Aptos

The questions people ask first about Aptos, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

• Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
• SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
• Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
• TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
• Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
• SafetyAptos is a quiet coastal town and generally feels safe; the real risks are ocean conditions (cold water, rip currents, uneven lifeguard coverage…

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

• Coffee$4–6
• Sit-down mealDinner main at a mid-range restaurant$25–45
• Street or quick mealCasual lunch (burger, burrito, pizza slice)$12–22
• BeerDraft beer$8–12
• Budget bedHostel or motel bed, a night, per personUS$60
• Mid-range bedMotel or chain double room, a night, per roomUS$200
• High-end bedMotel or chain double room, a night, per roomUS$320

A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$110 · Mid US$200 · High US$400

Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Airports

SJC San Jose Mineta International (About 45–60 min by car via Highway 17 and Highway 1; the closest large airport.) · SFO San Francisco International (About 1 h 30 min–2 h by car; more flights, more traffic.) · MRY Monterey Regional (About 45 min south; small, few routes.) · OAK Oakland International (About 1 h 45 min by car.)

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Budget

$90–150 excl. bed

Mid

$150–260 excl. bed

High

$260+ excl. bed

• Summer weekend parking at Seacliff and Rio del Mar can fill by mid-morning; check posted street-parking rules and signs.
• The concrete ship Palo Alto at Seacliff is fenced off and unsafe to approach; view it from the pier.
• Nisene Marks trails can be unmarked in places and cell signal may be absent in the canyon; carry water and a map.
• Highway 1 through Aptos can back up on weekday mornings and summer weekends.
• Coastal fog can sit all day in summer; the beach can be much cooler than inland — check the forecast before a beach day.