Hotels/Dive Ops in Cabo San Lucas?

[NoPainNoGain]

My boyfriend and I will be traveling to Cabo San Lucas in late October. Unfortunately, we will only have about two days to SCUBA, plus some time at night and on the final day (when we can't SCUBA before flying) to play around.

Does anyone have any suggestions for moderately priced hotels that are easy for beach, downtown and diving? We don't want to stay anywhere that is too loud and crazy, but we also don't want to be far away from everything.

Also, we were planning to use Manta Diving -- does anyone know anything about them? We are stuck planning via the internet, so any real help would be appreciated!

Lastly, would you recommend renting a car? Or will we be able to get to dive sites with a dive shop?

Thanks!
Stacey

 

[dlndavid]

Hey Stacy,
I have only been to Los Cabos once and I (we, me and my non-diver wife) stayed between Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo, so we needed a car to get around.
I used Amigo Del Mar and they worked out pretty well. There are a few here on the board who know alot more about Cabo and I'm sure will be chimming in soon.
Have a great trip.
David

 

[WaterWayne]

Does anyone have any suggestions for moderately priced hotels that are easy for beach, downtown and diving? We don't want to stay anywhere that is too loud and crazy, but we also don't want to be far away from everything....Lastly, would you recommend renting a car? Or will we be able to get to dive sites with a dive shop?

Thanks!
Stacey

Stacey, I stayed Saturday night at the Siesta Suites Hotel in CSL. It's absolutely the best value in town. Working through Hotwire in advance, I paid about $53.00. Some road pals walked up and got a room for the three of them at $68.00. You can check out reviews on TripAdvisor. The Siesta is located two blocks from the main drag, three blocks from the Giggling Marlin (if that appeals to you), and about four blocks from the marina.

Regarding cars, if you stay at the Siesta, you won't absolutely need a car for most of your visit, at least. The bad news is that I don't think you'll be able to leave your dive gear at the dive shop, as the ones I've seen are small, store-front operations. OTOH, if you're willing to tug your gear in and out of the hotel, you wouldn't need a car for local diving.

However, a car will free you to check out Chileno Beach and other places in the Corridor for snorkeling, or even evening diving. This past weekend, I rented a Dodge Neon from Payless for about $25/day, which became $36/day after fees and liability insurance. Interestingly, had I moved sooner with Hotwire, I would have gotten an even better deal, but those are subject to daily change.

On Sunday, if you do get a car, you could drive up to the beaches near Pescador, around kilometer 65 (about an hour north of CSL on an interesting road.) I can tell you that on off-season Sundays, Todos Santos is not worth the drive. Anyway, at the Las Palmas/Las Palmitas beaches, there was fair surfing this past Sunday, and middling body surfing. Then stop by an establishment named "Art & Beer" (really!) about kilometer 69. Truly outstanding seafood, and a unique place overall. It'll mellow you after the weekend for the travel hassles. Make friends with some of your Siesta Suites neighbors (it's not hard) to borrow their shower on Sunday afternoon, or drop by one of the RV parks to wheedle/buy a shower before the flight.

Last but not least, the very best booze prices are inside the secure area of the terminal at SJD airport, at the duty-free shop that's farthest from the gates (to your far left as you clear the security maze.) Trust me, I've carefully analyzed tequila prices all over Los Cabos...

Salud!

--Wayne

 

[dlndavid]

Last but not least, the very best booze prices are inside the secure area of the terminal at SJD airport, at the duty-free shop that's farthest from the gates (to your far left as you clear the security maze.) Trust me, I've carefully analyzed tequila prices all over Los Cabos...

Salud!

--Wayne

Hey thanks for this input Wayne, I'll have to check it out. Got any recommendations on brands? El Jimador, Casadores?

 

[WaterWayne]

David, I PM'd you with the world's shortest overview of tequila. Any time, dood...

 

[scubabum2]

Wayne,
Thanks for the hotel advice. I knew Cabo could be done much cheaper without sacrificing the quality. We stayed at the Costa Real for 5 nights for around $460, but it was overpriced and not very impressive.
Mark

 

[Baja]

My boyfriend and I will be traveling to Cabo San Lucas in late October. Unfortunately, we will only have about two days to SCUBA, plus some time at night and on the final day (when we can't SCUBA before flying) to play around.

Does anyone have any suggestions for moderately priced hotels that are easy for beach, downtown and diving? We don't want to stay anywhere that is too loud and crazy, but we also don't want to be far away from everything.

Also, we were planning to use Manta Diving -- does anyone know anything about them? We are stuck planning via the internet, so any real help would be appreciated!

Lastly, would you recommend renting a car? Or will we be able to get to dive sites with a dive shop?

Thanks!
Stacey

Baja dive Located In The Costa Real Resort has been there 10 years and has never put a Diver In The Chamber. Manta is a new comer to Cabo about two years small shop on the beach not very impressive.Mar De Cortez is in Downtown Cabo and close to all Dive Shops or Siesta suites and Dos Mares all about 1 block from The Marina.Stay in Cabo and you wont need a Car the town is all of 10 Sq. Blocks. I like Siesta suites costs about $60.00 for two people and have kitchens.Tel no. for Baja Dive 011-52-624-33830 or 707-459-3747 www.baja-dive.net

 

[HB Diver]

I strongly recommend Manta; have dove w/them several times. Relaxed diving style, small groups, and knowledgable staff. They just got 2 new DMs and a new boat, too!

My wife and I have stayed @ Melia San Lucas several times. Great pool, on the beach (Playa Medano), quiet, nice views of Land's End, clean, and walking distance to diving (2 blocks to Manta) and town (3-4 blks). Melia Hotels have 2 hotels down there, so make sure you look @ "Melia San Lucas" on their website (solmelia.com).

Also, if you pre-arrange transportation to & from the airport, it will be cheaper than a taxi or car rental. I think you can do that through Travelocity. Once you get to Cabo, you won't need a car, unless you want to go exploring.

Have fun!

 

[techluis80]

Well I could reccomend to stay at Mexican INN , Bed and Breakfast, Cabo San Lucas -Experience the warmth and hospitality they have excellent rates from 50 USD double occupancy with A/C rooms and a continental breakfast included per day. The small hotel is close to everything and what is best. It is only 2 blocks away from the VIP Service dive facility Nautilus Divetech. Check it out by yourself. You wont regret it. Nautilus DIVE TECH - diving at a whole new level.

Have FUN and BE SAFE