Cabo in August – Weather, things to do, and travel tips (2025)
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What is Cabo like in August?
August is the beginning of the hurricane season in Cabo when you can enjoy lower prices but also have a chance of rains and high humidity. While hurricanes are not as common in Cabo as they are in Cancun during this time of the year, there’s still a higher chance of rain. And the combination of heat and humidity can make it more difficult to enjoy your stay.
Cabo San Lucas is a popular beach town on the southern tip of Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula, which is gorgeous atany time of the year. That being said, the weather during the hurricane season in Cabo plays a big role in how much you can enjoy outdoor activities.
While you can always spend time at one of Cabo’s resorts, and explore the local food scene and culture, your access to swimming, snorkeling, hiking, and other outdoor activities could be limited because of the rainy weather.
It’s not uncommon for tour operators in Cabo to cancel activities during this time of the year because of the bad weather and low demand.
The upside of visiting Cabo San Lucas during this month is that the crowds will be small, and you will be able to get deals on hotels, car rentals, and flights to Cabo. Additionally, many local operators are willing to give you a break on the price, because of the fewer tourists.
So, if you don’t mind a combination of high humidity and heat and a slight chance of a tropical hurricane, keep reading. In this article, I will tell you what to expect in terms of weather, give you some tips on how to make your trip more fun, and talk about the best things to do in Cabo in August.
Cabo in August weather
Cabo’s weather in August is usually hot and humid, with a high chance of precipitation. The humidity during this month ranges between 60 and 80 percent, and days are usually sunny, which can limit your access to the outdoors, especially during mid-day when the sun is the strongest.
Cabo temperature in August
August is part of the rainy season in Cabo and one of the hottest months, with average daytime temperatures ranging from the mid-80s to 95 degrees Fahrenheit (29-35 Celsius). It’s not uncommon for temperatures to reach 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37 Celcius) on some days.
✅Check: Is it safe to travel to Cabo San Lucas?
Does it rain in Cabo in August?
Yes, it rains in Cabo in August. August falls on the rainy season in Cabo San Lucas, which means you should be ready for some rainy days. While it’s not as rainy as September, there is still a chance of occasional showers or thunderstorms, especially in the afternoons or evenings. Still, rain showers tend to be more sporadic and short-lived.
Does Cabo have hurricanes in August?
August falls within the peak of the hurricane season in the eastern Pacific, which is where the Baja California Peninsula is located. While the chances of a direct hit are relatively low, you could still see tropical storms or hurricanes. It’s important to monitor the weather and heed any warnings issued by local authorities.
Can you swim in Cabo in August?
Yes, you can swim in Cabo in August. The sea temperature is warm and comfortable for swimming, typically ranging from the high 70s to low 80s Fahrenheit (around 25-28°C). Unlike during the high season, when the water is still chilly for snorkeling, swimming, and diving, August has much warmer water that makes it easier to enjoy water activities on the days when it doesn’t rain.
Cabo in late August
The chances of a hurricane are higher in late August than during the beginning of the month, so, if possible, plan your vacation for the first half of the month.
The best time to visit Cabo San Lucas
While Cabo San Lucas has a pleasant, sunny climate year-round, the best time to visit it is typically during the dry season, from December to April. This time of the year offers sunny days, warm temperatures, and minimal rainfall, so you can enjoy outdoor activities and participate in cultural activities such as the San Jose Del Cabo Art Walk 🎨
Here’s a little secret:
To avoid the crowds and inflated prices of the high season, visit during the shoulder season, late spring (May and June), or November. During these months, you can still enjoy pleasant weather, but avoid high season-crowds and crazy prices on hotels and tours.
✅ Read: The best time to visit Cabo San Lucas
Things to do in Cabo San Lucas in August
1. Hop around Cabo’s sunny beaches ☀️
Since August is so hot and humid, you will likely want to spend time on local beaches 🏖️
Cabo has plenty of postcard-like beaches, but you will probably surprised to hear that not all of them are safe for swimming. The Pacific side has strong rip currents and undertows, making it dangerous to get in the water.
If you want to enjoy to have a nice place to cool off, book a hotel with a big swimming pool like Marquis Los Cabos, Dreams Los Cabos, or Dreams Los Cabos.
Beaches along the Sea of Cortez are known to be safer, but regardless of what part of the coast you decide to visit, always check conditions and ask a lifeguard on duty (if there’s one) whether swimming is safe.
The best beaches in Cabo for swimming are Medano Beach, Chileno Beach, and Lover’s Beach, which you can reach by boat from the Cabo marina.
Check out one of Cabo’s beach clubs along the best beaches in town where you can enjoy food, and drinks and get an umbrella and enjoy comfort and amenities.
But if you just want to hop around and check multiple beaches in Cabo, rent a car 🚗
✅ Read my complete guide to renting a car in Cabo San Lucas
You can check prices on car rentals in the area though DiscoverCars, my favorite platform for finding affordable car rentals 💸 in many destinations around Mexico and other countries.
2. Marvel at Cabo Arch from the boat ⛵️
Regardless of when you visit Cabo, you can’t leave the city without checking out, El Arco, also known as the Arch of Cabo San Lucas, a natural rock formation at the southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula where the Sea of Cortez meets the Pacific Ocean.
You can catch a boat to El Arco from the Cabo Marina, or book a guided tour which will include stops for snorkeling and a longer tour of the area.
Smaller boats (also known as water taxis) depart from Cabo Marina frequently, and you can catch it on the spot. If you decide to do it, the price of your ride will likely be determined by your negotiating skills and knowledge of Spanish.
Booking a boat tour online ✔️ might be a better option in this case, because it will allow you to avoid local boat operators, which can be a bit pushy.
✅ Read: My guide to the best boat tours in Cabo San Lucas
For a more unique experience, book a glass-bottom boat to Cabo Arch. These boats have sections of transparent flooring, allowing you to see the marine life and underwater scenery as you cruise past El Arco.
Best boat tours of Cabo Arch
3. Kayak to Cabo Arch 🚣🏻♀️
Kayaking is a perfect early morning activity in Cabo during August to enjoy the panoramic views of the arch before it gets too hot. Many local tour companies offer kayaking and paddle boarding tours of Cabo, so you can enjoy the scenic views of southern Baja’s coastline.
Best kayaking tours in Cabo San Lucas
4. Cook authentic Mexican dishes 🥘
If the forecast calls for rain, there’s no better way to spend your day than by preparing traditional Mexican food alongside an experienced chef.
Cabo is known for its Baja Med cuisine, and although you can always check out local taquerias, learning the secrets of Mexican cuisine from a seasoned cook 🧑🏽🍳 is a whole different ball game.
I recommend booking a cooking tour with a professional chef, who will take you to one of the local markets and teach you how to prepare flavorful and authentic dishes step by step.
Best cooking classes in Cabo San Lucas
5. Sample the incredible street food in Cabo 🌯
Join a guided food tour in Cabo 🌮 for a good intro to the local food scene. This is a great activity for anybody who wants to avoid tourist traps and visit local taquerias and eateries to try authentic Baja food without paying inflated prices.
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 don’t worry, when you join a guided food tour by AvoCabo 🥑 your guide will introduce you to some of the best eateries in Cabo, and give you a fun crash course into Cabo’s food scene so you can try tacos, ceviche and other delicious staples of the Mexican cuisine.
Best food tours in Cabo San Lucas
6. See Cabo’s marine world 🐠
Snorkeling is a perfect way to cool off on a hot summer day. Several beaches around Cabo have good snorkeling conditions with crystal-clear calm waters away from the big waves.
Playa Chileno and Playa Santa Maria are along the tourist corridor between Cabo San Lucas and San Jose Del Cabo.
Cabo Pulmo National Park is a marine reserve with unspoiled beaches and coral reefs where you can scuba dive and snorkel. The area is home to fish, turtles, manta rays, and dolphins. You can get to Cabo Pulmo from Cabo San Lucas by renting a 4X4 car 🚗 or joining a guided snorkeling tour 🗺️ which includes stops at some of the best beaches in the area.
Due to its remote location, you will need your entire day for Cabo Pulmo. If you want to see clear dark skies, I suggest renting a car through DiscoverCars 🚙 and booking a hotel 🏨 in the area.
Best snorkeling tours in Cabo San Lucas
7. Hike to Cabo’s overlook 🥾
Hiking Mount Solmar is one of the best free things to do in Cabo, and you can do it early morning before it gets too hot.
The hike begins at 8 a.m. every day 6 days a week. It’s a moderate trail, with many rocky outcrops and some scrambling, where you can test your stamina, and once you get to the top – take in the stunning panoramic vista of the area.
To find the meeting point of the hike, look for Mount Solmar Hike on Google Maps.
8. Swim in the waterfall 💧
Tired of the beach and craving a little adventure?
Rent a car and drive to Santiago, a small town about 50 miles from Cabo San Lucas that’s home to the famous waterfall near Cabo.
The hike starts in the Zorro Canyon (also known as Cañón de la Zorra), near Santiago, and leads to a cascading waterfall that feeds into a crystal-clear pool where you can swim and cool off.
You can do this hike by joining a guided tour 🎒 or renting a car 🚗
Best guided tours of Fox Canyon in Cabo
It’s a very scenic hike in the Baja desert that’s perfect if you want to get away from the city and explore the area.
If you don’t want to rent a car, you can join a guided hike that will pick you up and transport you to the hike in a van.
9. Take a yoga class 🧘🏽♀️
A yoga class is an excellent way to start your day. Several yoga studios in Cabo offer a variety of classes for different levels.
Cabo Yoga and Fitness is a well-known yoga studio in Cabo that offers yoga, fitness, pilates and meditation classes; and Baja Moon Yoga is a small yoga studio in Cabo that’s run by Dulce, a certified yoga teacher who puts an incredible personal touch on her classes; and Academia de Yoga Zantory offers multi-level classes for all levels.
You can also stay at a hotel that has on-site yoga classes like Waldorf Astoria, or the Cape a Thompson Hotel with amazing yoga classes in the beach setting.
10. Watch the sun go down on a sunset cruise 🌅
Nothing beats Cabo sunsets, and after the heat is gone, you can finally enjoy the incredible display of colors in the sky.
While you can see the sunset from many beach clubs and rooftop restaurants in Cabo, you can also join a sunset-watching tour, which gives you a unique opportunity to enjoy the incredible scenery from the boat.
✅ Check: Best dinner cruises in Cabo
This awesome sunset sailing tour offers a stop at the Cabo Arch and other points of interest and some tours include dinner. For the best experience, book a private sunset tour in Cabo – a great option if you travel with your friends and family and can split the cost.
Best sailing tours in Cabo San Lucas
11. Ride the wave 🏄🏽♂️
June through October is the peak season in Cabo and August is the peak season for south swells, with consistent waves at many local surf spots.
The ocean temperature is around 80-85°F (27-29°C), so you can surf comfortably without a wetsuit. Tropical storms can bring big swells but also unpredictable conditions, so you should always check forecasts.
✅ Check out the best surfing classes in Cabo
Also, make sure to respect the lineup and be mindful of experienced local surfers. Baja is a popular surfing destination, with many people coming here to ride the waves.
PRO TIP: If you want to cool off, drive north along the Pacific side of Cabo toward Todos Santos and Playa Cerritos, a popular surfing beach near Cabo. The Pacific side of Cabo has a notably cooler temperature, and the air here can be 5-10 degrees cooler than along the Sea of Cortez.
Best surfing classes in Cabo San Lucas
Good to know:
When looking for activities in Cabo, stay away from tours or any types of entertainment that involve wild animals in captivity. Camel riding or petting the lions might sound like fun activities, but in reality, you will be supporting a cruel exploitation of wild animals that often get mistreated for profit.
Any tour that promises close contact with a wild animal should raise a red flag because it’s most likely unethical.
Tips for visiting Cabo San Lucas in August
1. Plan for rain
If you are visiting Cabo in August, you should be ready for a chance of rain. If you want to enjoy outdoor activities, always have an alternate plan in mind in case there’s a tropical rainstorm.
2. Drink plenty of water
It’s easy to get dehydrated when it’s hot and humid. Carry a water bottle with you when out and about, but remember that Cabo water is not safe to drink. Buy bottled water or refill your stainless steel bottle at your hotel, if it has purified drinking water.
3. Don’t go out during mid-day
The combination of sun and humidity can make it tough to be outside. I even heard about some travelers who got a heat stroke because of it, although it’s more of an extreme case.
To avoid exposure to extreme heat, it’s better to avoid direct sun from 12 to 4 p.m. when the sun is the strongest, and wear a hat if you have to be outside.
4. Always put on sunscreen
Regardless of the time of the day you should always put on sunscreen when you are out. It’s very easy to get a sunburn in Cabo because even on cloudy days, the UV rays are strong. I recommend reef-safe sunscreen, which will not damage delicate marine corals.
5. Get a travel insurance
When you travel during the hurricane season, there’s always a chance that your flight could be cancelled or delayed. I strongly recommend getting a travel insurance for your trip, so you could recoup the money in case there’s any disruption to your travel plans.
SafetyWing is my favorite travel insurance company that has different insurance plans up to $30 which can cover you if you travel plans get disrupted.
6. Bring your snorkeling gear
Chances are, you will want to spend some time in the water, because of how hot it’s going to be. If you bring your snorkeling gear, you can spot amazing marine animals around Cabo, whether you want to do it on your own or book a snorkeling tour 🤿
7. Book a hotel with a pool
It’s going to be hot and you will likely want to cool off in the water. I recommend Me Cabo by Melia or Montage Los Cabos, one of my favorite hotels in the area along the gorgeous Santa Maria Bay.
8. Carry Mexican Pesos
It’s not uncommon for some restaurants to close during the low season because there’s not enough customers. This means you might need to go to local places that often operate on cash. Carry Mexican Pesos with you when walking around Cabo, because not everyone accepts U.S. dollars or credit cards.
Where to stay in Cabo San Lucas
If you want to stay in a luxury hotel like Cape a Thompson Hotel without spending thousands of dollars, August is a great time to visit Cabo. Many all-inclusive resorts offer their rooms at a steep discount to counter the low occupancy rate during the slowest time of the year. Some popular resorts in Cabo can offer up to 30 and 40 percent off their regular price.
✔️Budget: Mayan Monkey – One of the best cheap hotels in Cabo, Mayan Monkey is all about good vibes and a nice social atmosphere. While it’s technically a hostel, it also has private rooms, a nice pool area, and a kitchen.
✔️Mid-budget: Medano Hotel and Spa – Medano is a great stay in downtown Cabo San Lucas where you can enjoy a quiet retreat and be close to many bars and restaurants in town. If you don’t want to spend money on a resort, this is a great option.
✔️Luxury: A Cape Thompson – A Cape Thompson is a perfect option if you are looking for a quintessential Cabo resort with full-blown amenities, a beachfront setting, and attention to detail.
What to pack for Cabo in August
Cabo is hot and humid in August, which means you will need to pack light breathable clothing and some water gear for swimming and snorkeling.
- T-shirts – Since the weather is hot and humid, it’s a good idea to pack t-shirts made from moisture-wicking fabrics.
- Electrolytes – You can dehydrated very quickly since it’s so hot and humid, so be sure to put some electrolytes in your suitcase
- Swimsuits – Pack 2-3 swimsuits for beach days, pool lounging, and water activities
- Sandals – Comfortable sandals are important for the beach and outdoor outings
- Shorts – Be sure to pack a few pairs of shorts
- Hiking shoes – Don’t forget about hiking shoes if you want to hit trails, ride ATV or go zip-lining
- A hat and sunglasses – Important for avoiding the harsh Baja sun, and you can always put them in your beach bag.
- Rain jacket – August is part of the rainy season, so be ready for some occasional rain
- A maxi dress – Casual dresses are great for beachside dinners or a night out.
✅ Check my packing list for Cabo
Cabo in August: FAQs
Is August a good time to travel to Cabo San Lucas?
While August is a good time to travel to Cabo if you want to save money on flights, hotels, and tours, it’s not a good month if you want to enjoy outdoor activities. August falls on the hurricane season in Cabo and has a higher-than-average heat and humidity.
Is August hurricane season in Cabo?
Yes, August is the peak of hurricane season in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. The hurricane season in Cabo typically runs from June through late October.
What are the best and worst months to go to Cabo?
The best months to go to Cabo are November and May because they are shoulder months, and the worst months to go to Cabo are August and September when the chances of rain are high and the level of humidity and heat is above average.
Can you swim in Cabo in August?
Yes, you can swim in Cabo in August. The water is warm enough to enjoy swimming and snorkeling without freezing in the water, and you can see turtles, colorful fish, and other marine wildlife.
How often do hurricanes hit Cabo?
Hurricanes don’t hit Cabo too often. Unlike the Caribbean coast of Mexico, which often experiences tropical rainstorms in summer, Baja California is less prone to hurricanes. Rain in Cabo tends to be more sporadic and usually occurs in the afternoon or evenings.
What is the rainiest month in Cabo?
September is the rainiest month in Cabo when you can expect frequent showers and a high chance of tropical storms.
What is the best time of year in Cabo?
November is the best time of the year to visit Cabo. The water is warm enough to enjoy snorkeling, swimming, and diving, and the high season hasn’t started yet. If you want to enjoy the best of Cabo without crowds and high prices, November is a good time to visit.
What is the weather like in Cabo in August and September?
Cabo has rainy weather in August and September. If you want to visit the city during these months, expect increased precipitation and high humidity.
Cabo in August: Final word
Visiting Cabo San Lucas in August means warmer than usual weather, fewer crowds, and great travel deals. Whether you’re enjoying the stunning beaches, indulging in fresh seafood, or exploring nearby natural wonders like Fox Canyon, there’s plenty to do. Just be prepared for hot temperatures and occasional rain showers, and take advantage of early morning activities and refreshing ocean breezes.
