6 smart tips on the best time to visit Cabo San Lucas in 2025
Wondering when to go to Cabo? See how dry winters, calm spring seas and cheaper summer rates stack up, get hurricane-season advice, and pick the month that matches your wish list—from whales to half-price suites.
Baja California Sur sits at the meeting point of the Pacific and the Sea of Cortez, so Cabo’s weather shifts fast—from whale‑watch cool to hurricane‑watch humid. Figuring out the best time to visit Cabo means matching sunshine, crowds and budget to your own travel style. Read on for a clear look at seasons, prices, surf, and that short but important Cabo rainy season.
1. December to March – peak season and whale songs
From mid‑December through early March, skies stay blue, daytime highs hover around 25 °C (77 °F) and humpback whales breach just offshore. Resorts run at near‑full capacity, yet mornings feel calm enough for beach walks before breakfast. If family holidays and whale watching sound like your dream, this window is the best time of year to visit Cabo San Lucas.
Why go
- Reliable sunshine for pool days
- Whale‑watch tours almost guaranteed to spot calves
- Post‑surf evenings that need only a light sweater
Keep in mind
- Hotel rates jump 40 % above summer averages
- Dinner reservations in the marina vanish quickly
- Flights sell out for Christmas and New Year’s week
2. April and May – sweet spot for value and calm seas
Spring brings balmy weather, minimal rain, and a gentle drop in crowds after Easter. Water warms to 23 °C, perfect for snorkelling at Santa Maria Bay. This shoulder period is often the good time to go to Cabo if you want sunny weather without winter prices. Late May also gives anglers a chance at striped marlin before the summer heat kicks in.
3. June to mid‑October – hot deals, hotter days
Summer pushes daytime temps past 32 °C (90 °F). Humidity climbs, and the official hurricane season Cabo San Lucas runs 15 June to 30 November. Big storms are rare but afternoon thundershowers roll through from August onward. Because of that risk, resorts slash prices; it’s the cheapest time to go to Cabo. If you’re flexible and can buy travel insurance, you might score an ocean‑view suite at half the high‑season rate.
Summer survival list
- Pack a rash‑guard: UV index tops the chart
- Schedule boat trips at sunrise before heat builds
- Keep a waterproof phone pouch for sudden downpours
4. Mid‑October to early December – sunshine returns
Once summer humidity breaks, Cabo slides into a warm, dry autumn that many locals swear is the very best time to go to Cabo Mexico. Sea temperatures reach their peak (around 28 °C / 82 °F), visibility for diving jumps above 20 m, and fishing tournaments fill the marina. Book midweek and you’ll still catch shoulder‑season room rates.
5. How hurricane season really works
Hurricanes rarely strike Los Cabos directly, yet strong systems sometimes brush the peninsula and bring heavy rain. Statistically, late August and September see the most activity. Resorts stay open, but tours can cancel at short notice. If you visit during these months, choose flexible flight tickets and watch the National Hurricane Center updates.
Month | Day temp °C | Chance of rain | Average hotel price* |
---|---|---|---|
Jan | 25 | 3 % | 280 USD |
Mar | 27 | 2 % | 260 USD |
May | 30 | 1 % | 220 USD |
Jul | 33 | 7 % | 190 USD |
Sep | 32 | 20 % | 185 USD |
Nov | 29 | 3 % | 240 USD |
*Based on double room averages, spring 2024 through spring 2025.
6. Quick tips for picking your month
- Whale fans: travel January or February; calves tail‑slap metres from the boat.
- Surfers: aim for June south‑swell or December north‑swell windows.
- Budget seekers: September brings the best month to visit Cabo San Lucas for low rates, though storms may shuffle plans.
- Nightlife lovers: March hosts DJ festivals as spring‑break crowds arrive.
- Anglers: October’s Bisbee’s Black & Blue tournament lands giant marlin.
What about rain?
Cabo San Lucas rainy season feels short. Most downpours hit between late August and mid‑September, usually in late afternoon bursts. Mornings often remain clear, and storms move on within an hour. Locals treat it as siesta time—grab tacos under a palapa roof, wait it out, then head back to the beach.
Bottom line
When travellers ask, “When is the best time to go to Cabo?” the honest reply is another question: what do you value more, blue‑sky certainty or half‑price suites? For perfect weather and whale sightings, choose December to March. For punchy waves and quiet beaches, pick April or May. For bargain deals, look at late summer with a weather‑eye on the forecast. By matching your priorities to Cabo’s swift‑changing seasons, you will land the best time to travel to Cabo San Lucas Mexico for you.