How to Start the Cayo Perico Heist in GTA Online

Grand Theft Auto Online (GTA) keeps churning out the content mill, and we are all here for it! Since then the multiplayer online spin-off has seen many changes and had many additions in terms of cars, missions and other goodies. But, the newest update is the largest yet, The Cayo Perico Heist.

This new heist ups the ante by taking the action to an island just off of Los Santos, meaning that cruising down the streets of Vinewood will have to be put on hold as you travel to Cayo Perico and experience a new scene altogether. The target? The drug lord El Rubio. The cost? A lot, but it is worth it.

So, how exactly do you start and complete the Cayo Perico Heist?

How to do the Cayo Perico Heist in GTA Online

Firstly, you will need to make sure that your system is up-to-date so that the content is loaded in. On the PS4 this comes in the update v1.35, on Xbox One and PC it is v1.52, so do any updates before loading into the game, otherwise the Cayo Perico Heist may not appear.

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Head to the Music Locker

You will see the Music Locker branded on your map as a little, well, music note symbol. On the PS4 the map can be accessed by Pressing the Touchpad, on PC you will have to Press the ESC key. Make your way over to the waypoint after receiving a text from Miguel Madrazo who is the son of Martin Madrazo. The text will come through not long after you first load into the game when you're out of the lobby. If you have previously visited the Diamond Casino & Resort then this area may seem familiar to you, as the club is next door to the casino on the left hand side. This is where you will find the entrance. Enter the club and pay the $150 entry fee; the fee may be less depending on your outfit.

Inside the Music Locker you can either start the mission straightaway or spend some time showing off your moves to your friends first. To find Miguel Madrazo head to the private suite downstairs. A cutscene will start and the mission details will become clear.

Purchase and Get in the Kosatka Submarine

The Kosatka Submarine is how you are able to start the mission. It is available from the Warstock Cache and Carry which is where you will need to buy it from. On the D-Pad press the up arrow to open your phone. Go to the web browser and open it. Lots of websites appear on the homepage when you first load into the browser so you will most likely be able to find it straight off the bat. But, if for some reason you are finding it hard to see then you can use the full URL by typing in www.warstock-cache-and-carry.com.

The Kosatka Submarine is not the cheapest, coming in at $2,200,000, and that is just for the base sub itself. As with many things in GTA Online you can buy extras to trick it out, which will of course increase the price.

Related: Most Expensive Clothing in GTA V

To get in the Kosatka Submarine you need to request it. Hold Down the Touchpad on PS4 or Press M on the PC to bring up the Interaction Menu.

You should be able to see the services tab as you open it up. Select this and then do as follows:

Services > Kosatka > Request Kosatka 

This will trigger a phone call from the sub's captain Helmsman Pavel who will tell you that it is time to come aboard the Kosatka.

Access your map once again and you should see the submarine icon off of the coast of Los Santos in the Pacific Ocean. Set your waypoint marker to it and head to the coast by car. Once you reach the shore you will be able to see the sub breaking the water's surface and sticking out about a quarter of the way. At this point you will need to find a way to reach the submarine. If you are hardcore you could try swimming to it, but that's just time consuming. So we recommend heading back into the Interaction Menu where you can request a dinghy specifically for the purpose of letting you reach the Kosatka. Go through the menu as follows:

Services > Kosatka > Request Dinghy

You will then be able to board the submarine through the front sealed entrance.

Upon entering you will meet Helmsman Pavel and a cutscene will ensue. He will then proceed to fill you in even more about the Cayo Perico Heist itself. To get the mission underway you will need to be either a President, CEO or VIP. To make yourself one of these open up your Interaction Menu again and pick either Motorcycle Club or SecuroServ and from there you can change your status. After that, head over to the control desk and interact with the Planning Screen which will let you activate the next part of the mission.

Upon entering you will meet Helmsman Pavel and a cutscene will ensue. He will then proceed to fill you in even more about the Cayo Perico Heist itself. To get the mission underway you will need to be either a President, CEO or VIP. To make yourself one of these: 

— Open up Interaction Menu 

— Pick either Motorcycle Club or SecuroServ

— From there you can change your status. 

After that, head over to the control desk and interact with the Planning Screen which will let you activate the next part of the mission.

And that is how you start the Cayo Perico Heist! Next we will show you how to complete the heist in the current meta which includes tips for the solo run as well.

Need to know the next steps for the Cayo Perico Heist? Check out the guide for how to complete the rest of the heist.