight.
You can skip the improvisation and the distress around the airport with just doing a little work from home.
This is what you have to do, write down the airline’s phone number, follow the airline on Twitter (which is usually the fastest way to get an answer), make sure the airline has your contact information in case they need to reach you, check your reservation one day before your trip in case there have been any kind of changes, or you missed an email, and finally print the boarding cards even if they’re on your phone; we know everything works digitally now, but, do you know that feeling of disorientation when your phone’s battery dies and you don’t know what to do? Well, it is a lot worse if you are at an international airport.
3. Losing your immigration card and visa.
When you arrive, you have to fill out a tourist card which they will stamp, then take off the bottom and give it back to you; you have to take care of that card as if it were your baby (or your pet) because you’ll have to present it at your departure.
But what happens if you lose it? Well, you will not be able to leave the country until you get a new one, you will have to go to the airport’s Immigration office, tell the agent on duty that you have lost your tourist card and need to have it reissued. This will cost $30 USD and it might take you some time. Does that sound more fun than drinking cocktails in a beautiful beach? I don’t think so, so keep your card and visa save at your hotel and instead bring a copy with you.
4. Sticking with the first option they offer you
Whether it’s to take a tour, buy clothing items, or take a taxi (taxis are expensive), don’t take the first option if you want to save some money. Some people, not everyone, will give you a higher price for being a tourist, so always ask around and don’t feel committed to staying with the first option even if they are being too nice with you, because many times the second or third option offers you better prices, and even more variety.
5. Not traveling at the appropriate time of the year, as much for the climate as for the prices
Before you buy your plane ticket you need to make sure that you are traveling at the appropriate time of the year.
Mexico has a warm and dry climate during most of the year but a sudden storm could ruin all your plans in Cabo, so that this doesn’t happen, you need to know which are the best, and worst seasons of the year to go to Los Cabos.
If you want a hot climate every day for doing outside activities, the perfect time to travel to Cabo is from mid-May to late June which is also when the wintertime crowds have gone back home.
October and November are also nice months to plan your trip, but you’ll need to begin your hotel search early if you want to save money because it is the high season of Los Cabos, and prices are higher.
If what’s on your mind is the whale-watching spectacle, plan your visit between December and March.
The risky time when you can catch a storm is in summer, from August to September. This is the “hurricane season”, The Baja peninsula doesn’t get hit by the hurricanes that are more common on the Gulf and Caribbean sides of Mexico, but there’s always a chance that storms could hit, but don’t worry, it won’t be too strong, but if getting wet is not on your vacation plans it’s better to pick another season.
This next one way of ruining your trip is an important one because it actually has to do with your safety.
6. Not planning ahead how to go from the airport to your hotel when you arrive in Mexico
When you go outside the airport you’ll have different options for transportation and it can all be a bit confusing, especially with the sharks rounding you.
You can go with public transportation, taxis, rented cars, or private shuttle services.
Public transportation is the worst option since you won’t receive a personalized treatment, plus, you will have to wait patiently to arrive at your hotel because it will do several stops before it drops you off.
A mistake many tourists make is thinking that they can drive as if they were in their own city. Renting a car is not such a good idea, given the fact that locals in Cabo have a very particular style of driving, and by particular I mean a little aggressive, and since tourists are not familiar with the ways it can cause accidents.
Ending up at the hospital and with a bill to pay for the damages doesn’t sound fun at all.
Taxis are a good option if you are ok with paying a lot for a ride. The disadvantage of taking a taxi beside the overpricing they usually give tourists, is that you will have to go outside the airport to get it and this implies dealing with the sharks following you around.
The safest option for you to get to your hotel, is to have someone to pick you up at the airport and drive you, and I don’t mean just anyone, because you need to be very careful with who you trust when you arrive at a foreign county.
This is why we advise you to book a private transportation from home. This guarantees that you will get to your hotel safe, and that you will be comfortable and won’t get over prices because private transportation services are usually cheaper and the price won’t vary because you can pay them online the moment you book them.
To start your trip with the right foot you must have the best transportation service, one that provides someone who waits for you inside the airport so that you don’t have to deal with the sharks or any other stranger that comes up to you, and you will be safe from risks in the roads because the drivers are locals and they know very well the ways.
An option that we recommend is VIP transportation Los Cabos, they have a VIP policy that guarantees that you’ll be treated like first class, have a luxury ride and arrive at your destination safely. Plus they have a competitive price compared to other transportation services in Los Cabos.
Another advantage they have is that they will do everything possible to make you feel comfortable and like at home; they give their clients a warm welcome to México, their employs have a great work ethic, and they focus on being responsible and very friendly, but at the same time professional.
And here is the best part, they even have some cool beers and water waiting for you in the vehicle, so that you can relax and start enjoying the views of Los Cabos.
Also, you can choose the vehicle that adapts better to your travel needs right at the moment you are making your online booking. The advantage of this is that you’ll be sure that the vehicle that you choose is in great conditions and won’t leave you stuck in the middle of nowhere.
VIP transportation Los Cabos also offers to drive you back to the airport in your return, so you can cross that off from your to-do list.
When you plan in advance you are assuring the success of your trip, whether it is with transportation or any other service, you just need to make sure that they offer a good quality first, and this part is very simple, just check the trip advisor reviews and discussions.
They are certified by trip advisor so there’s no need to worry; here are some reviews from the people who have gone with VIP transportation Los Cabos:
“We had an excellent experience with VIP transportation. Jaime was waiting for us at the airport with a sign with our name on it, and transport was in a beautiful, clean, new suburban with complimentary cerveza and water on the trip! Competitively priced”
“I strongly suggest using a private van instead of a group transit. Took us straight to the hotel and signed us up for an even cheaper return trip”
“We visited Cabo’s and La Paz for our first family vacation and VIP transportation made everything much easier. We have a 9 month old so, being comfortable and having reliable transportation was essential. When we arrived Jaime was already waiting for us and ready to go. The suburban was clean, cool, and had drinks for us. Jaime was always very cautious when driving and full of knowledge of Cabo’s”
Trying to pick any other transportation service at last minute outside the airport could really be stressing, and give you a bad start, so just take that out of the way booking in advance here https://www.old.viptransportationloscabos.com/
The next way of ruining your trip is:
7. Not being careful with what you eat or drink
In Los Cabos some food might be spicier than what you are used to eat, so be careful with the amounts you eat, especially if you have stomach issues because it could make you feel sick and ruin your plans.
Also, always drink bottled water, because the regular water could bring some bacteria and upset your stomach.
You don’t need to worry about the ice cubes they use in restaurants or hotels for drinks, because the sanitary laws of Mexico demand that those come from filtered water.
8.Underestimating the power of Tequila or Mezcal
These drinks are not light drinks like wine and beer, they will definitely take you to another level of drunkenness if you don’t watch your shots, and you don’t want to wake up the next day with regrets and a hangover that won’t even let you out of bed, do you? We are not saying that you shouldn’t have fun, instead, have all the fun you want but know your limits.
9.Getting in trouble for having a little too much fun
Some tourists might feel tented for the wild party style of Cabo, especially in Cabo San Lucas where nightlife really has some magic, but you have to be careful with excesses. On one side, when alcohol gets in the way, mostly tequila (sorry tequila) troubles are more likely to occur. Whether it is a fight outside a bar or you getting hurt because you cannot even stand up straight and return to your hotel, or both, it is better to maintain a certain level of consciousness.
After all, you want to have clear memories from your trip and not just blank nights in your head, right?
On the other side, you should stay away from the prohibited substances, because they could get you in troubles with law. You might come across someone that offers you to buy weed in a very low price, or other kinds of drugs mostly if you got outside of the touristic areas, but you should know that those people are usually related to drug cartels in Mexico so stay away from that as much as you can.
10. Not being cautious about the ocean conditions, and not paying attention to warnings
Los Cabos has many beautiful beaches where you can swim but others where swimming is actually dangerous and it can be prohibited depending on how strong the current is. Still, you can appreciate the beauty in them, but remember to always stay away from the water’s edge.
For those of you who are beach lovers and love to swim, here is a list of places where you can freely go swimming, and somewhere you can do water sports.
Medano Beach is the best beach to swim in Los Cabos and do water sports. Around, you’ll find many resorts and beach bars.
Lover’s Beach which you can accessed via water (water taxi or kayak), or by climbing over the rocky hills from Solmar Beach.
Playa Chileno and Playa Santa Maria are good for swimming as well, and they have snorkeling coves.
Playa Viudas is good for swimming, but not all the time so watch out, and it also has some rocky areas to explore.
Playa Bledito is safe for swimming and for kids, and it also has some water sports.
Playa Palmilla is good for swimming too and has easy public access. You will find a lifeguard and fishing pangas, but no water sports.
11. Not sharing with the Mexican people
You would definitely be ruining your trip if you didn’t take the chance of sharing with the Mexican people in Los Cabos. You’ll be missing a great experience that doesn’t need to be paid. A very important part of traveling abroad is enriching your knowledge and expanding your mind through intercultural exchange with natives, but many people forget how important this is and don’t really pay too much attention. Given that the community in Los Cabos is so open, warm, and willing to share with tourists, it is the perfect opportunity. So go ahead!
Many of the ways of ruining a trip come from not being well informed. Now you have no excuses for not having an amazing trip to Los Cabos.
All you have got to do is keep in mind all the pieces of advice we just gave to you; to recap very quickly: pack wisely, watch out with the waves, alcohol, food, water, and sun, travel in the best season of the year, don’t lose your important documents, don’t settle with the first price, take the chance of getting to know the Mexican people, and finally, book in advance a private transportation to pick you up when you arrive.
These tips will not only save you from ruining your trip, but they will make the Cabo experience even more pleasant than what it naturally already is.
We invite you to read: 10 WAYS TO RUIN YOUR TRIP TO LOS CABOS (POST-PANDEMIC EDITION)
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