Los Cabos, at the southern tip of Mexico’s Baja California peninsula, brings together two towns: Cabo San Lucas, the lively resort around its marina and the Land’s End arch, and San José del Cabo, quieter, seat of the municipality. Between them runs a tourist corridor of hotels and golf courses. Here the Pacific meets the Gulf of California, the Sea of Cortez. This guide to Los Cabos covers what to do, where to stay depending on your profile, the swimming rules and hurricane season according to the US and UK governments, and entry requirements.
To place Los Cabos in a trip to Mexico: our Mexico travel guide, the calendar when to go to Mexico and, to compare with the Caribbean coast, our Cancún guide.
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Los Cabos at a glance
- Time zone UTC−7 all year (Mountain Standard Time, no daylight saving): 7 hours behind London in winter (8 hours during UK summer time), 2 hours behind New York in winter (see time difference in Mexico)
- Entry no visa for tourism for US and UK citizens; the length of stay is set on arrival (travel.state.gov, GOV.UK)
- Safety the FCDO says Baja California Sur is unaffected by its warnings for Baja California, but notes drug-related crime in Baja California Sur, including Los Cabos
- Swimming beaches can be dangerous, with strong currents and rogue waves, and are not always patrolled
- Hurricanes season from June to November (FCDO) or May to November (State Department)
Cabo San Lucas or San José del Cabo?
| Cabo San Lucas | San José del Cabo | |
|---|---|---|
| Atmosphere | Lively resort, marina, nightlife | Quieter town, old center |
| Highlights | Land’s End arch, boat departures | Historic center, galleries, a town founded around a mission in 1730 |
| Best for | Boat trips, entertainment | A quieter stay, meals in town |
| In between | The tourist corridor: large hotels, resorts and golf courses |
What to do in Los Cabos
The Land’s End arch (El Arco)
The symbol of the municipality, this natural stone arch above the ocean marks the end of the peninsula, where the Pacific meets the Gulf of California. You approach it by boat from the Cabo San Lucas marina. The neighboring beaches are exposed: ask your operator before any swim.
Whale watching
Whale watching is one of the major activities in Los Cabos; the viewing period is seasonal, so have the operator confirm it, as we found no official source giving the dates. Choose an operator that clearly states its rules for approaching animals and check the cancellation terms in case of rough seas.
Snorkeling and diving: Cabo Pulmo
Cabo Pulmo National Park is known for its coral reefs. The visiting rules (zones, permitted activities) are set by Mexico’s protected natural areas authority: check them before you go. Go with a guide or a dive operator, and never dive alone. The FCDO notes that equipment for adventure sports, including scuba diving, may not meet UK safety and insurance standards, and that British nationals have been injured and in some cases killed: check that your travel insurance covers the activity.
San José del Cabo and its center
The town grew out of a mission founded in 1730 by Fathers José Echeverría and Nicolás Tamaral. Its center is good for strolling and for meals in town. It is a good base for anyone who wants to avoid the bustle of Cabo San Lucas.
The Sierra de la Laguna
The Sierra de la Laguna is a mountain range of volcanic origin, inland. Hikes there are organized with a local guide; find out about access and weather, and do not go alone.
Swimming: the rules to know
This is the most important point of a stay in Los Cabos. The U.S. Department of State (travel.state.gov, Mexico page, last updated August 11, 2025) warns that beaches in Mexico can be dangerous because of strong currents, rip tides and rogue waves, which have swept people out to sea, leading to drownings or disappearances; strong currents can be dangerous even for experienced swimmers. The UK FCDO (GOV.UK, updated 20 October 2026) says sea conditions can be unpredictable and some beaches are unpatrolled.
- Ask your hotel which beaches are safe for swimming, and respect the flags if there are any: stay out of the water if black or red flags are up, and remember that not all dangerous beaches are marked.
- Never swim alone or after drinking.
- For snorkeling, prefer guided outings.
- A beach can be beautiful and closed to swimming: sometimes looking is enough.
Getting to Los Cabos and getting around
Most visitors arrive by plane at Los Cabos International Airport. Check routes on the airport and airline websites. On site, the tourist corridor links the two towns; a booked transfer, an official taxi or a rental car lets you get around.
Transfers, excursions and car rental
Before booking a transfer or a boat excursion, compare the official provider and resellers: what is included, cancellation terms in case of rough seas or a hurricane alert, insurance. For a car, check the liability insurance, the excess and the return conditions. The FCDO warns of a common phone scam in which criminals pose as a kidnapped family member and demand money; do not give personal information to an unknown caller.
Where to stay in Los Cabos
Three choices depending on your profile: Cabo San Lucas to be at the heart of the action and near the boat departures; San José del Cabo for a quieter stay; the tourist corridor for the big seafront hotels and resorts. In every case, ask the hotel whether its beach is suitable for swimming.
When to go to Los Cabos
We found no official climate normals published for Los Cabos, so we do not show a temperature table. One reliable marker is the hurricane season: the FCDO (GOV.UK, updated 20 October 2026) says it normally runs from June to November, and the State Department gives May to November. If an alert is issued, follow the advice of local authorities and your tour operator, and monitor the US National Hurricane Center. For the climate in the rest of the country, see when to go to Mexico.
| Month | Sunrise / sunset on the 15th | Day length |
|---|---|---|
| January | 7:02 am / 5:55 pm | 10 h 53 min |
| February | 6:51 am / 6:16 pm | 11 h 24 min |
| March | 6:28 am / 6:28 pm | 12 h 00 min |
| April | 5:59 am / 6:40 pm | 12 h 41 min |
| May | 5:38 am / 6:53 pm | 13 h 14 min |
| June | 5:34 am / 7:06 pm | 13 h 32 min |
| July | 5:43 am / 7:07 pm | 13 h 24 min |
| August | 5:56 am / 6:51 pm | 12 h 55 min |
| September | 6:06 am / 6:23 pm | 12 h 17 min |
| October | 6:16 am / 5:54 pm | 11 h 38 min |
| November | 6:32 am / 5:35 pm | 11 h 03 min |
| December | 6:52 am / 5:37 pm | 10 h 44 min |
Reading the table: the day goes from 10 h 44 min in December–January to 13 h 32 min in June. For a sunset cruise, the sun sets around 5:55 pm in mid-January and around 7:07 pm in mid-July.
Entry requirements, health and safety
- US citizens: according to the U.S. Department of State (travel.state.gov, Mexico page last updated August 11, 2025), you need a passport book to enter Mexico by air (a passport card cannot be used to board a plane). Mexican authorities issue a digital entry permit (FMMD) at all 66 international airports and decide on arrival how long you may stay; a date stamp goes in your passport, and you may be directed through an e-gate that prints a receipt with a QR code. The Department rates Mexico Level 2, « Exercise increased caution », because of terrorism, crime and kidnapping (advisory updated May 28, 2026).
- UK citizens: according to the UK FCDO (GOV.UK, updated 20 October 2026), your passport must be valid for the duration of your stay (the Mexican Embassy in the UK recommends at least 180 days, the longest tourist stay). Tourists do not need a visa and get a stamp in the passport with the number of days allowed. At border control you may be asked for a return or onward ticket, proof of accommodation and proof of sufficient funds; make sure you get your passport stamped on entry and exit. Tourists cannot do voluntary or paid work.
- Both sources leave the length of stay to the immigration officer on arrival: check the number of days on your stamp or receipt.
- Safety: the FCDO says the Mexican government makes efforts to protect major tourist destinations, including Los Cabos, and that the warnings for the state of Baja California do not apply to Baja California Sur; it notes that there is drug-related crime in Baja California Sur, including Los Cabos. The State Department advises following restrictions for government employees (no travel between cities after dark, using regulated taxi stands or app-based services, not traveling alone in remote areas) and complying with road checkpoints.
- Crime in tourist areas: the FCDO says street crime is a serious issue in major cities and resort areas, and that sexual offences have been reported in tourist areas, including close to hotels and especially after dark.
- Swimming: the State Department warns that beaches in Mexico can be dangerous because of strong currents, rip tides and rogue waves, which have swept people out to sea; do not swim alone, take warning notices and flags seriously, stay out of the water if black or red flags are up (not all dangerous beaches are marked), and avoid alcohol during water activities. The FCDO says sea conditions can be unpredictable and some beaches are unpatrolled: follow coastguard and local authority guidance.
- Hurricanes: the FCDO says the hurricane season normally runs from June to November and can affect the Pacific and Atlantic coasts, causing floods, landslides and disruption to transport; the State Department gives May to November for the tropical storm and hurricane season. Monitor the US National Hurricane Center and follow the advice of local authorities and your tour operator, including evacuation orders.
- Scams: the FCDO warns of a common phone scam in which criminals pose as a kidnapped family member and demand money; do not give personal information to unknown callers.
- See our travel formalities guide.
If you… then…
| If you… | Then… |
|---|---|
| Want to see whales | Have an operator that respects the approach rules confirm the season |
| Want to swim | Ask the hotel which beaches are safe; avoid deserted beaches and respect the flags |
| Want peace and quiet | Stay in San José del Cabo rather than Cabo San Lucas |
| Travel between May and November | Watch for hurricane alerts and take flexible bookings |
| Want to dive | Go with a guide, never alone, and check the Cabo Pulmo rules and your insurance |
| Hesitate with the Caribbean coast | Compare with our guide to Cancún |
Frequently asked questions
What is there to do in Los Cabos?
See the Land’s End arch by boat, watch whales in season, snorkel at Cabo Pulmo, stroll in San José del Cabo and hike the Sierra de la Laguna with a guide.
Where should you stay in Los Cabos?
Cabo San Lucas for the action, San José del Cabo for quiet, the tourist corridor for the big seafront hotels.
Can you swim in Los Cabos?
Not everywhere: the U.S. Department of State warns that beaches in Mexico can be dangerous because of strong currents, rip tides and rogue waves, and the FCDO notes some beaches are unpatrolled. Follow your hotel’s advice and the flags.
When can you see whales in Los Cabos?
Their presence is seasonal: have an operator confirm the dates before booking, as we found no official source giving them.
Do you need a visa for Los Cabos?
No visa is needed for tourism for US or UK citizens; the number of days allowed is set on arrival and stamped in your passport (U.S. Department of State, last updated August 11, 2025; UK FCDO, GOV.UK, updated 20 October 2026).
Is Los Cabos safe?
The FCDO says the Mexican government protects major tourist destinations including Los Cabos, but notes drug-related crime in Baja California Sur; the State Department rates Mexico Level 2, « Exercise increased caution ». Stay in tourist areas and be careful on the water.
Our sources
- U.S. Department of State, Mexico country information (travel.state.gov, last updated August 11, 2025) and Mexico travel advisory (Level 2, updated May 28, 2026), read on 26 October 2026
- UK FCDO, foreign travel advice for Mexico (GOV.UK, updated 20 October 2026), read on 26 October 2026
- IANA time zone database via our page on the time difference with Mexico (Los Cabos: America/Mazatlan, UTC−7)
- Wikipedia (EN) article « Los Cabos Municipality » (towns, history, geography, activities)
- Astronomical calculations: NOAA solar algorithm, applied by Destination de Voyage to the coordinates of Cabo San Lucas (15th of each month, year 2027)
- Our methodology
Updated October 2026.
