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We all know that Los Cabos is a tale of two cities.
There’s Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo, a few bites in more ways than one.
Known for its luxury all-inclusives, renowned restaurants, buzzing bars, pristine coastline and the famous ‘arch’, no matter which side you visit, you’re in for a treat.
As popular as Cabo has been over the years, breaking one tourist record after another, one of the main drivers of its status as a powerhouse has long been safety – but that has suddenly taken a turn for the worse.
The Mexican American Embassy just announced a security alert for San Jose del Cabo.
If it had been Puerto Vallarta, given last winter’s out-of-nowhere madness, maybe that would be believable.
Although, Cape?
That’s hard to fathom, but here we are…
Multiple incidents haunt San Jose Del Cabo
The embassy reports that the U.S. Consulate General Tijuana has confirmed multiple incidents at Cabo’s popular airport.
That’s right: The office at the tip of Baja is warning travelers of problems near the southernmost point.
But the data is real nonetheless.
While the embassy remained vague about what exactly happened near the airport, this is what they made clear:
There have been at least two documented incidents between apparent criminal organizations and law enforcement near the international airport terminal, where most American and Canadian tourists arrive and depart.
The most striking thing is that these events took place nearby, the embassy says they were located outside the frequently visited tourist areas.
In other words, Sammy Hagar isn’t sweating right now.
A strange summer for Cabo
Here we are, a few days into June, but it’s already shaping up to be a wonderful summer for Cabo.
A destination that was always packed to the brim during the summer season, despite notoriously high prices across the board, The Cabo Sun reported Lately, it’s not going to be another record summer for the ever-popular beach destination.
Some hotels in Cabo are even having trouble filling rooms.
Maybe it’s inflation, maybe travelers are really turning over new leaves in search of more authentic escapes like Ixtapa for example, or maybe it’s a mix of both.
But there’s no denying that an official safety warning will add another bruise to what has already been a rough patch for Cabo’s once untouchable reputation.
Should you still go on holiday here?
On the one hand, it’s one of the best times ever to visit Cabo, as it’s a rare opportunity to avoid the usual crowds at this time of year.
On the other hand, now that there are legitimate safety concerns, this may bring back memories of what happened in Puerto Vallarta, as previously mentioned, leaving travelers wondering if the picture-perfect image of swim-up bars and infinity pools is really the safe haven it’s being marketed as.
This is what the embassy says about this:
In their own words: “We encourage continued vigilance throughout Cabo San Lucas, and especially around the airport.”
There’s nothing close to a ‘Do Not Visit’ warning – just suggestions to stay vigilant and friendly reminders about airport transportation.
Ubers are allowed to drop off passengers at San Jose del Cabo International Airport, but no pick-ups are permitted.
Pickups are reserved for taxis.
Of course, every seasoned traveler knows the trick of the “broken meter,” which is just one example of why the embassy encourages Americans to use “clearly identifiable, numbered taxis with visible and legible license plates when leaving the airport.”
Our Safety Index reports 4 scam incidents, but travelers still feel safe here as there is currently a high safety score of 92/100:
Vacationers on the Cabo San Lucas side come mainly for the party scene, while travelers on the San José del Cabo side will feel like they’re in Mexico, with a historic center packed with culture and lively walking trails with art galleries and colonial-style facades – plus some notable resorts.
However you choose to travel, we advise you to check entry requirements carefully and pay attention to any advice updates from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before booking.
Tips to stay safe
After careful planning, the embassy was released 4 helpful tips to ensure you stay safe during your trip to Cabo, a sentence that still doesn’t feel quite real:
You can read the full Security alert from the US Embassy here.
- Keep an eye on local media for updates
- Always stay aware of your surroundings, even in popular areas
- Follow all local law enforcement guidelines
- Let your friends and family know that you are safe in case more violence occurs
Additionally, should you need assistance, this is an important contact information to have on hand:
- From Mexico: (55) 5080 2000
- From the US: 011 52 55 5080 2000
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Consular Affairs: +1-888-407-4747 or +1-202-501-4444
Don’t forget to register for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) at.
