Mexico, North America
The best time to visit Los Cabos
Desert meets ocean at the tip of Baja, and the calendar splits cleanly into whale months and hurricane months.
- Best months
- Jan to Mar and Nov
- Think twice
- Sep
- Quietest
- September
- Cheapest
- September
The straight answer
The best time to visit Los Cabos is November through April, when the desert air is dry and warm, the ocean is calm on the Sea of Cortez side, and humpback and gray whales are passing offshore from mid December to mid April.
Go between November and April. That is the dry season at the tip of the Baja peninsula: highs in the upper 70sF to mid 80sF (25C to 29C), almost no rain, cool desert evenings, and whales breaching within sight of the hotel pools from mid December into April. If you want the single sweet spot, aim for late January through early March, after the holiday rush and before spring break.
Summer is a different place. From July through September the heat climbs into the mid 90sF (35C), the humidity arrives with it, and the ocean warms into the mid 80sF (29C), which is superb for diving at Cabo Pulmo but draining on land. It is also Eastern Pacific hurricane season, running mid May through November and peaking August through early October. Los Cabos has taken direct hits in the past (Hurricane Odile in September 2014 is the one locals still measure by), so a late summer trip needs flexible bookings and travel insurance.
Two practical truths shape any visit. First, the long Pacific-facing beaches have powerful surf and dangerous undertow, and many are unswimmable in any season; the calm, swimmable coves sit on the Sea of Cortez side and along the Corridor at Medano, Chileno, and Santa Maria bays. Second, Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo feel like two different trips: one is marina nightlife and boat tours, the other is a colonial plaza, an art walk, and a slower pace. Choose your base by temperament, not just price.
Los Cabos, month by month
Every month gets a verdict. Tap one for its own page: weather, crowds, prices and what is on.
- 01JanuaryBestDry and sunny, highs near 78F (26C), cool evenings near 57F (14C)Whale season in full swing and the holiday crowds gone after the first week. Ocean is cool, near 72F (22C), so bring a wetsuit for snorkeling.Hotels for January →CrowdsPrice
- 02FebruaryBestDry, highs near 79F (26C), breezy afternoonsPeak whale activity and the most reliable weather of the year. Water is at its coolest, around 70F (21C).Hotels for February →CrowdsPrice
- 03MarchBestDry, highs near 82F (28C)Whales still around and days warming up. The catch is US spring break: mid March weekends in Cabo San Lucas get loud and expensive.Hotels for March →CrowdsPrice
- 04AprilGoodDry, highs near 85F (29C)Whale season winds down by mid month. Semana Santa brings a surge of Mexican holiday travelers; the rest of the month is excellent.Hotels for April →CrowdsPrice
- 05MayGoodHot and dry, highs near 88F (31C)An underrated month: still dry, water warming up, prices easing. Hurricane season technically opens mid month but May storms are uncommon.Hotels for May →CrowdsPrice
- 06JuneQuiet valueHot, highs near 91F (33C), humidity buildingHot but mostly dry, and the diving and sportfishing pick up. Good deals if you plan around pool time and early starts.CrowdsPrice
- 07JulyTradeoffsHot and humid, highs near 94F (34C), occasional stormsSummer family travel keeps resorts fairly busy. Warm, clear water is the reward; the midday heat and early storm risk are the price.CrowdsPrice
- 08AugustTradeoffsHottest month, highs near 95F (35C), muggy, storm risk risingDeep discounts and the warmest water of the year, but you are in the heart of hurricane season. Book refundable.CrowdsPrice
- 09SeptemberThink twiceHot, humid, highs near 94F (34C), the rainiest monthPeak hurricane risk and the most rain of a very dry year. Several restaurants and some smaller hotels close for part of the month for maintenance.CrowdsPrice
- 10OctoberQuiet valueHot, highs near 91F (33C), storm risk taperingHurricane risk lingers early in the month but falls away. The big marlin tournaments bring an anglers' crowd; water is still in the mid 80sF (29C).CrowdsPrice
- 11NovemberBestWarm and dry, highs near 85F (29C)The dry season returns, the heat breaks, and the ocean is still warm. Arguably the best balance of weather, water, and price. Thanksgiving week spikes.Hotels for November →CrowdsPrice
- 12DecemberGoodDry, highs near 80F (27C), cool nightsWhale season opens mid month. The first half is fair value; Christmas to New Year is the most expensive stretch of the year and books out early.Hotels for December →CrowdsPrice
Book Los Cabos for January.
Sponsored links to Expedia and Vrbo. We may earn a commission; it never changes a verdict.
- Hotels for January
Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Los CabosOpens a hotel search for Los Cabos in January, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
- Rentals on Vrbo
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in Los CabosWhole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
- Tours and tickets
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in Los CabosTimed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Los Cabos for January. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Why go to Los Cabos
Whales from the beach
Humpbacks and gray whales pass the cape each winter. From mid December to mid April, you can watch breaches from the shoreline of the Corridor without leaving your lounge chair, or get close on a licensed boat.
Desert and sea in one frame
Few places put cactus-covered mountains directly against deep blue water. The Arch at Land's End, the Sierra de la Laguna behind San Jose, and empty desert roads all sit within an hour.
One of the healthiest reefs in the Americas
Cabo Pulmo National Park, about two hours up the East Cape, is a protected reef where fish populations recovered dramatically after fishing was banned. Diving here in summer and fall is world class.
Two towns, two moods
Cabo San Lucas is marina energy and boat trips; San Jose del Cabo has a colonial plaza, galleries, and a Thursday night art walk in season. Todos Santos, an hour up the Pacific coast, adds an artsy small-town day.
Things to do, and when to do them
The Arch at Land's End
Take a water taxi or glass-bottom boat from the marina past El Arco and the sea lion colony. Mornings are calmer and less crowded.
Whale watching
Mid December to mid April. Go with a licensed operator; smaller boats and early departures give the best encounters.
Cabo Pulmo National Park
A long day trip or overnight up the East Cape. Snorkel from shore or dive with a local operator; access is regulated to protect the reef.
Snorkeling at Chileno and Santa Maria bays
Two of the few calm, swimmable, protected bays on the Corridor. Arrive before 10am for parking and clear water.
San Jose del Cabo Art Walk
Thursday evenings in the gallery district, running roughly November through June. The best night out that is not in a bar.
Todos Santos
An hour north on the Pacific side: galleries, surf beaches, and a slower pace. Pair it with lunch and a sunset drive back.
Sportfishing
Cabo calls itself a marlin capital with good reason. Fall is peak billfish season; book charters early in October.
Events and seasons worth planning around
Whale season
Mid December to mid April, peaking January through March
Humpbacks and gray whales migrate past the cape. The single best reason to come in winter.
Bisbee's Black and Blue Tournament
October, most years
One of the richest marlin tournaments in the world takes over the Cabo San Lucas marina for a week of weigh-ins and parties.
Fiestas Tradicionales de San Jose
Around March 19, the feast of San Jose
San Jose del Cabo's patron saint festival: fair rides, food stalls, music, and a local crowd in the main plaza.
Dia de Muertos
Late October into November 2
Altars and cemetery gatherings, especially in San Jose del Cabo and Todos Santos. Smaller and more local than Oaxaca's, and worth seeking out.
Beat the crowds
- Aim for late January through early March, skipping the first week of January and the middle weeks of March when US spring break peaks.
- Base in San Jose del Cabo instead of Cabo San Lucas for quieter streets, and drive in for the marina and boat trips.
- Book boat trips to the Arch and whale tours for the first departure of the day, when water is flatter and the marina is not yet a traffic jam.
- May and early June are the value secret: dry, warm, emptier, and before the hurricane-season discount crowd arrives in late summer.
Open or closed
- September and early October: a noticeable number of restaurants and some smaller hotels close for maintenance or staff vacation. The big resorts stay open.
- Hurricane season runs mid May through November, peaking August to early October. Storms can close the airport and cut power for days; always check refund terms.
- Whale-watching tours only operate during the official season, roughly mid December to mid April. Outside that window, the whales are gone.
- Many Pacific-side beaches are closed to swimming by red flags year-round due to rip currents. Swim only where locals and lifeguards do.
With kids in tow
- Pick a resort on a swimmable bay or with a protected beach; this matters more than any amenity list, since many Cabo beaches are not safe for kids to swim.
- Whale season is a gift for families: kids can see whales from shore, and short boat tours work for school-age children.
- Summer heat and midday sun are intense. With young kids, plan beach time for early morning and late afternoon.
- For homeschool families, a winter trip pairs marine biology (whales, sea lions, Cabo Pulmo's reef recovery) with desert ecology in one week.
Getting there
- Los Cabos International (SJD) sits near San Jose del Cabo and has nonstops from most major US hubs, including Houston, Dallas, Los Angeles, Denver, Phoenix, Chicago, and Atlanta, with more seasonal routes in winter.
- From Texas: nonstops run from Houston and Dallas year-round, and Austin has had seasonal nonstops in recent winters.
- Cabo San Lucas is about 45 minutes from the airport; the Corridor resorts sit in between. Pre-book a shuttle or reputable taxi and ignore the timeshare pitches in the arrivals hall.
Packing? Packing cubes and the airport kit.
Los Cabos for the holidays
Holiday and school-break weeks where Los Cabos makes our ranked list.
MLK Weekend
January
The first long weekend of the year lands in the dead of winter. Go chase sun, powder, or the history the holiday is named for.
Presidents' Day Weekend
February
The peak of the ski season and the Caribbean high season in the same week. Pick your warm or your snow early, or pick the week after.
Los Cabos timing, quick answers
What is the best month to visit Los Cabos?
February. Dry, sunny, highs near 79F (26C), and the peak of whale season. November and early March are close seconds.
What is the cheapest time to visit Los Cabos?
Late August through September, when hurricane risk and heat drive prices to their lowest. May and early June are the smarter cheap window: lower rates without the storm risk.
When is hurricane season in Los Cabos?
Mid May through November, with the highest risk from August into early October. Most years pass without a direct hit, but when one comes it can shut the airport, so book refundable in late summer.
When can you see whales in Cabo?
From roughly mid December to mid April, with January through March the most active stretch. Humpbacks are the most common, with gray whales passing as well.
Can you swim at the beaches in Cabo?
Only at some. Pacific-facing beaches like Playa Divorcio and most of the long beaches toward Todos Santos have dangerous surf. Medano Beach, Chileno Bay, and Santa Maria Bay are the reliable swimmable options.
Is Cabo too hot in summer?
July through September highs sit in the mid 90sF (35C) with humidity. It is doable for pool-and-ocean trips and serious diving, but uncomfortable for hiking or long days in town.
Weighing alternatives
Similar trips, with their best months.
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