How Safe Is Cabo San Lucas For Travel?

Safety Index: 68 * Based on Research & Crime Data User Sentiment: 77 * Rated 77 / 100 based on 67 user reviews.

Mexico : Safety by City

• Acapulco
• Aguascalientes
• Cabo San Lucas
• Cancun
• Chichen Itza
• Chihuahua
• Cozumel
• Cuernavaca
• Culiacan
• Durango
• Ensenada
• Guadalajara
• Guanajuato
• Hermosillo
• Huatulco
• Isla Holbox
• Isla Mujeres
• Ixtapa
• Juarez
• Leon
• Los Cabos
• Manzanillo
• Matamoros
• Merida
• Mexicali
• Mexico City
• Monterrey
• Morelia
• Nogales
• Nuevo Laredo
• Oaxaca
• Piedras Negras
• Playa del Carmen
• Puebla
• Puerto Morelos
• Puerto Vallarta
• Queretaro City
• Reynosa
• Saltillo
• San Luis Potosi
• San Miguel de Allende
• Sayulita
• Tijuana
• Tulum
• Valladolid
• Veracruz
• Zacatecas
• Zapopan
• Zihuatanejo

Mexico - safety as a country

Cabo San Lucas is located in the southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula in Mexico.

It is a beautiful location for tourists, with its sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters.

It is known for its nightlife and water-based activities, such as diving, fishing, and snorkeling.

This resort town rates as one of the top 5 tourist destinations in Mexico.

As many as 3 million tourists come through this location each year – especially by cruise.

Many celebrities vacation in or have homes in Cabo San Lucas.

Because of its popularity as a tourist destination, you may be wondering how safe this area is to visit.

Many hotels, restaurants, and tourist attractions are still open for business and located relatively close together.

You’ll be perfectly safe if you stay in areas that have a lot of tourists during your visit to Cabo San Lucas.

Warnings & Dangers in Cabo San Lucas

OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM

In recent years, the country of Mexico has been going through a tough time with drug-related violence and cartel warfare. However, people from all around the world travel safely to Cabo every year. The most common crimes are petty theft and pickpocketing. Most crimes don’t affect tourists as long as they take the proper precautions. As with anywhere else in the world, take basic precautions to protect yourself from becoming a victim.

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TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM

In Cabo San Lucas, there are a lot of tourist attractions close together. It is very unlikely that you would need to take a taxi from one end of the city to another - but if you do, make sure it is legitimate. Make sure you negotiate the taxi fee beforehand as well. Don’t hail a taxi on the street as it is too risky. Ride services including Uber and Lyft are reliable options for traveling in Cabo San Lucas, as well as taxis from the airport. Use hotel transport if you can. Don't use public transportation though.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: HIGH

If you go on public transport, there is a high risk for pickpockets. You can be a target as a tourist in this area - especially if you wear flashy items. It is best to just avoid public transport here.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW

Cabo San Lucas is in an area where there might be earthquakes, tsunamis, and hurricanes. It has low earthquake activity and no major fault lines nearby to generate big earthquakes. Suggested action about natural disasters like tsunamis or earthquakes:  Avoid low-lying coastal areas during periods of heavy rain. Take care when swimming as there are strong currents.

MUGGING RISK: LOW

Cabo San Lucas is a relatively safe city to travel to, and there is a low risk of being mugged or assaulted. However, it's always best to be aware of your surroundings and not to walk around alone at night in unfamiliar areas.

TERRORISM RISK: LOW

There is a very low risk of terrorism in Cabo San Lucas. The city is located quite a distance from any known terrorist hotspots, and there have been no major incidents reported in recent years.

SCAMS RISK: HIGH

As with any other tourist destination, there are certain scams that you need to watch out for in Cabo San Lucas. The most common is the "grandparent scam". In this scam, someone will contact you pretending to be a relative who is in trouble and needs money urgently. Be very wary of any requests for money from anyone you have not met in person before. Virtual kidnapping is a big concern for parents whose children are traveling alone in Cabo San Lucas. This type of kidnapping scam is when a call is made to you demanding ransom.  If you take a taxi, make sure you pay a fair price. Only use legal taxis, so you won't get ripped off.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

Women traveling alone in Cabo San Lucas should take a few extra precautions to stay safe- as they should anywhere. Avoid walking around at night, and try to stick to well-lit, populated areas. Be aware of your surroundings and always have your belongings close to you. When reviewing crime stats, crimes against women in Cabo San Lucas have the lowest rates.

TAP WATER RISK: HIGH

If you want to drink water in Cabo San Lucas, it's best to stick to bottled water. The tap water is not safe to drink and can make you sick. The water throughout Mexico is not good to drink and often contains contaminants and bacteria.

Safest Places to Visit in Cabo San Lucas

When you come to Cabo San Lucas, the tourist areas along the waterfront are the best spots.

These areas are well-lit and usually have a lot of people around, so you’re less likely to be targeted by criminals.

Parts of downtown Cabo San Lucas can also be safe to visit, but don’t walk around alone at night.

If you are staying at a resort, try to stay within the resort grounds.

The resorts are well-lit, have security patrols, and are much safer than off-resort areas.

Places to Avoid in Cabo San Lucas

When swimming in the sea, be aware of crocodiles in Cabo San Lucas.

These large reptiles are often found near the water’s edge and can be dangerous if you get too close.

Do not swim on the Pacific side of the coast due to harsh tides and dangerous currents.

Sharks have also been sighted.

Also, avoid street vendors selling drinks as they may be selling tap water instead of fresh, clean water bottles.

Avoid any areas off the beaten path alone and at night.

If lost or if someone is trying to sell you something, ask for help at the nearest hotel or tourist information booth.

You should avoid going to San Jose Del Cabo – which is easy for tourists to do.

It is mainly a residential area – and the region most crime occurs in.

This area is a 30-minute bus ride away from the resort town of Cabo San Lucas.

So you won’t be close enough to experience the danger there.

Safety Tips for Traveling to Cabo San Lucas

1. Stay aware of your surroundings – lookout for someone following or watching you. Stay in groups whenever possible. If you have to be on your own, avoid walking past dark alleyways or deserted streets.
2. Do not show the locals that you are carrying a lot of money when in Cabo San Lucas. Avoid wearing flashy jewelry and keep valuable items such as cameras and cell phones hidden in public places like bars and clubs.
3. Be cautious around strangers – if someone is trying hard to sell something, it may be a rouse for them to steal from you instead. Do not accept any drinks offered by strangers at night, and never leave your drink unattended while partying in Cabo San Lucas.
4. Be careful when traveling to Cabo San Lucas by car – locals have been involved in smash-and-grab robberies behind the freeway near downtown.
5. Do not leave your valuables unattended or visible inside of shops or businesses in Cabo San Lucas. If you must leave something behind, ask an employee if they will hold onto it for you until you return.
6. Be careful of taxis. Make sure you only use legitimate ones. Aim for Uber or hotel shuttles instead.
7. Be aware of your surroundings when using ATMs in Cabo San Lucas – do not allow anyone to distract you while withdrawing money and conceal your PIN from view. If someone is closely observing you, cancel the transaction and head to another machine.
8. Watch out for dangerous animals – especially crocodiles – when swimming or hiking near the water’s edge in Cabo San Lucas; these animals can often be found roaming around the area.
9. Never leave your drinks unattended while enjoying a night out in Cabo San Lucas, as there have been cases of tourists being drugged and robbed. Beware of accepting drinks from strangers or being close to anyone who may be trying to drug you.
10. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the areas that you will be visiting in Cabo San Lucas before departing on your trip, to avoid any dangerous situations. Following these tips will help ensure that your vacation goes smoothly and without any unfortunate incidents.

So... How Safe Is Cabo San Lucas Really?

There are some frightening tales of people who have gone to Cabo San Lucas for vacation and never returned home.

These stories typically involve the local drug cartels, which are extremely dangerous.

However, you won’t encounter cartel activity in your resort or tourist area.

To avoid physical or virtual kidnapping ( a big problem here), be careful about where you travel within the city.

Keep your personal information guarded.

Avoid walking through dark alleys or desolate streets during nighttime hours when possible.

There is also a high level of crime related to theft in Cabo San Lucas.

Petty crimes such as pickpocketing and purse-snatching are an issue.

It is important to be aware of your surroundings at all times and to not leave any valuable belongings unguarded – especially in crowded places or when traveling by car.

While crime against women is relatively low here, there have also been reports of sexual assaults against tourists.

Thousands of tourists still visit each year and enjoy a variety of attractions and activities, such as visiting the beautiful beaches or partying at clubs and bars.

However, it is important to be aware of your surroundings and stay as close to the resort tourist area as possible.

How Does Cabo San Lucas Compare?

City	Safety Index
Cabo San Lucas	68
Zapopan	70
Hermosillo	90
Puebla	80
Culiacan	55
Aguascalientes	80
Isla Holbox	85
Reims	68
Barcelona	67
Medellin	52
Temecula	87
Bakersfield	66
Crystal Lake	88

Useful Information

Visas

Mexico usually allows Americans to stay for up to six months on an approved cost-free Visa. You can get the visa on arrival.

Currency

The currency of Mexico is the peso. 20 pesos are equal to one US dollar. You can use your credit card in most major cities in Mexico, but it is best to carry cash. Some places may accept US dollars, but Pesos are best.

Weather

Temperatures in Cabo San Lucas only range between hot and warm. The summers are long, hot, stuffy, and mostly overcast, while the winters are pleasant, dry, and partly overcast. The temperature fluctuates between 61°F and 91°F with rare dips below 56°F or rises above 96°.

Airports

The Los Cabos International Airport (SJD) is 23 miles from Cabo San Lucas.

Travel Insurance

Come to Cabo San Lucas with some type of travel insurance for both health and property protection. It is best to protect yourself in case of food-borne illness, animal stings, or theft.

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Cabo San Lucas Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Jan 68° F Feb 68° F Mar 70° F Apr 72° F May 75° F Jun 79° F Jul 84° F Aug 84° F Sep 82° F Oct 81° F Nov 75° F Dec 70° F Choose Temperature Unit Fahrenheit Celsius

Average High/Low Temperature

Temperature / Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High°C	25	26	27	28	30	31	33	33	32	32	29	26
Low°C	14	14	15	16	18	20	24	25	24	22	18	15
High°F	77	79	81	82	86	88	91	91	90	90	84	79
Low°F	57	57	59	61	64	68	75	77	75	72	64	59

Mexico - Safety by City

City	Safety Index
Acapulco	63
Aguascalientes	80
Cabo San Lucas	68
Cancun	71
Chichen Itza	70
Chihuahua	40
Cozumel	85
Cuernavaca	65
Culiacan	55
Durango	75
Ensenada	90
Guadalajara	62
Guanajuato	53
Hermosillo	90
Huatulco	85
Isla Holbox	85
Isla Mujeres	80
Ixtapa	68
Juarez	32
Leon	68
Los Cabos	80
Manzanillo	68
Matamoros	40
Merida	78
Mexicali	42
Mexico City	45
Monterrey	55
Morelia	46
Nogales	50
Nuevo Laredo	40
Oaxaca	74
Piedras Negras	67
Playa del Carmen	69
Puebla	80
Puerto Morelos	85
Puerto Vallarta	70
Queretaro City	63
Reynosa	35
Saltillo	70
San Luis Potosi	80
San Miguel de Allende	75
Sayulita	90
Tijuana	41
Tulum	80
Valladolid	90
Veracruz	70
Zacatecas	70
Zapopan	70
Zihuatanejo	70