Welcome to this guide on the best time to visit Cabo San Lucas.
This popular beachside city attracts tourists from all over the world, due to its spectacular beaches, diving, and party scene.
In fact, Cabo is one of the most popular locations to visit in all of Mexico, and as you read on you will discover why.
In this guide, we will explore the best time to visit Cabo San Lucas.
We will look at the weather by month, hurricane season, festivals, cultural events, and also how to stay safe in the city.
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Best Time To Visit Cabo San Lucas
Cabo is located in the north-west of Mexico, along the Baja California peninsula that jets out into the Pacific Ocean.
Whilst many know Cabo as the infamous party town to visit, there is lots more to do besides the beach and tequila.
Also, now may be a really good time to rethink Mexican stereotypes and put those lazy and dangerous assumptions aside.
When is the Best Time to Visit Cabo?
We’ll explore what you can do, safety in the city as well as information regarding the hurricane season that may affect your plans.
Why travel to Cabo San Lucas?
One of the best-connected cities in Mexico, flying into Cabo is easy with dozens of direct flights from the US every day.
The distance is quite close, meaning flights will be cheaper than further afield areas like the Riviera Maya and Mexico City.
As well as big parties and endless stretches of beaches, Cabo has the vast Pacific on your front doorstep to explore and enjoy.
The arch is a must-see, and there are lots of opportunities to dive, snorkel, and do some water sports too.
Lets now look at the best time to travel to Cabo San Lucas taking into account the Hurricane season:
When is the Hurricane season in Cabo?
As Cabo is located on the Pacific, it is common that hurricanes can affect this area of Mexico.
In fact, they are so frequent, that there is a designated season which runs from early June until November.
During this period, they are much more likely, with heavy showers and stormy weather expected.
For this reason, many pick Cancun over Cabo. See this guide on the best time to visit Cancun so you can make your own comparison.
Just know that the Cabo San Lucas hurricane season is something worth considering before booking your flight.
Is Cabo San Lucas Safe?
As far as Mexican cities go, Cabo is safe and avoids some of the trouble that the bigger cities like Mexico City and Cancun attract.
A big concern will be petty theft, where thieves try to snatch a bag or wallet. Compare Cabo versus Cancun to do your own assessment.
Pacsafe backpacks make a great deterrent but the best way to avoid this is to keep all valuables in a safe place in your room and try not to dress too flashy which may invite too much unwanted attention.
See this guide on safety in Cabo San Lucas for more travel in-depth safety tips that will equip you with all the information you need.
Cabo San Lucas Weather by Month
As with most coastal regions, there can be a big change in weather patterns throughout the year.
In this section, we will explore each month and what you can expect with temperatures, precipitation, and your overall experience.
Cabo San Lucas Weather in January
Kickstarting the year with January, any trip during this month is promised to be a good one.
It has the lowest rainfall of any month with only 3mm recorded, with a good chance that your vacation will be full of clear skies.
The weather in Cabo in January offers temperature averages of around 68°F, which is a lot cooler than the rest of the year. Highs can rise as high as 80°F on a good day in this month.
When comparing Cabo San Lucas vs Puerto Vallarta you’ll likely notice Puerto Vallarta has a similar climate this time of year.
Due to the consistent weather and early year holidays, this is one of the most popular months to visit, so expect higher flight and accommodation prices! You’ll find car rentals to be competitive still.
Cabo San Lucas Weather in February
February follows suit to the previous month, with the temperature rising slightly to an average of 70°F with highs of 83°F.
Rainfall, like most of the early-year months, is very low, with only an average of 5mm recorded throughout.
The weather in Cabo in February overall is quite a nice month as rainfall is low and there are fewer tourists visiting during this month, in turn resulting in cheaper prices.
Cabo San Lucas Weather in March
Visiting Cabo in March is a great idea as rainfall is still very low, with only 7mm being recorded throughout the month.
With the clear skies comes a slight increase in temperature from February, with highs of 85°F and an average of 71°F.
Cabo San Lucas Weather in April
April is an extremely popular time to visit Cabo, due to both the great weather and the crowds that come to celebrate Spring Break.
Average temperatures for April jump up to around 75°F, with highs of a toasty 92°F. Rainfall is still not an issue in April, with only 4mm recorded, which promises lots of hassle-free days down the beach.
Cabo San Lucas Weather in May
May, along with the month of October (shoulder seasons) are considered the overall best times to visit Cabo San Lucas.
During this month, you can expect an increase in temperature to around 78°F, with highs of 83°F.
With only 8mm of rain, this month is perhaps the last until autumn where you can visit and avoid lengthy showers.
Overall, May is one of the best months to visit Cabo as temperatures are warmer, the hurricane season has yet to hit and the bulk of the crowds have already left after the winter and spring break seasons.
Cabo San Lucas Weather in June
As we enter the summer season, we see a rapid increase in both temperatures and rain.
June marks the start of the hurricane season, and as such, you can expect an exponential increase of rain to around 107mm, making it the joint-wettest month of the year to visit Cabo.
This is a good time to hire a car and make use of a vehicle for getting around and seeing more of the surrounding area on rainy days.
Temperatures rise to an average of 84°F, making it good for those who love the hotter weather!
Cabo San Lucas Weather in July
Cabo in July follows June in terms of rainfall, with 107mm expected throughout this month.
Whilst hurricanes are not promised in June (at the start of the hurricane season) you are more likely to experience one during this month.
July is officially the hottest month to visit Cabo, with an average temperature of 88°F, and highs of a searing 99°F!
Cabo San Lucas Weather in August
Heading deeper into the hurricane season, Cabo in August sees a drop in rain compared to June and July, with an average recording of 75mm.
At 83°F, the sea temperature is the hottest during this month, so beware before heading from the beach for a quick cool down!
The average (land) temperature is 86°F, with highs of 98°F.
Cabo San Lucas Weather in September
September is still a pleasant time to visit, as we near the end of the summer season.
Temperatures are still very hot, with averages of 85°F and a high of up to 97°F. Continuing the downward trend, expected rainfall for the month is around 65mm.
September is considered the darkest month of the year, with only 9 hours of sunlight compared to between 10-12 for the rest of the months.
Cabo San Lucas Weather in October
October is considered the shoulder season for Cabo, as the stormy weather starts to fade, and temperatures gradually begin to fall.
With an average of 82°F, October is still quite a toasty month, with highs of up to 95°F – great for heading to the beach and not overheating!
43mm of rain can be expected throughout the month. Cabo in October is the low season and tends to be more popular with tourists looking for a quick-break getaway.
Cabo San Lucas Weather in November
Marking the beginning of the dry season, rainfall in Cabo in November drops significantly to just 8mm – similar to that of the first few months of the year.
Average temperatures for this month are slightly lower at 75°F, although this still makes a trip to Cabo during November a warm and pleasant one.
High temperatures can be up to 90°F, so although it seems cooler than summer, don’t be fooled as the humidity will still be at work.
Cabo San Lucas Weather in December
December is a very popular month to visit Cabo San Lucas, as the weather is pristine along with the arrival of the Christmas break.
Only 6mm of rain has been recorded during this month, so you can expect most days to be clear skies. The average temperature is around 70°F, with highs of 82°F.
Cabo in December is also popular as the sea temperature is still quite warm at an average temperature of 78°F.
Cabo San Lucas Events and Festivals
Cabo plays host to some really unique and cool festivals and cultural events.
Here we’ll explore 11 of the best, the dates, and what you can expect.
La Ventana Classic
Hosted in mid-January, this windsurfing competition takes place annually in the small town of La Ventana, about two hours from Cabo.
Opt to enter the competition, watch pros from around the world take part or simply head to the beach parties to kick back with live music.
Carnaval
This cultural event is celebrated in February and marks the last week of freedom before lent and for this reason alone, the best time to go to Cabo San Lucas for many.
Expect heavy drinking, dancing, lots of food and more as parades and a festival light up the night of Cabo San Lucas!
Festival of San Jose
Held in honor of the patron saint San Jose, this festival lasts a long two weeks. Starting around the beginning of March, the festival begins with night parties and live music, eventually culminating in an array of carnivals and parades throughout Cabo.
Festival de Cine de Todos Santos
This authentic film festival stars Mexican film and cinema, with lots of upcoming actors.
It is celebrated annually in March and is held in the popular surf town of Todos Santos, about an hour’s drive from Cabo.
All films are in Spanish, but even if you don’t understand, it’s a great time to go with the extra beach parties and live entertainment!
Cinco de Mayo
This well-known event is one of the most popular in Mexico and has even spread to other countries such as the US.
Held annually in May, this cultural event was originally celebrated as a commemoration to the Mexican Army who repelled the French invasion.
In Cabo, expect lots of late parties and going-on, where large crowds flock from the US during this period to celebrate.
GastroVino Food and Wine Festival
GastroVino, also known as The Baja Food and Wine Festival, takes place every May.
Celebrated throughout the Baja Californian Peninsular, the main festival is centered in Todos Santos.
As well as enjoying local Mexican food and wine, is it worth checking out this area of the region, which boasts some of the best surfing in Mexico.
Fiesta de la Música
Around 20,000 flock to this festival annually in June, which is held in the sleepy town of San Jose del Cabo.
This town is quite close to Cabo San Lucas, hence making it easily accessible for anyone flying in.
Check out live music and events, with lots of local bands and also groups from around the country coming to perform.
Charro Day
Taking place on the 14th September, this festival takes place all over Mexico, and celebrates the art of charrería.
There are many parades on this day, with cowboys and escaramuzas riding through town on horse-back.
This is a very different kind of festival and is well worth to experience as it is different to the usual parties and festivals found in this country!
Mexican Independence Day
Celebrated on the 16th September, Mexico’s Independence Day is taking very seriously.
Arguably one of the biggest festivals of the year, a visit during this time will see massive parades throughout Cabo, parties that go well on into early hours and lots of entertainment, including live music and dances.
Revolution Day (Día de la Revolución)
Another important day in Mexico’s history.
Celebrated on the 20th November, Mexico achieved another independence back in 1910, and is still viewed as one of the most important cultural holidays of the year.
Expect lots of drinking, late night beach parties and also lots of traditional Mexican food.
Feast of the Virgin of Guadalupe
This authentic Mexican festival is celebrated on the 12th December, which celebrates the day of the Virgin of Guadalupe.
During this day you can see some parades along the highway, with some pilgrimages too.
Whilst a much bigger event in Puerto Vallarta, it is still cool to experience when in Cabo San Lucas.
Best Time To Visit Cabo San Lucas
And that’s all for this guide to the best time to visit Cabo San Lucas.
This popular town has lots going for it, with a variety of festivals and cultural events that are sure to pique your interest.
I recommend heading to some of the others out of town, as they are no more than a couple hours drive and are very unique to the region.
See this guide on things to do in Cabo San Lucas for more ideas.
The weather varies throughout the year, and the summer season brings a higher risk of hurricanes and more torrential rains.
However, depending on your plans, this can also be an amazing time to visit, so don’t automatically count it out!
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