We flew into Los Cabos airport from LAX, and as first-time visitors, we thought it would have been good to have had prior notice of the cost of getting from the airport to Cabo San Lucas. For our family of 3, it would have cost $27 to take a van, or $50 for a taxi.

The way to avoid this is to agree to attend a time-share presentation. You can bargain for a free ride plus anything else you can come up with. My husband got us 2 free days on a car rental from the Westin person. When we got to our hotel (Finisterra), we were talked into going to their presentation. We were given the same cash refund on the shuttle, 2 days free car rental (Alpha, the concierge, made the arrangements for us) and $100 credit toward our hotel costs. The presentation was actually low-key and interesting, and the gifts were worth the time spent.

We found Cabo San Lucas to be very much like Palm Springs or Newport Beach. Very beautiful, but far too American and pricey.

We took our rental car up to La Paz, where we stayed at Cabanas de los Arcos for 4 nights and 5 great days.

My husband and son drove up to Bahia de los Muertos and fished with a guy named Gaspar who drives a taxi out of the Hotel de los Arcos area. Gaspar got them a day with a friend who owned a panga and the 4 of them had a great day going after dorado. We brought home about 20 pounds of dorado fillets, which was about a quarter of what Tom and Sam caught.

We would like to recommend a few places to eat in La Paz, all around the public and federal piers, a few blocks north of the Hotel los Arcos.

• The restaurant Familiar VAX was very good with good prices. Great soups as well as entrees.
  
  
• On the side of the street across from the water is a great taco stand - wonderful carne asada with lots of salsas, guacamole, cucumbers, tomatoes and other toppings. (Ed. This is also one of my favorite street vendors - ftm)
  
  
• A block south is a great place for ice cream and fruit juices. If you are familiar with McConnell's ice cream, it is of that quality.

We had a great time, even in August when people said it would be too hot. The people are wonderful, the water is gorgeous, warm and clear, and the views, both water and mountains are really beautiful!