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Budget or Baller? What is your vacation status? In this post, I share how I vacationed on a budget and as a Baller. Los Cabos is the destination and backdrop for the review. I am the Queen of Southwest, but you can select any airline as your travel rewards partner.
For this trip, I did not check any other airlines. The base fare was $357. There is a list of fees: animal and health inspection, US Immigration and Naturalization, US Customs, and Tourism Tax. The total cost was $515. My flight from Chicago was nonstop, and the return flight had a layover in Phoenix. So far, my vacation level is budget. Why? Southwest has four types of fares: Wanna Get Away, Wanna Get Away+, Anytime, and Business Select. I have never flown anything other than Wanna Get Away.
Accommodations Status: Budget or Baller?I selected two hotels. I stayed at the Hampton Inn and Suites Los Cabos three years ago. The total cost for a room with a queen bed and an ocean view for two nights was $157. The Hampton Inn also has a complimentary Mexican-inspired breakfast. Checkout is at noon. The room at La Pacifica Los Cabos by HGV had an oceanfront view for $406. I booked using Open Season for two nights. If I did not own with HGV, the reservation would have cost $822 on the Hilton website. My status for accommodations is Baller for the second reservation. Booking with points was not an option for either reservation. I would never use 56,000 points on a room that costs less than $150 for two nights. Besides, I did not have 462,000 points for two nights at La Pacifica.
Again, I stayed at the Hampton Inn three years ago. There is a food market adjacent to the hotel. The Merkado is budget-friendly, and the food options will satisfy the pickiest eater. You can buy a meal here for $10 or $50. Dining at La Pacifica may require that I reach into my purse a little deeper. Because I researched the costs in advance, my dining level is Budget and Baller. With planning, everyone can travel if you know your vacation status.
I drove to the airport for the last four trips because it was cost-efficient. Parking at Midway would cost $75. An Uber would cost $37. If the fare is the same on the return, I break even because of my $15 Uber credit with Amex. It would be nice to let someone else drive and not bother anyone for a late-night pickup for the return flight. The ride to the airport was quick, TSA Precheck was a breeze, and I had enough time to start writing this post. By the way, my flight did not leave on time because of the tornado warning. I have never boarded and then had to deplane.
The last time I was in Cabo, we deplaned on the runway. Now they have a bridge that connects to the airport. No one asked for the screener paperwork in Chicago, but I filled it out and had a hard copy in my bag. Going through customs and immigration was fast, and I added another stamp to my passport. I read the reviews for Transcabo, but I also found a post about the best transportation companies in Cabo. Transcabo ranked second. I was a little confused by the setup, but the person coordinating the rides was professional and helpful. I ordered a cocktail while I waited for my shuttle. Guess who arrived at their hotel first.
The food was authentic and delicious at each restaurant. Do you see lettuce, tomatoes, or cheese on the taco from King Club? The freshly made guacamole and sauces paired well with the crunchy skins and chips. I stopped by Ufficio on Sunday for an Arugula Salad. The greens were fresh, and the apple slices added sweetness. I enjoyed a margarita while waiting for my food at the Oyster Bar. The fish tacos were tasty. However, I will not order Ceviche Negro again. All three meals were budget-friendly. The meal from Carbon Cabron was a play on surf and turf. Do you see three shrimp and a slice of pork belly? I ordered a smoked old-fashioned. This meal was worth $50. Besides, I dined here before. Because breakfast was complimentary at Hampton Inn, I saved money.
When I travel, I will strike up a conversation with almost anyone. During the shuttle ride, I talked to a couple from Oklahoma. I also met a guy from Los Angeles. Derrick informed me that the numbers were high in Mexico because vaccinations were not accessible. I was clueless until the employee told us to leave the pool area due to COVID-19 restrictions. Even at the height of the pandemic, I always had access to the pool. Did you know there was an advisory not to travel to Mexico? I called La Pacifica to ensure restaurants and pools were open.
Although I could have taken public transportation for this eight-minute ride, I traveled on the side of safety and took a taxi. I was greeted immediately by the staff at La Pacifica. They offered two margaritas while I waited for my room. Even though it was early, I was allowed to check in at 12:30PM. Of course, an employee asked about attending a timeshare presentation. On my last trip, I collected Hilton Honors points for sitting in on a timeshare presentation. Because it was less than 30 days, I was not eligible to attend another update. I had dinner at the Azul Bar. The Hibiscus Flower cocktail was tasty. The next day, I would enjoy breakfast and lunch at La Pacifica’s version of Starbucks.
While the resort prepared for the tropical storm, they were flexible and adjusted accordingly. At first, the pools were closed, but they opened the main pool. The staff prepared the property with coverings over the open-air restaurants. They also piled sandbags in front of the corridors. I experienced a tropical storm in Cancun, and the rain was unrelenting. So far, Eugene was taking his time rolling through. You must have proof of a negative COVID-19 test. I made my appointment as soon as I checked in. I do not understand why Costa Rica charged $85, but the cost was $30 in Los Cabos.
This vacation was a combination of Budget and Baller status. If you want to go to Los Cabos on a budget, you should plan accordingly. Fly Southwest, make a reservation at Hampton Inn and Suites for four nights, and eat at the restaurants at the Merkado. Carbon Cabron is adjacent to the Merkado. That was a Baller move. If you want to go as a Baller, you should plan accordingly. Upgrade your flight on Southwest, book at La Pacifica for four nights and dine only at restaurants on the property. In addition, you can upgrade your airport shuttle to private. I did not use any points for this trip. Even though I used the Amex Hilton Honors card during most of my vacation, the COVID-19 company only accepts Visa or MC. I enjoyed my stay at both properties.
You will show proof of your negative test at the airport. You will also save time by completing the screener online. Yes, I was at the airport three hours before my flight, and you know where I spent my time. I enjoyed complimentary cocktails and light snacks in the VIP Lounge. We took a shuttle to the runway and boarded the plane. After walking through customs in Phoenix, I headed to the Centurion Lounge. Even though I read about the operating hours before the world opened up, I was surprised the lounge closed at 5:00PM. I enjoyed my old-fashioned cocktail, shrimp and grits, and coffee cake. If you can hang out in an airport lounge, you are a Baller.
I logged into my account. Uber wanted $54, and I had to wait 22 minutes. I walked to the train. It was after midnight. Before I boarded the train, I put my phone and house key in my pocket. There were people everywhere. I was surprised to see two Southwest flight attendants on the platform. I exited at Roosevelt and caught the Cottage Grove bus. The train ride was 20 minutes, and I waited 10 minutes for the bus. I was home before 1:00AM. Even though I saw police at Midway, on the platform at Roosevelt, and when I waited for the bus at Michigan Avenue, I prayed until I arrived home safely.
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Budget or Baller?
