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Destino Los Cabos

Los Cabos Guide

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Useful Information when in Los Cabos

  • BEFORE YOU GO
  • CALLING IN MEXICO
  • SPANISH LESSON

Currency  – Dollars are accepted almost everywhere and you will get your change back in pesos. The exchange rate varies every day, but some places have a set rate posted. You can exchange dollars for pesos at the airport, but also a very easy way to get pesos is to simply withdraw money from an ATM. Bank ATMs give the daily exchange rate (best possible rate). Examples include Banorte, Bancomer, Santander, Banamex, Banregio and HSBC. Non-bank ATMs located in the streets or the marina will charge higher fees. Some ATMs only give you dollars, some only pesos and some give you the option to withdraw both. Pay close attention to what currency you’re withdrawing and try to get as much cash as possible in one transaction to avoid paying high fees.

Cash or Card? – Visa, Mastercard and American Express credit cards are generally accepted, but you often run into cash only establishments. Always ask beforehand and carry cash just in case. Keep in mind your bank will most likely charge you international transaction fees if you pay with your card. 

Driving – Renting a car will allow you to enjoy the freedom of exploring Los Cabos. Driving in Mexico might be intimidating, but if you just go with the muddled flow, you will realize that there is some organization within the chaos. If you are pulled over by local police for committing a driving infraction, the standard procedure is for them to take your Driver’s License. You will then have to go to the Police Station to pay your ticket and pick-up your license.

In Mexico the gas station attendants pump the gas for you, so you don’t have to get out of the vehicle. There are two types of gasoline: Magna, which is regular, and Premium. Lleno (pronounced ye-no) means full. Major credit cards are accepted. Tipping the gas station attendant around $10.00 pesos is customary. There is a toll road that takes you from the airport to Cabo San Lucas or to the Todos Santos highway; by taking this road you avoid the taxi and shuttle traffic on the main highway.

Download "Important Information" as a PDF

How do I dial?

Local area codes: Los Cabos: (624), Todos Santos and La Paz: (612) - Loreto: (613)
To dial to other countries: 00 + country code (1, 2 or 3 digits) + number

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 your U.S. cell phone:
To a Mexican land line or cell phone: 011 52 + 3 digit area code + number
To a U.S. phone number: 00 + 1 + 3 digit area code + number
Some U.S. cell phone carriers have arrangements with Mexican carriers and when you travel here your cell phone uses their towers. If this is your case, you will have to dial as if you had a Mexican phone.

U.S. TOLL FREE NUMBERS (International rates will apply):
To a 1 (800): 00 + 1 + 880 + phone number
To a 1 (888): 00 + 1 + 881 + phone number
To a 1 (877): 00 + 1 + 882 + phone number
To a 1 (866): 00 + 1 + 883 + phone number
To a 1 (855): 00 + 1 + 884 + phone number

IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS

Emergencies: 066 or 911 from a local number
Roadside Assistance:
074 from a local number

Police Department:
- Cabo San Lucas 143-3977
- San José del Cabo 142-0361

Fire Department: Dial 116 or:
- Cabo San Lucas 143-3577
- San José del Cabo 142-2466

Highway Patrol: 146-0573
Tourist Police:
143-3977

HOSPITALS:
Hospiten:
- Cabo San Lucas 145-6000
- San José del Cabo 105-8550

Baja Medical Response: 144-3434

Blue Medical Net:
- Cabo San Lucas Hospital 104 3911
- San José del Cabo Clinic 142-3511

Cabo Surgical Center: 172-6030

Hospital H+ Los Cabos: 104-9300

North American Hospitals and Clinics: 142-2770

One World Hospital:
- Cabo San Lucas 143-4911
- San José del Cabo 142-5911
- Todos Santos (612) 145-0600

Saint Luke's Hospital:
- Cabo San Lucas 143-4911
- San José del Cabo 142-5911

Walk-in Medi Clinic: 130-7011
* For a complete directory of Doctors, hospitals and clinics in Los Cabos, visit: www.loscabosdoctor.com

Air Ambulances:
SkyMed International Air Ambulance: 
(624) 154-4919
Air One Ambulance:
(800) 236-8080

Government:
U.S. Consulate:
143-3566
Canadian Consulate:
142-4333

Taxi Cabo San Lucas: 143-2221
Taxi San José de Cabo:
142-0401
Immigration:
143-0135

Airlines:
Aero Calafia:
130-7822
Aeromexico:
146-5097
Air Canada:
01 (800) 719-2827 (Toll free within Mexico)
Alaska Airlines:
146-5166
American Airlines:
146-5302/5303
Continental Airlines:
146-5050
Delta Airlines:
146-5005/146-5217
Interjet:
01 (800)-011-2345 (Toll free within Mexico)
Southwest:
01 (800) 435-9792
Spirit Airlines:
1 (800) 772-7117
Sun Wing:
1 (800) 668-4224
Volaris:
01 (800) 7VOLARIS (Toll free within Mexico)
US Airways:
146-5380
West Jet:
1 (800) 538-5696

Download "Important Information" as a PDF

Although most locals in Los Cabos speak English, they also appreciate it when visitors try to speak Spanish. Give it a try!

PRONUNCIATION RULES

The letter “ñ”

When you see a wiggly line on top of the letter “n” use the “ny” sound that you use for the English word canyon.

The double “ll”is pronounced like “y” in English.

The letter “h”is always silent.

The letter “j”is pronounced like “h” in English.

If the word has an accent mark such as “á”, that syllable is stressed.

THE BASICS

Hello – Hola

Goodbye – Adios

Good morning – Buenos días

Good afternoon – Buenas tardes

Good evening/night – Buenas noches

Thank you – Gracias

Please – Por Favor

Sorry – Disculpa

Here – Aquí

There – Allá

Help – Ayuda

Water – Agua

Food – Comida

Money – Dinero

Cash – Efectivo

Change – Cambio

Credit card – Tarjeta de crédito

Tip – Propina

GETTING AROUND

Where is …? – ¿Dónde está …?

My hotel is … – Mi hotel es …

Please take me to … – Por favor

lléveme a …

How much is this? – ¿Cuánto cuesta esto?

Where is an ATM? – ¿Dónde hay un cajero automático?

Telephone – Teléfono

Do you have WIFI? – ¿Tiene WIFI?


PLACES

Bathrooms – Baños

Restaurant – Restaurante

Hotel – Hotel

Beach – Playa

Store – Tienda

Pharmacy – Farmacia

AT A RESTAURANT

Table – Mesa

Glass – Vaso

Plate – Plato

Fork – Tenedor

Spoon – Cuchara

Knife – Cuchillo

Napkin – Servilleta

Can you bring the check? – ¿Puede traer la cuenta?

MEETING SOMEONE NEW

Nice to meet you – Mucho gusto

What’s your name? – ¿Cómo te llamas?

My name is … – Mi nombre es…

Where are you from? – ¿De dónde eres?

Do you speak English? – ¿Habla Inglés?

I don’t understand – No entiendo

BOATING AND FISHING TERMS IN SPANISH

Captain – Capitán

Aboard – Abordo

To fish – Pescar

To float – Flotar

Wind – Viento

Tide – Marea

Fish – Pescado

Bait – Carnada

Fishing rod – Caña de pescar

Hook – Anzuelo

Life preservers – Salvavidas

Throttle – Acelerador

Anchor – Ancla

Bow – Proa

Stern – Popa

Download "Spanish Lesson" as a PDF

Contact Us

Tel: (624) 105.9700 | 142.4949

General Inquiries
contact@destinoloscabos.com

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No matter your destination in Los Cabos, within the pages of Destino Magazine you will find quality editorial about this beautiful region of Southern Baja, as well as relevant tourist information, maps, activities, culinary discoveries, entertainment, real estate, healthy living, local culture, art, sports, and more.

Contact Us

General Inquiries
contact@destinoloscabos.com

Advertising
advertising@destinoloscabos.com

Share Your Cabo
Experiences With Us
#DESTINOLOSCABOS
About Us

No matter your destination in Los Cabos, within the pages of Destino Magazine you will find quality editorial about this beautiful region of Southern Baja, as well as relevant tourist information, maps, activities, culinary discoveries, entertainment, real estate, healthy living, local culture, art, sports, and more.

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