Cabo: Water Taxi to Medano Beach

If I take a water taxi to see the arch and then get dropped off at Medano Beach, do I have to arrange a return trip with the same guy that dropped me off? Are there plenty of other water taxis available to take cruise passengers back to the ship? Do we pay again for the return trip? Also, is this an appropriate trip with a 3 and 6 year old?

Plenty... do not pay for future ride... pay at end of each ride... for only that ride

If I take a water taxi to see the arch and then get dropped off at Medano Beach, do I have to arrange a return trip with the same guy that dropped me off? Are there plenty of other water taxis available to take cruise passengers back to the ship? Do we pay again for the return trip? Also, is this an appropriate trip with a 3 and 6 year old?

If it were me (and we've done it many times), grab a water taxi and most certainly see the arch, lover's Beach, Divorce Beach, the Sea Lions, Pelican Rock, and feed the fishes, and ask to be delivered to Medano. Enjoy your day at Medano at any (many?) of the great Cantinas, and then take a land cab back to the cruise dock. The land cab should be a bit cheaper than a water taxi back, and you will be afforded a small tour of parts of Cabo that you would ordinarily miss. A land cab back from Medano should cost about $12US for up to eight.

I feel a little uncomfortable putting my kids in a cab without car seats. My 3 year old still uses one and even the 6 year old uses a booster. Is there a safe bus route back?

I feel a little uncomfortable putting my kids in a cab without car seats. My 3 year old still uses one and even the 6 year old uses a booster. Is there a safe bus route back?

The other alternatives are water taxi or walk back. The walk may be a little rough for the three year old, but it isn't too bad. Once you get over the hill to the malecon, it is flat. I don't know how close the buses get to Medano Beach.

I would take the water taxi and arrange a time for the return trip. Perhaps 60-90 min before you leave the port. It only takes about 10-15 min to get back to the port and you'll get a great view of the ship and what's on shore. I wouldn't bother with a regular taxi especially if you're looking to use a booster seat and you have to go find one or traipse to the main road.

The little one may need some help getting on and off the boat since there's a ladder that you use and you disembark into a few feet of water. For the return trip and tour, it cost around 100 pesos or $6. We would have paid more. It was definitely worth it.

If you want somewhere a bit quieter with some kids around, ask to be dropped off at Tobascos restaurant. It's away from the main strip but still on Medano and the restaurant is right on the beach. Cheaper than the main strip, quieter, great food and service and the kids had tons of fun when we were there. Also you can get a cheap massage nearby and there are fewer street vendors hassling you to buy stuff. They still come round, but tend to leave you alone if you're at the restaurant

How much is a land taxi from Tobasco's back to the Marina?

How much is a land taxi from Tobasco's back to the Marina?

I can't answer that since we took the water taxi for $6 return with tour

But I can't imagine it'll be more than a few bucks

Perhaps someone can be specific and indicate how much they paid

Rumor has it that Tabasco's now charges to use their loungers and umbrellas even if you are buying food and drink from them.

If you're wanting a mellow atmosphere, try Billigan's (used to be party but no longer) the Milky Way, next door to Billigan's or the Sand Bar. These have loungers and do not charge for them if you are buying food and drink.

We were there back in August and just stayed under the umbrellas at the restaurant since we wanted to relax with some drinks. We stayed for a few hours, long after we finished, and there were no issues. But I do know that some people who chose not to eat, paid about $15 for the loungers. We deliberated over getting an umbrella and some chairs closer to the water, but you're close enough. Besides they interlock all the umbrellas at the restaurant and it's much better than a single umbrella.

Good to know about those other places. More choice

I feel a little uncomfortable putting my kids in a cab without car seats. My 3 year old still uses one and even the 6 year old uses a booster. Is there a safe bus route back?

I'm sorry, but I am old and grouchy...that being said, you feel comfortable taking a 3 year old, and a 6 year old on a small boat, and on a bus, but not in a cab?

I suspect that you could find a land cab with child seats, but I have never seen a public bus anywhere in Mexico with child seats.

btw....I'm over 60 and have never ridden in a child car seat....just lucky, I guess.....

When you say $6 do you mean perp person or per taxi and do they take USD? Thanks!

When you say $6 do you mean perp person or per taxi and do they take USD? Thanks!

US cash is common and easy

Suggest taking plenty of small clean (no rips or tears) US Cash.

$1pp (10 pesos) to get on the water taxi piers. That is the only fixed rate. The rest is Mexican Bargaining. KEEP THE PIER RECEIPT, FOR RETURN

Just arrived 1st tender last week, paid $1 to get on the pier, they wanted $8 for a solo ride, waited 5 mins, paid $5 (one way).

I paid $5 getting back (could have gotten it cheaper).

If you are 4 or more, expect $3pp each way, and $1pp for the pier. $7 pp total cost.

Usually take $20's on the ship. and exchange for small bills in the casino

Better to get NEW small bills at your bank 1st.

We also use credit cards everywhere possible (not on the water taxis)

Also, if you are fit, walk back... beautiful long marina stroll, after nasty hilly start

Appreciate the info!

US cash is common and easy

 

Suggest taking plenty of small clean (no rips or tears) US Cash.

 

$1pp (10 pesos) to get on the water taxi piers. That is the only fixed rate. The rest is Mexican Bargaining. KEEP THE PIER RECEIPT, FOR RETURN

 

Just arrived 1st tender last week, paid $1 to get on the pier, they wanted $8 for a solo ride, waited 5 mins, paid $5 (one way).

 

I paid $5 getting back (could have gotten it cheaper).

 

If you are 4 or more, expect $3pp each way, and $1pp for the pier. $7 pp total cost.

 

Usually take $20's on the ship. and exchange for small bills in the casino

Better to get NEW small bills at your bank 1st.

We also use credit cards everywhere possible (not on the water taxis)

 

Also, if you are fit, walk back... beautiful long marina stroll, after nasty hilly start

How long does it take to walk back....there are 4 of us - all adults and we all walk 3-6 miles almost every day so think would like to do this but need to plan enough time to get back to ship. Thanks

I would plan on at least a 45-60 minute walk back to the tender pier. It depends on where on Medano Beach you are when you start out. Also, bobandsofi mentioned the nasty hill. When you get to the top of the hill, you should be on the back side of the big mall, Puerto Parasio, you want to cut in the road between the mall and Marina Fiesta to get to the marina, that will cut some time off the walk. If you go all the way down the beach to the end, you will be adding another 10-15 minutes.