Guide to The Best Time To Visit Cabo
View of Cabo San Lucas Marina from Mt. Solmar
Cabo doesn't really have a bad time to visit — but it does have better times depending on your priorities. Whale watching and picture-perfect weather? Rock-bottom prices and empty beaches? Warm water for diving? Cabo delivers on all of it, just not all at once. Between the dry winter season, spring break energy, summer heat, and fall hurricane-season, timing your trip right can be the difference between a $200-a-night hotel and a $500-a-night one, or between watching a humpback breach off the bow of your boat and not seeing a single whale at all.
I've been visiting Los Cabos almost every year since 2018, and have seen it in every season — through sweltering July heat, chilly February evenings, and everything in between — and I help clients plan trips here regularly as a Virtuoso travel advisor. This guide breaks down what to expect season by season, so you can pick the window that best fits your travel style.
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When is the Best Time to Visit Cabo? My Quick Answer
The short version: December through April is the best overall window to visit Cabo. This is peak dry season — sunny, low humidity, mild days, cool nights — and it overlaps with whale watching season (December–April, peaking January–March). Within that stretch, February is the sweet spot: you get the same great weather and whale activity as January and March, but you land between the holiday crowds and spring break, which usually also means fewer crowds and better rates.
If you're chasing the absolute calmest seas and warmest water for diving or snorkeling, October and November are worth a look — shoulder season pricing with water temperatures still warm from summer. If budget is your top priority and you don't mind heat and humidity, September offers lower rates and fewer crowds, though it also runs the highest risk for heavy rain.
San José del Cabo in July
Cabo by Season
Spring in Cabo
Spring in Cabo can give you polar opposite experiences depending on the month. Early March still carries winter's weather — dry, warm, and one of the best windows for humpback whale activity. By mid-March through early-April, spring break arrives and Cabo gets loud: beach clubs fill up, hotel rates climb, and Medano Beach turns into more of a party scene. Late April and into May, Cabo quietly resets — spring break crowds clear out, temperatures start climbing toward summer highs, and it becomes one of the better-value times of the year before the heat really sets in.
If whale watching is at the top of your list, March is still a great time to visit and I've been delighted with plenty of sightings. However, on our April trip I saw zero, something worth keeping in mind. My whale watching guide does a deep dive on the best ways to see these incredible animals.
Spring might be for you if you:
You want warm, reliably sunny days without full summer heat
You're hoping to catch late-season whale watching (best through March, tapering by April)
You don't mind — or are actively looking for — a livelier, younger crowd during spring break weeks
You want good value and calmer beaches, and are willing to travel in May once the spring break crowd clears
Notable Spring Happenings:
Semana Santa — celebrating the Easter holiday. Many locals have time off so beaches are often busier but there are special events throughout the city to celebrate.
Festival of San José del Cabo — held mid-March, this festival celebrates the patron saint of San Jose with music and dance performances, vendors selling locally-made crafts, and traditional Mexican food and drinks.
Cinco de Mayo — while this is not actually a traditional Mexican holiday, Cabo now celebrates with cultural performances and traditional Mexican cuisine.
Summer in Cabo
Summer is Cabo's hot, humid stretch, and it's also the official start of hurricane season (technically mid-May through November, with risk peaking in September). Days are noticeably hotter and stickier than winter or spring, but the ocean is at its warmest, which makes it a great season for swimming, snorkeling, and diving (though I still opted for a wetsuit in July, even at its warmest the water here is still colder than the Caribbean). Crowds and prices both drop compared to peak winter season, and if you're the type who doesn't mind heat, summer can be a great time to visit for value-conscious travelers.
I'm not going to lie, I seriously sweat on our last July trip, even after the sun went down. If you plan to spend most of your time in the water, this is as good a time as any other to visit. If you are hoping to go hiking and exploring on land, I'd suggest looking at the fall or spring shoulder seasons instead.
Summer might be for you if you:
You have a high heat tolerance and don't mind humidity
You're prioritizing budget over ideal weather
Warm-water diving or snorkeling is a priority
You want a chance to see sea turtles nesting (and hatching)
You'd rather deal with a passing summer storm than winter crowds and pricing
Notable Summer Happenings:
Fiesta de la Musica — a celebration during the summer solstice
East Cape Dorado Shoot Out — one of Cabo's famous fishing tournaments taking place each July. Watch the fisherman haul in their catches at the Cabo marina.
Los Cabos Open Tennis
Fall in Cabo
Fall in Cabo is really a tale of two halves. September is the low point of the year for tourism — it's hot, humid, and sits right in the middle of Pacific hurricane season, with the highest storm risk falling between August and October. Despite it being "rainy season," the average chance of rain remains less than 20% so you're likely to still have plenty of sunny days. It's also the cheapest time to visit if you're comfortable with the tradeoffs.
Once you get into October and November, though, things shift fast: humidity drops, storm risk fades, and the water is still warm from summer — arguably some of the best diving and snorkeling conditions of the year. Whale shark season in La Paz kicks off in October and runs through May, and October is a strong month for sport fishing tournaments.
Our November trip easily rivals February for my favorite time to visit. If you're visiting in the later part of the month, you may be lucky to see a few whale spouts on the horizon as the first whales begin to arrive. The weather is incredible, with comfortable daytime temperatures perfect for exploring the Baja peninsula.
Fall might be for you if you:
You want the lowest prices and don't mind rolling the dice on rain or storms (September)
You're looking for a quiet, uncrowded shoulder season with excellent water conditions (October–November)
Diving or snorkeling is a priority — water is still warm and visibility is strong
You're interested in swimming with whale sharks near La Paz (season starts in October)
Notable Fall Happenings:
Sport fishing tournaments including the famous Bisbee's Black & Blue Marlin Tournament which is known for some of the world's biggest cash prizes for the fishermen with the biggest catch.
DĂa de los Muertos — Also known as Day of the Dead, this traditional Mexican holiday features bright altars for departed ancestors displayed in Cabo's main town square.
Winter in Cabo
Winter months are high season in Cabo. This is the driest, most reliably sunny stretch of the year — warm days, cool evenings, and virtually no rain. It's also peak whale season — when gray whales and humpback whales arrive in the Sea of Cortez — with the season running December through April and peaking January through March. December brings holiday travel and New Year's crowds along with the season's first whale sightings; by February, the holiday rush has passed and spring break hasn't started yet, which makes it feel like the calmest window of an otherwise busy season — even as the whale activity and weather stay just as good.
While daytime temperatures often sit in the 70s this time of year, the dry air paired with a healthy UV index means it's still plenty warm for lounging by the pool. I love this time of year because I don't feel like I have to be in the water to stay comfortable (in contrast to summer months). The bonus is you can also comfortably go hiking and exploring in neighboring towns like Todos Santos without feeling like you are melting away in the desert heat.
Winter might be for you if you:
Whale watching is a priority — this is the best window for it, especially January through March
You want the most dependable weather of the year and don't mind paying peak-season prices for it
You want to enjoy outdoor activities like hiking
You want cool evenings perfect for art walks and outdoor dining, paired with warm, sunny days
Notable Winter Happenings:
Sabor a Cabo — annual culinary and wine festival held in December
New Year's Eve Fireworks — Set at Medano beach, fireworks ring in the new year. Visitors can take in the view from nearby clubs, restaurants, resorts or the beach itself.
A whale tail slap off Cabo in February
Month-By-Month Guide to Cabo Weather
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Precipitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 77.2° | 54.5° | |
| Feb | 79.2° | 54.5° | |
| Mar | 80.1° | 55.6° | |
| Apr | 83.7° | 58.8° | |
| May | 86.0° | 62.1° | |
| Jun | 88.9° | 66.4° | |
| Jul | 91.8° | 73.0° | |
| Aug | 92.5° | 75.6° | |
| Sep | 91.0° | 74.1° | |
| Oct | 90.0° | 70.3° | |
| Nov | 84.0° | 62.6° | |
| Dec | 79.5° | 57.4° |
FAQs About When to Visit Cabo
When is the best time to visit Cabo?
December through April is generally considered the best time to visit, thanks to dry, sunny weather and the whale watching season. Within that window, February often gets singled out as the sweet spot — same great conditions as January and March, but with smaller crowds and often better rates than you'll find during the holidays or spring break.
What is the hottest month in Cabo?
July and August are the hottest months in Cabo with average temperatures regularly in the 90s paired with high humidity.
When is hurricane season in Cabo?
Hurricane season in Cabo runs from mid-May through November with peak chance of storms landing between August and October. Typically, the region only sees tropical storms during this season, but hurricanes have made landfall in the past.
Is Cabo worth visiting?
In short, definitely. It is a totally different experience from other tourist destinations in Mexico thanks to its desert landscape. And, while it has only grown in popularity with tourists in the last 8 years since I've been visiting, there are still plenty of areas that offer the relaxed boho Baja vibe that I find so charming.
Is Cabo safe?
As of August 2026, Cabo is rated at a Level 2 travel advisory by the US State Department, the same rating as most destinations in Europe. For more, check out my complete guide to Cabo safety.
Is Cabo expensive to visit?
Cabo can be expensive, especially during peak season (December–April) when hotel rates and tour prices climb with demand. If cost is a bigger factor than ideal weather, the shoulder seasons — May–June and October–November — tend to offer a good balance of decent weather and lower prices. September is typically the cheapest (and quietest) month of all, but the tradeoff is heat, humidity, and hurricane season risk.
Do I need a car in Cabo?
If you plan to stick to your resort and the main city centers of Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo, there is no need for a car. The best option is to Uber or coordinate a taxi through your hotel. If you plan to go on some day trips to areas like Todos Santos, then a rental car is a must. There are some day tours, but personally I prefer the flexibility of exploring at my own pace that having my own transportation provides.
Cabo San Lucas Marina
Final Thoughts on the Best Time to Visit Cabo
Cabo is a year-round destination with pros and cons to every season. My favorite month to visit is February, when you generally get all of the pros with the fewest tradeoffs (just remember to pack a jacket!). But, my trips in July, November and April have all been equally as memorable for other reasons and I've literally never had a bad time on any trip to Cabo.
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Hi, I’m Jess
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