How to Start the Cayo Perico Heist in GTA Online

Wondering how you can start the Cayo Perico Heist in GTA Online?

The Cayo Perico Heist DLC is one of the largest updates Rockstar had ever released for GTA V’s online mode. It’s also one of the most awaited updates of the game, similar to the recent Los Santos Tuners DLC. 

One of the most awaited features of the Cayo Perico DLC is the addition of a whole island. The first area added since GTA Online was launched in 2013. 

However, you can’t simply take a boat or plane and go to the remote island. 

The only way for players to access Cayo Perico is by initiating the heist job given by Miguel Madrazo. This specific job requires you to recover a valuable file from a drug lord’s mansion, which is also an excellent chance to loot valuable items. 

If you’re curious about the new island, keep reading. 

Today, we have decided to make a guide on how to start the Cayo Perico Heist in GTA Online.

Let’s get started!

Starting the Cayo Perico Heist

The initial step to getting started on the Cayo Perico Heist in GTA Online is to head to The Music Locker, a new nightclub under The Diamond Casino. There you’ll have to go to the VIP lounge to meet Miguel Madrazo. 

A cutscene will start upon entering the premises, which introduces you to Madrazo and his plan to stage a heist on Cayo Perico.  

After speaking with Miguel Madrazo, you’ll be required to purchase the Kosatka Submarine to start planning the heist. If you don’t know how to get the submarine, we have a separate guide, so check it out. 

The submarine will serve as your base of operations for the entire heist and can be purchased with various upgrades, including a sonar station and guided missile system. 

Once you’ve purchased the Kosatka, you can head out to your submarine and start executing the first steps for the heist. Unfortunately, you can’t spawn directly to Kosatka since it doesn’t have living quarters. 

Instead, you’ll have to approach it the old-fashioned way using a boat or helicopter. Fortunately, the Kosatka has a Dinghy service that spawns a helicopter near your location. 

How to Go to Cayo Perico Island? 

If you’ve gone to check the map to see where Cayo Perico island is, then you’ll be left disappointed. Unfortunately, the private island is in a separate location from Los Santos and can only be accessed when working on the Cayo Perico Heist. 

This means that you can’t explore the private island during free roam mode. 

Nonetheless, you can access the entire island while you’re gathering intel for the heist, which is as close to free roam as you can get. 

Once you’ve completed the Cayo Perico Heist, you can still return to the island as a host and attend the beach party. However, you won’t be able to explore the island besides the party premises. 

Cayo Perico Heist Point of Interests

After sneaking away from the party, you’ll need to reach the entrance of El Rubio’s compound without being spotted by security cameras or guards. Fortunately, you’ll be able to see their cones of vision on the minimap, so as long as you stay off their radar, you’ll be fine. 

Once you’re in the compound, make your way to the communications tower and hack the signal box. Now, you can scan the compound using security cameras. 

Here are the POIs you can identify through the cameras: 

• North Gate entry point
• North Wall entry point
• South Gate entry point
• South Wall entry point
• Basement: Madrazo files / Cash
• Office Cam 1: Fingerprint scanner
• West Storage Cam 1: Painting, Cash
• North Storage Cam 1: Cash
• North Storage Cam 2: Gold
• South Storage Cam 1: Cash
• South Storage Cam 2: Gold

That brings us to the end of our guide on how to start the Cayo Perico Heist in GTA Online. If you have questions or other concerns, please let us know in the comment section, and we’ll do our best to answer them.