Picking the right time for Cabo San Lucas depends on what you are after: perfect beach weather, whale watching, sport fishing, or the lowest resort rates. The short answer: visit between November and May for ideal temperatures and minimal rain, target December through March for whale watching, and book June or October if you want discounted rates and do not mind heat and humidity. Here is the detailed breakdown by season and activity. See our where to stay in Cabo for more details.
Best Time to Visit Cabo San Lucas: Best Weather (November to May)
November through May delivers exactly what most people picture when they think of Cabo: sunny days in the 26 to 32°C (79 to 90°F) range, low humidity, and almost zero rain. November is the sweet spot; sea temperatures still hold at 26°C (79°F) from the summer warm-up, and the hurricane threat is over. December through February are cooler, with highs of 26 to 27°C (79 to 81°F) and crisp evenings requiring a light layer. March through May warms steadily into the low 30s Celsius, or high 80s to 90s Fahrenheit, with brilliantly clear skies. The trade-off: this is also high season. Hotel rates are at their peak from mid-December through Easter week, and the Christmas and New Year period can see 95 percent plus occupancy with minimum-stay requirements of 5 to 7 nights at many resorts.
Best Time to Visit Cabo San Lucas: Whale Watching (Mid-December to Mid-April)
Humpback and gray whales migrate 6,000 miles from Alaska to the warm waters around Cabo to breed and calve. The peak window for sightings is January 15 through March 15, when you have roughly a 90 percent chance of seeing whales on a 2 to 3 hour boat tour. Gray whales arrive first in mid-December, followed by humpbacks in larger numbers by January. Whale sharks also appear in the Bay of La Paz, a 2-hour drive from Cabo, from October through February; several tour operators in Cabo San Lucas offer day trips. Book whale-watching tours through operators at the marina including Cabo Adventures, Whale Watch Cabo, or Cabo Sails. A 2.5-hour group tour runs US$75 to 95 per person. Morning tours with 8 AM or 9 AM departure encounter calmer seas and better visibility than afternoon runs.
Best Time to Visit Cabo San Lucas: Lowest Prices (June to October)
If budget is your main concern, target June, late September, or October. Resort rates drop 30 to 50 percent from winter highs, and you can find all-inclusive packages at properties like the Riu Palace or Pueblo Bonito for US$200 to 300 per night that would run US$400 to 600 in January. June is the best value month overall: summer heat has not peaked yet, with highs around 33°C (91°F), hurricane risk is low, and the water is warming up nicely. Late September through October offers similar savings but carries real hurricane risk; check your travel insurance policy for hurricane coverage before booking. August and early September combine the highest heat, highest humidity, and highest hurricane probability. The savings are real but so is the chance of a disrupted trip. If you book August to October, choose a resort with strong hurricane guarantees; many major Cabo properties offer refunds or rebooking if the airport closes.
Best Time to Visit Cabo San Lucas: Sport Fishing
Cabo San Lucas is known as the Marlin Capital of the World, and different species peak in different months. Striped marlin run November through April with a January to March peak. Blue and black marlin appear May through November, with the best action in August to October. Dorado, also called mahi-mahi, are most abundant June through November. Yellowfin tuna show up May through November in sizes averaging 10 to 30 pounds, with larger fish of 50 to 150 plus pounds possible August to November. Roosterfish, prized for inshore fishing, are caught year-round but peak May through September along the beaches. The Bisbee’s Black and Blue tournament in late October and the Los Cabos Billfish Tournament in mid-October are the two biggest competitive fishing events, each offering multi-million-dollar prize pools. Charter rates for a 28 to 35 foot boat run US$400 to 600 for a half-day of 5 hours and US$600 to 1,000 for a full day of 8 hours, typically including 2 to 4 anglers. For more, check our Cabo San Lucas travel tips.
Best Time to Visit Cabo San Lucas: Avoiding Crowds
The busiest periods in Cabo are the Christmas to New Year corridor from December 20 to January 5, spring break in March, especially the weeks around US college breaks, and Easter week, known as Semana Santa, with dates that vary each year. During these windows, Medano Beach is packed, restaurant wait times at the marina stretch to 45 to 60 minutes, and water taxis to El Arco can have 20 to 30 minute queues. The quietest months with good weather are early November, right after hurricane season and before Thanksgiving, the last week of January through mid-February, and early May, after spring break and before summer heat. June is also uncrowded but comes with building heat. For a balance of good weather and manageable crowds, the first two weeks of November and the last two weeks of May are hard to beat. For more, check our things to do in Cabo San Lucas. For more, check our best neighborhoods in Cabo San Lucas.
Best Time to Visit Cabo San Lucas: Major Events to Plan Around
Several events can either enhance or complicate your trip depending on your interests. The Los Cabos International Film Festival in mid-November draws celebrity attendees and fills hotels in the corridor. The Bisbee’s fishing tournaments in October pack the marina with hundreds of anglers and can make marina-area restaurants and bars notably busier. DÃa de los Muertos on November 1 and 2 is celebrated with altars and festivities in downtown Cabo San Lucas and the nearby town of San José del Cabo; it is a cultural highlight but local restaurants and plazas get busy. The G20 summit and other international conferences occasionally use Los Cabos as a venue, causing temporary security roadblocks on the corridor highway between the two towns. Check the Los Cabos Tourism Board calendar before booking if your dates are flexible. See our Cabo San Lucas events and festivals for more details. For more, check our Cabo San Lucas weather by month.
