Cabo Tripadvisor Forum (2024)

FAQs

Is there a travel advisory for Cabo San Lucas in 2024? ›

The U.S. Department of State issued a Mexico Travel Advisory in February 2024, urging travelers to exercise increased caution due to crime, including violent crime.

The four levels advise travelers considering visiting a destination how cautious they should be when visiting or if they should reconsider traveling altogether. For Baja California Sur, where Cabo San Lucas is located, the travel advisory is listed at level 2, warning travelers to exercise increased caution.

Tip tour guides and drivers at least $3 (39 pesos) per half day or 10% of the tour fee, minimum. Gas-station attendants receive 50¢ to $1 (6 to 13 pesos), more if they check the oil, tires, etc. Parking attendants—including those at restaurants with valet parking—should be tipped $1 to $3 (13 to 39 pesos).

In most tourist areas in Mexico, it is acceptable to tip in either pesos or dollars, though pesos are more practical for the person being tipped. If you do tip in dollars, be sure to only tip using notes and not coins as coins cannot be exchanged.

If you're planning a trip to Cabo, be aware of the rainy or hurricane season that occurs from August to September. August marks the peak of unpleasant weather conditions, with scorching heat, continuous rainfall, and occasional hurricanes.

That said, by and large, travel to both Cancún and Los Cabos is safe. Travelers who abide by local laws and don't go searching for trouble will have a safe vacation experience, as is true with most destinations around the world.

A small tip of $5-10 pesos is appropriate. Bag packers and car park helpers are not salaried and work entirely on tips.

Basic tipping etiquette says, yes, you should tip your tour guide. There are exceptions if your specific tour experience includes gratuities or you simply didn't have a good time, but in general, tipping your guide at the end of the tour is customary in the U.S. and Europe, though it's much more common in the States.

Tipping your driver

Cabo taxi drivers generally don't offer change so try to have a variety of bills on hand. If you are taking private transportation, a $10-20 tip is a nice gesture that your driver will truly appreciate.

We certainly recommend bringing cash with you to Mexico because many establishments run only accept cash. However, with that said, we don't expect you to come with enough cash to purchase everything, give tips, etc. And while many businesses only accept cash, many of them also accept cards (especially in Cabo).

Where to leave a tip for hotel housekeeping? ›

Make sure the tip is visible, like on the dresser or next to the bathroom sink. Avoid leaving your housekeeping tips on the bed or nightstand, as these areas risk your cash getting jostled around or lost when bed sheets are changed. Leave your tip on top of, or next to, a thank you note.

Do I Need to Tip at an All-Inclusive Resort? While tipping is a discretionary and optional gesture, at all-inclusive resorts in Mexico, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and others, it is certainly encouraged.

Generally speaking, Cabo is safe at night. That is, as long as you use common sense like not wandering down dark alleys or taking drinks from strangers. But you should exercise a few safety precautions at all times, particularly if you're having two or more co*cktails while enjoying the nightlife.

The Yucatán Peninsula, including Cancun, Tulum, and the Riviera, is the safest area of Mexico in 2024, according to the US State Department. You're advised to “Exercise Increased Caution” in Cancun's home state of Quintana Roo, which is generally good advice to follow no matter where you travel.

Hurricane season in Cabo officially runs from May 15 through November 30. Sounds like a long time, but in actual fact, most stormy weather occurs in September. And often, there is very little. Usually the worst that will happen is a few days of higher than usual winds and waves.

Safety: Puerto Vallarta

Both destinations are also protected at a federal level in an effort to promote tourism. The only major safety issue concerns some of the beaches in Cabo San Lucas, which are not recommended for swimming due to dangerous environmental factors including the rough surf.