How do you start the Cayo Perico Heist in GTA Online? GTA 5, or Grand Theft Auto 5's, mutliplayer mode has added the Cayo Perico Heist as part of its "biggest ever update", adding an entire new branch of missions set off the coast of Los Santos, involving a drug lord who goes by the name of El Rubio. The question is: how do you start the Cayo Perico Heist and how much does it cost?

As part of this GTA Online guide, we're going to explain how to start the Cayo Perico Heist. For more information on How to Make Millions with the Cayo Perico Heist, then follow the link, and also check out our Best Arcade to Buy and How to Start the Diamond Casino Heist guide.

GTA Online: How to Start the Cayo Perico Heist

In order to learn how to start the Cayo Perico Heist, you're going to need to ensure your game is updated to the latest version on PS5 and PS4, and then connect to GTA Online from the main menu. Once you're in a lobby and have full control of your character in Los Santos, you'll be able to begin the process of how to start the Cayo Perico Heist.

Take a Trip to The Music Locker

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Shortly after loading into Los Santos, you'll receive a text message from Miguel Madrazo, the son of Martin Madrazo. He'll tell you to visit The Music Locker, which is the new underground club located next to The Diamond Casino & Resort. Hold down the touchpad to bring up the Interaction Menu, and you'll find The Music Locker listed under the Quick GPS options. Alternative, you can set a waypoint manually; select the music note symbol just to the left of The Diamond & Casino Resort.

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You'll find the entrance to The Music Locker to the left of the main entrance to The Diamond & Casino Resort. Head inside and you'll need to pay a $150 fee to enter the club (it may be less depending on your attire).

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Once inside, you can party away with your pals using a variety of new dance moves accessed by holding down the L2 button. You'll find Martin Madrazo in a private suite in the downstairs area of The Music Locker, where he's drinking with family. Approach the area where he's sitting and it will trigger a cut-scene, in which he'll tell you all about the Cayo Perico Heist and his plans.

Buy and Enter the Kosatka Submarine

In order to start the Cayo Perico Heist, you'll need to purchase the Kosatka Submarine from Warstock Cache and Carry. Pull up your smartphone by pushing up on the d-pad and then load the web browser. You can either type in the URL for the website directly (www.warstock-cache-and-carry.com) or select it from the homepage.

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The base price of the Kosatka Submarine is $2,200,000, but as with other vehicles and apartments in GTA Online, you can choose to spec it out with other features and bonuses. If you choose to add all of the customisations, you're looking at a final fee of $9,010,000. The available modifications include:

  • Sonar Station ($1,200,000): Allows you to use the submarine to search for treasure around Los Santos' shore for GTA$ and RP every day.
  • Guided Missiles ($1,900,000)
  • Weapon Workshop ($350,000)
  • Moon Pool Vehicles: Sparrow ($1,815,000)
  • Moon Pool Vehicles: Kraken Avisa ($1,545,000)
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Once you've purchased the Kosatka Submarine, you need to request it. Hold down the touchpad to bring up the Interaction Menu and select Services > Kosatka > Request Kosatka. You'll get a phone call from the submarine's captain Helmsman Pavel who'll tell you to come and board the submarine.

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Bring up your map and you should find the Kosatka Submarine somewhere off Los Santos' shore. Set a waypoint to it and travel as far as you can go on land.

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You should see the Kosatka Submarine poking out of the water, off into the distance. If you don't have a boat or any other vehicle to travel on water, then you can once again hold down the touchpad to bring up the Interaction Menu and select Services > Kosatka > Request Dinghy to spawn a Nagasaki Dinghy nearby. Ride the boat out to the Kosatka Submarine and enter through the sealed entrance on the front.

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Once you're inside, you'll trigger a cut-scene with Pavel who will tell you all about the Kosatka Submarine and the mission you're about to embark on. You can pilot the Kosatka Submarine from the control desk and launch diving expeditions as well. Of course, you're going to want to get the Cayo Perico Heist underway first.

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To do that, you'll first need to become a CEO, President, or VIP. If you don't know how to do that, simply hold down the touchpad to bring up the Interaction Menu, and then select either SecuroServ or Motorcycle Club to change your status. For more information, you can find out How to Become a CEO and How to Become a Motorcycle Club President. Once you've done all that, you can go to the control desk and access the Planning Screen, which will being the setup for the Cayo Perico Heist.

GTA Online: Cayo Perico Heist FAQs

Now you know how to start the Cayo Perico Heist, you may have other questions about the GTA Online update and what it entails. Fortunately, we have answers.

Cayo Perico Heist: Is It Single Player?

For the first time in GTA Online history, the Cayo Perico Heist can be played entirely in single player. Of course, you'll probably have more fun in multiplayer — and there are additional money-making opportunities if you buddy up — but if you'd prefer to experience this new content on your own, then you can.

Cayo Perico Heist: Does It Have New Trophies?

Sadly, no. Ever since the Doomsday Heist rolled out in 2017, there have been no Trophy updates to GTA Online, and that remains true with the Cayo Perico Heist. We're not entirely sure why Rockstar has decided against adding Trophies to the title, but sadly you won't have any new PlayStation trinkets to unlock with this latest update.

Cayo Perico Heist: All New Weapons and Vehicles

As with any major GTA Online update, Rockstar has also made a plethora of new vehicles and weapons available for you to utilise. The new vehicles are as follows:

Warstock Cache and Carry

  • Kosatka Submarine: $2,200,000
  • Winky: $825,000 - $1,100,000
  • Kurtz 31 Patrol Boat: $2,216,250 - $2,955,000
  • RO-86 Alkonost: $3,262,500 - $4,350,000
  • Annihilator Stealth: $2,902,500 - $3,870,000
  • Toreador: £3,660,000

Docktease

  • LongFin: $2,125,000

Ammu-Nation

  • Perico Pistol
  • Military Rifle: $397,500
  • Combat Shotgun: $295,000

Cayo Perico Heist: Can You Free Roam Cayo Perico Island?

At the moment, it doesn't appear that you can free roam the new Cayo Perico Island, and you can only access it when playing the Cayo Perico Heist missions.

Did you know how to start the Cayo Perico Heist in GTA Online? Find out How to Make Millions with the Cayo Perico Heist, and check out our other GTA Online guides.