Travel Tips

What To Do On Your Vacation To Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Have you ever heard someone say, “Once, when I was in Cabo….”? Cabo San Lucas, Mexico seems to get pared down to just “Cabo” by the people who love to vacation there. It is an affectionate nickname for a little piece of a desert town at the end of the Baja California peninsula that lives up to it’s own hype by being full of fun in the surf and sun.

When you begin to think about what activities you might expect to find on your vacation to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, you will invariably start with the beach and ocean. Scuba diving with manta rays has become an unusual activity that could be a once in a lifetime type of encounter. Whale watching excursions are also popular and can provide a lifetime of memories to take home. And snorkeling expeditions can be exhilarating to undertake.

But what brings most visitors to Cabo San Lucas is the sport fishing industry. Marlin, Dorado, Tuna, and many other species of fish are caught year round in the waters surrounding Cabo. Fishing boats are available for charter and can cater to any whim you may have. You can tussle with these monster fish all day and be pampered with a catered meal once you’re done hauling them in.

Combining the desert, ocean, and mountains makes the Baja peninsula a beautiful and intriguing destination and provides the backdrop for many quaint villages and towns in the area that can be explored by taking day trips. Taking a drive or joining a tour to visit towns like La Paz and Todos Santos can give you a glimpse of village life in Mexico that still exists in this technological age. Exploring old church squares and local shopping areas can be a lot of fun.

Cabo San Lucas is quickly becoming the golf capital of Mexico. It has six championship courses that are very close to each other and they all share the beauty of the area. They all have ocean views and three of them have holes right on the ocean. And while you can take advantage of these great courses now you can also look forward to more courses that are now in the planning stage. So stay tuned!

If you fall so in love with Cabo San Lucas that you want to come back every year, you might want to look into getting a timeshare. Vacation ownership is a way that travelers can purchase time at a resort that they will, in essence, own however many weeks a year are purchased. This has many advantages, such as guaranteeing your same accommodations every year, allowing you to “give” your week to friends or family if you won’t be using it, or trading your week to be used at another resort(although this usually requires you to be a member of a timeshare trading cooperative).

Cabo San Lucas has earned the reputation as a “party town” especially with the unofficial endorsement of famous rock and roller Sammy Hagar, who has adopted the town and opened up his own nightclub and restaurant there. But never fear if you don’t like the all night party scene because there is plenty to do for everyone in this great vacation destination.

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What To Be Aware Of If You Drive While Vacationing In Mexico

Driving your own vehicle through Mexico or renting one to drive while on vacation can provide a wonderful, go-at-your-own-pace type of experience. That being said there are several things you should be aware off if you drive while on vacation in Mexico.

Getting insurance for driving in Mexico is a must, whether it is for your own car or a rental. An accident, even if you are not at fault, will not be just an inconvenience, but could affect the rest of your vacation. Most companies exclude coverage in a foreign country and a policy supplied by your insurance company may not be valid in Mexico. There are insurance vendors on both sides of the border, but it is wise to obtain it before you enter, as it will be quite cheaper.

If you drive your own vehicle across the border you will need to be aware of regulations regarding bringing more than $50 of merchandise into the country. What the border guards are looking for are items that are being brought in that could be sold. You can avoid most trouble if you take the tags off of new clothing, anything in a box should be opened and taken out and the packaging discarded, and don’t have any new supplies in shopping bags. Distribute anything new among your baggage and you should be fine.

Driving on the highway systems will probably remind you of many roads back home as they are, for the most part, modern and well signed. Most of the roads are toll roads, because, in Mexico, tolls pay to keep the roads maintained instead of taxes. It is prudent to have a hefty handful of small bills for this “pay as you go” system. But the cost of tolls is definitely worth it because the highway roads are much better than the pothole ridden two lane roads you would have otherwise used.

It is advisable to avoid driving at night in Mexico. Many of the smaller two-lane roads will have livestock issues that could be dangerous and most assaults that would happen on the roads would certainly happen at night. Be aware that most tourist deaths that happen in Mexico involve automobile accidents.

Above all, practice defensive driving while in Mexico. Mexican drivers, especially truck drivers and bus drivers, are very polite and will let you pull out or pass them. But other drivers, especially in the cities can be aggressive. You don’t want to get into an accident if you can avoid it because, if an accident causes an injury, all cars will be impounded until the situation can have a complete accounting. This could turn into quite an ordeal, even if you are innocent in the matter.

Make sure that you obtain insurance that will protect you while driving in Mexico. Try to stay on the main toll roads and avoid rural areas where livestock might be a dangerous hindrance. Avoid driving at night whenever possible for safe driving and for security from possible assaults. And practicing defensive driving at all times. All these tips will help make your vacation safer and easier while on vacation in Mexico.

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What Tips Should Senior Citizens Know About A Mexico Vacation

If you are a retired traveler and want to visit Mexico you have a great advantage over the average tourist. Not having the hassle of dealing with a work schedule lets you travel when and where you want and gives you the option of vacationing in the off season. You can save a substantial amount of money and avoid huge crowds by doing this.

The summer months are the slowest time of year for tourism in Mexico and the best time for great deals. If you enjoy shopping and organized tours more than spending time at the beach then this time of year would be perfect for you. Although the temperatures are much higher in the summer most shops and tour-buses are air-conditioned, so the heat might not be as much of a concern. Also, with smaller crowds of tourists, as well as more visitors in your age bracket, it is much easier to get around and much quieter at night.

You will find that the infrastructure in Mexico lags behind that of the United States and, if you are handicapped, you may find it difficult to go to certain places. There are few wheelchair ramps or handicapped restrooms in Mexico and in some areas there aren’t even handrails for most stairways. If this will be an issue you should speak to your travel agent about the area that you will be visiting. Try to stay with groups of people when walking through public areas and avoid traveling at night. Older travelers might be seen as easy targets for theft or assault. This is one reason that seniors usually prefer to travel with tour groups.

Staying safe and protecting your property while on vacation in Mexico is important for any traveler, but can be more challenging for a senior citizen. Older tourists may be targeted for theft or confidence scams because of the perception of being an easier mark. Common sense approaches, such as staying with groups and using a hotel safe to secure valuables, should be used, but the best approach is to avoid areas where crime is prevalent. Speaking with a travel agent or tour operator before you make travel arrangements can be the best way to get information on safer, more secure destinations.

There are many tour operators that put together group tours and provide organization to your trip that will supply all the necessities and take all the work of planning activities out of your hands. If you would rather vacation independently you are still able to access many senior discounts to lodging and restaurants. Always ask for any discounts when making the reservation for your room or ordering your meal, as many places will refuse to honor a discount once the order has been made.

Travel to Mexico provides a wonderful cultural experience and a whole lot of fun for people of all ages. There are unending choices of shopping, dining, and activities to choose from. There are thousands of years of history waiting to be rediscovered in museums and archeological sites. And great weather can be enjoyed year round in most areas of Mexico. Have a great time!

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