Cabo San Lucas in Mexico is the perfect vacation destination. The people as well as establishments in the area welcome visitors with open arms. When it comes to being child-friendly, Cabo takes the cake. You will be able to see just how well Cabo establishments treat patrons with children when you walk into restaurants, hotels, resorts, attractions, movie theaters such as Cinepolis, and any other public places. Parents as well as their children feel wanted and appreciated. Cabo goes to great lengths to ensure that it is regarded as a family friendly destination.
There are so many activities for children to undertake here! For all those who think that Cabo San Lucas is just about partying, it is time to think again! There is no better way for children to spend their summer holidays than relaxing on the beach and building sand castles with their parents. There are plenty of ATV tours and water sports that have provisions for children as well. They can also take tours across the desert and learn about the desert fauna and takes notes on some of the biological specimens, insects, and/or animals they come across.
Following the Law
Mexico ensures that all their rules pertaining to children and minors are clear and simple. In January of 2005, a change was brought about in their directives which allowed minors travelling with only one parent to enter and leave the country without having to carry any notarized document that allowed the minor to travel. Such a document would require the signature of both the parents. While the 2005 change scrapped this need, a new directive has been passed in May of 2011. In effect, this new immigration law re-introduces the older requirement.
As per this law, if you are a single parent or one parent travelling with a minor, the minor needs to carry a notarized letter with the signatures of both the parents and of course, must have a valid passport. They also require the letter to be translated in Spanish. While this law is yet to be turned into a code, it will be best to carry the document anyway in order to avoid any complication while travelling.
Enjoying Cabo with Kids
No one wants to think of bureaucratic hassles while on vacation. The best thing about Mexico is that the authorities want to accomplish things faster too so that you can enjoy the many tourist friendly attractions that the Cabo has to offer. Once you finish the formalities, you will be free to take your child/children out onto the glorious beaches of Cabo San Lucas to enjoy the most sensational sunsets and family fun time.
Medano Beach is one of the best places to go to if you wish to spend some quality time with your child. Build all the sand castles you want with the soft sand on this beach! There are plenty of others things to do when you have children in tow; how about the dune buggy tour and/or the hike to the mountain waterfall? Make the most of Cabo by opting for activities like swimming with dolphins, whale watching, riding banana boats and blasters, visiting turtle farms, watching pirate shows, parasailing and snorkeling, and more!
The nightlife at Los Cabos is clearly not for the faint hearted! The southern end of the Baja peninsula in Mexico is a place that is brimming full of activities and beaches. Every person will find something to do here, which is what makes Los Cabos the place to be. It is known as one of the best holiday destinations in the world and visitors throng here in hordes to get a taste of authentic Mexico and to have their fill of the glorious sun, sand, and surf that Cabo offers.
Many Choices
The nightlife in Loc Cabos is high caliber and high energy when compared to almost any other holiday destination in the world. There are a variety of nightlife scenarios available at Los Cabos and it really depends on what you are looking for. You can go to a relaxing and romantic bar, there are dozens of them, or go dance it up at a hip hop club called Pink Kitty.
Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo
Cabo San Lucas is where many young adults love to fly down and visit. Known for its hard rocking all night party scene, Cabo San Lucas still has plenty to offer to those love birds who simply want to enjoy the glorious sunsets in Cabo without worrying about milling crowds, loud music, loud people, and jostling dancers. There are plenty of understated venues that offer lovers an opportunity to share cocktails and a romantic sunset vista.
San Jose del Cabo, on the other hand, is the quieter venue of the two and it is the first town that you will reach when landing at the airport. Do not worry, this town has plenty to offer all ages as well.
Spots to Frequent
The Office at Playa El Medano is known for its 16 ounce margaritas that leave everyone begging for more and they get it, too, because the place has plenty of happy hour fun! If you wish to enjoy some tremendous and memorable night time fun while dining on the sandy beach, The Office is the place to be. Don’t be fooled by the staid name, this is a rocking venue!
Pink Kitty, mentioned above, is the newest hot spot in downtown Cabo San Lucas. This chic venue has gyrating music, rooftop and patio dining options, a gourmet restaurant, and some upscale groovy décor. Located right next to the Cabo San Lucas Marina, the Pink Kitty is as accessible as it is exclusive. Do not worry; there is not any dress code for Pink Kitty.
A Cabo icon that you simply cannot miss if you are a party person worth his/her salt is Squid Roe on Boulevard Marina in Cabo San Lucas. This crowded venue has three floors open to the public and has plenty of TVs, drinks, and delicious food to choose from. Squid Roe was shown briefly in a Ben Stiller movie.
Red at San Jose is a new martini bar that offers the very best international cuisine palette complimented by some modern music. If you crave style and oomph, this is the place to be.
Live Latin bands play at the Tropicana in San Jose on Fridays and Saturday nights.
Get your fill of the sizzling nightlife at Los Cabos! When the sun descends, the fun begins!
CABO SAN LUCAS, Mexico, Mar. 19, 2012, Troy Media/ – When I think of travelling to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, the first thing that comes to my mind is all-inclusives.
Sure, all-inclusives, in which all your meals, as well as many activities and possibly even your beverages are included in one-price, might be a great idea for a couple or for people who want to eat and stay at the same place for a week or two and don’t mind crowds. They may not, however, be the ideal choice for those groups and larger families who prefer choice, convenience, privacy and even luxury.
Just think about it.
You’re heading to Cabo for a wedding, a family reunion or just a getaway from Canada’s sub-zero temperatures. Trying to find adjacent rooms for your group, even rooms in somewhat close proximity, in a quiet part of your hotel can prove challenging. You might even need a few suites – something larger than a small boxy hotel room for the wedding party or a place to gather. Even if you could get those, you’re still competing with all the other parties. And besides, you’ll all likely end up being on different floors, anyway.
I discovered, however, much to my surprise, that there are solutions – spacious, luxurious and surprisingly affordable. Even better, unlike all-inclusives, you don’t have to stay at the same place for a week.
During our last visit to Cabo San Lucas, we opted to split our holiday between two different locations to enjoy two different experiences. And this is how we did it.
Heart of the action
You can’t get much closer to the heart of the action than The Hacienda Resort. Just a few years old, it’s located right on Medano Beach with a view of Land’s End and the famous Arch.
At the far end of the complex, just steps from the beach in case you want to take a dip in the ocean, are the amenities, complete with ocean view. They include a dining room with patio, a Spa, a games room as well as three pools, including an infinity edge style which makes it seem that it extends out to the horizon.
There are various sized units in the complex; the abode for our stay had a rustic motif with four bedrooms, 3.5 baths in 3,500 sq. ft. that could easily accommodate up to 10 people.
No joke, the master ensuite alone rivaled the size of some hotels rooms.
While sleeping in during your holidays sounds like a great way to get a little R&R, waking up at the crack of dawn to experience an ocean view sunrise from the comfort of your balcony is nothing short of heavenly.
The kitchen featured humungous stainless steel appliances and laundry. There’s a formal dining room and living room with big screen TVs throughout. The Hacienda gives a new meaning to 5-star luxury and we could have easily camped in if we had nowhere to go.
However, we did! We were literally a stone’s throw from the Cabo San Lucas Bay and Marina. There’s no shortage of restaurants and bars offering dining delights and entertainment. And the fish! You’d be hard pressed to find fresher tuna, scallops and shrimp – and we even had marlin. Strolling along the Marina, there’s fabulous shopping including Puerto Paraiso Mall and Entertainment plaza and Luxury Avenue boutique mall that can keep you busy for days. Dos cervezas por favor!
Our short stay passed way too quickly at the Hacienda.
Our next stop was something a little more private. About three miles up the Los Cabos Corridor that connects Los Cabos to San Jose is the secured gated community of Punta Ballena. It features Esperanza Resort and Spas as well as a number of elite homes and luxury Villas connected by roads and beautiful scenic walking paths.
Our selection was Villa Desierto, which features 5200 sq. ft. of living space with five bedrooms, great for a family of 10.
Downstairs there’s also a wet bar, laundry facilities and a games room.
Breathtaking sunsets
A sliding glass door that stretches almost the width of the house opens onto a huge patio and barbeque pit with a view of the Sea of Cortez. It also has a Jacuzzi and private infinity pool, so you can hang out and, when in season, watch the whales from a distance and cuddle up with your significant other and take in a breathtaking the sunset.
Our Villa had a massive kitchen, so you can dine in or cook yourself. There’s a Costco and Walmart just a few minutes away, but you can also arrange for a private chef to cook for you, which we did on our last night’s stay.
The Villa Desierto patio and pool
There was a private resident’s Beach club a short two minute walk from our villa, with restaurant and swimming pool right on the ocean’s front. There is even a bed on the beach to take in a quick snooze.
Of course, a night in either the Hacienda or the Villa Desierto costs more than a single hotel room. Prices range from $450 to $1,500 per night. (Time of year, number of days and advanced booking price may vary). However, if you do the math and you look at the actual cost per person, it’s really right in line with hotel prices. Plus you get the luxury, security and privacy you likely wouldn’t get in your 10’x12’ hotel room.
Our holiday, except air, was booked through Sun Cabo Vacations. They are a 10-year old U.S.-based agency with staff and offices in Canada, the U.S. and Cabo.
If you go
The Internet can certainly provide a wealth of information; however there’s nothing like having help from experts who know the people, places and the properties.
David Girard, Partner and Villa Specialist at Sun Cabo, made all of our arrangements. He also tried to get to know us a little better so he could offer the best solution for our needs.
In fact, before we left we were contacted by Leslie Morgan, our concierge during our stay, who, based on our interests, provided us by e-mail with a suggested daily itinerary for dining, tours and activities, which we’ll cover in future articles.
We found Leslie to be quite delightful: a Canadian from Toronto, she moved to Cabo nine years ago and never left. Leslie is bilingual (English and Spanish), and she arranged our airport pickup and return, private transport, private chef service, tours and activities. She also made sure we had what we needed when we got there. We just reimbursed her on arrival.
Leslie even met us at both the Hacienda and Desierto when we arrived and saw us off upon departure. She even accompanied us on a shopping trip and Art Walk. Now that’s personal service.
We’ll be back!
Both the Hacienda and Desierto were incredible experiences, each with a different flavor. We had just the right amount of privacy, we felt safe, not alone or isolated. It was something new, something we had never tried before. We experienced luxury and still came back with a few Pesos left over.
So before you decide to book that Cabo all-inclusive, give David a call (800-710-CABO) at Sun Cabo and look at these alternatives. You can discover affordable luxury and still come back with some pesos left over for your return trip.
The only real issue we had with our trip was that we weren’t able to stay longer.
Greg Gazin, known as The Gadget Guy, is Troy Media’s Tech Columnist, Podcaster, Small Business and Technology Speaker. He can be reached at Gadgetguy.CA on Twitter @gadgetgreg or find him on Empire Avenue at (e)GADGET1.
This column is FREE to use on your websites or in your publications. However, Troy Media, with a link to its web site, MUST be credited.
Cabo San Lucas is the latest favorite destination for people all over the world. Cabo offers the best of all worlds with its rich ethnic and historical heritage as well as many opportunities of festivities and verve.
History of Cabo
Cabo has a rich and varied history that is the stuff that movies are made about. The town was a safe haven for pirates, who sailed the seas undaunted and freely. These pirates looted and plundered many a Spanish ship in the 1500s, only to come home to Cabo loaded with all the gold that they had bagged on their journey. While this was the past, Cabo still offers a haven to people all over the world, who would like to take a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and make merry in sunny Cabo.
Vibrant Events
Cabo is a large town that does not know how to stay quiet! The people of this glorious destination are friendly and cheerful. Many traditional festivals are still celebrated with zest and enthusiasm. At the same time, there are many new events added to the cultural calendar of Cabo. From art exhibitions to musical events, Cabo brings joy out into the streets so that it can sprinkle its fairy dust on the residents as well as the enthralled holidaying guests.
Carnival in Cabo
The carnival in Cabo is known simply as Carnaval. The day is celebrated at the start of March before Lent. Cabo natives adhere to strict fasting and penance during the 40 days of Lent but they have one last day of joie de vivre before Lent starts. The Carnaval has been described as an “indulgent festival of pleasure”. It is all that and more! Good food, drinks, and parades are common place during the Carnaval and tourists will love the colorful costumes and dancing that characterizes the day.
Festival of San Jose
The patron saint of Cabo is San Jose or St. Joseph. In his honor, the people of Cabo revel in an 11 day long festival that begins on the 8th of March every year. This is a fabulous time to enjoy the indigenous pleasures that Cabo has to offer. Get your fill of warm tamales that are as fresh as spring and pumpkin candies that melt in your mouth! Enjoy the many carnivals and parades organized during this joyous time.
Other Festivals
September 16th is celebrated as Independence Day and guests look forward to the carnival floats, processions, and the myriad opportunities to shop. If you want to see a nice mall, head over to Soriano. Furthermore, in Cabo, this day is marked by various bull fights and even a rodeo!
The Cabo Jazz Escape is a three day indulgence of all your senses. Jazz lovers make a beeline for Cabo in December. This event is enjoyed by thousands of people who overdose on live jazz music and great food all along the glorious Sunset Beach. A fitting end to this event is a brilliant display of fireworks!
Cabo has so many cultural events and festivals to offer so that you will never have an empty calendar day here.
The U.S. Department of State or State Department as more commonly known, a few weeks ago, had issued an updated version of their Travel Warning for Mexico. And hurrah, Cabo San Lucas is nowhere on the list! The writing on the wall couldn’t be any clearer. The sun, the sand, and the surf rule in Cabo San Lucas. Vive la Cabo San Lucas! And move over Cancun, Acapulco, and the rest, for Cabo San Lucas has more claims to fame than its sun, sand, and surf.
Joie de vivre in Cabo San Lucas spills over from its sunny beaches into its vibrant and sizzling art, music, and party scenes. You just can’t have enough of these—the events calendar is too choc-a-bloc. So, take your pick from some of the main events in Cabo San Lucas, and let the champagne flow!
Todos Santos Art Festival
Art aficionados, see art transcend the borders of the canvas and find its niche in the reams of Mexican culture, environment, and socio-economic issues. Mexican folk dancing, live and authentic Mexican music, and of course Mexican artworks—the annual Todos Santos Art Festival, held in February, is a veritable kaleidoscope of Mexico.
Champagne World Tour, Nikki Beach
Good times are uncorked at this March event and visitors revel in champagne showers, tasting sessions, and live music.
When this ends and if you want, there is a wonderful movie theater in the Soriana Mall called Cinepolis. This movie theater is new, well, so is the entire mall, and just sparkles.
Annual Masquerade Charity Ball, Nikki Beach
Nikki Beach is indeed the place to head to when you are in Cabo San Lucas. The party spirits are always high here, but the party animals here know how to swing a leg for a good cause too. The proceeds of the Annual Masquerade Charity Ball, held in May, go to the Los Cabos Children’s Foundation.
Annual Cabo Yacht Party and the Stars and Stripes Fishing Tournament
Come June, and the party scene in Cabo San Lucas moves away from the waterfront and heads into the open waters. Step on board the Caborey Yacht and party the night away as you sail around the Bay of Cabo San Lucas. The proceeds from this event go to the Los Cabos Children’s Foundation.
The Stars and Stripes Fishing Tournament is the largest of all charity events in Cabo San Lucas. Pit your angling skills against many others from around the world in the Sea of Cortez or the Pacific Ocean and add to your list of tales, about all those times when you almost caught a giant fish!
Independence Day Pool Party, Nikki Beach
Wear your patriotism on your sleeve, don the flag colors, and immerse yourself in the July 4th celebrations at, where else, but Nikki Beach.
Feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary
This is a day of endless feasting in Cabo as many eating joints organize family-style or buffet-style meals in honor of Virgin Mary. There is also a day-long parade to feast your eyes on.
Mexican Independence Day Parties, Nikki Beach
The party scene at Nikki Beach again heats up on September 16th, as a wave of celebrations are unleashed to mark the Mexican Independence Day. There are tequila tasting sessions, live music, fireworks, and food bars at various locations of the beach; you just can’t have enough of party hopping on the day.
Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead)
Take a walk around the city and visit the many graveyards that are decorated in bright colors in honor of the departed souls. In the evening, enjoy the vibrantly colorful parade that will go around the city.
Sabor a Cabo: International Food Festival
If there are festivities, can food be far behind! For a few days in November and December, foodies in Cabo San Lucas let loose their diet restrictions and tuck into gourmet delights from all around the world that are rustled up by renowned chefs at a variety of locations—Cabo, San Jose del Cabo, Puerto Los Cabos, and Medano Beach. But you really cannot beat those scallop tacos for 20 pesos.
A visit to Cabo San Lucas once is clearly not enough. But you can be sure that whenever you visit there, you are most likely to do so in the midst of some revelry.
Quick – which national capital has the higher murder rate: Mexico City or Washington, D.C.?
If you answered Mexico City, you’d be in good company – after all, Mexico is a war zone, isn’t it? But you would be wrong, on both counts.
Based on FBI crime statistics for 2010 and Mexican government data released early this year, Mexico City’s drug-related-homicide rate per 100,000 population was one-tenth of Washington’s overall homicide rate – 2.2 deaths per 100,000 population compared with 22. (Drug violence accounts for most murders in Mexico, which historically does not have the gun culture that reigns in the United States.)
And while parts of Mexico can be legitimately likened to a war zone, drug violence afflicts 80 of the country’s 2,400 municipalities (equivalent to counties). Their locations have been well publicized: along the U.S. border in northern Baja California, Sonora, Chihuahua, Nuevo Leon and Tamaulipas states, and south to Sinaloa, Michoacan and parts of San Luis Potosí, Nayarit, Jalisco, Guerrero and Morelos states.
The flip side is that more than 95 percent of Mexico’s municipalities are at least as safe as the average traveler’s hometown. Yucatan state, for example, had 0.1 of a murder for every 100,000 people in 2010 – no U.S. tourist destination comes close to that. Most cities in central Mexico, outside of the scattered drug hot spots, have lower murder rates than Orlando.
It would seem fairly clear – fly, don’t drive, across the border into the safe regions. Yet whenever people say they are going to Mexico, the invariable response is “Aren’t you afraid?”
Media sensationalism accounts for much of the wariness. “Gangland violence in western Mexico” “Journalists under attack in Mexico” and “Mexico mass grave toll climbs” sound as if the entire country were a killing field. The story might name the state, but rarely the town and almost never the neighborhood. And some reporters apparently are confused by the word “municipality” – some of the killings reported as being in Mazatlan, for example, actually happened in a town miles away from the city – akin to attributing East Palo Alto’s slayings to San Francisco.
But the biggest factor may be that travelers looking for a carefree vacation simply find it easier to write the entire country off than to learn what areas to avoid.
The Mexico Tourism Board is working to change that. Efforts so far have concentrated on getting accurate information to travel agents, who funnel the lion’s share of tourism to Mexico’s popular destinations. Independent travelers’ primary source of information is the State Department travel alerts (travel.state.gov), which are finally getting better at pinpointing the trouble spots.
“We are trying to work with U.S. authorities in making these travel alerts specific and not general,” said Rodolfo Lopez Negrete, the tourism board’s chief operating officer. “Unfortunately, they have projected a somewhat distorted image.”
In the meantime, we have done some of the work for you. The chart above recommends destinations for various comfort levels and travel styles. If you’re totally spooked, there are places that pose no more risk than Disneyland. If you’re open-minded but don’t want to take unnecessary risks, we have places safer than Miami, New Orleans or Washington, D.C. For fearless travelers, these sometimes dicey destinations are worth the extra caution.
Mexico safety tips
Your most important tactic for traveling safe, in Mexico or anywhere else, begins before you even decide where to go. Get familiar with Mexico’s geography; it’s a big country, and your destination might be hundreds or even a thousand miles from violence-prone areas. Keep up on Mexico coverage in major dailies, then do some focused research. Some sources:
– The current State Department travel warning (travel.state.gov) and security updates make a good start.
– The travel agents trade publication Travel Weekly has created a map that puts the latest travel warning in easily digestible graphic form (travelweekly.com/uploadedFiles/MEXICOMAP4.pdf).
– The United Kingdom Foreign Office Travel Advisory for Mexico ( www.fco.gov.uk; “Travel advice by country”) provides another perspective.
– Stratfor, a global intelligence company that advises government agencies and international corporations on security issues, is a reliable, up-to-the-minute source. Membership is expensive, but the website ( www.stratfor.com) makes some reports available for free.
Assuming you’re not headed for northern border areas, normal safety precautions that apply anywhere in the world will suffice. These are particularly important in Mexico:
– Don’t pack anything you couldn’t bear to part with; leave the bling at home.
– Carry only the money you need for the day in a money belt (not a fanny pack), and leave your passport in your hotel unless you know you will need it.
– Get local advice about areas to avoid.
– Don’t get drunk and stumble around dark, unfamiliar streets. Drunk or sober, don’t walk beaches late at night.
– Stick with taxis dispatched from your hotel or a sitio (taxi stand); if you go out for dinner, ask the restaurant to call a taxi for you.
– Drive during the day; if nighttime driving is unavoidable, use the toll roads.
– Leave a travel itinerary and a copy of your passport with someone at home. If you’ll be traveling in higher-risk areas, notify the nearest U.S. Consulate.
A final note: Don’t get rattled if you see armed soldiers patrolling the beach or manning highway checkpoints. They are young men doing a difficult job. On the road they’ll usually just ask you where you’re coming from and where you’re going; very rarely they will ask to inspect your trunk or your bags. I’ve never encountered one who wasn’t cordial and glad for a smile or a brief conversation.
Travel agencies are the vacation experts. They employ professionals that have up-to-date knowledge on travel industry trends; they maintain valuable connections with the world’s leading suppliers like airlines, hotels and tour companies, and they have the resources to design a vacation experience perfectly suited to your travel style, needs, and most importantly – budget.
As the online vacation travel industry continues to grow, more and more websites flood the internet advertising “Book It Yourself” vacations with a few clicks of the mouse. In reality, many of these sites can be tedious to use and offer vacation packages that are inflexible and clouded in fine print.
In recent years “Rent by Owner” websites have also become so numerous that it’s difficult to know which sites are trustworthy sources for booking a vacation property. These types of websites have also attracted many unscrupulous people seeking to defraud innocent renters through:
Fake Listings – Payments for reservations have already been made well before people discover that the listing was fraudulent.
Unrepresentative Photos – Outdated or graphically enhanced images of the property which do not accurately reflect its current state.
Disputes – The use of unprofessional rental contracts and fine print to create inflexible rental agreements that can jeopardize the customer.
These are just a few examples of why it’s in your best interest to plan your vacation through a travel agency.
Trust an Accredited Travel Agency – Book with Sun Cabo Vacations
Sun Cabo Vacations is a licensed, accredited travel agency. We belong to several independent organizations like the Better Business Bureau, IATAN (International Airlines Travel Agent Network) and ASTA (American Society of Travel Agents) – organizations that make it their business to ensure that we are providing honest, quality service to our clients.
At Sun Cabo Vacations, our listings represent properties that each of our staff have personally visited and inspected.
We take our own photographs and publish a complete list of amenities for each property
We know exactly where the property is located, who owns it and how it is managed and maintained
We use professional, legal rental agreements and will happily discuss any questions you have about the property and about your reservations.
We have been in business now for close to a decade, and during the past ten years we have developed a customer service philosophy that is based on honesty, integrity, knowledge and communication. When you reserve a property through us we become your advocate – working with the property owners to find you the perfect home at the right price with all the amenities you need. We maintain excellent relationships with the owners of the properties in our collection. As a result, we are able to negotiate on your behalf should you have special circumstances, last-minute changes or particular requests. We also enjoy preferred pricing with many owners due to the high volume of bookings we secure for their properties – fantastic pricing that we pass on to you.
Say that you still decide to “roll the dice” and book directly from an owner and the transaction is not fraudulent AND the house actually exists – then what? Will there be someone at the property to greet you upon arrival? Is there someone you can call in an emergency? Will you have a contact number for someone who can recommend different activities or restaurants throughout your stay? Someone who lives in Los Cabos and knows the area extremely well?
When you book with Sun Cabo Vacations, all of these resources will be available to you.
We offer pre-trip concierge services to help you plan your vacation, such as pre-stocking your villa with food and beverages, arranging chef and butler services and booking fishing expeditions, spa treatments, golf tee-times …
Sun Cabo Vacations also has friendly staff that live and work in Los Cabos. They know the area well, and are available to you should you require any assistance during your stay with us. Our concierge staff can book activities and arrange villa services upon your arrival at the vacation home, and they are there for you should you have any last-minute requests, or simply need some tips or recommendations for dining, shopping and sightseeing in Los Cabos. Whatever your request – they are there to help.
Ethical Business Practices
With so many ‘Vacation Rental by Owner’ websites on the internet today it’s difficult to know who you can trust. Sun Cabo Vacations is proud to be a member of the following accredited organizations so that our customers know we uphold honest business practices and a high standard of service in the travel industry.
Better Business Bureau Approved
Sun Cabo Vacations holds an active membership and an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is a non-partisan organization that maintains a database of companies and websites that have been verified and agree to conduct business as follows:
Provide the BBB with information regarding ownership and management of the company
Be in business for a minimum of 1 year
Have a satisfactory complaint handling record with the BBB
IATAN (International Airlines Travel Agent Network) is the de facto standard in Travel Agency Accreditation. IATAN’s Personnel Verification Program is in place to ensure that the highest professional standards are met and maintained. Here is a list of some of the requirements for obtaining IATAN membership:
The business has been in operation for at least one (1) year immediately prior to application and produced at least $20,000 in gross travel income or $200,000 in gross travel sales in the previous twelve (12) months;
Has qualified personnel who devote substantially all of their time to the affairs of the business, and are authorized to make managerial decisions and exercise daily supervision of the business;
Provides proof of the legal form of the business and of a business bank account;
Provides two (2) letters of recommendation from national or international industry suppliers or from a national travel association;
Provides proof of the business listing in a telephone or equivalent directory, website home page or advertisement showing how customers could contact the business;
Provides proof of a valid and relevant errors and omissions insurance policy in the name of the business;
Ensures that the business and location are in compliance with all federal, state, county and local laws including but not limited to zoning, registration, business license and, where applicable, provide proof of sellers of travel registration;
Has no pending or unresolved complaints at state or local consumer affairs offices.
ASTA Member in Good Standing
Sun Cabo Vacations is proud to be a member of ASTA – The American Society of Travel Agents – and as a member we are bound by the ASTA Code of Ethics. Members of this organization have earned an excellent reputation as professional travel agents around the globe. ASTA’s motto is “Without a travel agent, you’re on your own” – a statement that we firmly believe.
Tips for Booking Online
While the internet has revolutionized the way customers and companies conduct business, it has also opened the door for many individuals who seek to exploit consumers for their personal gain. We maintain active memberships in the above organizations to prove to our customers that we are a real company employing honest business practices that can be easily and readily verified by several independent sources.
When you do decide to do business over the internet, take extra caution with your money. If a company/broker insists on a wire transfer of funds, note that once wired your funds are almost always irretrievable. Unless you have done business with the company before and trust they will deliver the product/service upon payment it is advisable to use a credit card.
Flexible Payment Options
As a convenience to our customers we accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover Cards. Using your credit card offers you a level of fraud protection from your credit card company, and credit cards have become the preferred form of payment when making purchases online. We also accept cheque, money order and wire transfers at the discretion of our clients.
Knowledge & Expertise
Sun Cabo Vacations has one of the largest collections of vacation homes in Los Cabos – we feature beachfront condos, hilltop villas and family-oriented homes, as well as numerous properties that are ideal for kids, couples, groups of friends, and pets too. Using our knowledge and expertise we will find the perfect vacation home for you and your guests.
We know each and every home in our collection. Our staff travel to Los Cabos several times per year to tour properties so that we are personally familiar with their location, amenities and level of luxury. We know exactly which properties are family-oriented, perfect for couples, ideal for a romantic escape or mere steps away from a secluded beach.
Sun Cabo Vacations has been developing its expertise in the travel industry for nearly a decade, and continues to maintain a solid reputation as one of Los Cabos’ top vacation rental companies. Not only do we offer an unprecedented collection of luxury condos and villas, we also design complete vacation experiences for our clients with our comprehensive menu of services and friendly concierge staff. As well, our strong business ethics and honest customer service philosophy have made us a leader in our field.
Trust an accredited travel agency and book with Sun Cabo Vacations.
