Best Time To Visit Cabo: Your Complete Guide

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The best time to visit Cabo is November. The hurricane season is over, there’s plenty of sunshine, and high season crowds haven’t arrived yet, so you can enjoy great deals on flights, accommodations, nightlife, and guided tours.

November is the transition month between the rainy season and the dry season in Baja California. It’s also the best month for snorkeling in Cabo San Lucas, when you can expect calm, clear waters, that are warm enough for snorkeling and observing marine wildlife.

One thing to know about visiting Cabo in November is that hotel prices begin to climb as the area gets ready for the high season. If you plan to visit during this month, always book your flights and hotels ahead of time. 

If you are looking for perfect sunny weather, the best time to visit Cabo is from December through March. However, it’s also the busiest time in Cabo when you will pay the highest prices for hotels, tours, and airfare. Many travelers come to Cabo to escape the cold winter elsewhere during these months, which drives up prices in the region. 

If you want to learn about the cheapest time to visit Cabo San Lucas, this guide is for you. In this article, I will go over the best time to visit Cabo so you can plan your trip to this popular town. 

You might wonder what qualifies me to give you advice about the best time to visit Cabo San Lucas. I’ve been to Cabo many times during different times of the year, and I’ve also spent a considerable amount of time road-tripping around Baja, and I can tell you all about my first-hand experience. 

So, if Cabo is on your radar, and you want to make the most of your trip, enjoy lower prices, and skip high crowds, keep reading. With so much to cover in this post, let’s dig in.

When is the best time to go to Cabo San Lucas?

The best time to visit Cabo San Lucas is in May and November, which are shoulder months. By May all the winter crowds have cleared out, and the water temperature is warm enough to swim and enjoy water sports like diving, sailing and kayaking. November is the perfect month to enjoy the best of Cabo with lower prices on hotels and tours before the busy winter season kicks in. 

What month is the cheapest in Cabo?

The cheapest months to go to Cabo are June through late October. This is the low season in Cabo when the area experiences an increased precipitation, which could affect your travel plans, including popular activities like beach hopping, diving, and sailing. 

If you plan to visit Cabo during the hurricane season, you should know that it usually rains in the afternoon, so you can still enjoy the best of Cabo, all you need to do is plan your activities for the morning.

What are the busiest months in Cabo?

December through March is the busiest time in Cabo when many tourists come here to escape cold winter and enjoy whale watching. Tourist traffic dies down by June when Cabo starts seeing the first rains, and humidity goes up. Although rains can be heavy, they are usually sporadic, and hurricanes here are more rare than in the Caribbean, which gets hit by severe rain storms in summer. 

Here’s a little secret: 

June is a great month to visit Cabo. Although June is considered part of the low season in Cabo, it’s still pretty sunny, and the chances of rain are low. You can visit Cabo during this month, and have a great time because it’s a perfect month for enjoying the best of Cabo on a budget and avoiding the crowds. 

I visited Cabo in June, and had a great experience, as there was still plenty of sunshine, and the rain was minimal. But the weather in Cabo can change month-over-month and year-over-year, so you should always check the weather ahead of your trip.

Use my favorite travel resources for your trip to Cabo:

• Hotels in Cabo – Booking.com, VRBO, or HostelWorld 🏨
• Travel insurance for Mexico – SafetyWing 👩‍⚕️
• Car rentals in Mexico – DiscoverCars 🚗
• Guided Tours in Cabo – Viator 🤿
• eSIM to stay connected on the road – Airalo 📱
• Flights to Baja California – CheapAir ✈️

What’s the best time to visit Cabo San Lucas on a budget?

The best time to visit Cabo on a budget is from June through October, which coincides with the hurricane season. Although the weather isn’t always perfect, it’s not as busy and you can save a good chunk of money because fewer people come to Cabo during these months, and hotels and tour operators are willing to give you better deals. 

✅ Read: Where to find the best breakfast in Cabo San Lucas?

When is the worst time to go to Cabo? 

The worst time to go to Cabo is during spring break and major holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas when it’s expensive and overcrowded.

Winter is the worst time to go to Cabo because of the high prices, but the weather is warm and sunny, with an average of high 70s and low 80s. Summer is the rainy season in Cabo when you can find amazing deals on flights and hotels, but it’s more humid and wet compared to the dry season, which makes it less ideal for enjoying Cabo’s outdoor adventures. 

When is hurricane season in Cabo?

The hurricane season in Cabo is from August through late September. Although the weather is less ideal, because of increased rains and higher humidity, the good news is that hurricanes tend to skirt Cabo most of the time unlike other destinations along the Pacific Coast of Mexico, which get affected by hurricanes. 

Although Cabo can get hot and humid during this time, there are plenty of ways to beat the heat from enjoying Cabo’s swimmable beaches to snorkeling and diving in the Sea of Cortez.

If you want to save on your trip and enjoy a luxury stay in Cabo, visit in August or September, when many fancy resorts in Cabo like Esperanza, Nobu, and
Hacienda del Mar Los Cabos offer sweet deals.

11 Fun things to do in Cabo in any season :

Speaking from personal experience, there are always fun things to do in Cabo regardless of the weather, and even if you visit Cabo in August and September, which see the most rain, you can still enjoy plenty of activities. If swimming conditions are not ideal, you can go for a hike, book food tours, or cooking classes in Cabo. You can also book an ATV tour or surfing tour in Cabo. 

1. Book a cooking class

Cabo is a perfect place to learn the secrets of Mexican cuisine. Take one of the most popular cooking classes in Cabo that offer a chance to cook typical Baja staples like fish tacos, agua chile, and ceviche, along with an experienced chef who will accompany you to local markets and help choose the right ingredients.

Best cooking classes in Cabo San Lucas

2. Join a food tour in Cabo

If the forecast calls for rain, book a food tour in Cabo to discover the city’s best restaurants and street food stalls, where you can enjoy authentic Mexican dishes at reasonable prices and avoid tourist traps.

Local tour guides have first-hand knowledge of the best places to eat in Cabo, which many tourists may miss, so if you are looking for a perfect mix of food and culture, book one of the most popular food tours in Cabo.

Best food tours in Cabo

3. Hit the trail

Hiking is one of the most underrated things to do in Cabo San Lucas. There are plenty of cool trails in Cabo, like Fox Canyon, Mt. Solmar, and Cerro de las Chivas which you can visit by a guided tour or by car rental. If you have never hiked in Cabo before, book a guided tour of Zorro Canyon, one of the most scenic trails in Cabo, which culminates with a stunning waterfall where you can swim. 

Best hiking tour in Cabo San Lucas

4. Ride an ATV in the desert 

Enjoy a good adventure? Book an ATV tour in Cabo. Cruising along the Cabo coastline in your off-road vehicle is one of the most adventurous things you can do in Cabo. It’s a perfect way to get out of your hotel and spend some time in nature, and local tour guides can help you navigate Cabo’s ATV trails. 

Best ATV tours in Cabo

5. Get cultured 

Want to get a taste of Cabo’s culture and history? One of the best things to do in Cabo for culture buffs is the San José del Cabo Art Walk, which takes place every Thursday evening from November to June in downtown Cabo San Lucas. Some galleries and shops remain open during the rainy season, but you can also check more up-to-date information on the official website. 

Best culture tours in Cabo San Lucas

6. Taste authentic tequila 

Cabo is a great place to taste authentic Mexican tequila, one of the country’s top exports made from agave plants. This fun Cabo tequila tour offers a perfect chance to try Mexico’s famous spirit alongside a local tequila master who can tell you more about the history of this drink. 

Best tequila tasting tours in Cabo

7. Go shopping in Puerto Paraiso 

For those in the mood for shopping in Cabo, Plaza Puerto Paraiso offers plenty of fun stores and restaurants, and a nearby supermarket. The mall is a perfect place to escape the extreme heat or rain. 

8. See the Cabo Arch

Whether visiting Cabo in low season or high season, you can’t miss the famous arch, which you probably have already seen in many photos of Cabo. Book a clear boat tour of Cabo that makes a fun ride and also stops at nearby beaches. Looking for a more fancy option? Take a sunset sailing tour, which is perfect if you have a special occasion or want to treat yourself to something nice. 

✅ Read: Best boat tours in Cabo

Best sailing tours in Cabo

9. Grab a margarita 

Finally, you can grab a margarita and enjoy a luxurious pool at one of Cabo’s top resorts like Viceroy or Thompson. While Cabo is all about outdoor exploration, there’s nothing wrong with spending a day in your cozy suite or by the pool. 

10. Soar above Cabo’s desert canyons on a zip-line

 Zip-lining in Cabo is the ultimate adventure that can help you get outside of your comfort zone, and enjoy the city’s stunning desert vistas away from the hustle and bustle. You can book one of the guided zip-lining tours in Cabo online or take a drive to Wild Canyon, which is located along the tourist corridor between Cabo San Lucas and San José Del Cabo. 

Best zipline tours in Cabo San Lucas

11. Check out the glass factory of Cabo San Lucas 

Stopping at Cabo’s Glass Factory is perfect for a rainy day when you can’t expect much sunshine and need to find a fun indoor activity. Here you can watch local artists create fun figures from glass in front of you and even buy some souvenirs made on the spot. 

✅ This Cabo San Lucas tour includes a stop at the glass factory

9 Tips for visiting Cabo

Now you know about the cheapest time to visit Cabo San Lucas, it’s time to learn some additional tips for visiting Cabo on a budget: 

1. Plan your trip ahead of time

While I love a spontaneous trip to Cabo, I can promise you that you will save at least a few hundred dollars if you book your trip ahead of time. Hotels, flights and tours sell at the highest price the closer you book them to your vacation. 

2. Avoid major holidays

Ringing in the New Year in Cabo is fun, but if you decide to do it, be ready to pay premium. Major holidays like Christmas, New Year’s Eve, and Thanksgiving are the busiest and most expensive times to visit Cabo San Lucas, so it’s best to avoid these dates if you want to save money.

3. Eat where locals eat

If you see a restaurant that caters to tourists, there’s a good chance you will pay above-average prices. Eat where locals eat and you will enjoy delicious and inexpensive meals made right on the spot. 

4. Take Uber

Taxis in Cabo are notorious for charging high prices, and what’s worse, they can spot a tourist from a mile away. If you don’t have a car rental, the best way to get around Cabo is by Uber. While you might be able to negotiate a price if you speak Spanish, taxis in Cabo are still substantially more expensive than Uber.

5. Rent a car

If you want to explore the area around Cabo, and take day trips, renting a car is the best way to save money. Taking Uber will cost you more in the long run, and you won’t have as much flexibility, because Uber is not always available around Cabo, depending on where you go. 

6. Get insurance

Cabo typically experiences heavy rainfall during the hurricane season, while serious storms usually pass it. Still, there’s always a chance that your trip could be disrupted by the inclement weather. If you want to visit Cabo during the rainy season, I recommend buying travel insurance so that you are protected and can get compensation if the weather gets in the way. 

7. Learn Spanish

Speaking Spanish can help you talk to locals and get the most accurate and unbiased information, that many tourists aren’t able to obtain because they don’t speak the language. Locals can give you the most up-to-date information on the best things to do, and places to avoid and give you helpful tips that you won’t be able to learn otherwise. 

8. Join group tours

Although private tours in Cabo are readable, they are also the most expensive and can set you back hundreds, if not thousands of dollars, depending on the size of your group. If you join a small-group tour, your experience could be just as good, and you will save money. 

Be aware that some tours in Cabo might not be available during the low season because there’s not enough demand. When booking a specific activity, always check if the tour hasn’t been canceled. 

9. Skip resorts

Cabo is known for its luxury resorts, but staying in a resort can also set you back thousands of dollars. If you want to save money, you should consider staying in a more budget-friendly hotels like Los Milagros Hotel, Casa Robyn, and Cabo Vista Hotel.

Where to stay in Cabo San Lucas 

The best area to stay in Cabo San Lucas depends on your budget and travel style. Downtown Cabo San Lucas is a perfect place to stay if you are on a budget, while the Pacific side of Cabo offers quiet beaches and a nice escape from the crowds. The tourist corridor between Cabo San Lucas offers the best all-inclusive resorts in Cabo and many swimmable beaches like Santa María Beach and Medano Beach.

• Budget: City Express Plus by Marriott Cabo San Lucas – If you are looking for an affordable hotel in Cabo San Lucas, don’t miss City Express, a quiet and comfortable stay perfect if you are looking to relax and enjoy a nice quiet stay.
• Mid-budget: Bahia Hotel & Beach House – A trendy hotel along Medano Beach, Bahia Hotel & Beach House boasts spacious and neatly decorated rooms. The beach is perfect for swimming and snorkeling and you can enjoy the views of the Pacific without leaving your hotel.
• Luxury: 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. 

What is the cheapest time to go to Cabo San Lucas from the USA?

The cheapest time to go to Cabo San Lucas from the United States is June through September, which also coincides with the rainy season.

Airport code for Cabo San Lucas

The airport code for Cabo San Lucas is SJD. Cabo San Lucas Airport is located in San José Del Cabo, a sister city of Cabo San Lucas which is about 30 minutes away. 

Cheapest airline to Cabo San Lucas 

Budget-friendly airlines like Spirit and Frontier usually offer the lowest-priced tickets for your trip to Cabo, however, you can score great deals on Cabo flights on other airlines if you book your tickets in advance.

Best airline to fly to Cabo San Lucas 

The best airline to fly to Cabo San Lucas depends on where you depart. Different airlines have better and more frequent airlines, depending on their base, so if you are flying to Cabo from LA, you can find many great deals from budget carriers like Spirit and Southwest. 

What time zone is Cabo San Lucas in?

Cabo San Lucas is in the Pacific Time Zone. 

Best time to visit Cabo: FAQ’s

What is the cheapest time to visit Cabo?

The cheapest time to visit Cabo San Lucas is August through September – the hurricane season when the city experiences increased precipitation and high humidity. Prices on hotels, tours, and flights to Cabo are usually cheaper during this time, but you should be ready for potential disruptions to your travel plans.

September is a quiet month in Cabo and surrounding areas like La Paz and Todos Santos, when there’s not much going on in terms of nightlife and activities. But the beaches are uncrowded and you can get more personalized treatment from tour operators and local businesses because they don’t have a lot of tourists. 

What is the best time in Cabo San Lucas for surfing?

Cabo has the best surfing conditions from June through August when the rainy season causes big swells with perfect waves. It’s also a great time to take a surfing lesson along Cabo’s Costa Azul. 

What is the best time to visit Cabo for scuba diving and snorkeling?

The best time to visit Cabo for scuba diving and snorkeling is June through November. During these months, the Sea of Cortez has warm calm waters that are perfect for enjoying water activities and observing the marine wildlife, including manta rays, turtles, and sharks. 

What is the best time to visit Cabo for whale watching?

The best time to visit Cabo San Lucas for whale watching is from December through mid-April, when you can spot whales off the coast of Cabo.

What are the best and worst months to go to Cabo?

The best months to visit Cabo San Lucas are May and November, and the worst months to visit Cabo are January and February because of the crowds and August because of the rain and high humidity. 

What is the off-season in Los Cabos?

June through October is the off-season in Cabo San Lucas, which has fewer sunny days and more rain. The advantages of visiting Cabo San Lucas during the off-season are smaller crowds and cheaper prices, which are perfect if you are looking for a budget-friendly vacation. 

Best time to visit Cabo San Lucas: Final word 

The best time to visit Cabo San Lucas depends on your travel style and flexibility. The dry season in Cabo is the most expensive time, but it also has the best weather and offers plenty of action, if you are looking for a lively atmosphere and great nightlife. Meanwhile, the cheapest time to visit Cabo San Lucas might not be ideal in terms of the weather, but youcan save money and enjoy a unique experience as you won’t have to compete with thousands of other travelers compared to the winter months. Late fall is a great time to visit Cabo, because there are no more hurricanes and the weather is ideal for outdoor activities.

You might also like these articles:

• Cabo to La Paz transportation options
• Is it safe to camp in Baja California?
• Best coffee in Cabo San Lucas
• Best surfing tours in Cabo San Lucas
• Best ATV tours in Cabo San Lucas
• Is Baja California in Mexico or USA?
• Is Todos Santos safe?
• Do I need a passport to go to Cabo?

Cabo travel planner

Do I need a visa for Baja California?

If you are traveling to Baja California from the United States and Canada or Western Europe, you don’t need a visa. iVisa is website that can help you with a visa to Mexico.

Do I need a car in Baja California?

You need a rental car to see the best of Baja California, as most places aren’t accessible by public transportation. I use DiscoverCars for car rentals in Baja and other parts of Mexico, and love their budget-friendly prices and flexible cancellation policy.

Click here to check prices on car rentals in popular detsinations in Baja. 

Do I need a travel insurance in Baja California?

Personal travel insurance in not required in Baja, but it’s a good idea to get one ahead of your trip. Travel Insurance Master will cover you in case of hospital visits, missed flights, lost or stolen belongings and other accidents that could happen on the road.

Do I need a car insurance to drive in Mexico?

A Mexico car insurance is required for ALL vehicles entering the country. Note that your US insurance will not be valid in Mexico. Baja Bound Mexican Insurance is a popular website to find insurance for your car, RV, boat, motorcycles and other types of transportation.

Where can I find the best Baja tours?

the best websites for finding tours all over Baja is Viator. Guided tours are usually available in bigger cities like Cabo San Lucas, San José del Cabo, La Paz and Tijuana.

Where can I book flights to Baja?

Click here to find cheap airline tickets to Baja.

Where do I find cheap hotels in Baja?

Booking.com is the best website to find hotels all over Baja, but you can also use HostelWorld to find hostels. VRBO is a perfect place to find apartments and home-style places to stay in Baja. 

Can I drink water in Baja California?

While major cities like Cabo and La Paz treat their water, it’s generally not advised to drink water in Baja California. Always carry your water bottle with you, or better yet, buy a water bottle with filtration for your trip.