Cabo San Lucas Travel Forum

I've snorkeled in many beautiful areas of the world, but never Mexico. We will be in Cabo for a week and I have heard reports that the snorkeling is great at Chilean Beach...or? BUT the thing I don't understand is...if you can't even drink the local water, how can you avoid getting sick by swallowing even a little bit when snorkeling?? It sounds like that would be a sure way to get Montezuma's Revenge. Please advise asap-we are going for Thanksgiving.
PS Is it really chilly at night? Does anyone dress up for dinner?
Thanks Friends!

People usually recommend not drinking non-bottled water because the bacterias that live in untreated water can make you ill.

However, when you are snorkelling, you will be swimming in salt water (or on occassion fresh water tidal pools). This water is infinitely cleaner than untreated tap water.

No need to get worried about getting sick while snorkelling.

Cabo can be either chilly or warm at night depending on what you are familiar with at home. Look at www.caboweather.com for yearly temperature averages.

Thanks so much! So even the fresh water tidal pools are safe, because they are also salt water...? I really appreciate your reply. Anything else you can tell me, or reccomend in the area? If you have snorkeled or dived in Cabo, where did you go? Best Regards and Happy Thanksgiving.

The salt water is fine due to the saline content. The fresh water pools are fine due to the fact that the water recycles and does not stagnate. You should not get ill from either, but still is good practice not to drink the water you're swimming in...

When I was in Cabo, I was doing more above-water activities, like surfing, jet-ski, 4x4... I'm sure there are good places to scuba/snorkel there, but I cant give any testimonials.

Also, Cabo's ocean waters are very, very clean.

In fact, although I wouldn't suggest it you could probably drink tap water there because they have good systems and the water comes from wells, not rivers or reservoirs.

Places where you can't drink the water, the problem is usually more that plumbing systems than the water source.

So don't worry about getting sick diving. Chileno beach is great. You can walk down from the highway where the bus stops.
"Lovers Beach" is one of my favorite diving places anywhere. You can get a water taxi there or walk south over the rocks from the Solmar hotel.

Have fun.