All posts in “Restaurants”

Villa La Estancia “Full Board” Meal Plan (alcohol not included)

Villa La Estancia now offers owners and guests the option of a “Full Board” meal plan.

Alcoholic beverages are not included (see our previous post: http://heavenincabo.com/no-longer-available-villa-la-estancia-all-inclusive-option/).

The cost of the meal plan is $85 per day, per person (adults) and $42.50 for children under 12.

Meal plan information and terms/conditions:  VLE CABO FULL BOARD MAR 2017

Basically:

  • Three-day minimum purchase
  • Food only plan, and includes water, soft drinks, coffee and tea
  • Everyone sharing the same room must purchase the plan
  • 40% discount applies for menu items marked as “Premium” on restaurant menus
  • Two-dollar delivery fee for room service

 

No longer available: Villa La Estancia All-Inclusive Option

For many years, villa owners at Villa La Estancia have expressed concern of the offering of an “all-inclusive” food and beverage option to both owners and rental guests. The all-inclusive option allowed for unlimited food and beverage at Villa La Estancia and the sister resorts, Villa del Palmar and Villa Del Arco, and was sold by The Villa Group, the management company (and food/beverage operator) that operates all three resorts.

While many that purchased the AI option were respectful guests, there were at times those guests that took advantage of unlimited alcoholic beverages and, quite frankly, drank too much and caused disturbances for the staff, owners and rental guests.

Many owners felt the over-consumption of alcoholic beverages was not in keeping with the high-end appeal of Villa La Estancia and after fielding complaints for several years, resort management made the decision to discontinue the AI option as of January 1st, 2017.  This delayed date will allow for the gradual phase-out of existing AI commitments, made by OTAs (online travel agencies) and by villa owners renting out their villas.  Effective immediately however, the on-site purchase of the AI is unavailable.

 

Taco Loco

Located downstairs from Cabo Wabo, Taco Loco is a great little taco stand/restaurant with great Baja fish tacos.  TL doesn’t take credit cards, so that means it has pretty authentic food, right???

Taco Loco is a great place to hang out and people-watch.

Four tacos and a beer for 110 Pesos (about US$7).

TacoLoco
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Villa La Estancia All-Inclusive Option

*** Update March 13, 2017:  VLE now offers a “Full Board” meals-only (no alcohol) meal plan. Please see this post: http://heavenincabo.com/villa-la-estancia-full-board-meal-plan-alcohol-not-included/

*** Update June 16, 2016:  The VLE all-inclusive option is no longer being offered.  Please see this post:  no-longer-available-villa-la-estancia-all-inclusive-option

OUR COMMENTS BELOW STILL APPLY: Cabo San Lucas is a culinary adventure and it would be a shame to limit yourself to just resort food.

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We’re often asked if the Villa La Estancia all-inclusive food/beverage option is available and/or worth purchasing.

The resort offers an all-inclusive option for around US$115/day per person (see image, taken December, 2015). In our opinion, it’s not worth it for many reasons.

Cabo San Lucas is a culinary adventure. There are so many incredible restaurants nearby (on the beach and in town) that it would be a shame not to experience them. You can also buy through a drive-thru like drivethrumarkings.co.uk. They are just a walk or a short taxi ride away. While it’s convenient to have food and beverages available, they’re still available for purchase from any restaurant at the resort. There’s even a small mini-market on the premises, with fair pricing and a decent selection. However, for those looking to enhance their stay, consider investing in a high-quality beer cellar cooling system. This addition allows you to keep your favorite beverages at the perfect temperature, ensuring a refreshing experience at any time. We also recommend stocking the condo with food and beverages by making a quick trip to Walmart, one mile away. They have a great selection of produce and the most incredible thick-cut Sonoran rib eye steaks we’ve ever experienced. The liquor selection is excellent, or there’s a liquor store (La Europea) in the Walmart complex. Walk over or catch the local’s bus, then hail a taxi to return to the condo with your groceries.

Our visits to VLE typically begin with coffee and breakfast on the balcony, and lunch either on the balcony, poolside at the restaurant or a lunch at one of the several beach restaurants (a short walk down the beach).  Dinner is almost always in town and we typically walk (20 minutes) and after dinner and a stroll downtown (or the marina), we then catch a $7 taxi back, tip included.

Our restaurant recommendations:  http://heavenincabo.com/category/restaurants/

VLE All-Inclusive Option

Mexican Peso: 16.75 to the US Dollar

The Peso has really fallen in value to the US Dollar in the past year.  Well, make that “The Dollar is Very Strong…”

16.75 Pesos to the Dollar in November, 2015.  Just a few years ago, it was 10.5 Pesos to the Dollar.

What does this mean?  Assuming a 150 Peso steak dinner, it used to cost about $14.25.  Current price: $9.00.

Mexico is an absolute bargain these days for visitors from the USA and Canada.

Maria Jimenez Restaurante

A very small and wonderful restaurant, located north of the main tourist street in Cabo. The flank steak is excellent, as were all the other items we tried. Only seven tables, so make a reservation if possible.

This restaurant is VERY MUCH worth the visit.

Note: no alcohol served, cash only.

Calle Narcizo Mendoza Entre Revolucion de 1910 y 20 de Noviembre Colonia Juarez
Three blocks from Plaza Puerto Paraiso in Cabo San Lucas, Cabo San Lucas 23455, Mexico

Phone: 624-160-8828
https://www.facebook.com/mariajimenezcabo

Discounts in Cabo

We jokingly refer to these as “food stamps.”

Los Cabos Guide is a glossy tourist publication. They make their money from selling advertising and in certain cases, they allow merchants and restaurants to pay for the advertising with redeemable vouchers. Los Cabos Guide then sells these vouchers at 50-65% of face value to the public. The vouchers are denominated in US Dollars and easily redeemable at the merchant or restaurant.

You can order these before your trip and they’ll mail them to you or deliver to your hotel. You can also pick them up when in Cabo, but the office for Los Cabos Guide is several miles away from downtown (see map below).

http://www.loscabosguide.com/discount.htm


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Taquería “El Paisa”

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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El Pollo del Oro – Thumbs Up!

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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