Although Cabo is a destination on many people’s lists, it is certainly the kind of place knowing what to expect while you’re there can only help you make the experience that much better. Cabo may be widely thought of as a place to let loose in a spring break-type fashion, but it is a city with more to offer than parties. Cabo offers everything from history, to water activities, to ATV tours in the desert, Golf, and still so much more.

Cabo San Lucas is also known by the shorter version, Cabo. It is a resort city located in the Mexican state of Baja California Sur. Cabo is one of Mexico’s top 5 tourist destinations. Archaeologists have found evidence of human inhabitance dating back around 10,000 years. It is a popular destination for cruise ships, as well as all-inclusive resorts, and timeshares along the beach.

If you’ve ever been to Mexico, you know that the hustle game is strong there. From the time you get off the plane and get your luggage, you have people that want to sell you something. The push to sell the timeshare properties is very strong. They will entice you to go tour the timeshares with things like bottles of authentic tequila, free jetski rentals, ATV rentals, spa packages, and sometimes even cash. They post up at the airport and catch you before you leave to get your rental car. You can opt out of listening, and if you are staying at an all-inclusive resort, this is advised. The resorts all have their own salespeople. They will even tell you that you aren’t allowed to tell your resort if you talk to them and do any kinds of deals. You can usually hear conversations around you. They will sell you while you are getting ready to drive away in your rental car, they will catch you if you leave your resort and are walking on a beach or pier. They are posted everywhere. For something like 30 minutes-an hour and usually a free breakfast or meal to listen, you usually get some stuff thrown at you just to hear the sales pitch. You can certainly listen to the pitch without buying in as well. Buying into a timeshare is one of the few regrets of my life but some people own timeshares and love them. It’s all about how you plan on using it. So, you may justify some time out of your day to just listen.

When people tell you not to drink the water, they aren’t even a little bit kidding. I knew of Montezuma’s Revenge most of my entire life as my family is very familiar with Mexico and traveling there. I had not experienced it until this trip. We stayed at a very nice all-inclusive resort. I was very careful not to drink water unless I knew it came from a bottle that was unopened. I tried to brush my teeth with bottled water even. One day, my mind was elsewhere, and I brushed my teeth with tap water. I don’t usually swallow the water or toothpaste when brushing my teeth, but I must have that morning. It did not take long but we were out and about, and I felt the blood rush out of my head and right to my stomach. I felt like I swallowed a sandbag and it wanted out by any means possible. We were eating the best tacos I have had in my life, and drinking some really good Mexican beer, and before I could really get through my first bite, was when it hit. I persevered for a bit. These tacos were unlike anything I had up to that point and I just wanted to enjoy them. I ate them really fast. Whether or not that contributed to my one way ticket to the bathroom that day, I will never know. Our resort was outside of town a bit. As soon as we left, I insisted we had to go home. I knew it would end very badly if I was in public much longer. We grabbed a taxi and got back to the resort as quickly as we could. I attempted to literally hold everything together until we got inside. That is where I would spend most of that day. Hours later, I emerged as though I was climbing out of a collapsed cave. Dehydrated, weak, and still not completely sure if I was going or coming. I had survived though. So, take it from me, kids: DO NOT DRINK THE WATER! DON’T SWALLOW THE WATER IN ANY WAY!

As for the rest of our stay, we had a great time renting jet skis for a couple hours, we went on a sunset sail, we enjoyed the food almost everywhere, and loved just relaxing on our balcony that collected the ocean breeze. We also got to swim with dolphins. We did not get to ATV in the desert, nor scuba dive with the whale shark which was a really big bucket list item for me. There are some great nightlife options in Cabo if you’re looking. Since it is a sort of party-area, they don’t disappoint. We just did a long weekend there and it was a perfect getaway. It was only a few hours long flight from Denver. Cabo is very accessible from anywhere in the United States. We had been there not long after a hurricane and some buildings had been rebuilding from damage but that worked in our favor for prices. That was already four years ago, so I am sure they have rebuilt by now. It wasn’t a trip where I took a lot of photos. I actually worked on being present and not experiencing that trip from behind the camera. I do kind of wish I had more photos but it is the kind of place you go to kick back and enjoy. Until next time, Adiós y saludos, Mexico!

Packing List: Bathing suits, Sandals or beach shoes, Type A and B power adapters (Commonly used in North America and the east side of South America), Towels of your own, Something you don’t mind wearing over your wet bathing suit if you want to go somewhere to get food, Formal attire if your resort requires it, Coral Reef safe sunscreen, Snorkel/Scuba or other water stuff of your own, Underwater/Waterproof cameras are a great thing to have, Waterproof pouches/cases for your phone, Pesos

Do: Check out Ramuri la Cerveza Artesana AKA Cerveceria Ramuri, Drink lots of bottled or filtered water, Remember to apply sunscreen regularly, Check with your phone network provider about coverage in Mexico, Tip, Watch your resort charges when you check out, Relax and enjoy

Don’t: DRINK OR SWALLOW THE WATER!, Buy anything you can’t afford nor anything you aren’t comfortable with