Update: unfortunately, Hurricane Odile hit this restaurant hard and they have not reopened. One of our favorites – gone from the Cabo dining scene. 
Great food and excellent service. Amazing selection of tequilas. We’ve had great meals here!
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Taqueria “El Paisa” is another local’s joint. In fact, you’ll likely be the only gringos dining. But, don’t let that dissuade you, as the food is excellent (for a very inexpensive restaurant). This is the exact opposite of the typical “marina” dining experience; very authentic and very inexpensive.
The prices are right, so have fun and experiment. Order a lot of variety, have fun, and give the menu items a try. Menu items include grilled tacos of arrachera and beef, potatoes, quesadilas, vampiros, gringas and more.
A family of four can probably eat for US$30 (and still leave food on the table).
On Leona Vicario (the one-way main street heading south), about five blocks north of Lazaro Cardenas.
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Very affordable chicken, ribs and fantastic fish burritos. The ambiance is “local Mexican joint” (in fact, we heard it was a former covered basketball court). The prices are right (typically less than US$6 per person) and the food is usually pretty good. While we usually eat here once per visit for lunch or dinner, breakfast was so-so and as a result, we can’t recommend it for that meal.
Located on Morelos and 20 de Noviembre, just north of the marina/mall area by about three blocks.
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Koi Sushi is a small sushi restaurant in the San Lucas Plaza (Walmart and Sam’s Club).
We’d heard good things about the place and gave it a try. Excellent!
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Salvatore’s is a MUST DO for any visitor to Cabo. Can you tell by the post title that we LOVE Salvatore’s?
INCREDIBLE Italian food and moderate prices. HUGE portions. Their lasagna special (unfortunately, not served every night) can feed a family of three. The pork shank is incredible.
Try the tiramasu for dessert (order just one; it can easily satisfy the sweet tooth of four people).
In the Siesta Suites Hotel on Zapata. Reservations suggested. Phone: 624-105-1044
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We recently experienced a couple of dinners at Maria Corona and were pleasantly surprised. The fish chowder was excellent, as was the guacamole appetizer.
We had a party of eight and everyone, no exception, wanted to have dinner again at Maria Corona a few nights later. That says a lot!
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The Mexican Peso is the official currency however, most merchants will take US dollars (but sometimes at an exchange rate that favors them; the most common is to exchange at 12 pesos to the dollar).
The current exchange rate is approximately 13.5 pesos per US dollar (click here for an update).
We usually pay by credit card and let the issuer handle the conversion. Beware of vendors that quote in dollars but charge your credit card in Pesos — the vendor may convert the transaction at an unfavorable rate and then your credit card will charge to convert in addition. Best to just get quoted in Pesos — in fact, insist on it.
If you’re heading to Cabo from Canada (and taking advantage of the strength of the Canadian Dollar!), you’ll probably need to convert to US Dollars or Pesos, or risk getting vendor conversion rates based on the “old” rate. That may change in time.
For fish tacos, a place called Gordo Lele’s is great (just north of the “Corner Bar” on Lazaro Cardenas and south of the Los Milagros Hotel). He also makes a great flank steak for 15 pesos (about US$1.50). A typical meal, with a Corona, is around US$7, but is flank steak healthy?
Javier, the owner, has been known to put on a blonde wig and sing Beatles tunes (see video below).
Lots of people just LOVE Javier. In 2008, Javier lost his lease on a spot he used to occupy and was forced to shut down. In the depths of the huge US recession, a bunch of wonderful folks on the Cabo forum on Tripadvisor banded together, located Javier and raised $5000 to get him back in business at his current location.
It’s a great story — and so are his fish tacos. 
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Book your airport transportation here: http://www.heavenincabo.com/airport-transportation/
TransPacifico is a great limo company in the Cabo area. If you’re looking for airport transportation, these are the guys. A nicely dressed gentleman meets you at the airport, holding a sign with your name on it. Well-maintained suburbans whisk you via the toll-road to Cabo. They’ll even stop while you go grocery shopping.
This is the way to begin your Cabo adventure! They’re priced about the same as a cab ride, but you have a newer vehicle and can fit seven people into the Suburban.
You can request their services here: http://www.heavenincabo.com/transportation/
Most restaurants and stores accept Visa and Mastercard. American Express is also accepted. However, be sure to bring cash with you for those merchants who don’t take credit cards.
Also, be sure to call your credit card issuer prior to departing for Mexico, just to let them know (it’s a total hassle to arrive and find that your cards have been placed on hold due to ever-stringent security at your issuer). We usually take the time in-between flights to make the calls.
Note that many credit card companies charge a 2% conversion fee for foreign exchange transactions. There are several that do not, Capital One being one of them.
When buying things in Cabo, insist on being quoted in PESOS. If you’re being quoted in dollars, the merchant will likely convert to pesos when tallying your bill and you can bet that the conversion won’t be in your favor.
