Cabo San Lucas Travel Tips

Passport Regulations
The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative requires U.S. citizens to present a valid U.S. passport upon entry or exit from Mexico. Please visit the U.S. Department of State website for the most current information or visit www.getyouhome.com. To obtain or renew your U.S. passport, visit the official passport website. As of June 2009, the Travel Initiative now also requires Canadian citizens stopping in the US to present a valid passport in the U.S.

All other international travelers must present a valid passport upon entry into Mexico. Check with your specific Department of State for regulations.

What You May Bring Into Mexico
Customs Regulations:
Tourists should enter Mexico with only personal items needed for their trip. Entering with large quantities of an item a tourist might not normally be expected to have, particularly expensive appliances, such as televisions, stereos, or other items, may result in suspicion of smuggling and possible confiscation of the items and arrest of the individual.

For the most current Mexico entry requirements, visit the Aduana Mexico website.

Currency:
The Mexican government permits tourists to exchange dollars for pesos at the fluctuating free market rate.

Take travelers checks with you because personal U.S.checks are rarely accepted by Mexican hotels or banks. Major credit cards are accepted in many hotels, shops, and restaurants. An exchange office (casa de cambios) usually gives a better rate of exchange than do stores, hotels, or restaurants.

Gold or silver Mexican coins may not be exported.

Banks and Currency Exchange Information:
The best rates of exchange for Mexican pesos can be found at banks, although the airport exchange desk is generally not a bad rate compared to the hotel rates; banks and airport exchange offices do not charge exchange fees. It is not a good idea to change money in any upmarket hotel here, as they typically do not offer competitive market rates. Street "cambios" or exchange booths offer slightly less favorable rates, but keep longer hours. You can pay in U.S. dollars most of the time, but your change will probably be in Mexican pesos, and at unfavorable rates!

ATM machines are widely available throughout Los Cabos. Remember, you will be subject to an exchange rate and possibly an additional bank fee for withdrawing pesos with your ATM card.

Shopping
Los Cabos offers a variety of items that can be purchaced. You'll find great best buys on blankets, silver & ceramics. Don't be afraid to bargain with vendors. It is better to do your shopping when the cruise ship is not in town, you'll get more bargining power. Visit our Shopping Site.

A quick note about glazed ceramics: Analysis of many ceramic pieces from Mexico has shown them to contain dangerous levels of lead. Unless you have proof of their safety, use glazed ceramics purchased in Mexico for decorative purposes only.

General Tourist Information
Telephones:
The best option is to buy a local telephone company's phone card if you're planning to dial internationally. You can also use your AT&T, MCI and Sprint codes at the standard International rates (be sure to check the cost based on your subscribed calling plan). Check with your cell phone provider before leaving for Mexico to check whether international dialing is available.

The city code for the Los Cabos area is 114. There is a charge for calling between Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo.

Tipping:
In Mexico, it is customary to tip 10 percent in restaurants, and you may also give a couple of dollars to any passing band whose playing is particularly pleasing. However, the American custom of tipping 15 to 20 percent is practiced at international resorts, including those in Los Cabos. Housemaids in hotels may be covered by an all-inclusive charge, but welcome US$2-$3 tips per night.

Returning to the United States:

You must present your tourist card, given to you when you entered Mexico, at your point of departure from Mexico.

The U.S. Customs Service currently permits U.S. citizens returning from international travel to bring back $800 worth of merchandise, including 1 liter of alcohol, duty free. Additional amounts brought back are subject to a duty tax. In addition to U.S. Customs regulations, be aware that some U.S. border states (most notably, Texas) have imposed state restrictions on liquor, wine, and beer imports from Mexico. If you are planning to bring back alcoholic beverages, inquire about these restrictions from the liquor control office of the state through which you plan to return.

For the most current US customs information, visit the US Customs and Border protection website.

Holidays Observed in Mexico

Banks, government offices and many businesses are closed on these days and hotels fill up quickly:

Jan 1: New Year's Day
Feb 5: Constitution Day
Mar 21: Birthday of Benito Juarez
March-April (varies): Holy Week Celebrations, Good Friday through Easter Sunday
May 1: Labor Day
May 5: Cinco de Mayo (Anniversary of Battle of Puebla, 1862)
May 10: Mother's Day
Sep 16: Independence Day
Oct 12: Dia de la Raza
Nov 2: President's State of the Nation Address
Nov 2: Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead)
Nov 20: Anniversary of the Mexican Revolution
Dec 25-Jan 2: Christmas Week celebrations

Mexican Government Tourism Office Locations:

405 Park Ave., Suite 1401
New York, NY 10022
Telephone: 212-755-7261 or 421-6655.

1911 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Washington, D.C. 20006
Telephone: 202-728-1750.

70 E. Lake St., Suite 1413
Chicago, IL 60601
Telephone: 312-565-2786.

10100 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 224
Los Angeles, CA 90067
Telephone: 310-203-8191.