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Los Cabos

The southern tip of Baja California Sur: Cabo San Lucas, San José del Cabo and the coastal Corridor between them, where the Sea of Cortez meets the Pacific.

Villa Palma, a beachfront rental estate in Cabo Bello, Los Cabos

Los Cabos is the municipality at the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula, and a destination built around two towns. Cabo San Lucas has the marina, the busiest nightlife and Land’s End, where the rock arch known as El Arco marks the meeting of the Sea of Cortez and the Pacific. San José del Cabo, the municipal seat, has a quieter historic center with galleries and restaurants. Between them, the Tourist Corridor runs along the coast with resorts, golf courses and a string of separate beaches.

Two things shape almost every trip here. The first is the water: much of the coastline is unsafe for swimming, so where you stay should depend on which beaches you can actually use. The second is distance: the destination is spread along a long coastal road, and a base that looks close on a map can still mean a real drive to dinner, the marina or the first tee. Our guides start with those decisions, then cover what to do, where to eat and how to plan around the seasons.

Start here

How Cabo San Lucas, the Tourist Corridor and San José del Cabo fit together, and why the difference matters before you book.

Quick facts

State
Baja California Sur, Mexico
Two towns
Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo, the municipal seat
Tourist Corridor
About 33 km (20 miles) of coast between the two towns
Main airport
Los Cabos International (SJD), north of San José del Cabo
Swimming
Many beaches are unsafe; check the municipal flag every time
Whale season
Roughly December through April
Hurricane season
May 15 to November 30 (eastern Pacific)
Time zone
UTC−7 year-round

Plan your trip

Aerial view of a busy sandy beach beside rocky outcrops and turquoise water with breaking waves.

Los Cabos

Swimmable Beaches in Los Cabos

Choose among Médano, Chileno, Santa María, Palmilla, and Land's End—with current flags and lifeguard instructions controlling every swim.

7 minute read

On the water

Golf, dining and culture

Los Cabos questions

Is Los Cabos the same as Cabo San Lucas?

No. Los Cabos is the municipality and the wider destination. Cabo San Lucas is one of its two main towns; the other is San José del Cabo. The Tourist Corridor connects them along the coast.

Which airport do I fly into?

Most commercial flights arrive at Los Cabos International Airport (SJD), north of San José del Cabo. Check the route to your exact accommodation, because Cabo San Lucas is farther along the coast.

Can you swim at the beaches in Los Cabos?

At some of them, when conditions allow. Médano, Chileno, Santa María and Palmilla are commonly used for swimming, but the municipal flag and lifeguard instructions on the day always decide. Never swim at Divorce Beach.

When is the best time to visit?

December through February is milder and generally dry, and whales are present from roughly December through April. Summer is hot, and August and September are the rainiest months within the eastern Pacific hurricane season.

Do I need a car?

Not always. A base near the Cabo San Lucas marina or the San José historic center can work with transfers and taxis. A Corridor stay usually means arranging transport for most outings.

Staying in a private villa

Browse private villas across Los Cabos (opens in a new tab)

Villas in Cabo San Lucas, Pedregal, the Corridor, San José del Cabo and the East Cape. Confirm location, beach access and services for the specific home. The publisher has an ownership interest in this rental business.

All Los Cabos guides