Cabo San Lucas is a charming and flourishing city located at the far end of Mexico's Baja California Sur, where the Sea of Cortez meets the Pacific Ocean. With its hot deserts, breezy beaches, and the water reflecting several different shades of green and blue, this area of Mexico is true paradise. Cabo (as Cabo San Lucas is often referred to) is a diverse area with two main towns in a setting of extraordinary natural beauty. Sports fishing, whale watching, golf, sea kayaking, and diving are all popular activities. The warmth of the waters of Cabo, the beauty of its beaches, the abundance of its sport fish, all lure travelers to this irresistible area. Cabo mixes Mexican culture with cosmopolitan ambiance to create an unparalleled destination with modern amenities. Cabo San Lucas was a quiet fishing village before it was developed. Today, luxury hotels, trendy bars, restaurants, and night clubs line the streets of this once quiet town.
What you should know before planning your trip
Entry Requirements and Customs |
Language |
Currency |
Time Zone |
Weather |
What to Pack
The government of Mexico requires that all U.S. citizens present proof of citizenship and photo identification for entry into Mexico. U.S. citizenship documents such as a certified copy of a U.S. birth certificate, a Naturalization Certificate, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or a Certificate of Citizenship are acceptable. Driver's permits, voter registration cards, affidavits and similar documents are not sufficient to prove citizenship for readmission into the United States. As of December 31, 2006, travelers will be required to have a passport. Non-U.S. citizens should cosult the Mexican Embassy for entry requirements.
Mexican regulations limit the value of goods brought into Mexico by U.S. citizens arriving by air or sea to $300 per person and by land to $50 per person. Amounts exceeding the duty-free limit are subject to a 32.8 percent tax.
The language in Los Cabo and in Mexico is Spanish, although most everyone in the tourist areas speaks English.
The currency in Cabo San Lucas is the Mexican Peso. U.S. dollars and credit cards are widely accepted in most businesses throughout Cabo San Lucas. Banks offer currency exchange during business hours. Banks are open Mon-Fri from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Universal ATM's are widely available for cash withdrawals at the exchange rate.
Time zone: GMT/UTC -7 (Pacific Standard Time). The time changes here whenever Daylight Savings Time changes.
Expect almost perfect weather during your visit to Cabo San Lucas; Cabo enjoys hot sunny days, low humidity, and an average year-round temperature of 78F. Those who live in the southwest desert may consider it cool while those from the northwest or mountain states might consider it hot. It may rain in the summer, but it never rains for very long.
Average annual rainfall: 10 inches - Coldest months: December and January
Storm season: July to October - Average water temperature: 72º F.
Average air temperatures: 50 to 80º F. winter; 70 to 100º F. summer.
The Pacific Ocean side of Los Cabos is generally 10º F. cooler than the Sea of Cortéz side.
You should bring a combination of dressy and casual clothes. The dress code varies by establishment, so it is worth calling ahead to make sure that you can stroll in with your flip-flops and beach shorts. Some higher-end restaurants will require reservations regardless of the time of year. For the most part the atmosphere is laid-back and casual in Cabo San Lucas. Restaurants with dress codes typically do not require a suit jacket, but request that visitors do not wear sandals and shorts.
