The Best Time to Visit Los Cabos

Los Cabos is a stunning beach destination on the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula. It enjoys mostly pleasant, sunny, and warm weather year round. Although each time of year has its draws, the best times to visit Los Cabos are the months of November and May, when you’ll find nearly perfect weather conditions and fewer crowds than at other times. Whatever time of year you decide to visit, this guide will give you the essential information you need to plan your trip.

The Weather in Los Cabos

Los Cabos' weather is very pleasant for most of the year, but in the summer and early fall, temperatures can be unpleasantly hot and humid. June is the hottest month in Los Cabos, with an average temperature of 81 degrees Fahrenheit (27 degrees Celsius). Although it never really gets cold, January has the coolest temperatures, with an average of 72 degrees Fahrenheit (22 degrees Celsius). September is the wettest month, receiving an average of 4.6 inches (117 mm) of rain. Hurricane season lasts from June through August, so you should be aware of the potential for tropical storms and hurricanes if you’re visiting during that period (although Los Cabos’ privileged location in a bay with nearby mountains offers it some natural protection from storms).

Crowds in Los Cabos

Most of Los Cabos’ international tourists plan their visits to coincide with optimal weather conditions, from December through April. Los Cabos has also seen an increase in spring break travelers in recent years, and Mexican visitors come in the two weeks surrounding Easter and during the summer, when children have school holidays.

If you come at any other time of year, you'll find fewer tourists (and have your pick of poolside loungers). In the summer months especially, there are also lots of great deals on flights and hotels to be found.

Watching Whales and Whale Sharks

Conveniently, the humpback whales’ migration brings them to Los Cabos while tourists are flocking here, between December and March. Early in the season, you’ll see more adult whales—but if you go toward the end of the season, you’ll have a better chance of witnessing baby humpbacks. Seeing these gentle giants breaching (jumping out of the water) and playing together is an amazing sight. During these months, you’re almost guaranteed to spot some whales whenever you go on a boat ride in the bay, sometimes even from shore. 

Spring in Los Cabos

The weather in March is very pleasant, with warm days and cool evenings; by April, it’s warming up, with an average high of 82 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit (28 to 29 degrees Celsius). With these higher temperatures, the water is warmer, so it can be very pleasant to swim, snorkel, or dive at this time of year. However, this is also when the whales leave the bay for cooler water. May tends to be hot and humid, with rain becoming more frequent toward the end of the month. Los Cabos has become more popular with spring breakers in the past few years; because they tend to concentrate in a few specific resorts and at the nightclubs in Cabo San Lucas, you can still find quiet spots to enjoy without crowds—especially in San Jose del Cabo.

Events to check out:

• Todos Santos Arts Festival and the Todos Santos Cinema Festival are worth the hour’s drive north to check out.
• The Festival Sabores de Baja is an organic food festival that allows visitors the opportunity to sample local and seasonal products.  

Summer in Los Cabos

Summertime in Los Cabos is typically hot and humid, with highs around 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsius) and lots of rain. The increased rainfall makes the vegetation grow lush and green, and the rivers and waterfalls more enjoyable. It’s also sea turtle hatching season, and thousands of Olive Ridley sea turtles lay their eggs on the beaches during the summer months. Because these beaches can be busy, several hotels sponsor sea turtle protection projects, and visitors can participate in releasing baby sea turtles to the sea. Hotels and resorts generally have lower occupancy rates during the summer, so it’s a good time to find deals or get added perks such as upgrades and free nights.

Events to check out:

• The Stars and Stripes Tournament—named after the striped marlin of the Sea of Cortez—is a fundraising tournament in June. Hosted by the Hilton Los Cabos, it features a combination of activities, including fishing, golf, and music.
• The Los Cabos Tennis Open is held in the month of July. This is the second most important ATP World Tour tennis tournament in the country, and further consolidation of professional tennis in Mexico.

Fall in Los Cabos

The rain continues through September, although the temperatures are a bit cooler than they were in July and August. October is still quite hot, but increasingly pleasant towards the end of the month, with more sunny days and comfortable temperatures. Many activities that are on hold during the summer months resume in the fall, such as the San Jose del Cabo Art Walk, which takes place every Thursday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. from the end of October through May.

Events to check out:

• San Jose del Cabo’s Restaurant Week takes place in mid-October. This is a great opportunity to have special meals in some of Los Cabos’ best restaurants for great prices.
• Day of the Dead celebrations: From the last day of October through the first few days of November, there are multiple festivities in town to mark the occasion, including the Festival Secrets of La Catrina.

Winter in Los Cabos

Temperatures get cooler, and generally are at their most pleasant this time of year, with warm days and cool evenings. The weather is coolest in January, with an average low of 54 degrees Fahrenheit (12 degrees Celsius). Ocean temperatures also drop to their lowest and attract whales—but it’s still comfortable for swimming and enjoying water sports. 

Events to check out:

• The Los Cabos Film Festival is held annually in November and is an important event that brings together filmmakers and film buffs from around Mexico and the world.
• The Ironman 70.3 Los Cabos takes place in November.