"Booking a Villa" Questions
No, we don't have any hidden fees! We have a 4% merchant processing fee for credit card payments (you can omit this fee with a bank wire or e-check payment).
Some residences have tax included in the rate and others have an additional tax. Please read the house description to determine if tax is included or not.
Some villas have an extra person fee, above the standard number of allowed guests (see individual villa description).
Absolutely! We have a meticulously chosen team of full-service professionals. ALL of rentals include a 24-hour Personal Concierge to help you with all of the details, logistics, and itinerary planning. Some of our homes do offer butler service and we offer it for an additional cost to those homes that do not provide it. We also have chef, massage, and spa services, along with several other options.
Whatever you would like to do here in Cabo, we've got a guy (or gal) for it!
Whenever possible, we do accommodate for an early check-in, free of charge. There are some factors that would not allow us to accommodate for this, such as same-day checkout and check-in. Ask your Personal Concierge for more details.
Again, whenever possible, we will allow for a late checkout, for a small additional fee. Different homes have different rules regarding a late checkout so please ask your Personal Concierge for more details.
Every villa reservation with Cabo Platinum includes a 24-hour Personal Concierge to handle logistics, planning, and any details that come up during your stay.
Beyond that, we offer chef, butler, massage, and spa services, along with fitness, activities booking, and transportation — some villas include butler service standard, and we can add it to any home for an additional cost.
You can search villas by location, bedroom count, or vacation type directly on our site, or reach out to our team and we'll match you to the right property.
Once you book, a Villa Specialist is assigned to your reservation to coordinate everything before you arrive. Payment details and available payment options will be provided as part of the booking process.
Booking with Cabo Platinum includes a dedicated 24-hour Personal Concierge, full-service support, and a local team on the ground in Los Cabos — not just the property itself. Additional services such as private chefs, butlers, transportation, and activities may be available at an additional cost.
Pricing is transparent up front, with applicable fees and taxes disclosed in the property description before you book.
Yes. Cabo Platinum offers both luxury villa rentals and yacht charters, and your Personal Concierge can coordinate both as part of the same trip — from booking to scheduling.
General Cabo Questions
Some are, some are not. You may have been warned by a friend to never swim when you are in Cabo, however, this is not entirely true. Yes, some of the beaches in Cabo carry high recommendations that you do not swim due to the steep drop offs, unpredictable wave breaks, and strong undertows. Please keep yourself aware of your surroundings and obey all signs and official notices. The beaches that we recommend as swimmable for most of the year are Medano, Chileno, Santa Maria, Palmilla, Costa Azul, and Lovers Beach. Here is a link to our blog on some of the beaches in Cabo.
Surprisingly, yes. The water in Cabo comes from the ocean and runs through a special desalination and filtration process. With that said, we still don’t recommend drinking straight from the tap. Many of us don’t drink from the tap when we travel to Los Angeles, NY Ontario or Vancouver….. Many of our villas come with purification systems, which are 100% safe to drink and save your hair from the hard treatment which is normally part of city water. There is also bottled water at every store, mini-mart, and gas station. Ask us about our ‘reducing plastic waste, clean water’ program.
Many people claim the weather here is perfect! Cabo weather experiences between 300 to 350 days of sunshine and about 5-10 days of rain per year. During the winter months, you can expect temperatures around 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit. During the summer, it will be around 90-100 degrees Fahrenheit. Fall is the tropical storm season, but still remains at 75+ degrees every day. And in the spring, it ranges between 70 and 90 degrees. Cabo Hurricane season begins moderately in July and tapers off in October.
The Los Cabos International Airport (SJD) is located in San Jose del Cabo. It is about 28 miles from the airport to downtown Cabo San Lucas, depending on which route you take. The toll road takes about 35 minutes and driving through San Jose del Cabo will take you around 45 minutes.
Not at all. If you spend most of your time around the marina, downtown, or by the beaches, most people speak English. When you get out of the tourist areas, you will find less and less people speak English, so be aware. While you don’t need to speak Spanish, it is a good idea to know a few common phrases and is always nice to greet and thank people in their language. See some common phrases and words at the end of the FAQs. If you want to learn a few phrases or need a quick review, we recommend the app Duolingo. It is very comprehensive, easy to use and free. They also have a great podcast you can download to your smartphone and listen on the plane.
18 is the legal drinking age in Cabo and in Mexico. Keep in mind, it is still illegal to drink and drive so please take a taxi or Uber anytime you are drinking! That way, you can stay safe while enjoying Cabo to the fullest. As it is legal to walk with open containers in Cabo, we recommend limiting this as much as possible. Always be aware of your surroundings and try not to bring extra attention to yourself, just like in any thriving city.
It is not necessary to exchange all of your cash for pesos. Dollars are accepted pretty much everywhere; however, you will usually get your change in pesos. We do recommend having some pesos on hand because businesses can use any exchange rate they want, thus making the U.S. dollar worth less at some places. Always ask your server, “What is the rate of exchange? – Cual es el tipo de cambio?” Also, always make sure to charge your credit card in pesos. Your credit card company will give you a preferable exchange rate, when compared to your hotel/restaurant.
If you’re local bank does currency exchange, do it there. It will be the easiest process for you and banks will use the true daily exchange rate, meaning you are getting the best possible rate. Check with your bank as they will most likely ask for advanced notice to prepare enough pesos for you. DO NOT use exchanges at the airport in Cabo. You will receive the worst possible exchange rate here. If you do not find a good place to exchange dollars for pesos, you are better off just using cash at stores and getting the change in pesos.
Both work, but check with your bank first. If your card charges international transaction fees, cash is the better option; if it doesn't, cards are fine for most purchases. Visa, Mastercard, and American Express are widely accepted, but some smaller businesses are cash-only ("Solo Efectivo"), so carry some pesos as backup. Tip: ask your bank to activate transaction alerts so you can catch incorrect charges in real time.
Yes, there are plenty of ATM’s in and around Cabo. There are ATM’s at banks, stores, the marina, streets, bars, and more. One thing to keep in mind is that these ATM’s usually charge pretty high fees so it is best practice to either do one transaction or arrive in Cabo with enough cash to last during your vacation. Depending on the ATM, you can either get cash or pesos, and some allow you to withdraw both. We recommend using ATMs in the banks, where you actually walk inside of a building; rather than the free-standing ones you will see around the marina.
Cabo San Lucas: Costco and Walmart are the easiest options for tourists. Chedraui, La Comer, and Soriana offer a more local shopping experience. OXXO mini-marts are on nearly every corner for quick items like water or beer.
San Jose del Cabo: Walmart, La Comer, Chedraui, and Soriana.
Prefer not to shop at all? Your Personal Concierge can pre-stock your villa with groceries and alcohol before you arrive.
Most guests don't need a rental car. If your villa is close to downtown Cabo San Lucas, taxis, Uber, and your Personal Concierge cover everything you need. A rental car is worth considering if you're staying on the East Cape or along the corridor and plan on traveling into San Lucas daily — it gives you more freedom over timing.
Your Personal Concierge can arrange taxis, shuttles, or a rental car for you at any time. Uber operates in Los Cabos, though wait times can run longer than in the U.S., so build in extra time if you're relying on it.
The Los Cabos International Airport (SJD) in San Jose del Cabo is about 28 miles from downtown Cabo San Lucas. The toll road takes roughly 35 minutes; the route through San Jose del Cabo along the coast takes about 45 minutes.
For transportation, take a taxi or Uber on arrival, or have your Personal Concierge arrange a private transfer — we work with transportation companies that meet guests curbside at the airport.
Flying private? MMSL, the private aviation airport, is located in Cabo San Lucas itself and serves jets and helicopters only. It's about 15 minutes from MMSL to villas in Pedregal or around the Marina. Ask your Personal Concierge to arrange private aviation.
Los Cabos offers activities for every kind of trip. Popular options include:
- Swimming, surfing, and paddleboarding
- ATV tours, horseback riding, and camel rides on the beach
- Yacht charters and deep-sea fishing
- Championship golf, snorkeling, and scuba diving
- Luxury spa treatments and sailing excursions
- Cooking classes, art and pottery lessons, and tequila/cigar tastings
- Nightlife, booze cruises, and waterpark visits
Check our blog for new activity guides and recommendations every month.
First things first, if you didn’t already know, Cabo is regarded as one of, if not the best fishing destination in the world. There are a number of fishing tournaments held here each year, including the world-renown, Bisbee’s Black & Blue. Almost all of the chartered fishing boats leave early in the morning, around 6am to 7am. The best time of the year to go fishing is dependent upon what type of fish you are looking for. The good news is there isn’t any point in time where fishing is “bad” here. Every single month is a hot time for certain fish so whenever you’re here, the water will be ready and boats will be fired up. If you are curious about what month is the best to go for certain fish as well as what to expect on a fishing trip, check out our blog post by clicking here: https://caboplatinum.com/blog/best-time-to-fish-in-cabo/
The summer months (June – November) are recognized to be one the best times to surf because of the warm water and great waves. Even though summer is technically the best time to surf in Cabo, there is no bad time to surf here. The waves always have crisp breaks and the beaches are always welcoming. For beginners, we recommend Cerritos beach with shallow waters and long surf breaks. For next level, we point our guests towards Zippers in San Jose and Shipwrecks on the East Cape.
While there are certain documents you can bring to enter and return from Mexico without having a passport, it is HIGHLY recommended to travel with a valid passport. This will reduce the possibility of any complications when crossing the border. When you are on your plane, you will receive immigration forms that you are required to fill out for customs. You need to keep the part of the form that they don’t take in order to re-enter the country. If you happen to lose this immigration form, you can purchase a new one at the airport for 550 pesos (~$30). Although it won’t break the bank, the time it takes to get this form is cumbersome and we have heard it costing people a missed flight. If you are driving into Mexico, make sure and stop at the border to get your immigration form.
Local area code in Los Cabos is “624” and the country code for Mexxico is “+52”.
From a Mexican Land Line or Cell Phone:
- To a Mexican long-distance number: 01 + 3-digit area code + 7-digit number
- To a Mexican cell phone number: 3-digit area code + 7-digit number
- To a U.S. phone number: 00 + 1 + 3-digit area code + 7-digit number
From a U.S. Cell Phone:
- To a Mexican land line or cell phone: 011 52 + 3-digit area code + 7-digit number
- To a U.S. phone number: 00 + 1 + 3-digit area code + 7-digit number
- If you have a U.S. plan that allows you to make free calls in Mexico and use the Mexican cell towers, you can call:
Toll Free Numbers:
- To a 1 (800) number: 001 + 880 + phone number
- To a 1 (888) number: 001 + 881 + phone number
- To a 1 (877) number: 001 + 882 + phone number
- To a 1 (866) number: 001 + 883 + phone number
- To a 1 (855) number: 001 + 884 + phone number
Emergency Numbers:
- Emergency Line: 066 or 911 if dialing from a local number
- Roadside Assistance: 074 from a local number
- Police Department: Cabo San Lucas (624) 143-3977; San Jose (624) 142-0361
- Tourist Police: (624) 143-3977
- U.S. Consulate: (624) 143-3566
- Canadian Consulate: (624) 142-4333
- Hospitals:
o Hospiten: Cabo San Lucas (624) 145-6000; San Jose (624) 105-8550
o Baja Medical Response: (624) 144-3434
o Blue Medical Net: Cabo San Lucas (624) 104-3911; San Jose (624) 142-3511
o North American Hospitals & Clinics: (624) 142-2700
o One World Hospital: Cabo San Lucas (624) 143-4911; San Jose (624) 142-5911
o Walk-In Medi Clinic: (624) 130-7011
Hello – Hola
Goodbye – Adios
Thank you – Gracias
You’re Welcome – De nada
What – Que
Where – Donde
When – Cuando
Why – Por que
Who – Quien
Which - Cual
Please – Por favor
Nice to meet you – Mucho gusto
Friend – Amigo
Brother/Sister – Hermano/Hermana
Wife/Husband – Esposa/Esposo
Girlfriend/Boyfriend – Novia/Novio
Mr/Sir – Señor
Mrs/Ma’m - Señora
Do you speak English? – Hablas inglés?
I don’t speak Spanish – No hablo español
Good morning – Buenos dias
Good afternoon – Buenas tardes
Good evening/Goodnight – Buenas noches
Cheers/Bless You – Salud
What is your name? – Como te llamas
My name is… – Me llamo…
What is this – Que es esto?
How much does this cost? – Cuanto cuesta
How are you? – Como estas?
I am good – Estoy bien
Check, please – La cuenta, por favor
It was delicious – Estaba delicioso
I want… – Yo quiero…
I would like… – Quisiera… (more polite)
I like/enjoy… – Me gusta…
I don’t like… – No me gusta…
I am allergic to… – Soy alergico a…
Take me to… – llevarme al…
I have – Yo tengo
I don’t have – No tengo
For you – Para ti
It’s for me – Es para mi
Most malls are in Cabo San Lucas and Jose del Cabo respective downtowns. One popular shopping destination is The Shoppes at Palmilla.
Cabo San Lucas is located on the West Coast, the Pacific Ocean side of Mexico, in the State of Baja California Sur.
Los Cabos comprises both San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas, connected by a Turistic Corridor, offering diverse experiences to visitors.
Hurricane season in Mexico typically runs from June to November, although Pacific hurricanes rarely make landfall in Los Cabos.
Most flights arrive at Los Cabos International Airport in San Jose del Cabo (SJD), while Cabo San Lucas (CSL) airport caters primarily to private jets.
Cabo San Lucas is approximately 1059 miles from San Diego, with a flight time of around 2 hours.
Yes, both Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo are considered safe for tourists, with significant investments made in security infrastructure. The public and private sector have invested close to $50 million to upgrade security infrastructure, equipment and personnel. As you can see, now is the perfect time to visit the beautiful Los Cabos.
Major airlines flying to Los Cabos include Delta Air, American Airlines, Westjet, Southwest Airlines, Jetblue, Alaska Airlines, Air Transat, Porter Airlines, and Air Canada. It's best to review each airline's website to learn if your local airport serves as a departing city for Los Cabos.
The flight time from Chicago to Los Cabos is approximately 4 hours and 40 minutes.
Yes, we can assist with various tours and activities, such as sunset cruises, horseback riding, snorkeling trips, fishing activities, helicopter tours, and more. Check the VIP concierge section for more information.
Yes, jet charters to and from Cabo are available through Cabo Platinum. Simply request the details from your VIP concierge.
Yes, Cabo Platinum offers wedding planning services, from small intimate weddings to lavish affairs. Check out our Wedding Services page for more information.
Crime is not a big issue in the resort communities areas of Los Cabos but use common sense and caution, as you would anywhere you travel. Do not leave valuables unattended on the beach. Use ATMs with the same vigilance you would at home. Avoid narcotics and if in trouble, ask to contact the U.S. consulate. If you need immediate assistance, including outside office hours, call: 55 8526 2561 (from Mexico) or 844 528 6611 (from the United States).
Cabo San Lucas has a Hospiten hospital and several competent English-speaking doctors. While hospitals may not be equipped for severe trauma cases, they can handle common medical needs. It's advisable to check with your doctor before traveling abroad and ensure you have travel health insurance to cover any medical emergencies during your stay in Cabo.
Cabo Real Estate Questions
Absolutely! Owning property in Mexico has never been easier or safer. The Federal Government has outlined a modern, standardized set of rules regarding non-Mexicans owning land in Mexico. These rules are in place to protect ownership rights and encourage the sale of real estate to foreign investors. The key is a safe, established and perpetually renewable Mexican Property Trust called a "Fideicomiso". Within this system, a Mexican banking institution holds fee simple title for the beneficiary of the trust, the foreigner, who has all the rights of a Mexican national in terms of usage, rental, sale, collateralization and modification of the property.
The Mexican government established the trust system as a protection for foreigners interested in owning property in Mexico. As a result of Article 27 of the Mexican constitution, which states, "foreigners cannot own property within 100 kilometers (60 miles) of the border and 50 kilometers (30 miles) of the coastline."; the government created a way to bypass these restrictions, which is the establishment of a Trust (Fideicomiso).
Through this system, the local bank holds legal title to the property in order to act on the foreigner's behalf. This system assures the foreign buyer all rights and privileges of ownership.
Property tax on Mexican real estate is called “predial”. Compared to the U.S. the cost of the predial is quite reasonable. Paid annually, the average is approximately 0.1% of the assessed value of the residential real estate at the time of sale. If you pay earlier in the year you may receive a discount. And if you are a senior citizen (over 60) and a permanent resident, you qualify for an “Inapam” card. This is a senior discount card that enables you to pay only 50% of the predial tax bill.
ROI depends on a few key factors: how much you'll personally use the home, the location you choose (beachfront, guard-gated community, etc.), and your rental strategy. Once those are defined, Cabo Platinum can help project rental rates, occupancy, and marketing strategy to support your investment plan.
Financing options exist but are limited — most home purchases in Los Cabos are cash deals. After the 2007/2008 financial crisis, the large US-based lenders that once served the market closed their doors, and financing has only slowly returned. Owner-financing typically offers the best terms when available. Your Cabo Platinum Real Estate Advisor can help identify current options that fit your situation.
Cabo Platinum, of course! From lawn care, to pool maintenance, to vehicle check-ups and more. Our team is a dedicated staff of hospitality-focused, service specific professionals. We are here to take care of your home when you are away. Services can be custom-designed to fit exactly what you need from your Property Management. The following are just a few of the elements that we manage for other owners:
• Weekly walk-thru inspection
• Monthly & Annual bill-pay
• Service-staff management
• Re-model oversight and management
• Shipping/Receiving and parcel logistics
• Home maintenance & Housekeeping
• Weekly walk-thru inspection
• Monthly & Annual bill-pay
• Service-staff management
• Re-model oversight and management
• Shipping/Receiving and parcel logistics
• Home maintenance & Housekeeping
