Going to Mexico was a very random decision for me. I was visiting a friend in New York (during the gloomiest time of year) and kept complaining about the constant rain and cold. So they casually said, “Why don’t you just go to Cabo, I’ve been there before, it’s great!.” And with a bit of convincing, the idea to go to Cabo was born.
Here are some budget-friendly tips for first-timers:
1.Take A Bus From The Airport
The most popular part of Cabo, Cabo San Lucas, is about a 45 minute drive away from Los Cabos International Airport (or SJD). There is Uber in Mexico, but a ride would cost about $40 USD.
A much cheaper option would be to take the bus. Transit routes don’t show up on Google Maps in Mexico, but there is a bus station on the second floor of the airport, with busses going straight to downtown Cabo! The only downside is that you need to pay in cash, so have your pesos ready! One trip is about 80 pesos ($4 USD).
Not only do you save money, you also get to ride along a very scenic route. You’ll be going past many beautiful resorts along the coastline.
2. Stay At A Hostel
If you’re looking for a cheaper alternative to a resort, I would stay at a hostel! I stayed at Mayan Monkey Hostel and it was right in the middle of the marina. It was like a mini resort in and of itself, with its own pool and rooftop bar. The rooms were clean and all of the beds had privacy curtains. For $25 USD a night, it was great value. Not to mention, for a few extra dollars, you got a breakfast with your choice of cooked meal!
3. Get To Lover’s Beach On Foot
Playa del Amor, or Lover’s Beach, is one of Cabo’s most popular tourist attractions. It’s a small beach in between some beautiful rock formations. Everyone says you can only get there by water taxi, but there is a hack.
If you want to save $15 USD, which is the price of a round trip ride to Lover’s Beach, technically…you can walk there.
First, you have to walk to Solmar Resort and ask the security guard to grant you access to the resort’s beach. Most of the time, they’ll let you through. Then, you have to walk across the resort’s beach front, towards a large rock formation. Lastly…you have to climb that rock formation in order to get to the other side and to Lover’s Beach.
WARNING: This can be a dangerous activity and I would only do this if you are comfortable in your climbing abilities. Please do this at your own risk, as there were quite a few times while climbing that I thought of turning back. I was able to climb across myself, but I did get help from a local that just happened to be climbing at the same time as me. If I could change anything, I would go with a buddy, DON’T do this alone.
4. Go On A Morning Hike
There is a hike that starts at 8am every morning, the Mt Solmar hike. This is a tough hike, but anyone can do it…and you get to be accompanied by adorable dogs! It is completely tip-based and gives you amazing views of the whole peninsula. You also get to see Lover’s Beach, Divorce Beach, Medano Beach, and the Marina. It is completely worth it and the views are truly breathtaking. A wonderful experience that you shouldn’t miss.
5. Compare Prices
Cabo San Lucas is a major tourist hotspot, so there will be many street vendors and people trying to sell you adventure packages, like boat rides to the famous Arch . They are in direct competition with each other, so sometimes, they are willing to negotiate on the price. Also, you will often find varied prices for the same thing. So just keep looking and comparing prices, as you might find a cheaper deal right down the street.