Los Cabos: 10 Essential Facts

Whether you’re are a seasoned visitor or have just begun your Cabo vacation tradition, you’re bound to learn something new from the list below. Located 1,000 miles south of San Diego at the southern tip of the Baja peninsula, Los Cabos, a glittering desert-meets-sea destination, is a fascinating place to visit, with lots to do and much to learn. 

Here’s a list of interesting facts, ideal for sharing with family or friends who are visiting Cabo for the first time.

Popular & Safe. A quick getaway for West Coast U.S. residents, Los Cabos now ranks as one of the top three most visited coastal cities in Mexico. Its popularity has surged in the wake of the pandemic, with 3.3 million visitors accounted for last year, a 20% increase over 2021. Los Cabos is also one of the safest tourist destinations in the country thanks to a strong police presence and the state’s zero-tolerance attitude towards crime.

Weather. Situated just below the Tropic of Cancer, Los Cabos enjoys a mild Mediterranean-like climate, its humidity conditions similar to Palm Springs, Calif. The average annual temperature is 78 degrees F, with 340 days of sunshine per year. Annual rainfall is seven to 10 inches at sea level, 50 to 60 inches in the mountains. Mild, sunny days with little or no rainfall prevail from November to July. The August to October period brings hotter days, warmer nights and occasional rain showers. Throughout the year, cool breezes from the Sea of Cortes and the Pacific Ocean make Los Cabos a tropical paradise.

Geography. The region’s geography is an unusual mix of unspoiled desert landscape, golden sand beaches, and dramatic rock outcroppings. Behind the low-lying seaside desert, stark mountain peaks in the Sierra de la Laguna rise to more than 6,000 feet. El Arco, an iconic rock arch that sits at the tip of Land’s End (El Finisterra), is Los Cabos’ most famous geographic landmark. Formed by erosive action eons ago, El Arco dips into the sea at the place where, in popular imagination, the Pacific Ocean meets the Sea of Cortes. The actual place where the two seas meet at kilometer zero is marked by El Faro Viejo, the landmark 1905 lighthouse that clings to a bluff near the eighth tee at Quivira Golf Club. 

Time. Los Cabos is on Mountain Standard Time (MST), one hour ahead of Pacific Standard Time (PST) and one hour behind Central Standard Time (CST).

Golf. Jack Nicklaus, the Golden Bear (a.k.a. the “Golden Amigo”) single-handedly put Cabo on the international golf map with his first Baja design in 1992. Over the years, he returned to build five additional layouts and will soon break ground on his seventh course at Quivira Golf Club. Three Los Cabos courses were recently voted to Golf Digest’s list of the “World’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses,” including the Nicklaus Signature design at Quivira, an aesthetic triumph and engineering marvel that may be the most spectacular creation on Jack’s extensive resume. 

Fishing. A famed deep-sea fishing mecca, Los Cabos has been called the ‘Striped Marlin Capital of the World,’ with good reason: it is home to an unrivalled striped marlin fishery. Cabo is also home to the Bisbee's Black & Blue Tournament, the world’s richest fishing jamboree. It is held every October with multi-million dollar jackpots at stake for the largest blue and black marlin. Bisbee's Offshore Tournaments also hosts other fishing tournaments in the region, but the Black & Blue, founded in 1981, is the most prestigious. It draws starry-eyed anglers from around the world.

Scuba Diving. There’s a popular dive spot in Cabo San Lucas bay with a rare underwater sand waterfall, its silvery sands cascading into a 1,200-foot-deep canyon. This unique phenomenon is for advanced divers only. It was first discovered by the French oceanographer Jacques Cousteau during his Baja explorations in the 1960’s. It was Cousteau who described the bay as “the aquarium of the world” based on its bountiful sea mammals (such as dolphins and sea lions), large pelagic species and smaller reef-dwellers.  

Art Walk. Get artsy on an art walk! From November through June, Art Walk takes place every Thursday evening in the historic quarter of San Jose del Cabo. Many of the town’s art galleries open their doors for exhibitions, artist appearances, and wine or tequila tastings. The narrow cobbled streets are pedestrian free. Entertainers from musicians to mimes are on hand to delight visitors. The restaurant scene in this quaint colonial town is thriving, with excellent new dining spots popping up every month. 

Beaches. Nineteen Los Cabos beaches have earned Blue Flag recognition. The iconic Blue Flag is one of the world’s most renowned eco-certifications. When you see a Blue Flag flying in Los Cabos, you know the beach is clean and accessible; has excellent water quality; meets high safety standards; and is working to protect local shorelines and ecosystems. The most popular of Cabo’s Blue Flag beaches is Medano Beach, a broad, two-mile stretch of soft sand lapped by the calm waters of San Lucas Bay. Pueblo Bonito Los Cabos and Rose, our two downtown resort hotels, sit directly on this beach, which is ideal for frolicking in the gentle surf. 

Money. U.S. dollars are accepted in Los Cabos. Most commercial establishments take both dollars and pesos. However, if you do use dollars, expect to receive pesos in change. With a few exceptions, restaurants accept most major credit cards. If you need cash, ATMS are available at banks and hotels throughout the destination. Be aware that most dispense only pesos. The current exchange rate is $1 USD = $18.96 MX.