Budget Cabo San Lucas

Our Local Expert Says:

This is a great tour as it allows you to see the beauty of the desert. If you have never been on a desert tour I would recommend this one.

Description:

Take a two to four hour All Terrain Vehicle tour of this reserve through desert and mountains (up to 2000 ft). See beautiful natural springs, sand dunes and incredible views of the Sea of Cortez. This area is adjacent to the Melia Cabo Real and is a terrific way to see another side of Cabo and the Baja area. No experience is required in operating these four-wheeled vehicles and instruction is provided before departure.

Our Local Expert Says:

Look for the skeleton of the grey whale.

Description:

Just two blocks north of downtown and the marina is this lovely pocket of Mexican culture. The park has a lovely gazebo, many shade trees and benches where locals will rest for a few moments in the heat of the day. Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the beauty of this place before stepping into the Museum de Californias next door, or the historic 1746 mission church, Iglesia de San Lucas. Nearby Mexican restaurants Mi Casa and Pancho's are both excellent choices.

Our Local Expert Says:

Even if you are not in the market for souvenirs this is an interesting place to poke around in.

Description:

Are you interested in pre-Hispanic history? This gallery offers reproductions of art and artifacts from ancient Mexico. In addition, many contemporary sculptures are included in the inventory and range in medias from ceramic and brass, to paper mache and copper. Stop in at this Plaza Nautica location and see if there is something to add a bit of spice to your home and take a bit of Cabo back with you.

Our Local Expert Says:

Right in the centre of downtown. Reasonable prices for original work

Description:

Prominent artist Chris MacClure is featured here amongst other local and national artists. Many of the pieces have an impressionistic feel to them and express Cabo in brilliant colors that radiate the heat of the sun. MacClure's work is considered romantic realist and has been sold to the Clintons in the past. More than oil-paintings are offered though. Browse through the wealth of fine prints, take a class or come through and enjoy a quick visit with the artists.

Our Local Expert Says:

Famous modern day Mexican artist colorful pieces many of them numbered and very unique

Description:

Named for the owner and sculptor, this shop if filled with the artist's work. Both large and small pieces carry his eclectic sense of artistry. Whether you are searching for a major work of art to complete your decor, or simply desire a pair of sensational earrings, this shop carries those and everything in between. Frequently working with symbols of the heavens, suns and moons, Bustamanted uses those themes in many of the pieces. The prices tend to be steep but not out of this world. It is well worth a browse; tarry if you have the time.

Our Local Expert Says:

Unique artwork and truly a piece of Mexico. This unique style is guaranteed to capture your imagination.

Description:

Continuing with their traditions of artwork and lifestyle, the Huichol Indians practice the traditional art of beading, by first creating a form of an animal, then covering it with wax that they set lines of beads into. The unique finished product is always very bright and colorful. This small museum has a Huichol spokesperson on-site to answer questions, as well as other staff to guide you through the exhibits of lifestyle and artwork of this group of indigenous people.

Description:

La Casa del Pozo is a delicious and intimate restaurant rich in traditions with a wonderful kitchen consistently dishing up authentic Mexican flavor. The relatively small dining area provides a comfortable ambience with colorful, festive decorations that inspire the extensive celebrations of tequila that permeate from the adjacent tequila bar. Dining at La Casa del Pozo is like eating a wonderful home cooked family meal in mainland Mexico, with secret recipes and ingredients that separate this Mexican eatery from all other restaurants in Los Cabos. The service is attentive and the menu is extensive, offering authentic Guadalajara dishes that are nearly impossible to find anywhere else in Cabo. Try the house specialty of Damiana Shrimp or Damiana fish, Drunken fish, or the delicious mango fish served up in a rich sweet and sour sauce. La Casa del Pozo specializes in steaks and seafood.

Our Local Expert Says:

Best boutique hotel garden.

Description:

Small value-oriented hotel with a boutique feel, charming rooms, and a beautiful garden filled with magenta bougainvillea and jasmine, a stone fountain, and a plunge pool. A circular staircase leads up from the garden to the sun terrace. There are four room types available here: standard, double, one-bedroom kitchenette, and master suite. Standard rooms begin at 85 USD, a tremendous value for downtown San Lucas. The master suite is a only 125 USD, which includes a sunken bath. All rooms have air conditioning, ceiling fans, cable television, and WiFi. They also have a fish freezer for guests, and provide beach towels on request. Los Milagros is located centrally in the downtown area, and is within walking distance of the virtually everything.

Our Local Expert Says:

Best Collection Of Adventure Tours.

Description:

Cabo Expeditions is one of the better adventure companies in Cabo, and has a wide variety of tours and eco-adventures, including whale watching (seasonal), swimming with whale sharks, parasailing, a hybrid between snorkeling and scuba diving called snuba, helmet diving, snorkel trips to Chileno and Santa Maria Bays, day trips to Isla Espiritu Santo off the coast of La Paz, and city tours around Cabo San Lucas. One of the best things about this menu of land and water based activities is that they cover a wide swath of Baja California Sur, and give visitors a very good idea of the area's diversity. Among the cooler tours are the those with helmet diving and whale sharks. Sea Trek developed helmet diving, which in updated and slimmed down version of the gigantic helmets one associates with early scuba divers. Without any dive training, you can walk along the ocean floor and have a dive-like experience surrounded by the abundant local marine life. Swimming with whale sharks is a little scary, but well worthwhile. The sharks are gentle, but they are also enormous and generally provide swimmers with a nice burst of adrenaline.

Description:

Buddha's Bar and Grill is one of Cabo's finest additions to the Asian Pacific Cuisine market. The difference between this and all the other Asian restaurants is the striking appearance and the prestigious central location of the establishment. With a huge Buddha sitting on the roof, you can't miss this place. The restaurant exudes a very original ambience, with bamboo and Mongolian themed furniture. Located in one the most desired properties in all of Los Cabos, directly next door to Zoo, one of Cabo's most admired nightclubs. The elegant bar and the extensive drink menu, which offers specialty drinks such as ginger martinis, help to make this Asian restaurant one-of-a-kind. Here, it's two for one all day long and you can choose exactly how much food you want with whatever ingredients you desire, then watch the chef cook it right in front of you. The cost is five dollars for one hundred grams and this is the perfect place to get a quick bite to eat between nightclubs.

Our Local Expert Says:

The perfect place for the sports nut…everything you could wish to rent is here.

Description:

Right on the marina, this rental zone offers all you need to take advantage of the beauty found in and around Cabo. Whether you are a mountain biker or a surfer, this store has your rental needs covered. Check out the boogie boards and snorkel equipment. If you are tired of the water (or too sunburned to be in it any longer), rent some golf clubs and head to the beautiful greens along the Cabo Corridor. Whatever your pleasure, the staff will help you understand your equipment and give you tips on the best places to go for maximum outdoor enjoyment.

Description:

This beach is named in honor of a Japanese freighter that crashed onto the rocks here. Accessed by the Cabo del Sol hotel entrance, you may park in assigned beach parking and rest assured your car will be safe. Explore the waters edge for treasure or just gaze at the few remaining pieces of the old wreck. This is a quiet beach frequented almost entirely by hotel guests. Use caution in the water, undercurrents are strong here.

Our Local Expert Says:

A pretty little beach a short drive outside of San Lucas. This is a popular beach with the locals so it can get busy on a Sunday. This beach is swimmable.

Description:

Come early for this prime snorkeling location. Playa Santa Maria is well-known as one of the best beaches near Cabo for underwater wildlife; its curved north wall shelters a reef where tropical fish live and eat. Most of the tour operators offering snorkeling tours will be bringing tourists to this beach and typically arrive around 10a. Beat the crowds (and the blanket and jewelry sellers) and have the beach to yourself by arriving earlier.

Our Local Expert Says:

Popular surfers beach. Occasionally there is a tournament here. Check at the local surf shops for schedules.

Description:

For the nearest surfing beach to Cabo San Lucas, head to hotel Misiones del Cabo. This beach offers sun and sand, but most important to the surf chaser, it offers waves. Grab your surfboard and race to the water but remember the undertow and always surf in groups for your safety. For those less inclined to defy the possibility of injury, bring a beach blanket and a book and you will enjoy yourself just as thoroughly as the surfers.

Description:

This simple Mexican eatery holds the loyalty of many locals who come here for breakfast and lunch. While the decor may be no-frills, the establishment does have a small town appeal to it. People come more for the food and the quaint atmosphere really, and the food is both inexpensive and very good. The menu offers Tortas, Mollettes, Tacos, Quesadillas and Burgers.

Our Local Expert Says:

Best boutique hotel garden.

Description:

Small value-oriented hotel with a boutique feel, charming rooms, and a beautiful garden filled with magenta bougainvillea and jasmine, a stone fountain, and a plunge pool. A circular staircase leads up from the garden to the sun terrace. There are four room types available here: standard, double, one-bedroom kitchenette, and master suite. Standard rooms begin at 85 USD, a tremendous value for downtown San Lucas. The master suite is a only 125 USD, which includes a sunken bath. All rooms have air conditioning, ceiling fans, cable television, and WiFi. They also have a fish freezer for guests, and provide beach towels on request. Los Milagros is located centrally in the downtown area, and is within walking distance of the virtually everything.

Our Local Expert Says:

Located down by the tour boat docks this is a great place to go on a Sunday. Be prepared to bargain there are lots of great deals to be had on souvenirs and local art.

Description:

Plenty will catch your attention here. If you are a good bargainer, maybe you can avoid too much pocketbook damage. Ever had a hankering to hang in a hammock? This is your chance to find a beautifully hand-woven, brilliantly dyed hammock. Blankets, hats, serapes and more are here to keep you covered from the sun or the chillier evenings. Take a walk through the pottery and glass shops and keep your eye open for some of the locally made wares. The typical selection of leathers and jewelry (silver) are also available.

Our Local Expert Says:

Very casual atmosphere, really good food.

Description:

Come on in for some all-you-can-eat treats. You may have your fill of steak, lobster and shrimp all prepared at the massive grill on the edge of this patio-style dining room. Well-loved for the homemade tortillas, entrees and salsa selection, it is necessary to make reservations in advance. Sneak a peek at the B.B.Q. grill then try to decide between the chicken, seafood and beef entrees that they offer.

Our Local Expert Says:

2 for 1 drink specials.

Description:

Called Zoo for good reason, this Cabo hotspot has an African safari ambience, with many animals inside, not including the man in the gorilla suit outside the entrance. They have cages where you can dance and let your primitive instincts take over. This club is great because it has the largest number of VIP tables in all of Cabo, and the candlelit atmosphere is casual yet elegant. The sound system is also state of the art. It is the ideal place to take your loved one, or to sit at the bar and mingle with new friends. The music is eclectic, as they play everything from early Madonna to the latest hip hop and dance tracks. The place is comfortable and sophisticated, and the security does a good job of ensuring you of a great night. Girls get free margaritas every night from eight to nine thirty, and ladies night is every Thursday. People of all ages can relax at Zoo and have a good time, and the bathrooms are even luxurious, which is a rare occurrence in this part of Mexico. Zoo is definitely a most see point of interest, if only for a quick nightcap.

Our Local Expert Says:

Best boutique hotel garden.

Description:

Small value-oriented hotel with a boutique feel, charming rooms, and a beautiful garden filled with magenta bougainvillea and jasmine, a stone fountain, and a plunge pool. A circular staircase leads up from the garden to the sun terrace. There are four room types available here: standard, double, one-bedroom kitchenette, and master suite. Standard rooms begin at 85 USD, a tremendous value for downtown San Lucas. The master suite is a only 125 USD, which includes a sunken bath. All rooms have air conditioning, ceiling fans, cable television, and WiFi. They also have a fish freezer for guests, and provide beach towels on request. Los Milagros is located centrally in the downtown area, and is within walking distance of the virtually everything.

Description:

Fall for fabulous fauna at San Jose's Estuary and Bird Sanctuary. Located a few minutes from downtown San Jose, the estuary is home to about 200 species of exotic birds such as ospreys, egrets, moorhens, herons and brown pelicans. Watch the birds from water in a rented kayak. Sunrise and sunset fill the scenic sanctuary with vibrant color, and there is an interpretive center with expert guides. The estuary is located east of Presidente Forum Resort and there is no charge for admission.