Whether you’re looking to buy your main residence, a second home, or retire in Cabo, this guide will help you decide if Los Cabos is the right place for you.
Let’s start by learning more about Los Cabos. Los Cabos is divided into two cities.
Cabo San Lucas is a tourist destination that attracts a lot of attention. San Jose del Cabo is just as (or more) appealing to foreigners who are moving to Mexico.
Take a look at the specifics of each city.
Living in Cabo San Lucas
Cabo San Lucas is located at the southernmost end of the Baja Peninsula and is a popular tourist destination. About a two-hour drive separates La Paz, the capital of Baja California Sur.
All types of tourists visit the city, including Hollywood celebrities, spring-break partygoers, sport fishing enthusiasts and other tourists.
While the cost of living in Los Cabos is more expensive than much of Mexico, it is lower than many U.S. Canadian cities. You can also lower your living costs by avoiding the tourist areas.
Cabo San Lucas offers many things to do, including great shopping, dining, entertainment, healthcare and everything else you could possibly need for a comfortable life in Mexico.
Living in San Jose del Cabo
San Jose del Cabo lies 20 miles away from Cabo San Luis.
San Jose del Cabo has a more relaxed lifestyle. With its colonial-style architecture and artistic atmosphere, the city exudes a Mexican feel.
There are fewer expats here and the cost of living here is a little lower than Cabo San Lucas.
It is also a great place for those who want to live an active lifestyle outside of the beach. You can enjoy outdoor activities like zip lining, hiking and more.
San Jose del Cabo has one of Mexico’s busiest airports. It offers direct flights to a number of U.S. cities and Canadian cities.
Population in Los Cabos
Cabo San Lucas Population
Cabo San Lucas is home to about 200,000 residents. It is estimated that expats make up between 5-10%.
Snowbirds flock to the city, and there is a constant flow of tourists. There are also Mexicans living in this city from other parts of the country.
San Jose del Cabo Population
Over 135,000 people live in San Jose del Cabo. Majority of residents are Mexicans
The city is also popular with foreign tourists, despite its less-known status.
Weather in Los Cabos
Both cities share a tropical desert with some differences.
Cabo San Lucas weather
All year round, the average temperature is around 69-84F. Daytime temperatures can reach 79-91F. Even in winter, temperatures rarely drop below 55-60F.
The rainy period is between July and January. San Jose del Cabo is drier than the city, but it still gets rain and hurricanes.
San Jose del Cabo weather
During summer, it is a little warmer than Cabo San Lucas. From June to October, the average highs for the daytime are above 90F.
Rainy season runs from July to November. In the last 60 years, there have been a couple of hurricanes, but such incidents are rare.
Both cities have warm days and cool nights, ideal for relaxing and beach activities.
Los Cabos Cost of Living
Rent in Los Cabos
Cabo San Lucas
- Apartments with 2 bedrooms in the center of the city: $1,000 – $1,500
- A 2 bedroom 2 bath house of the city center: $700
San Jose del Cabo
- Apartments with 2 bedrooms in the center of the city: $1,000 – $1,250
- A 2 bedroom 2 bath house outside of the city center: $850
You can rent a 2 or 3 bedroom apartment in the tourist areas of both cities for as much as $2,500-$3,500 per month. But you can still find good quality rentals outside of the city center.
Utilities
Estimated monthly figures for two adults living in both cities
- Water: $15 – $20
- Gas: $20
- Electricity: $20 – $100 (depending on your AC usage)
- Internet: $30
Eating out
Cabo San Lucas
- Three-course meal at a mid range restaurant for two: $60
- A local restaurant offers a seafood taco for: $2
- Pint of domestic beer: $2
There are many great restaurants in Cabo, ranging from fine dining to local taquerias. The regional specialty is seafood, which you must try.
San Jose del Cabo
- Dinner for two in a mid range restaurant: $30 – $40
- Seafood taco in a local restaurant: $1.00 – $1.50
- Pint of domestic beer: $1.75
Groceries
Cabo San Lucas
The cost of groceries per month for a couple is between$400 and $500.
You can find convenient grocery stores like Walmart and Costco in the city. Specialty food shops are also available. Imported items can be expensive.
Cabo San Lucas has a lot of great shops, but you will pay a gringo tax (a tourist-price that is higher). The Patio Los Cabos shopping center has lower-priced Mexican shops.
San Jose del Cabo
There are many similar options and prices for grocery shopping in Cabo San Lucas.
Los Cabos is not known for its fresh produce markets. You can find high-quality produce in large stores such as Walmart, Soriana and Chedraui.
How to get around Los Cabos
Cabo San Lucas, and San Jose del Cabo are easy to reach despite having fewer transport options than other areas in Mexico. Getting to Cabo from the airport is also simple.
Both city centers are great places to walk. There are also many taxis, as well as ride-sharing services such Uber and Didi. Local buses cost between $0.50 and $1.00 for a short trip.
Traveling between the two cities
- Buses: $2 – $5 (with AC)
- Taxi: $100
- Shared shuttles: $20
Taxi fares can vary. So, always check before getting in.
Perhaps you would like to own your own vehicle. There are many cars for sale, and at very competitive prices.
Cost of living in Los Cabos
Cabo San Lucas
Couples can easily live on $2,500 to $3,000 per month.
San Jose del Cabo
Here you can save a few hundred bucks on your monthly living expenses. Expect to spend around $2,500 as a couple.
Remember that these are approximate figures. Some expats may spend more. Many residents also live on less.
Healthcare in Los Cabos
Los Cabos is home to some of the finest hospitals in Mexico, so healthcare in Cabo is never an issue.
Medical tourism is popular in both cities. Some medical centers arrange airport pickups, drop offs, accommodation, and appointments.
Cabo San Lucas Healthcare
There are many public and private hospitals and clinics in the city. There are also many English-speaking physicians.
A consultation with a general practitioner costs approximately $30.
San Jose del Cabo Healthcare
The healthcare system here is also excellent, just like in Cabo.
Expats can visit the Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS) hospital here. Consultation fees start at around $25. You must first register with IMSS, a public health program.
Things to do in Los Cabos
Los Cabos, according to many expats, is the ideal place to live. There’s something to suit everyone, whether you’re a single adult in your 20s looking or a retired person.
Cabo San Lucas
Pickleball: Cabo San Lucas is home to a few pickleball courts. The Esperanza Resort has three pickleball courts. The price of the game starts at $35 USD and lasts up to four hours.
Go Fishing: This is the perfect place for you if you enjoy sports fishing! Cabo San Lucas has a world-famous fishing tournament. The tournament season is October. Any time of year, you can hire a boat to go fishing.
Great Beaches: Playa el Medano is a popular beach near the resorts. There are many more amazing beaches in Cabo for relaxing and swimming at, such as Playa Santa Maria. Playa Chileno. Playa Coral Negro.
El Arco: You can even take a glass bottom boat to the Arco San Lucas, a spectacular rock formation. Here you can snorkel and enjoy the marine life.
Water Sports: Enjoy water sports such as parasailing (in summer), kitesurfing (in the winter), kayaking and whale-watching.
Nightlife: Cabo San Lucas, as you may know, is a popular party destination. Many bars and clubs are located here. Lazaro Cardenas is a vibrant street.
San Jose del Cabo
This city is very family friendly and offers a more relaxed lifestyle. This city is ideal for retirees who want to live in Mexico.
San Jose del Cabo, like Cabo San Lucas, is popular for its beautiful beaches and watersports.
Not only that:
Try the farm-to-table experience: Visit a restaurant that is a cooperative style where they produce their own food. These restaurants are usually more expensive than normal ones. Tamarindos is a good option if you like this idea. Here you can also learn to cook.
Spend time with nature: Visit the estuary, also known as Aguada Segura – an ecological reserve that is protected. The estuary has a freshwater lake that is separated from the ocean by a narrow stretch of beach. It is a great place for kayaking, birdwatching and hiking.
Outdoor activities: San Jose del Cabo also offers other outdoor activities, such as golfing, hiking and ziplining.
Explore the culture: You’ll enjoy the historic center of the city, its architecture, art galleries and events. Here you can find the work of many local artists.
Is Los Cabos Safe?
Los Cabos is a safe area for tourists and expats. Although it’s not completely crime-free.
Avoid high-risk activities. Be aware of where you are and what you are carrying with you when you’re out late at night.
Want to live in Los Cabos?
Awesome!
If you are thinking about making the move down to Los Cabos, we can help. Contact us today to see homes for sale in Cabo San Lucas or San Jose del Cabo. We’re looking forward to helping you!
