Cape San Lucas is an absolute paradise for anyone looking for a picturesque and adventurous holiday. With its sparkling blue waters, pristine beaches and breathtaking landscapes, it’s no wonder this place is a top tourist destination. Cabo is relatively safe to visit. Like many destinations outside the US, travelers should follow certain safety tips.
Cabo has been a favorite vacation destination for celebrities and the general public for decades. This sunny hotspot welcomes approximately 2.8 million visitors every year. Many of these are repeat holidaymakers, who return again and again, based on their fantastic experience the first time.
In terms of affordability, it’s hard to beat Cabo. There are few other destinations with approximately 20 miles of coastline that are so cheap. This is mainly due to the favorable exchange rate between US dollars and Mexican pesos, which constantly fluctuates around 20:1.
Still, some tourists remain hesitant to visit Mexico and especially Cabo San Lucas. It is true that certain headlines can make this area unpleasant. Of course, crime happens all over the world, and the good things about Cabo usually outweigh the bad.
Suggested: Is Puerto Vallarta safe to visit?
What the US government says about visiting Cabo
When considering whether Cabo is safe to visit, it’s always a good idea to see what the U.S. Department of State has to say about it. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is the one that issues travel advisories based on the political and social climate around the world. If anyone knows if Cabo is safe to visit, it’s the US government.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has travel advice at four levels, namely:
- Take normal precautions
- Be extra careful
- Reconsider travel
- Don’t travel
Mexico consists of states and Cabo San Lucas is located in the state of Baja California Sur. Currently, the Department of State’s travel advisory level for Cabo San Lucas is set at one of lowest, which means ‘be extra careful’. They indicate that the reason for this level is low crime rates.
The State Department also indicates that “there are no travel restrictions in place for U.S. government employees in the state of Baja California Sur, which includes the tourist areas in Cabo San Lucas.”
From this we can conclude that it is safe to travel in Cabo, as long as certain common safety measures are observed. What types of safety tips should be kept in mind in Cabo?
LATEST UPDATES / NEWS from Los Cabos:
September 15 – 75 percent of residents consider Los Cabos safe
According to the latest data from the Los Cabos Tourism Observatory, perceptions of safety increased by 0.6 percentage points compared to June 2022, a month in which they decreased by 9.5 percentage points.
Rodrigo Esponda Cascajares, director of FITURCA, reported that these results go hand in hand with the studies carried out by the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI).
Based on the National Urban Public Safety Survey (ENSU), which covers the second quarter of 2023, it appears that 75% of the residents of the municipality consider the tourist destination safe.
August 16 – Los Cabos is poised for a “historic year” in tourism numbers
Rodrigo Esponda, executive director of the Los Cabos Tourism Board, said at a luncheon last month during a visit to Los Angeles: “We think 2023 is going to be a historic year.” He was there to share with Virtuoso representatives some of these new reasons why they should send their customers to the region. The list was long and went well beyond what travel agents are used to booking in Los Cabos.
“The year 2022 was excellent. We are up 25%. But since January alone, there has been an additional 18% increase in the number of tourists in 2023,” said Esponda.
July 7 – Los Cabos ranks 4th as the safest destination in Mexico
In a recent interview, the deputy attorney overseeing Los Cabos discussed security conditions in this famous tourist destination.
According to the deputy attorney and data provided by INEGIthe Mexican Data Collection Institute, Cabo is ranked the fourth safest city out of 75 different Mexican cities.
This remarkable ranking positions the Cabo region as the fourth safest metropolitan area in Mexico, surpassing the safety levels of other popular tourist destinations, such as Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan and several Mexico City neighborhoods.
Tourist safety in Cabo
Cabo offers world-class resorts and activities for tourists. It’s an excellent choice for those who appreciate blue skies, warm temperatures and postcard-worthy vistas. As long as you exercise reasonable caution, Cabo is safe to visit.
Reasonable caution includes things like:
- Avoid public displays of wealth. Keep the expensive jewelry at home!
- Avoid solo excursions. It is safer to stay with at least one other person from your company.
- Don’t go with a stranger. If someone wants to show you “secret” places without your friends, be wary.
- Avoid excessive drunkenness. Sure, it’s okay to let loose and enjoy the cocktails and cerveza. Just don’t overindulge to the point of vulnerability.
- Do not swim at night. Cabo has many beach bars, but the nature can be deceptively alluring. Swimming after dark or after drinking is a bad idea.
- Avoid flashing cash. When paying, be discreet about how much you have in your wallet.
- Pay attention to your surroundings. Use your senses to stay aware of who is watching your movements or waiting for an opportune moment to commit a crime.
That said, there’s no reason why you can’t be among the millions taking advantage of Cabo’s luxurious surroundings. Chances are you’ll be lured back to this paradise again and again, just like millions of happy tourists before you!
Update archives:
May 26 – Los Cabos launches a new digital tourist guide to keep visitors safe
In recent weeks there has been some discussion about ‘fake’ transportation services offered specifically to visitors from the airport in Cabo to the various hotels or vacation homes in the area.
Authorities said they were aware of at least 300 different companies violating the law.
The local authorities have the idea to create a directory of tourist services and furthermore, they try to regulate the companies that offer services to tourists.
In a way, this will serve as a guide for travelers looking for services they need in the Cabo region.
All companies listed in the guide comply with the law, as it is managed by the municipal tourism office.
March 17 – Huge traffic jams on the Los Cabos toll road
Tourism officials in Los Cabos said there simply aren’t enough toll booths to accommodate the influx of visitors expected for the spring season.
This causes a number of traffic jams as cars queue up to pay their tolls and take their passengers to the airport and other major tourist destinations in the region.
The high volume of traffic on the toll road also leads to more accidents on the road, causing even more traffic and delays for travelers.
Government officials recently announced plans to improve roads and make travel easier, but these initiatives are still in the works.
April 20 – Los Cabos is the third most visited region in Mexico, the government says
So far, tourist numbers in both Los Cabos and La Paz have significantly exceeded estimates from local government and tourism officials.
According to Baja California Sur Governor Victor Manuel Castro Cosío, the region is experiencing the best tourist season in history.
Tourism is so successful that the governor of Baja California Sur recently revealed that the region is the third most visited Mexican destination after Mexico City and Cancun.
