Los Cabos
Travel Tips... Getting There
The Los Cabos International Airport is seven miles north of San Jose del Cabo and 30 miles from Cabo San Lucas. Vans called "taxis colectivos" shuttle passengers from the airport to the hotels and back. You can also rent a car or take a taxi, but be sure to set the fare before the ride, as cabs are unmetered.
Flight Times to Los Cabos
· From San Francisco: 3 hours, 45 minutes
· From Los Angeles: 3 hours, 15 minutes
· From Dallas: 7 hours
· New York City: 10 hours
· Chicago: 9 hours
Travel Documents
U.S. citizens must present a valid passport or notarized birth certificate to enter Mexico. Mexico issues visitors a tourist card that is valid for up to 90 days from the date of entry. You will receive this card on your flight to Mexico; be sure to keep this card throughout your stay in Mexico because you must present it upon leaving the country. Click here to learn more about the State Department's travel requirements.

Getting Around
A rental car is handy to have if you're planning on exploring beaches outside the town areas. Once in Los Cabos, taxis and foot are reliable means of transportation. One adventurous option is to rent an all-terrain vehicle or mountain bike to explore the desert surrounding Los Cabos.

Money
Dollars can be readily exchanged for pesos at a variety of banks, hotels, and "casas de cambio," or change houses. As of January 1993, the Mexican government introduced the "new peso" (nuevo peso) to replace the old currency. One new peso is equivalent to 1,000 old pesos. Old currency remains in use, but is gradually being replaced. You'll also find that U.S. dollars are widely accepted by many tourist-oriented establishments and market vendors.

Language
If you don't speak Spanish, don't worry. English is very widely spoken here. To learn a few useful spanish travel phrases, check out this list.

Electricity
Electrical current, plugs, and sockets are the same as in the U.S.: 110 volts, 60 cycles, and flat, two-pronged plugs.

Water
It is not a good idea to drink tap water in Mexico. Avoid ice in drinks and produce rinsed in tap water as well, except in major hotels. Bottled water is readily available and inexpensive.

Local Time
Los Cabos is on Mountain Standard Time, the same time as Denver. That's one hour later than Los Angeles, one hour earlier than Chicago, and two hours earlier than New York. Mexico does not observe Daylight Savings Time. Click here to see precisely what time it is in Los Cabos right now.

Telephones
The Mexican long-distance phone service, Ladatel, has phones in many hotels and downtown streets that allow you to make calls on your credit card. You can also access American long-distance carriers, enabling you to bypass the Mexican phone system and call collect or charge the call to your phone card. These options are worthwhile, given the 60 percent tax Ladatel places on all international calls.

Tourist Information
For more information on Los Cabos, call the Mexican Ministry of Tourism toll-free from the U.S. at 800-44-MEXICO. Once in Los Cabos, you can call 2-0377 or 2-0383 for tourist information.

What To Bring
With warm temperatures year round, almost every day of the year is a beach day in Los Cabos. The typical dress is comfortable and casual, meaning a bathing suit, sunglasses, and resort wear. Add a light sweater for nighttime and a dressy outfit if you're planning to try some of the fancier restaurants and discos.