Los Cabos, Mexico
Los Cabos travel guide
Desert meets sea at the tip of Baja
- Airports
- SJD Los Cabos International Airport
- Region
- Mexico & Caribbean
- Best time to visit
- November–May is warm and dry; December–March is peak (whale season).
- Shortest flight
- 2h 30m from Los Angeles
- Round trips from
- $114 (live)
- Time zone
- America/Mazatlan
About Los Cabos
Two towns anchor the 20-mile Tourist Corridor: Cabo San Lucas has the marina, nightlife and the Arch (El Arco); San José del Cabo is the quieter colonial town with an art district and Thursday-night art walks. Between them are the big resorts and golf courses. Todos Santos, an hour north on the Pacific side, is the boutique-hotel and surf town.
Getting in: Los Cabos International (SJD) is 20 minutes from San José and 40 from Cabo San Lucas. Book a private or shared shuttle in advance ($25–$45 per person); rental cars are affordable and the highway is good. The Ruta del Desierto bus is the budget option ($5) to San José. Skip the timeshare booths in arrivals.
US citizens need a valid passport. Dollars are accepted almost everywhere, but pesos are cheaper. Most beaches on the Corridor have dangerous surf; Medano Beach in Cabo and Chileno and Santa Maria bays are the swimmable ones. Tip 15–20% at resorts and restaurants. Fresh fish tacos ($3–$5 each) are the local lunch.
Best time to visit
November–May is warm and dry; December–March is peak (whale season). Late spring and fall are cheaper; August–September is hot and the height of hurricane season.
Where to stay
Neighborhoods our travelers like: Cabo San Lucas, San José del Cabo, Tourist Corridor, Todos Santos, East Cape.
Flights to Los Cabos: typical round-trip fares
What economy round trips to SJD usually cost from major US cities, alongside the lowest live fare we can see in the next 90 days. Prices are per traveler and include taxes.
| From | Flight time | Typical fare | Lowest live fare | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles (LAX) | 2h 30m | $248 | $133 · Wed, Nov 18 | Search dates → |
| San Francisco (SFO) | 3h 10m | $298 | $154 · Wed, Oct 7 | Search dates → |
| Dallas (DFW) | 3h 10m | $288 | $114 · Wed, Oct 7 | Search dates → |
| Denver (DEN) | 3h | $298 | $133 · Tue, Dec 8 | Search dates → |
| Seattle (SEA) | 3h 55m | $318 | $214 · Wed, Oct 7 | Search dates → |
| Chicago (ORD) | 4h 30m | $348 | $226 · Tue, Dec 8 | Search dates → |
Typical fares are editorial estimates for economy round trips booked 3–8 weeks out. Live fares refresh several times a day and are shown for the cheapest departure date we found.
Airports in Los Cabos
What to do in Los Cabos
The places our editors send first-time visitors.
- 1
El Arco and Lover's Beach
Water taxis from the marina ($15–$20) to the granite arch at Land's End and the beach where the Pacific meets the Sea of Cortez.
- 2
Whale watching
Humpbacks and grays from mid-December to April; boat tours from both towns.
- 3
San José del Cabo art walk
Thursday evenings November–June the gallery district opens late with music and wine.
- 4
Chileno and Santa Maria bays
Protected coves on the Corridor with the region's best snorkeling and safe swimming.
- 5
Todos Santos
A Pacific-side artists' town with surf breaks, farm-to-table restaurants and the Hotel California.
Los Cabos weather by season
Average highs and lows in °F, with what each season means for fares and crowds.
Winter
78° / 58°
Dry, sunny; whale season and peak rates.
Spring
84° / 62°
Warm, dry — best value.
Summer
94° / 76°
Hot and humid; hurricane season starts.
Fall
90° / 72°
September is the wettest month; prices lowest.
Travel tips for Los Cabos
- Most Corridor beaches are not swimmable — check for the beach flag system and stick to Medano, Chileno and Santa Maria.
- Prebook transfers; airport taxis are expensive and the arrivals hall is full of timeshare pitches.
- Restaurants in Cabo San Lucas' marina are tourist-priced; San José and the fish-taco stands are better value.
- Rent a car for a day to see Todos Santos and the East Cape beaches.
- December–April fares rise with the whales; late April–June has the best value weather.
Los Cabos flights: frequently asked questions
Which town should I stay in — Cabo San Lucas or San José del Cabo?
Cabo San Lucas for nightlife, the marina and Medano Beach; San José del Cabo for a quieter, more traditional town with galleries and the best restaurants. The Corridor resorts between them suit golfers and families.
Can you swim in the ocean in Los Cabos?
Only at certain beaches — Medano in Cabo San Lucas and the protected bays of Chileno, Santa Maria and Palmilla. Most Corridor and Pacific beaches have strong currents and are for walking only.
How long is the flight from Los Angeles to Cabo?
About 2.5 hours nonstop. Denver, Dallas and San Francisco are around 3 hours; Chicago and Seattle 4 to 4.5 hours.
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