Are you wondering if Cabo San Lucas is safe to travel to right now?
Cabo San Lucas is a Mexican town found on the end of the Baja peninsula that stretches along the Pacific coastline.
It has the best beaches and coastline furniture in all of North America and attracts thousands during the summer and spring breaks.
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Is Cabo San Lucas Safe?
The quick answer: Yes!
Cabo has top-rated boutique hotels, trendy restaurants, and crystal-clear waters for travelers to swim in.
However, most travelers are worried about its vicinity to the dangerous areas of Mexico.
Since Mexico is still ruled in a few areas by the cartels, there are parts of Mexico that the US and UK governments advise not to travel to.
Where is Cabo San Lucas?
Cabo San Lucas is located in the north of Mexico, along the Baja Californian Peninsular.
This thin strip of land runs adjacent to the mainland, with Cabo lying in the extreme south (where the Pacific waters meet the Sea of Cortez).
As a result, Cabo has some beautiful waters and beaches and is also home to some of the most stunning sunsets in Mexico.
The closest city is La Paz, which is around 165km from Cabo.
Cabo San Lucas is easy to reach by plane, with many domestic flights arriving here daily from throughout the country.
Is it Safe to Travel to Cabo San Lucas?
It’s incredibly safe to travel to Cabo San Lucas since thousands of tourists visit every year.
The southern region of Baja is the safest part of Mexico, even safer than the most tourist-rich cities in Mexico such as Cancun.
Many new visitors to Mexico also like choose between Puerto Vallarta or Cabo San Lucas for a relaxing vacation.
However, most visitors to this region describe the area as safer than most American cities, so there are many Americans that will travel to Cabo San Lucas by car rather than plane.
Many take the route through Tijuana and drive south down the peninsula.
Most of the crime in this peninsula is reported to be in the northern region, so Cabo San Lucas is a great place to settle without having to think about crime. Nor watch your back every 2 minutes on the street.
Safety Facts about Baja California Sur
- According to the UK Government, over 576,971 British nationals visited Mexico in 2017 with most visits being trouble-free.
- Also according to the UK Government, Major tourist destinations like Cabo San Lucas, Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Cozumel, Puerto Vallarta and Nuevo Vallarta have mostly not seen the levels of drug-related violence and crime experienced elsewhere in Mexico.
- The intentional homicide rate of Baja California Sur is the lowest of all the regions in Mexico, even lower than most American cities.
- New York and Chicago have higher crime rates than Baja California.
- It has the lowest crime rate in Mexico, with also the second-lowest population of any Mexican region.
Is Cabo San Lucas Safe to Travel Alone?
Cabo San Lucas is safe to travel alone. If you stay within the confines of the beach areas and trust your instincts, you’ll have a wonderful time.
Abide by the necessary precautions when traveling to Mexico such as don’t go out at night (when drunk) and don’t trust strangers.
One thing to remember: Don’t flash expensive items on the streets.
It would definitely help if you knew some Spanish since Mexicans very much appreciate English speakers who learn it as a second language.
Booking things such as excursions, tours, buses and even hotels in Cabo are a lot easier when you can speak basic Spanish with locals.
But the area is quite tourist-centric due to the hubs of La Paz and Cabo San Lucas so it isn’t as much of a necessity as in the rest of Mexico.
Backpacking Mexico Safety
Backpacking across Mexico can be tricky since most of the bordering regions with other countries have a difficult reputation.
However, Baja California Sur as a region is extremely safe as compared to the rest of Mexico.
Mexico is an amazing country to navigate, but you definitely need to look up which regions should be avoided when backpacking.
The region is not just for vacations: Cabo San Lucas can be the ending point for backpackers taking the long route down from America/Tijuana to see all of the Pacific coastlines the peninsula has to offer.
Where to Stay in Cabo San Lucas?
The best area to stay in Cabo is between Lázaro Cárdenas and south towards the marina.
This bustling area is full of restaurants and lots of movement at night. This area is much safer, especially when compared with neighborhoods towards the outer areas which can be rough around the edges.
Here you’ll also find lots of cheap accommodation (and hostels), as well as the beaches being within a maximum 15-minute walking distance.
Around the harbor, you’ll find lots of tour vendors so be sure to compare all before booking any tours such as to the El Arco.
Cabo San Lucas Nightlife
Cabo is well known as a party hub north of the border. Many Americans often make the trip here just for the party and beach, with its cheap and direct flights being very convenient indeed!
Most of the best nightlife is focused around the mariner and along Lázaro Cárdenas Avenue.
There are tonnes of bars around here, however, one absolute favorite that you must check out, has to be the infamous Cabo Wabo.
For nightclubs: El Squid Roe and La Vaquita are the most popular, which are busy most days of the week and go on late until the morning.
Cabo San Lucas: Travel Safety Tips
This region of Mexico is the safest, but it will still pay back in dividends if you exercise the right precautions.
It is worth monitoring the best time to go to Cabo San Lucas to give you an idea of when the peak and off-peak times are.
Don’t take Cabo lightly just because it’s ‘the safe’ area.
Tourists are targeted in all locations around the globe, so keep on the lookout for petty crime.
⤵️ Here are some tips to help you on your journey:
- Rid yourself of all those Mexican myths. As you may well know, Hollywood is notorious for damaging Mexican stereotypes with both lazy and dangerous assumptions of all kinds.
- Make sure to use trusted and accredited hotels/hostels. Then once you’ve booked your room, book taxis or buses through the hotel.
- Make sure to take sunscreen. The ocean breeze may fool you, but this is a part of Mexico that still has a dry heat.
- If you are a person that suffers from typical culture shock symptoms see our tips on adapting to new surroundings on this blog.
- If you think you’re being overcharged for a taxi, just know that most taxis shouldn’t cost any more than 40 pesos.
- Don’t accept drugs. Not only is it illegal, but it’s dangerous. You’ll fund the cartels which means they’ll keep taking over parts of Mexico.
- Keep dummy wallets for pickpockets and keep your money hidden away. Bras, neck wallet or secret bag compartments will do.
- There is still a risk of contracting the Zika virus. See Travel health pro for more information on this visit
- Don’t leave any valuables unattended while you swim. Run-and-grab thefts by people lurking in the woods are a common occurrence.
- Don’t go where there are few other people in the vicinity; this includes camping in secluded places. A simple rule: if there are families around, you’re probably safe. Hence why it’s worth comparing cancun vs cabo when traveling with little ones.
- If you want to take expensive equipment such as cameras or smartphones, keep them hidden, locked away and on your person. A PacSafe backpack is ideal for this.
- Be wary of attempts at credit-card fraud. Either use cards for emergencies only or take cash out at trusted atm’s either in shopping centers. Ask where you’re staying for the nearest safe atm.
When it comes to credit card scams. One method is when the cashier swipes your card twice (once for the transaction and once for nefarious purposes).
It would be best to only use cash, by keeping most in your hotel safe and taking small amounts out with you.
Transportation in Mexico
Ideally, there are two ways to explore this region.
Either with an airport transfer that will take you to Cabo San Lucas, or you drive in from another location.
I highly recommend you read this guide to bus travel in Mexico for useful tips and advice about using long-distance services.
You can then head further into the Baja California peninsula to see the Pacific ocean for all its majesty.
The best way of traveling to this area for many visitors is to rent a car and make the drive from the American side of the border.
Travel Insurance for Cabo San Lucas
It is recommend that backpackers and all types of travelers to Latin America use World Nomads Insurance for a fully comprehensive cover.
If you are due to travel soon Get Your Free Quote by clicking the link or the image above and filling out your details – that way you’ll get instant travel insurance cover from the date of travel that you choose.
Best time to go to Cabo San Lucas
The hottest time to visit Cabo is between June and October, where averages lie between 80-84°F, with highs of up to 91°F (July is the hottest month) and lows of 72°F.
The rest of the year is warm, with averages of 69-76°F, with highs of up to 86°F and lows of down to 61°F (January is the coolest month to visit).
Rainfall is very low most of the year. From November until July, there’s usually only 0-0.5 inches per month, with April, May and June sometimes having none at all.
September is the wettest with 2.5 inches, with the shoulder months of August and October both slotting in between the different periods.
Cabo San Lucas Safety FAQs
See these frequently asked questions about safety in Cabo:
Is Cabo San Lucas Safe?
Cabo San Lucas, La Paz, and the Baja Peninsula are epic places to visit.
This region of Mexico should be high on your bucket list and it’s plain to see how easy it is to reach safe spaces in the great Mexican nation.
Are you feeling inspired? See this guide to other safe places in Mexico for more ideas on where to go during your stay in the country.
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