Archive for “September, 2011”

Airport: Arriving

The airport serving Cabo (commercial flights) is SJD.  SJD is located about 29 miles from Cabo and you’ll need a rental car, shuttle, taxi or limo to get to Cabo.  If you’re confused about Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo, take a look at this post:  http://www.heavenincabo.com/cabo-san-lucassan-jose-del-cabo/

If you’re lucky enough to fly in privately, MMSL is likely your best bet (only about five miles from Cabo).

That Funny Paper that immigration gives you when you arrive and clear immigration — HOLD ONTO IT! If you lose it, you’ll need to buy another to get on your return flight. Total hassle and $50, so tuck it into your passport and then tuck your passport away (you won’t need it until you depart, unless you head to a bank to exchange dollars for pesos).

Customs — upon arriving in Mexico, don’t let them bug you about used items for normal everyday use. Used items are duty-free. Additionally, you get a US$300 exemption, per person, for new items when entering Mexico.

Airport – avoid the gauntlet. After you exit customs/immigration, keep your eyes forward and don’t stop until you get outside. In a very annoying situation, timeshare salespeople are crammed inside of yellow booths and act like they’re there to help you with your car rental or transportation. What they’re really there to do is talk you into a timeshare presentation. Don’t stop until you can see sunlight!! Once outside, make your transportation arrangements (actually, they’ll drag you back inside to the last booth just before the glass doors — that’s the transport desk). You brought cash, right? This will likely be the first place you’ll put it to good use.

Airport: Departing

Departing Cabo: first of all, leave the booze behind (now you know where our villa’s collection of liquor comes from!). You can no longer take it in your carry-on and if you put it in your checked baggage, trust me, it will break. Go ahead —ask me how I know Kahlua is 90% sugar…

However, if you can, pack snacks and water for the airport wait, as the prices are quite high. It used to be that you could take your water to the boarding gate, but no longer true! Now you’re stuck paying US$4 for a 1/2 liter of water, so hydrate during the drive to the airport. As far as getting to the airport on time, we usually arrive 1.5 hours prior to the flight and never feel rushed. They’re pretty efficient at SJD, at least at the Alaska Airlines check-in counter.

Senor Sweets

Senor Sweets is located on the north side of the marina in the Puerto Paraiso mall.

This restaurant is a sensation for the eyes and the taste buds. Their deserts are just incredible and the presentation is excellent. Hey, you’re on vacation — splurge on the calories.

http://www.senorsweets.com/

Phone: 105-0102. Open 7:30am to midnight. ($)

Gardenias

Gardenias — Incredible fish and shrimp tacos. Not a lot of ambiance, just great food for few pesos. Very cold beers!

Camino al Hacienda and Niños Heroes. Daily 8am-5pm. ($)


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Arts-and-Sushi

Arts-and-Sushi, conveniently situated next to the boat ramp in the marina area, beckons both sushi aficionados and those seeking culinary excellence with its impeccable service and exquisite dishes. Adjacent to the PWC Port Jetski Docks and floating dock jetski facilities, it offers a perfect blend of waterfront convenience and gastronomic delight.

From meticulously crafted nigiri to innovative rolls bursting with flavor, every bite is a testament to the chef’s skill and dedication to the art of sushi-making. Diners can indulge in the freshest seafood while enjoying the serene ambiance of the marina.

With stunning waterfront views of the bustling marina, patrons can savor their meals amidst a picturesque backdrop. The restaurant’s attentive staff further enhance the dining experience, ensuring every visit is memorable for sushi lovers and food enthusiasts alike.

Plaza Bonita, Blvd. Lazaro Cárdenas; Ph: 144-4554; Fax:143-5552. Daily, 11am–11pm; ($$$)


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Calling Toll-Free Numbers

Calling toll-free numbers: American toll-free numbers dialed from Cabo are usually blocked by the local phone companies (who get no revenue from the connection).

Anyway, passed on to us is a way to bypass the blocks. For 800 numbers, dial 011-880, then the number; for 866 numbers, 001-883 then the number; for 877 numbers, dial 001-882 then the number and for 888 numbers, dial 001-881 then the number.

 

Pepe’s

Pepe’s — want traditional Mexican at very affordable prices? Pepe’s is your place then. Very good food; you’ll probably have to experiment with your ordering, but at these prices, who cares? Be adventurous!

We’d highly recommend the Tacos Pastor and also the Trombo Tostadas.

Not sure of the address, but on the right side of the main road heading into downtown Cabo, just across from the mall. ($)


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Edith’s

Edith’s — incredible food and expensive. There are many great restaurants in Cabo, but this is one of the absolute must-do restaurants.

The service is impeccable. One thing about Cabo is that the service is usually outstanding — the locales very much appreciate being able to serve you (and make good money doing so). We wish this would be true in the USofA…

Medano Beach, 1/2 block up from “The Office Restaurant.” Ph: 143-0801,1437580. Daily 5pm-1am. ($$$$).


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The Office (on Medano Beach)

The Office — located directly on Medano Beach. Absolutely incredible breakfasts and lunches. Fantastic service, but with a few gotchas (read on).

Dinner also, but a bit noisy from the music of competing establishments on either side. Eat with your toes in the sand, looking at the best view of Los Arcos. This establishment is a “must do” and owned by the folks who own Ediths (up the street).

If you go, keep in mind that you’re on the beach for your meal and along with being on the beach, uh, come “the vendors.” They’re very polite, but if you sit at the edge of the eating area you’ll feel like your every move is being watched by … the vendors. Sit a few tables in and you won’t even know they’re there.

Gotchas:  1) They have a nasty habit of treating their customers as if they’re total tourists; this means overbilling (quoting in pesos and charging in dollars at an unreasonable exchange rate and 2) we wore our “The Office” hat recently and they said “because of the hat, you get two-for-one drinks! Well, we ordered two drinks and they charged us for two, saying the “second drink was to go only.”  Fail.  No tip. 3) Timeshare solicitations. Your waiter may be on “the take” and offer to comp you your meal if…

Foot of Paseo Pescador at Médano Beach. Ph: 143-3464, 143-4919; Fax:143-3080. Dinner reservations suggested. Daily 7am-10pm. Happy hour 3-5 each day.

($$).


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La Fonda – Thumbs Up! ♥♥♥♥♥

La Fonda — a phenomenal traditional Mexican restaurant with reasonable prices.  A little out of the way (on Hildalgo Street), but sometimes in Cabo that’s a good thing! Wonderful food; this is the place YOU will tell your friends to visit.

Located across from Telmex on Hidalgo. Av. Miguel Hidalgo s/n between Obregon and 12 de Octubre. Reservations Phone: 143-6926, 172-0176. Open daily 1pm–10pm.  ($$).


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