The best time to visit Los Cabos, for every kind of traveler

Los Cabos gets sunshine most of the year, so there is no truly bad time to visit. There is, however, a best time for you, and it depends on what you are coming for: whales, warm water, quiet beaches, big fish or the best rates. The calendar here is less about good and bad months and more about trade-offs, so it helps to know what each season gives you and what it asks in return.

There is no bad season in Los Cabos, only the one that matches what you love.

Winter and early spring: perfect weather and whales

From December to April, Los Cabos is at its most comfortable, and that is exactly why it is high season. Days are warm and dry, with average highs in the high 70s to around 80°F, rain is rare and the sky stays clear for weeks at a time. It is ideal weather for long beach days, golf, hiking and dinners outdoors. Evenings on the water can feel surprisingly cool, though, so pack a light layer for sunset cruises. The catch is demand: flights, hotels and the most popular restaurants fill up fast, especially around the holidays and spring break, so book as early as you can.

This is also whale season. Humpback and gray whales travel thousands of miles to the warm waters of Baja California Sur to mate and give birth, and the official season usually runs from December 15 to April 15. January through March is the peak, when sightings are almost guaranteed on a morning tour and you can often spot whales spouting from shore. In some years, the first whales arrive as early as November. If seeing a humpback breach is high on your list, plan your trip for the middle of winter and book your tour for one of your first days, so you have room to go again if the sea is rough.

Late spring: the sweet spot for quieter beaches

May and June are one of the best-kept secrets of Los Cabos. The winter crowds have gone home, the weather is still dry and sunny, and the water sits in the mid-70s°F, cool enough to be refreshing and warm enough to swim without a second thought. Hotels tend to offer better rates, beaches have more elbow room and it is easier to get a table at the places that were fully booked a few months earlier. For couples, honeymooners or anyone who simply wants to slow down, this window is hard to beat.

Summer: warm water, with a few caveats

If snorkeling and swimming are the point of your trip, late summer into early fall is your season. The Sea of Cortez is at its warmest from August through October, often reaching the mid-80s°F by September, and the visibility at spots like Chileno and Santa María can be excellent. On land, however, it is hot and humid. The best rhythm is to hit the beach early in the morning, retreat to the pool or a long lunch in the shade during the afternoon and head back out once the sun starts to drop.

Summer also overlaps with hurricane season in the eastern Pacific, which runs from mid-May through November, with September usually the most active month. Most summer days are simply hot and sunny, but August and September are also the rainiest months of the year, and a passing storm can disrupt a few days of a trip. If you travel then, choose flexible bookings, consider travel insurance and keep an eye on the forecast the week before you fly.

Fall: big fish and better prices

Cabo San Lucas is one of the best-known marlin destinations in the world, and fall is when the fishing heats up. In October the marina hosts major billfish tournaments, and the whole town takes on a festive, competitive energy. If you want to fish, book your charter well in advance. If you don’t, it is still a fun time to be around the marina, just expect it to be busier those weeks.

Once the peak of hurricane season has passed, October and November bring a lovely combination of good weather, warm water and better prices before the winter rush begins. Like late spring, it is a great time for travelers who want the beaches and restaurants of Los Cabos with fewer people around.

Whatever season you choose, book your private transfer from SJD in a couple of minutes and spend your trip doing what you came for.