Last Updated on September 3, 2018
When you are a traveler with a completely defined wanderlust spirit, you know that nothing can change your plans and desire to travel. Not even a low budget.
Although many people believe that saving money when travelling is a very complicated and difficult task, the truth is that it is not an impossible mission and if you do it the right way, it ends up being something really simple.
It’s all about your pre-trip organization and research, and this doesn’t necessarily mean looking for a simple and economical destination, because even in the most expensive places it’s possible to travel without hurting your pocket so much.
So, if you have a beautiful destination in mind and the energy and desire to visit it, then you have more than enough for an incredible vacation.
Los Cabos, for example, is one of the most visited destinations in Mexico because of its beautiful tropical desert landscapes, its beaches, the great amount of environments and the variety of activities you can do in it.
And, although most people consider it an expensive tourist destination, the truth is that you can make the most of it without spending a fortune.
But how to achieve it?
In order for your trip to go as smoothly as possible and to save money during the trip, the best thing you can do is to follow these lines where you will find several tips that will help you achieve your goal.
5 Ways to Save Money in Los Cabos
The first thing to keep in mind is that “saving money” does not mean that you will only go for the cheapest. The idea is that you enjoy your vacation and spend some pleasant time, and that won’t necessarily happen if you only go to the places that offer you an extremely economical price for a lousy service.
If you’re looking for the cheapest but lowest quality places instead of “saving money” you’ll be wasting it.
So, practically the strategy of saving money during a trip is to think intelligently about which things are worth spending a little more money on and which are not.
And this is exactly what the following 5 tips will help you with.
Plan Everything Ahead.
One expense that is clearly unavoidable in all travel is airfare and lodging.
These first expenses are practically the starting point for planning any trip, so if you want to save money during your vacation you should start by doing this job the right way.
The first thing you need to do is decide what time of year you will be traveling. Obviously, you should look for the time of the year when your destination is in high season. This way you will know the best time to travel, because the higher the season, the more expensive everything will be.
In the case of Los Cabos, the highest season is during whale watching, between the months of December and April. And to the surprise of many the low season is in the middle of summer (because of the high temperatures and the rainy climate of September).
So, if your Cabo trip isn’t planned to go whale watching and you don’t care much about the heat, the best time to go is during the months of July to September if you’re looking to save money.
Now, what about the plane tickets?
If you already have a date, try to purchase tickets several weeks in advance. This will allow you to save a lot because you will not be buying tickets at high prices because of the high demand in the middle of the season.
Then pay attention here: If you decide to travel in the low season, airline tickets should preferably be available 6-8 weeks in advance. On the other hand, if you decide to travel in high season, tickets must be purchased 10 to 12 weeks in advance.
By the time this step is completed, you will have saved yourself a considerable amount. Now the only thing missing in this pre-trip planning is the stay.
The reservation of the stay (economically) is very similar to the reservation of plane tickets. The earlier you book, the cheaper it will be.
Well, obviously a room will be more expensive if you look for it in the middle of the season, because the demand will be very high. Therefore, planning ahead is the best way to start a trip without extra expenses.
Where to stay with a tight budget?
It’s very obvious that an all-inclusive resort, however well heard, is not the best way to save money in Los Cabos.
If what you want is to enjoy the locality more than spending the whole day at the hotel, honestly you don’t need to get the most luxurious stay in Los Cabos. Finding a pleasant and accessible place is more than enough.
And for your fortune, one of the advantages of this beautiful destination is that it has an incredible variety of hotels and inns that are not bad for the price they have.
One of them is the Seven Crown Hotel, which you can get for as little as $37 a night. With its excellent location and comfortable rooms, you will be more than satisfied and your spending will not be excessive. And if you’re not convinced, pay attention to this TripAdvisor review:
“The hotel is very simple! It’s cheap and super comfortable and clean, the rooms are big, the bathroom and shower worked great! We didn’t have any complaints, we loved it because it’s close to everything and we didn’t suffer from very well located transportation. Well, nice and cheap.“
On the other hand, another ideal place to stay that is in a similar price range to the Seven Crown Hotel is the Estancia Real Los Cabos. At a cost of $38 a night, it offers you a pleasant stay with an incredible location.
“We chose this hotel for its central location and economy, and we did not regret it because the stay was very pleasant and fulfilled our expectations, the rooms are well equipped and clean, the staff is friendly and the facilities are in good condition.”
And finally, among all the beautiful places you can get, let’s mention two options that are in the range of $50-$60 per night, and even though they’re a little higher in price, they’re still two places you won’t regret.
First, there’s Cabo Vista Hotel which costs $52 a night, offers incredible service and completely comfortable rooms.
“My visit was 8 days, I loved the room, clean, comfortable and safe, the kitchenette was very useful and practical. Very nice breakfast. The location was very good as it allows you to walk to the center. The friendly and attentive staff.“
And second, the Cabo Inn Hotel, at a cost of $58 a night. This place will give you a unique experience with excellent location and unparalleled service.
“It is a very pleasant and comfortable stay, with all the services, it is accessible and above all it is distinguished by its beautiful facilities. It’s the best choice if you want to relax and enjoy a good weekend with friends or family.“
With these places and all the others you can find, you can now cross off the list to get the perfect stay for an affordable price.
However, a common mistake is to think that you are the only one who wants to save a little. All of these places can exist but because they are more accessible it is probably not so easy to get a room (especially if you travel in the middle of the high season). That’s why it’s so important to follow the previous tip and book in advance so that you can take some extra worry and expense off your shoulders.
Where to eat with a tight budget?
Another way in which you can save a good amount of money is to choose the places in Cabo that give you a good service and let you enjoy the local cuisine, without the need for the cost to be very high.
You must not let yourself be carried away by the facade of the place, because no matter how beautiful it may be, I assure you that there are places that can give you in some cases an even better service for a more accessible price.
The only task you have then is to get those little jewels that Cabo have, and that’s why we’re here.
So that you can enjoy a varied menu, let’s start first with a few places that will give you the best of Mexican food.
The Restaurant Bar Campestre is undoubtedly one of the favorites of the locals, as it offers you a 100% Mexican meal with authentic homemade flavor. It is also one of the places that give you excellent service at a very good price:
“Very good food, the dishes are large and accompanied by several garnishes. Very good price and excellent service!“
And another Mexican-style option is La Taquiza, the place whose tacos will bring you back. With an excellent location and first class service, it’s the option you’ve been looking for:
“The place is nice, I recommend the barbecue or shepherd’s tacos. They have varieties of sauces to suit all tastes. The breakfasts are very tasty, the portions are large enough to satisfy you and the price is fair and affordable compared to other restaurants“.
Now, taking a direction that’s a little more American in style, Doggy Style is certainly the place that will give you a totally different, unique and economical version of what you once thought would be a Hot Dog.
If you have a craving for a hamburger, hot dog or fries, this is the place to go:
“We went because we wanted something cheaper to eat in the area and it was really good. The gentleman is a very kind American who does everything quickly and well. I also liked the decoration of the place very much.“
So, don’t worry, it’s not impossible to get these places that will make your pocket happier.
Now, let’s talk about another relevant subject… What about the liquor?
Usually if your plan is not to overspend during your trip, a common advice is to avoid alcohol consumption, which is usually expensive. However, if you don’t want to put aside this option Los Cabos can help you with that.
At Happy Ending Cantina and Cabo Blue you can have a great time and a great variety of drinks for an incredible price!
“When you’re visiting Cabo San Lucas, don’t forget to stop by the happy ending bar, you’ll find a variety of drinks at a very low cost.“
And finally, if you’re really looking to spend the minimum on food, there’s always the option of cooking in your hotel room and taking the food of the day with you, which will certainly save you a lot more money.
Free activities in Cabo
With great savings so far getting airline tickets at a good price, a good stay on a low budget and the best way to enjoy the rich gastronomy of the destination economically, it’s time for you to know… What can I do for free in Los Cabos?
Los Cabos has a reputation for being an eclectic place, as all the activities you get at this place are very varied and there are usually activities for all tastes.
And what better than a range of opportunities that create a long list of things to do? Ah yes… It’s better if those are free!!
One of the first things you can do for free is to visit two of its beautiful beaches.
Palmilla Beach is one of them. This beautiful place will leave you enchanted with its gentle waves and crystal clear waters. It is the ideal place to spend a day in the sun and on the sand. And best of all, you can bring your own food and drinks without having to eat at a restaurant or spend money on any other souvenir.
On the other hand, there is Playa Las Viudas, which like Palmilla allows you to carry everything (ideal for your pocket). This beach is undoubtedly a hidden paradise (it seems to be even a private beach) whose main attraction is the rocky formations you will find there.
On the other hand, another way to enjoy Cabo for free is to stroll through its streets and enjoy its culture and architecture. There is nothing better than enjoying a pleasant walk through its magical streets, visiting the Central Square, the Cathedral of San José or visiting the Boulevard Antonio Mijares.
And in the same spirit of walking, another perfect place to go for a walk is the Cabo San Lucas Marina. A beautiful scenery both day and night. A must-see stop to get your picture taken next to the #Cabo sign. It is definitely something you should not miss on your trip!
Another thing that is completely free is the incredible sunsets that this destination gives you. Nothing like watching the beautiful tones of twilight hiding behind the Pacific. And this is something you can observe from almost anywhere in Los Cabos.
Now, if you’re looking for something with a little more action than just sitting back and watching the sun go down… A day of Hiking is what you need.
The Cañón de Costa Azul and Cerro de la Z are exactly what your adventurous spirit needs to connect with nature.
On the one hand, the Costa Azul Cañon will give you an unforgettable day of hiking. You just need a lot of energy, a bottle of water and start enjoying your surroundings and the incredible view.
Cerro de la Z, on its own, is a place usually used by locals for exercise, but when you reach the top you’ll find yourself with a view like no other. It’s really a sport activity that besides giving you some time with nature will delight you.
Honestly… what more could you ask for?
And finally, if you end up traveling in the high season at the end, obviously the whales must be on this list of free things!
Watching the whales that migrate to the Cortes Sea is one of the natural spectacles that delight both locals and visitors alike, so it’s definitely something you can’t miss!
So there are no excuses!. With so much to do for free, you can have the best vacation in Los Cabos without spending more than you need.
The best way to transport in Cabo
At this point, it is the moment when one of the first things that was mentioned at the beginning must be taken into account much more. Keep in mind that “Saving money does not mean looking for the cheapest“.
But… Why is it so important to keep this in mind?
You must be very intelligent when deciding on your means of transport in Los Cabos. This is where you should spend your money on what will really give you the comfort you need.
Clearly this doesn’t mean that everything you saved with the above tips should be spent on transportation, but it’s not like you’re going to walk from the airport to the hotel to avoid spending money.
You have to find the middle ground between your comfort and the happiness in your pocket.
And that’s where private transportation comes in.
When you arrive at a destination (for the first time or not) it is important that the first moments of your trip are full of good energy and no stress, so that the mood you have at that time is maintained throughout the trip.
That’s why, although it’s not as cheap as going by bus, the private transportation service will give you the advantage of having a first trip on your vacation that will be: safe, comfortable, without wasting time and without having to have a hard time.
And you can prove this by quickly comparing all the benefits of hiring a private service with the benefits of using the most economical transport (public transport).
So, this is where you’ll spend your money wisely on a service that’s really worth it.
And it’s not just about hiring any private transportation service at random, as you may as well overpay for a poor quality service. It’s about getting the service that suits your needs and has a value for money that is accessible.
In Los Cabos, for example, you will find one of the best private transportation services in all of Baja California.
We are talking about VIP Transportation Los Cabos, the Cabo transportation service that will make you feel like a star without taking an eye off your face.
This transportation service has an incredible reputation (which you can easily check out in their reviews on TripAdvisor). From its punctuality, friendly drivers and clean and in excellent condition vehicles, VIP Transportation Los Cabos promises to be the best decision you can make.
Best of all, it’s not an expensive service, because for the VIP experience it provides, its cost is perfectly affordable.
So don’t hesitate any more and invest a little of your budget in the best way to travel in Los Cabos.
With these 5 tips you can fulfill your dream of traveling to a paradise as beautiful as Los Cabos and not suffer for spending a fortune on it.
Remember, all you need is a great adventurous spirit, a lot of energy and a desire to travel…. The rest will take care of itself.
Don’t wait any longer. Los Cabos is waiting for you.
