Cabo San Lucas - Department stores groceries

[decadude]

So I decided I am going to try to do this vacation on the cheap. I was wondering the prices of the department stores I heard there is a walmart in town. I opted to not get a rental car because on my previous thread I was scared to death to hear if you are in a wreck you typically go to jail.

 

[oldbuyer]

Groceries in Cabo at the large grocery stores are similar in price to US grocery prices. Limes, tortillas and rice are much cheaper and peanut butter and snacks a little higher than the US. Aramburo in town is expensive and OXXOs (like 711s) are reasonable but have a very limited selection.

Walmart has less of a selection and bakery than a Sorianas or Chedrui but all can be reached by inexpensive collectivo buses that at either 12.5 or 15 pesos one way.

AVOID taking a large resort taxi in Cabo as they are very expensive. If you need a a taxi back to your hotel/resort take a white sedan local taxi as they are a lot less than the econo van resort type tourist taxis. All large grocery stores provide a good exchange rate and take credit cards but try to pay in pesos (cash) for the best prices in Cabo.

 

[decadude]

Groceries in Cabo at the large grocery stores are similar in price to US grocery prices. Limes, tortillas and rice are much cheaper and peanut butter and snacks a little higher than the US. Aramburo in town is expensive and OXXOs (like 711s) are reasonable but have a very limited selection.

Walmart has less of a selection and bakery than a Sorianas or Chedrui but all can be reached by inexpensive collectivo buses that at either 12.5 or 15 pesos one way.

AVOID taking a large resort taxi in Cabo as they are very expensive. If you need a a taxi back to your hotel/resort take a white sedan local taxi as they are a lot less than the econo van resort type tourist taxis. All large grocery stores provide a good exchange rate and take credit cards but try to pay in pesos (cash) for the best prices in Cabo.

Thanks for the response this is good information. We are still considering getting a rental car I am seeing the threads floating around on rental car pricing coming out to be $350 a week but the quotes I am seeing online in cabo are like no more than $1 a day I know this excludes insurance

Now I have to ask because would it be OK to use a credit card that would not charge a conversion fee to use in Cabo. I have several credit cards so I suppose I will have to call my credit card carriers to see which ones if any are free conversion to pesos on purchases

 

[Passepartout]

Now I have to ask because would it be OK to use a credit card that would not charge a conversion fee to use in Cabo. I have several credit cards so I suppose I will have to call my credit card carriers to see which ones if any are free conversion to pesos on purchases

Capitol One is pretty much the only large bank that charges no foreign transaction fee. It's just 1% anyway on CC purchases. Much less cost than 'Cambios' (money exchanges) on the street. Hardly worth worrying about. Use a debit card for ATM withdrawals, not cash advances on CC. However DO call the CC providers and give them the heads-up that you'll be in Mexico- good time to ask about fees. Then they'll not shut the cards off thinking they've been stolen.

Jim

 

[Karen G]

So I decided I am going to try to do this vacation on the cheap.

Whatever you decide about your transportation options, it would be a good idea check into your timeshare to see what kind of cooking facilities and size of refrigerator/freezer you will have before you go to the store and load up with groceries. Most timeshares do not have ovens so you'll likely have just a microwave and a cooktop. Some have small refrigerators with small freezers.

 

[nazclk]

Grocery Stores

There are Wal-Mart, Costco, and Sorianna, also Mega which is my favorite.
Huge selection.

 

[herillc]

You can use grocery delivery companies like pricklypearscabo or cabogrocerygirls. You shop online and they will deliver them to your door. I never used them before but plan to try either one for next cabo trip. I don't want to deal with rental car in mexico.

 

[decadude]

You can use grocery delivery companies like pricklypearscabo or cabogrocerygirls. You shop online and they will deliver them to your door. I never used them before but plan to try either one for next cabo trip. I don't want to deal with rental car in mexico.

Thanks for this good info may be worth it

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[decadude]

Capitol One is pretty much the only large bank that charges no foreign transaction fee. It's just 1% anyway on CC purchases. Much less cost than 'Cambios' (money exchanges) on the street. Hardly worth worrying about. Use a debit card for ATM withdrawals, not cash advances on CC. However DO call the CC providers and give them the heads-up that you'll be in Mexico- good time to ask about fees. Then they'll not shut the cards off thinking they've been stolen.

Jim

Cool I have a capital one card that is active I rarely use it

Sent from my ONE A2005 using Tapatalk

 

[geekette]

I like Mega a lot, just beware of timeshare sharks in there, pretending to help you find the products you are seeking. We really enjoyed the open air market in the far part of their parking lot.

There is a Costco and we found out the hard way that they do not accept Costco Cash Cards.

For credit cards, call your issuers to see which, if any, skip transaction fee. I would think that preferable to opening new account for just this trip.

Karen's suggestion about checking on kitchen facilities first is very very good advice. You also might check on whether your resort has a small grocery/deli. You'd pay more, but the convenience is nice.

 

[pittle]

Another vote for Mega. When we went to Cabo, we stayed in Cabo San Jose at the Grand Mayan for 2 weeks - it was just a few blocks from a Mega. We walked there, bought groceries and took a taxi back a couple of times. We have only had a real kitchen with a stove/oven at one resort in Mexico. Most have fairly small refrigerators. Some of the sinks are just larger than a wet bar sink too.

Parking downtown is always challenging. We prefer to take the bus whenever possible when we are in Mexico.

We always us Pesos in Mexico and use a Cap One debit card at a bank ATM to get them. We opened a Cap One online checking account a few years ago just for our vacation money. It works well and does not charge the transaction fees. Many resorts have a bank ATM in their lobby and we use those. You get good rates and it is safe. We do not use generic ATM machines. Banamex, Bancomer, Santar, Scotia, and HSB are the main ones we look for.

 

[Passepartout]

The same company (Commercial Mexicana) that owns/operates Mega supermarkets also operated Costco stores in Mexico. Don't be surprised to see a few Kirkland Signature labeled items on shelves. The actual people who work at Mega wear (yellow, I think) vests and will help you find things- timeshare body snatchers don't.

Also, if making a booze run there on a weekend, the liquor/beer/wine sales hours are a little strange. I wasn't able to find them with a quick search. Maybe someone else knows off the top of their head.

If not mentioned upthread, grocery baggers work on tips- they are NOT paid by the store. I give about 5 pesos/bag. The grocery store is also a good place to pick up some extra pesos without any surcharge on your debit card.

Jim