Cabo in September (Weather, things to do and tips)
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Want to visit Cabo in September? September is the rainy month in Cabo, with high chances of precipitation and increased humidity. It’s part of the low season when many businesses offer steep discounts as tourism dies down.
If you travel to Southern Baja during this month, you should be ready for potential disruptions to your travel plans, and be prepared to change your plans and itinerary, if necessary. While you probably won’t experience a severe hurricane during your trip, there’s a chance that outdoor activities such as snorkeling, diving, hiking, and sailing could be affected.
If you want to visit Cabo in September, this article is for you. Keep reading to find out how to plan your trip during the low season in Cabo.
Why Visit Cabo in September
September might not have the best weather, but it’s the cheapest month to visit Cabo when you can score great deals on hotels, car rentals, and flights to Cabo. It’s also a great time for diving and snorkeling in Cabo, thanks to the exceptional visibility which means you can spot many marine animals. Thanks to the continuous rain, the Los Cabos area has more green vegetation, which you don’t see during winter months when it’s dry and sunny.
Cabo in September weather
Cabo has humid, hot, and overcast weather with high chances of precipitation in September. You probably won’t see clear blue skies during this month, but you can still enjoy outdoor activities in the morning when temperatures are more tolerable. The humidity level is around 75-77 percent, and while rains are short-lived, they have the potential to develop into more serious hurricanes.
Does it rain in Cabo in September?
Yes, September is the rainiest month of the year in Cabo, with an average rainfall of 83 mm (3.3 inches). The chances of rain decrease gradually throughout the month, with late September seeing less rain than the first two weeks. As the rainfall decreases throughout the month, the amount of sunshine increases, with more sunny weather toward the end of the month.
What are temperatures like in Cabo in September?
The daily high temperature in September is around 86 degrees Fahrenheit (30 degrees Celsius), while the daily low is 75 degrees Fahrenheit (24 degrees Celsius). It’s not uncommon for temperatures to reach up to 95 degrees Fahrenheit (33 degrees Celsius), coupled with humidity can make it tough to be outside.
Water temperature in Cabo in September
The average surface water temperature in Cabo San Lucas is around 83 degrees Fahrenheit – the warmest water temperature of the year. It’s a perfect month for enjoying water activities like scuba diving and snorkeling without feeling cold.
Things to do in Cabo in September
1. Go for a swim
August and September are the hottest months in Cabo coupled with high humidity and chances of rain, so you will want to spend a lot of time at the beach or by the pool. If you want to spend time at the beach, go to El Medano, Chileno Bay, and Santa María Beach which have safer waters and calm conditions.
While the weather is hot and humid, the upside is that the water in the Sea of Cortez is warm in September, so you will not need a wetsuit for swimming or snorkeling.
2. Join Independence Day activities
September in Mexico is known as “Mes de la Patria,” which translates as “Month of the Homeland” from Spanish. The independence day commemorates the infamous “El Grito de Independencia” or cry for independence by Miguel Hidalgo on September 16, 1810, which sparked the beginning of the war for independence in Mexico that freed the country from Spanish colonial rule.
Throughout September, Mexico puts on colorful patriotic displays and organizes parades, concerts, and other cultural events with music, food, and dances. Cabo is no exception. While it might not have as many colorful displays as Mexico City, Queretaro, or Guanajuato – the cradle of Mexican independence, you will still have a chance to observe fascinating displays of the country’s national pride.
3. Enjoy yoga
While it might be too hot and humid to be outside, local yoga studios offer a perfect alternative for getting exercise and staying in shape during your visit to Cabo. Cabo Yoga and Fitness is a popular yoga studio that offers yoga, fitness, pilates, and meditation classes; and Baja Moon Yoga is a small studio run by Dulce, a certified instructor who puts an incredible personal touch on her yoga sessions.
4. Go scuba diving
September is one of the best months for scuba diving in Cabo because of the excellent visibility (that can be up to 100 feet) and warm clear waters. Because tourism numbers are low, you are more likely to get a favorable rate, as many tour companies offer discounts. Since the water temperature is so warm, you might not need a wetsuit, but if you want to stay warm, consider a 3-5 mm wetsuit.
I recommend a guided tour of Cabo Pulmo, a stunning national park, home to one of the last protected areas along the coast of southern Baja, free from big resorts and mass development. Cabo Pulmo is located at the reef, which means you will be able to see all sorts of marine wildlife here.
✅ New to scuba diving? Book this scuba diving session perfect for beginners.
Book the best scuba diving tours in Cabo San Lucas
5. Or snorkeling
If you are not a certified scuba diver, you can still enjoy Cabo’s marine world. All you need to do is book a snorkeling tour. Snorkeling is a perfect way to cool off on a hot summer day, and see the incredible marine world of the Sea of Cortez.
🤿 Learn about the best snorkeling locations in Cabo San Lucas
Several beaches around Cabo have good snorkeling conditions with crystal-clear calm water away from the big waves. Playa Chileno and Playa Santa Maria are especially popular and are located along the tourist corridor between Cabo San Lucas and San Jose Del Cabo.
✅ To check out more snorkeling tours, go to Viator, my preferred platform for booking guided tours in Cabo and other destinations in Mexico.
Best snorkeling tours in Cabo San Lucas
6. Take a cooking class
Preparing Mexican food 🥘 alongside an experienced chef is a perfect activity for a rainy day. Cabo is known for its Baja Med cuisine, with seafood and mediterranean influences. Although you can always check out local taquerias 🌮 and restaurants learning the secrets of Mexican cooking is a fantastic experience that allows you to understand the secrets the country’s cuisine.
I suggest a fun cooking tour with a chef in Cabo 👨🏽🍳 who will take you to one of the local markets and teach you to prepare flavorful and authentic dishes step by step. Another popular tour is a cooking session with chef Ari, who will show you the art of Mexican cuisine. Her tour has incredible reviews ⭐️ and is well worth your time and money!
Best cooking classes in Cabo
7. Sample the best street food in Cabo
Don’t want to spend time in the kitchen? Join a food tour in Cabo, that offers a fun intro to the local food scene. This guided food tour with Juan More Taco, one of the best food tour companies in Cabo will allow you to avoid tourist traps and visit local restaurants where you can try authentic Baja food without spending a lot of money.
✅ Check out the best food tours in Cabo San Lucas
If you are new to Cabo, finding a good local restaurant on your own could be challenging, especially if you don’t speak Spanish. But if you book this awesome food tour, your guide will introduce you to some of the best eateries in Cabo, so you can enjoy a fun crash course into Cabo’s food scene.
Best street food tours in Cabo San Lucas
8. Cool off in a waterfall
One of my favorite activities in Cabo is a guided hike through Zorro Canyon (also known as Fox Canyon), located in Santiago, a small town approximately 50 miles from Cabo. The trail starts in the Zorro Canyon and leads to a cascading waterfall that feeds into a crystal-clear pool where you can swim and cool off.
It’s a very scenic hike in the Baja desert, perfect if you want to get away from the city and explore the backcountry. Since the area receives so much rain, the entire area has plenty of plants and flowers and lush greenery – something you don’t see during the high winter season, when the weather is dry and sunny.
Another option is to rent a car in Cabo 🚗 and visit Zorro Canyon independently, but in this case, you will need to plan the logistics and pay for the entrance to the waterfall.
Best tours of Zorro Canyon in Cabo
9. Kayak or paddleboard
Early morning is great for kayaking and paddle boarding in Cabo before it gets too hot and humid. You can join a kayaking tour with one of Cabo’s local companies that can bring you to popular spots like Cabo Arch or Chileno Bay, with calm waters perfect for navigating in a kayak.
Best kayaking tours in Cabo San Lucas
10. Take a day trip to Todos Santos
Todos Santos is one of the most popular pueblos magicos (magic towns, a title given by the Mexican government to towns with cultural, historical, and natural significance) in Baja California, located about one hour from Cabo San Lucas.
Located along the Pacific Coast of Mexico, this small town is known for its thriving art scene, surfing beaches like Playa Cerritos, and farm-to-table cuisine, with many restaurants serving authentic Mexican and international dishes made from local produce.
You can visit Todos Santos by guided tour from Cabo San Lucas 🗺️ or rent a car 🚗 for more flexibility – the option I recommend because you can plan your trip however you like and visit other places in the area such as Punta Lobos, one of the best hiking trails in the Cabo area just outside of Todos Santos.
If you want to rent a car, and spend a couple of days in Todos Santos, book your stay at one of the best hotels in Todos Santos!
Best tours of Todos Santos from Cabo San Lucas
Tips for visiting Cabo in September
1. Keep your eye on the forecast
The No.1 rule for visiting Cabo in September is to always check your forecast. Whether you want to rent a car and explore the area independently or with a guided tour, make sure you know what the weather is going to be like. While mornings are usually rain-free and afternoons have a higher chance of showers, you should always plan your activities with the weather in mind, since it can be unpredictable.
2. Be ready for closures and cancellations
Some businesses may close in August and September, as tourism traffic dies down. If you want to go to a specific restaurant or book a tour, always check if they are still open. While resorts are usually open, it’s not uncommon for small, local eaters and coffee shops to close during the low season.
One of the biggest downsides of visiting Cabo during this time of the year is that you probably won’t be able to find big parties at local bars or nightclubs, as most of them operate on reduced hours.
3. Some roads could become impassable
It’s not uncommon for roads to become flooded and even impassable after a rainstorm in Baja California. Although roads around Cabo are usually maintained better than in more rural parts of the peninsula, you should be ready for potential road closures. This is something to remember if you want to rent a car in Cabo 🚗 and drive around the area.
4. Your flights could be disrupted too
Although Cabo usually doesn’t get any severe damage during hurricanes, there is always a chance that flights could get canceled and you would have to adjust your itinerary. Dealing with travel disruptions could be costly, that’s why you should get a good travel insurance for your trip to protect yourself. SafetyWing is my go-to insurance company, and they have flexible insurance plans starting as low as $28.
5. And guided tours could be cancelled
If you want to join guided tours, be ready for the possibility of cancellation. This is especially true for outdoor activities like sailing, snorkeling, diving, off-roading and even zip-lining.
As an alternative, consider joining indoor tours like Mexican cooking class or delicious street food tour in downtown Cabo that will introduce you to some of the best local taquerias and restaurants in town. The weather is a key factor that affects activities in Cabo, that’s why you should closely monitor it if you plan to spend time outside.
6. But you can score some sweet deals on hotels
September is a great month to visit Cabo if you want to stay at some of the best resorts like Waldorf Astoria, Nobu, or Grand Velas, which usually offer discounts during this month. It’s a perfect time to score great deals and pay only a fraction of what you would pay during the high season months like December, January, or March, when thousands of North American tourists come to Cabo.
7. Drink plenty of water
Don’t forget to hydrate and bring your water bottle because the hot and humid climate will likely make you dehydrated. Many resorts in Cabo 🌴 offer clean drinking water to their guests, but if you are staying in one of smaller hotels, you can buy bottled water in convenience stores like Oxxo, which you can find throughout the area. Tap water in Cabo is not safe to drink, as anywhere else in Mexico, so you should always carry your water bottle with you when out and about.
8. Put on plenty of sunscreen
Although September is mostly overcast, you still should use reef-safe sunscreen when outside, because you can get a sunburn even on cloudy days. Cabo has an arid desert climate, which means UV rays are usually strong throughout the year.
9. Plan your activities for early morning
Plan outdoor activities for early morning, so you can enjoy them without feeling too hot. Mid-day temperatures coupled with high humidity can make it difficult to be outside. Additionally, chances of rain are usually higher in the afternoon (12-3 pm), so by the time you are done, you can enjoy some downtime by the pool or head to a yoga studio.
10. Pack light, breathable clothing
September is a hot month in Cabo. While afternoons are the hottest time of the day, even evenings could feel hot, especially if you are not used to this type of weather. Pack plenty of light clothing like t-shirts , tops, a fancy dress, sunglasses, and a hat.
11. Don’t forget to tip
Tourism is a major economic driver in Cabo, and since the tourist numbers are low, local businesses don’t have as much income. Whether you are dining in a restaurant or taking a guided tour, don’t forget to leave a tip, if you received good service.
Renting a car in Cabo San Lucas
I always recommend renting a car in Cabo San Lucas for a better experience. Not only you will be able to explore the area on your own, but you will also have better chances of planning your itinerary around the weather – something that’s not possible with guided tours, because they are usually scheduled for a specific time.
Where to rent a car in Cabo San Lucas
To rent a car in Cabo San Lucas, go to DiscoverCars, my go-to website for finding car rentals in Mexico and other countries. DiscoverCars has plenty of inventory, budget-friendly rates, and a generous cancellation policy. All you need to do is specify the type of car you are looking for and the search engine will populate your page with available options.
Where to stay in Cabo San Lucas
- Grand Velas Los Cabos Luxury – One of the best all-inclusive resorts in Los Cabos along the private beach, Grand Velas is an exceptional property with top-notch food, gorgeous designs, and friendly and welcoming service. Guests also leave great reviews of its spa and fitness center.
- Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal – A secluded resort with stunning views of the Pacific, Waldorf Astoria has a private plunge pool, luxury spa, and fine dining.
- The Cape, A Thompson Hotel, by Hyatt – A trendy hotel that attracts a younger crowd, Thompson boasts spectacular views of El Arco and one of the best rooftop restaurants that services delicious food and drinks in a spectacular setting and often has live music. Book one of their oceanfront rooms to enjoy the best of Cabo on your getaway.
Cabo in September: FAQs
Is there seaweed in Cabo?
Seaweed (also known as sargassum) is not a problem in Cabo. While it’s a big issue on the Caribbean beaches, where seaweed washes on the beach in great quantities, Cabo doesn’t experience it thanks to its location in the Pacific.
Is September a good time to go to Cabo?
Despite being the rainiest month of the year, September also has smaller crowds and better prices on tours and accommodations. Plan your trip for late September when the chances of rain are lower and local tour companies and businesses start resuming their operations.
Is September hurricane season in Cabo San Lucas?
Yes, September is part of the hurricane season in Cabo San Lucas. While the chances of a hurricane are low in Cabo, you should be prepared for increased precipitation and high humidity, which could make it challenging to enjoy the best outdoor activities that Los Cabos is known for.
What are the best and worst months to go to Cabo?
The best months to visit Cabo are May, after the peak season is over, and November before the high season kicks in the high gear. Both months have great weather with plenty of sunshine, low crowds, and better prices. The worst months to visit Cabo are August and September when the area gets the most rain.
Cabo in September: Final word
September in Cabo is a quieter month perfect for budget-friendly travelers who don’t mind a combination of humidity and rain and potential cancellations. Even with rain in the forecast, there are still plenty of things to do in Cabo from learning to cook Mexican dishes to sampling local food and checking out local yoga studios. All you need to do is take weather precautions embrace local experiences and get good travel insurance that will protect you in case your activities or flights get canceled.
