Save A Few Dollars More In Cabo

So you want a vacation to remember, but you’re low on cash? Los Cabos is known for glitzy resorts and high-end style, but there’s a wealth of activities and accommodations that can be enjoyed for those traveling on a budget. With a little planning, you can have the total Los Cabos experience without the price tag.

We already featured the importance of converting your dollars to pesos to save money, now we can look at what you can get for those pesos!

Inexpensive accommodations can still be found when you visit Los Cabos, even in the high season if you plan ahead. If you’re traveling with a large group (or you have a larger family) and you want to stay in Cabo for a longer period, consider renting an apartment or house. This gives you all the comforts of home (literally) for a much lower rate than you’ll find at a hotel. We have a section on Villa Rentals in our Vacation Planner.

In addition, smaller boutique hotels offer sparkling accommodations for a fraction of the price of the larger resorts. There might not be a water slide or swimming pool, but at just a short walk from the beach, you can still enjoy the sunshine and the sea. Some of the more popular are:

Los Milagros Hotel

This small value-oriented inn has charming rooms, and a beautiful garden, a stone fountain, a plunge pool, and a circular staircase that leads from the garden to the sun terrace. There are four room types available here: standard, double, one-bedroom kitchenette and master suite, with the latter including a sunken bath. Standard rooms are available for under $100 U.S., a great value for downtown Cabo San Lucas.

Wyndham Cabo San Lucas Resort

Wyndham occupies a large central location overlooking the Cabo San Lucas Marina. It's a perfect spot, close to both Médano Beach and the downtown shopping district, and the rooms are surprisingly affordable. The hotel is enormous, and a bit of walking is required to reach some of the rooms farthest from the elevators and some people have complained of noise at night. On the plus side, guests enjoy sensational balcony views of the Marina and Cabo San Lucas Bay, and there is a very good 2nd story pool area and restaurant.

Siesta Suites Hotel Cabo San Lucas

Siesta Suites is a great option for budget-conscious travelers. The hotel boasts a great downtown location, and in addition to an onsite internet cafe, there is an excellent Italian restaurant in the courtyard, Salvatore's, that dishes up the largest portions of any eatery in town. The lasagne alone could feed a small village. All of Siesta Suites' rooms feature air-conditioning, cable television and free Wi-Fi.

The Bungalows Hotel

This charming little bed and breakfast - 16 suites and two-bedroom bungalows - is located just off the beaten tourist track, but within easy walking distance of downtown Cabo San Lucas, as well as the Marina and Médano Beach neighborhoods.

Cabo Inn Hotel

Cabo Inn offers colorful and comfortable accommodations at competitive rates. Rooms have a number of great amenities, including free drinking water, free fish freezing, access to a barbecue grill, rooftop pool, library reading area, free wireless, and a complimentary cup of coffee in the morning.

Hotel Mar de Cortez

Built in the early 1970s, Mar de Cortez is one of the oldest hotels in Cabo San Lucas. It is also one of the best value. Located around the corner from Cabo Wabo, Mar de Cortez has a loyal following of regular visitors, all of whom seem to appreciate the hotel's central downtown location, affordable rates and comfortable accommodations.

If you’re driving down into Los Cabos, there are a few trailer parks right outside of San Lucas that are minutes from the beach. Or go off in a search of adventure and go camping along the East Cape: there’s nothing quite like a bed of sand under a canopy of twinkling stars. Either way, you’ll experience a slice of Los Cabos that’s outside the norm and won’t be hard on your wallet.

So that’s accommodation taken care of…what is there to do when you don’t want to break the bank?

Let’s start with the beach! Some of the most stunning stretches of beaches are protected beach parks, ensuring access for the general public. Grab a snorkel and jump in the water for the best (free) show in town, lounge on the pristine sands or take a relaxing walk down the beach. You’ve got the best of Los Cabos at your fingertips…for free!

For adventurous spirits looking for a little more than relaxation on the beach, water sports are a fun way to get your adrenaline flowing (and it doesn’t have to be expensive). Surfboards and kayaks can be rented by the hour or by the day, and it’s much cheaper than buying your own gear. Craigslist is alive and well in Baja Sur, and if you’re hoping to stay longer and catch more of the action, you can sometimes find someone selling some kind of beach gear for cheap.

Or if you are feeling energetic, head up to the Sierra de la Laguna to hike in this exotic ecosystem, a land of cactus and canyons, waterfalls and flowering desert plants. If you’re traveling with a large group of people, ask the local outfitting companies about discounted rates for groups.

When you’re stomach’s rumbling, you don’t have to break the bank to have a stellar meal. Humble eateries abound that serve first-class seafood at dramatically lower prices. What might be lacking in ambiance is more than made up for with delicious Mexican fare using fresh fish, seafood, meats and vegetables. Tacos, quesadillas, tortas (Mexican-style sandwiches), tamales, and of course, cheap beer are all for the taking.

Los Cabos can be a great vacation destination even if you’re on a budget. A little planning and some smart decisions will save you a bundle without sacrificing style or fun. But hey, if you want to pretend to be a high roller or a celebrity as you lounge on the beach, none of us are going to judge you!