A.  VLE is located just to the northeast of the Cabo San Lucas marina, along Medano Beach.  It's about a fifteen-minute walk via the beach or local roads to downtown from VLE.  A taxi ride is $7 to downtown.

If you've never been to Cabo San Lucas, it's important for you to know that there are two different towns with the name CABO in them:  Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo.  Don't get them confused!  Cabo San Lucas is at the tip of Baja and is the "CABO" you want.  The airport is located at San Jose del Cabo (SJD), which is a town located 20 miles east of Cabo San Lucas.  SJD has resorts, but not as upscale as Cabo San Lucas; also, the weather's more humid around SJD.  In between Cabo San Lucas and SJD is the "tourist corridor" and many resorts are located along this stretch (Hilton, Westin, Hotel Twin Dolphin), but they are not in "CABO" and require an expensive taxi drive to get to CABO.

Villa La Estancia is located DIRECTLY on Medano Beach, the swimming beach of Cabo (as opposed to the beaches on the Pacific Ocean, over the hill from Cabo).  Medano Beach stretches from downtown Cabo, northeast to Monuments Beach (about five miles).  Villa La Estancia is located just one mile from downtown Cabo.

Q. Is Cabo San Lucas Safe?

A.  There's been a lot of negative press lately about the border cities of Mexico and drug-related violence. It's really impacted people's perceptions on visiting Mexico.  However, it's like second-guessing a Montana fishing trip just because you heard bad news about New York City.

Here's an interesting article, written by Linda Ellerbee, a journalist for NBC News: Is Mexico Dangerous?

Cabo San Lucas is almost one thousand miles south of the border.  With one road in and one road out, it's a virtual island.  Here are some recent news articles discussing the safety of Mexican tourist destinations:

LA Times
Wall Street Journal

In our experience, Cabo is as safe (or safer) than the typical American city. We feel safer in Cabo than many European tourist destinations.

Q. What's the weather like in Cabo?

A.  Here's a compilation of average temps, along with a link for current weather: 

Cabo Revealed: Weather Information  

What's important when you research weather is that you keep in mind that most weather reports are from the SJD airport, which is inland and can be 10-15 degrees warmer than the temperatures in Cabo San Lucas, which is located right on the ocean.  The ocean, which acts as one big heat sink (a regulator of temperature), limits the extremes in temperatures found just a few miles inland.

Q. Is there broadband internet access at Villa La Estancia?  What about in your villa?

A.  Each villa has broadband internet access (wired) available at no charge.  In addition, we have a secured WiFi (wireless) network in each of our villas (password provided to renters).  The wireless network allows you to use your laptop anywhere in the villa, including the balcony.

In addition, the resort has WiFi (unsecured) at the pool.

Q. Can you explain the villa numbering system? 

A.  Villa La Estancia numbers each villa with a four-digit number.  The first digit indicates the project phase (1, 2 or 3). The second digit -- the most important in our mind -- indicates the floor number (1 through 8).  The third is always a zero and is meaningless.  The  fourth digit denotes the building number (1 through 9; for phases 1 and three, this indicates how far back in the complex the villa is located).

For example, 1707 means first phase, seventh (of eight floors) and seventh building back. 3708 means third phase, seventh (of eight floors) and eighth building back.

Higher floors mean a better view (not only of the ocean, but looking over other buildings nearby).  Higher floors often mean more privacy.  Lower floors have limited (or no) views!!  Be sure to ask when comparing villas!  Our villas have GREAT views.

Phase 2 villas are located in the rear of the complex and are the furthest away from the pool and beach.

Phase 3 villas were the last to be built and are newer than phase 1 by about three years.

For a better understanding of the phase layout of Villa La Estancia, reference this drawing:  click here

Q. I see Villa La Estancia rentals on Expedia.com;  who owns the units that are rented on Expedia.com and what makes renting direct from an owner better?

A.  The rentals that are listed on Expedia.com and other travel sites are units owned by the developer of Villa La Estancia that remain unsold (very few of these left).  As the inventory of unsold villas declines, the developer has leased-back sold units from some owners to fill demand for rentals.  To view these villas (and just to compare rates), click HERE and then select "Check Rates."  NOTE:  Many sites quote rates, but be sure you see the TOTAL price, with taxes and "service fees" prior to comparing to our rates!  For example, Expedia tacks on over 20% in fees over the quoted rate!!  Be sure to compare BOTTOM-LINE costs.

Typically, rentals from travel websites have no guarantee of location with Villa La Estancia (you may get a garden view unit).  Also, these rental units are typically very "sterile" in nature -- that is, they are owned specifically for renting and haven't been upgraded beyond the stock furnishings package supplied by the resort.

When renting direct from an owner (like us), you KNOW which unit that your are renting and you KNOW the amenities that are included in the unit, such as upgraded beds, VOIP telephones, games, DVD movies, etc..

Last, but not least, you'll save money with us as our rental pricing is lower than Expedia or other travel brokers. :) 

Q. Do you have a mailing list?

A.  Yes.  We periodically send out an informal newsletter detailing last-minute deals for our villas and also general information on Villa La Estancia and Cabo San Lucas. If you'd like to add your email address to the mailing list, just complete the form below.  You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the "unsubscribe" link at the bottom of any newsletter mailing you receive from us.

Q. What airport do I fly into?

A.  San Jose del Cabo -- SJD.  SJD is located about 20 miles from Cabo San Lucas and is just north of the town of San Jose del Cabo.  Private flights can fly into the Cabo San Lucas airport, located just three miles north of Cabo San Lucas and Villa La Estancia.

To get to Villa La Estancia from the SJD airport, either rent a vehicle or catch a shuttle or taxi.  If driving, head LEFT out of the airport (toll road) and that will save you about 15 minutes of driving time.  At the Fonatur roundabout, take the first right which puts you on the four-lane highway to Cabo San Lucas.  Entering Cabo San Lucas, turn left at the first traffic light after you pass Costco (about a mile past Costco).  At the "T" intersection, turn left and follow the road into VLE.

Q. Are there any online reviews of Villa La Estancia?

A.  The most unbiased reviews that we have found are located at Tripadvisor.com (www.tripadvisor.com).  Tripadvisor is a terrific source of travel information and as a side-benefit, has a great booking search engine for finding the best rates for flights and hotel stays: Click HERE. 

As you read through the reviews, you'll find that VLE receives mostly positive reviews.  Complaints mainly center around 1) the stiff Mexican beds (common in Mexico), 2) developer-rented units from Expedia (garden views) and 3) the cost of food and beverages.  With our villas, all beds have been upgraded with termperpedic foam and are very comfortable..  Also, you KNOW the villa you will be renting and ours have incredible views (seventh of eight floors).  Not much we can do about the cost of eating at VLE restaurants and their resort pricing; we suggest eating breakfast and lunch at your villa and then heading to town in the evening to enjoy dinner.  Be sure to visit our CABO page for great hints on many restaurants near VLE.

Q. What's with the shared balcony I read about in Tripadvisor reviews?

A.  The villas are designed to be split into two units -- an "A" side, consisting of the living room, kitchen and master bedroom and a "B" side, consisting of the second bedroom ("Guest Suite").  All rooms share a common balcony.  Click HERE for a layout that shows how the villa can be configured.  We've never rented out an "A" side and "B" side to two separate renters.  So, there's no sharing with our unit and most owners follow the same policy.  However, renting through Expedia, etc., you have no control over an A/B split and you may, in fact, end up sharing a balcony, separated only by a thin, portable partition made of cactus reeds.

Again -- we don't rent an A and B side at the same time.  In fact, we only split the unit (allow an A-side rental or a B-side rental) during the shoulder season.

Q.  I'm American.  Do I need a passport to travel to Mexico?

A.  YES.  More information is available from the U. S. Department of State at www.travel.state.gov.

Q.  What extra charges are there?

A.  The rate we quote you is complete and even includes maid service.  Additional charges include dining, telephone calls (if you use the resort's phone), sofa bed linens and activities you may book.  Valet parking is provided free of charge (tip optional, but appreciated).  Villa La Estancia, as an option, offers all-inclusive dining.

Q.  What amenities are available at Villa La Estancia?

A.  Tennis (free; slight charge for lighting for night use), fitness center, spa/massage (fee), Child care (fee).  There are restaurants at the resort, as well as a small market and video-rental store.  A physician is also available. 

Q.  Is maid service available?  What is the charge for maid service?

A.  We provide maid service four times per week.  There is no extra charge for maid service, including departure cleaning.  As an option, you can upgrade maid service to seven times per week at minimal cost through the resort (upon check-in).

Q.  Do you rent for less than seven days?

A.  Our preferred rental period is seven days, beginning on a Friday or Saturday.  However, we do rent for less than seven days.

Q.  What about tipping?

A.  We usually tip our maid the first cleaning of our stay.  US$10-20 is always VERY appreciated by our maid.  Other staff that we usually tip include the pool and bell staff.  Prior to leaving for Cabo, we make sure to get a handful of 1's and 5's; for us, tipping very much improves our stay in Cabo -- and at the same time plays a BIG part in spreading goodwill and of improving the lives of the workers that work hard in making our stay enjoyable.  We typically tip $1/bag and at restaurants, 10-20% of the bill.  If you shop at the local markets, the kids and people bagging your groceries aren't paid and depend on tips.  Note: cab drivers do not expect tips in Mexico.

Q. What currency is used in Cabo?

A.  The Mexican Peso is the official currency however, most merchants will take US dollars (but sometimes at an exchange rate that favors them; the most common is to exchange at 10 pesos to the dollar).  The current exchange rate is approximately 10.85 pesos per US dollar (click HERE for an update).  We usually pay by credit card and let the issuer handle the conversion.  Beware of vendors that quote in dollars but charge your credit card in Pesos -- the vendor may convert the transaction at an unfavorable rate and then your credit card will charge to convert in addition.  Best to just get quoted in Pesos -- in fact, insist on it.

If you're heading to Cabo from Canada (and taking advantage of the strength of the Canadian Dollar!), you'll probably need to convert to US Dollars or Pesos, or risk getting vendor conversion rates based on the "old" rate.  That may change in time.

Q. What about the "sister" resorts of Villa del Palmar and Villa del Arco?

A.  All three resorts were developed by respected developer The Villa Group and sit aside each other along Medano Beach, with Villa La Estancia being the center resort (and the nicest).  At times, VLE guests have access to the other resorts and can use the pools and facilities, but guests at the other resorts do not have access to exclusive VLE. Restrictions are loosely enforced, mostly enforced during periods of high use.  For more information on Villa del Palmar, click HERE.  For Villa del Arco, click HERE.

Q. With a private rental, do I have the same privileges at VLE?

A.  Yes. As a guest of an owner, you are treated to the same services and attention as we are. 

Q. Can I drink the water?

A.  Villa La Estancia has it's own desalination plant and as such, the water at the resort is purified.  At restaurants, bottled water is typically offered to diners.

Q. Speaking of water, what's the pool like?

A.  The pools at VLE are incredible and are chlorine-free(!).  The pools were designed and built by Sandpiper Pools, an award winning gold-medal international company.  The pools are treated with a pH based cleaning system, feature Pebble-Tec surfaces, a grotto, gradual entry and a swim-up bar.  The pool at VLE is supposedly the largest pool in Cabo San Lucas!

Q. What time zone is Cabo in and does the time change with daylight savings time?

A.  Cabo is in the Mountain Time Zone and observes Daylight Savings Time.  Except for a few weeks each year, whatever the time is in Denver, that's the time in Cabo.

Q. Does the villa have laundry equipment?

A.  Yes, a washer and dryer unit are standard.  We even provide detergent.

Q. What makes the perfect Margarita?

A.  Always a favorite (passed on by a musical friend):

Crushed ice
3 wedges lime
2 ounces gold tequila (Cuervo 1800)
1/2 ounce tequila (Cuervo white)
1 1/4 ounces Rose's lime juice
1/2 ounce triple sec (Bols)
1 splash orange Curaçao (Bols)

Put all ingredients except the 3 lime wedges into a shaker. Squeeze 2 of the lime wedges into the shaker. SHAKE WELL! Rim outside of glass only with lime. Salt only the outside of the glass. Add fresh crushed ice to glass. Strain mixture over ice. Squeeze remaining lime wedge in glass.

Yes, there's a blender in the villa in case you like yours blended!