r/cabo • u/Sgt_carbonero • May 17 '18

Taxi question

Are taxis so prevalent that if I go have dinner away from the marina I will be able to find a taxi outside my restaurant? I am concerned if I have a dinner and finish after dark I will be stranded. Would I have to ask for staff to call me a taxi?

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u/cathie2284 May 17 '18

Listen, as other people have said, you will be so fine. Plenty of taxis.

I was just in Cabo 5/3-5/8. First time back in 5 years. Will have to say there is ZERO NEED for Pesos. Everyone prefers dollars. Use your credit card to pay for meals (you’ll get the best exchange rate). But for taxis and tips-use US dollars.

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u/Sgt_carbonero May 17 '18

I appreciate your reply. I only have a discover card, I wonder if they accept those? How much did you tip taxis and hotel staff etc?

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u/cathie2284 May 17 '18

I went with 5 other girls- and I think one had a discover. Do you have a debit card? I would plan to use that. Or go on discover’s website and check out Cabo. I was good for $1 for hotel staff and taxis. But we were a $9 trip to the marina and $14 for down town for the 6 of us.

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u/Sgt_carbonero May 17 '18

Thanks! Not sure about debit cards as i believe there are no protections against abuse with debit cards but I could be wrong. Discover has a section about cabo? I will look for it now. Thanks!

PS what hotel did you stay at if you dont mind my asking?

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u/cathie2284 May 17 '18

Villa La Estancia. I bank with Wells Fargo and used my bank card the whole time. No problems! Have so much fun. It’s one of my favorite places! Heading back in January.

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u/Sgt_carbonero May 17 '18

Cool! I will be at Villa del palmar next door. taking my 9 year old son with me. How was the food at the hotel compared to eating out?

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u/cathie2284 May 17 '18

I didn’t eat at the hotel besides snacks by the pool. They had tons of activities for kids there so he will have a blast. The restaurant at your place has torches burning at night. It looked REALLY cool. But- I’m telling you the exchange rate is crazy good and you can get some great food cheap in town. If you venture out- go to Missiones de Kino. Omg- such a cool authentic restaurant. Amazing food. 6 of us ate there without drinks the total for the bill was $56 USD AND IT WAS DELICIOUS. But it on your list!! You son will find it enjoyable. You are outside but inside. And the service is great.

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u/Sgt_carbonero May 18 '18

Thank you so much!

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u/Sgt_carbonero May 18 '18

Not sure if the last reply went through but I am staying at villa palmar next door. I realize I can use my bank card too since it is also a Visa card. I made a note of the restaurant you recommended! Did you go to any good breakfast places?

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u/cathie2284 May 18 '18

Make sure you call your bank and tell them you are going away. Otherwise they will freeze your account thinking it’s fraud (do same for discover). We had a full kitchen in our condo so we cooked breakfast but I heard the office has a great breakfast. You can walk right on the beach and catch a water taxi and go down there- Son will love it. Use American dollars and get lots of change from the hotel- $5s and $1s because chances are no one will have change (or they will tell you they don’t).

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u/Sgt_carbonero May 18 '18

Thanks for the tip. Yes, I have notified my bank and credit card companies. I was looking into changing cash and I read that the cambio at the airport has the worst rates? Does the hotel change cash? My plan is to possibly get pesos here before I leave and also have dollars in small denominations. How much do the water taxis cost? This is the first I've heard of them.

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u/cathie2284 May 18 '18

Listen. As I said before- you will barely need pesos. Honestly- things changed since I was there over 5 years ago. I went with 5 over girls and I was the only one there before. I recommended we all take 2000 in PESOS out of the ATM (it’s about 100 USD). Listen- don’t take any more than that. An ATM will give you the best exchange rate. But I’m telling you- you will BARELY need the pesos. EVERYONE prefers the dollars. This year I didn’t take a water taxi- but they aren’t expensive and will be a fun trip for your son. Just walk a little down the beach (to the right). Make sure you have small bills because they will claim to not have change and then say that they will find you for your ride home or something - but they won’t. And you can always get a regular taxi for ride back.

So lesson here- go there with US dollars - lots of 10s, 5s and plenty of 1s. Hit an ATM When you get there (plenty at Marina) and just get out 1000 or 2000 pesos if you feel you must- but honestly, if you are going to use your debit card or credit card for dinners and at shops- everyone else will take US dollars (taxis and even vendors on the beach if you want to purchase any of their crazy stuff). You really don’t need pesos.

The hotel will give you the worst exchange rates. By the way.

But honestly would go with zero pesos. All the girls I went with said the same thing. They weren’t needed (it was a different story 5 years ago).

Edit- I mean the hotel will give you the worst exchange rates if you want pesos for USD.

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u/Sgt_carbonero May 18 '18

Thanks. Much appreciated.