Cabo San Lucas

Arches, Beaches, Nightlife and Adventure

Cabo San Lucas sits at Mexico’s southern tip where land meets sea in a dramatic landscape of rocky cliffs and white sand beaches. The city thrives on ocean views, fresh seafood and outdoor activities like snorkeling or sailing. Local markets sell handmade crafts while restaurants serve fish tacos with regional flavors. At night, the sky often lights up with small fishing boats returning to harbor. Cultural events happen year-round alongside music from nearby towns. Visitors find a relaxed pace mixed with lively festivals throughout the year.

Add to list Map view

City in Mexico

$$$

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

See price details

Safety: 6.0

General Safety:	6
Health & medical:	7
Accessibility:	6
Tap water:	3

Read details

4/5

English is widely spoken in hotels, restaurants, and tourist attractions. Most menus and signage are bilingual, and staff are used to international visitors. In markets and with older residents, Spanish is more common, but you’ll get by easily.

Highlights Attractions Getting there Hotels Tips Travel costs Safety Articles

Last update: 12 Oct 2026

* We earn a commission from some links on this page.

Cabo San Lucas Summary

These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.

‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.

‘Your personal’ scores:
This reflects how well a place matches your personal preferences. You can adjust the importances of travel topics or other personal requirements categories in your account settings.

‘Suited for’ badges:
These give you a quick overview of how well a destination suits specific types of travellers, to help you find the places that match your lifestyle, preferences or travel situation.

Read how our scores work

Excellent for beach resorts and ocean adventures. Go whale watching, take boat trips to rock arches, snorkel clear bays and enjoy lively nightlife.

Place score

7.6

Best at:

Sea

Beaches

Luxury

Guided tours

Nightlife

Personal score

Suited for

👶 7

Families

🧓 7

Seniors

❤️ 8

Couples

🛡️ 7

Travel Beginners

Mexico – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	127 V, 60 Hz Plug: Type A , Type B Type A: Type B: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Mexican Peso (MXN) £1 ≈ MX$24.81
Cashless info:	Rating 4/5 Cashless payments are becoming more common in urban areas. Major cities like Mexico City and Guadalajara accept credit cards and mobile payments, but cash is still the preferred payment method in many places. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is customary in Mexico. In restaurants, leave 10-15% for good service. Taxi fares should be rounded up. Small tips are appreciated by hotel staff and service workers.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is not allowed in most areas, though it is permitted in some tourist zones and beaches. Be cautious about local laws regarding alcohol consumption in public spaces.
Public smoking:	Smoking is allowed in designated areas in public spaces, but most indoor places such as restaurants and shops have non-smoking policies.

Independence Day (16 September)	Major national celebration with parades and festivities
Day of the Dead (1–2 November)	Traditional celebrations honouring deceased loved ones

Emergency contact:	Emergency Number: 911 (Police, Fire, Ambulance)
Taxi apps:	Uber, Didi, Cabify
Other:	Mexico offers rich cultural experiences, beautiful beaches, and diverse landscapes. Travellers should take standard safety precautions and be mindful of their surroundings.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

☀️

Jan

☀️

Feb

☀️

Mar

☀️

Apr

☀️

May

☀️

Jun

🔥

Jul

🔥

Aug

🔥

Sep

🔥

Oct

☀️

Nov

☀️

Dec

High season:	Jan. - April, Dec.
Shoulder season:	May - June, Nov.
Crowdedness:	8 (Very crowded)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Hurricane season June to November, highest risk August to October; some hotels and tours close in September

Whale watching season runs mid December to mid April, peaking January to March

Sport fishing peaks in summer and autumn, with the Bisbee tournaments in October and November

Don't miss

⛵ Explore the iconic El Arco rock formation by boat
🏖️ Relax on vibrant Medano Beach and swim safely
🏜️ Experience thrilling ATV tours through desert landscapes
🐋 Go whale watching from October to March
🦐 Enjoy fresh seafood at the Marina waterfront
🤿 Snorkel in the crystal-clear waters of Chileno Bay

You've been here?

Why travel to Cabo San Lucas?

Cabo is a dream for anyone who loves the ocean, nightlife and a bit of wild energy. You can snorkel or dive around El Arco, zip along the coast by boat or try your luck at sport fishing – this is marlin capital, after all. The beaches are stunning and the town’s nightlife is legendary, with clubs and bars that draw crowds from around the world. Whale watching in winter is unforgettable and the food scene is a tasty mix of Mexican classics and international flavors. But it’s not all smooth sailing: Cabo can get crowded, especially in winter and during spring break and prices rise with the crowds. Hurricanes and storms can hit in late summer and early fall and the sun is intense year-round-bring sunscreen and stay hydrated. Tap water isn’t safe to drink; always use bottled or purified water. The city is generally safe in tourist areas, but petty crime happens – keep an eye on your belongings and use common sense, especially at night.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Church of Saint Luke
2 Land's End
3 Paseo de La Marina
4 El Medano Beach
5 Cabo Dolphins
6 Museum of Natural History in Cabo San Lucas

🎡Places for activities

1 Chileno Bay
2 El Squid Roe

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Bahía Santa María
2 El Arch of Cabo San Lucas
3 Divorce Beach
4 Chileno Bay

🛍️Shopping

1 Real McCoy Silver Jewelry
2 Marina Mercado
3 Puerto Paraiso

🎈Events

Bisbee’s Black & Blue Marlin Tournament (October)
Los Cabos International Film Festival
Whale Watching Season (December–April)
San Jose del Cabo Art Walk (Nov–June)
Cabo Marine Show
Fiestas Patronales (October)
Spring Break (March–April)
New Year’s Eve beach parties
Cabo Comedy Festival
Day of the Dead celebrations

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Don’t assume beaches are swimmable; check flag warnings.
Take a boat to El Arco and Playa del Amor early, before midday crowds and glare.
Use the marina as your hub; most tours, taxis and dinner spots start here.
For calmer water, choose Sea of Cortez-side beaches like Chileno or Santa Maria over Pacific surf.

How to travel to Cabo San Lucas

Fly into Los Cabos International Airport (SJD), about 45 minutes from Cabo San Lucas. Airport shuttles, taxis and rental cars are available. Buses run between the airport, San José del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas. Cruise ships also dock at the marina. Direct flights connect Cabo to major US and Canadian cities.

Access summary

From Los Cabos Airport (SJD): Shuttle, taxi or bus, around 40–60 minutes.
From San José del Cabo: Coastal highway by car or bus, about 30–45 minutes.
From La Paz: Long-distance buses or driving Baja peninsula, typically 2.5–3 hours.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Cabo San Lucas

Cabo offers everything from luxury all-inclusives and boutique resorts to budget hostels and vacation rentals. Most resorts are along Medano Beach or the Corridor, while downtown hotels put you close to nightlife. Book ahead for winter, spring break and holidays, as rooms fill quickly and prices rise.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Marina Fiesta Resort and Spa

8.8

Tesoro Los Cabos Resort

8.6

Hyatt Vacation Club at Sirena del Mar

8.6

Marquis Los Cabos, All-Inclusive, Adults-Only & No Timeshare Resort

9.1

Cabo Vista Hotel - Adults Only

9.2

Casa Dorada Los Cabos Resort & Spa

9.2

Riu Palace Baja California - Adults Only - All Inclusive

Grand Fiesta Americana Los Cabos All Inclusive Golf & Spa

8.7

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Cabo San Lucas

Cabo’s downtown, marina and main beaches are walkable. Taxis and rideshares are readily available, but fares can be high – always agree on the price before riding. Local buses connect Cabo with San José del Cabo and the Corridor resorts. For exploring further afield or remote beaches, consider renting a car, but watch for narrow roads and limited parking in town.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-36 %

Daily expenses in Cabo San Lucas are around 36% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend considerably less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-1 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to MXN) is 1% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£42	£110	£320
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£17	£60	£165
🍝 Food per day	£22	£42	£112
🚕 Transportation per day	£4	£8	£43

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£17
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£8.50
🍟 Fast food combo	£7.50
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£7.50
☕ Cappuccino	£2.70
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£1.90

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£0.70
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£28
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£1.15

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£3.20
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£55
🤧 Cold medication	£4.40
💇 Basic haircut	£6.50

Safety information overview

General safety

Cabo San Lucas is generally safe in tourist areas, with strong security presence. Petty theft and scams can occur — watch your belongings and avoid isolated areas at night. Drink only bottled or purified water and be cautious with alcohol.

Health & Medical

Medical care is good, with clinics and pharmacies in town. Tap water is not safe to drink — use bottled water even for brushing teeth. Sunburn and dehydration are common — use sunscreen and stay hydrated. Bring any needed medication.

Accessibility

Most main resorts, beaches and attractions are accessible, but sidewalks can be uneven and public transport is limited. Wheelchair access is improving but not universal — check with your hotel or tour provider for specific needs.

Tap water

Tap water is not safe to drink. Use bottled or purified water for drinking and brushing teeth. Public fountains are rare — carry a refillable bottle and stay hydrated, especially in the heat.