Situated at the “Land’s End” of the Baja California Peninsula, Los Cabos and its magic has captured the imagination of many, from colonial explorers and legendary British pirates to today’s renowned celebrities and tycoons. Click here and take a short look at how Los Cabos came to be, from its early days as an indigenous domain and its development as a Spanish colony and pirate safe haven. Learn more about Los Cabos today in the 21st century, how to get here, what to expect with the local climate and weather, and other essentials to ensure a good stay and life at Los Cabos.
Located at the southernmost tip of the Baja California Peninsula, Los Cabos has earned the nickname “Land’s End.” And despite that, the good life and the magic continues here, where the desert and the mountains meet the dazzling blues of the Sea of Cortez (also known as the Gulf of California) and the Pacific Ocean.
Continue reading to learn all about life in Los Cabos.
Los Cabos: First look
Los Cabos is a municipality in Baja California Sur. It covers a total area of approximately 3,71 square miles.
Only two towns make up the area: the popular resort town of Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo, which functions as the municipal center. These two coastal towns are connected by the so-called Resort Corridor, where you can find established resorts and hotels, golf courses, and undeveloped pockets of land and beach in between.
A short course on Los Cabos history
Before the Spanish came, the entire Cape Region was inhabited by the Pericú. They called Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo Yenecami and Añiñi, respectively.
The first Spaniard arrived in the region sometime around 1533. Since the Cape Region was so isolated from the rest of Mexico, the Spanish made no further attempts to colonize it until the 17th century. Soon after, Yenecami and Añiñi were re-christened into Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo.
As the region slowly blossomed, it served as an important pit stop for the Manila Galleon. Los Cabos also became a safe haven for pirates like Francis Drake and Thomas Cavendish (the latter frequently hid in Cabo San Lucas).
For most of the 19th and 20th century, Los Cabos was relatively uninvolved with the events that transpired in other parts of the country until the Mexican-American war, when resistance groups were organized in and around Los Cabos.
Los Cabos in the 21st century
Today, Los Cabos is a popular tourist destination and a great place to purchase a vacation home or investment property. In 2017, it was named by National Geographic as one of the must-see places to visit that year.
Despite the numerous luxury resorts, spas, championship golf courses, and facilities that have cropped up around the municipality, parts of Los Cabos still retains its wild and untamed magic.
The Los Cabos essentials
Now that you have covered the background and current state of Los Cabos, it’s time to learn more about all the essentials and must-knows to living in Los Cabos.
How to get to Los Cabos
The easiest way to get to Los Cabos (and to get out of it) is via the Los Cabos International Airport, located just outside San Jose del Cabo. It has flights to and from over 40 destinations, including major American cities like Los Angeles and New York City, Canadian cities such as Toronto, and other Mexican cities (i.e. Mexico City, Tijuana, and Guadalajara).
If you want, you can also embark on an epic road trip from the U.S. border to Cabo San Lucas, traversing about 1,000 miles. It usually takes 20 to 24 hours to travel Highway 1, then another two hours on Highway 19. Prep for an extremely long drive.
You can also travel to Los Cabos by ferry if you are coming from the Mexican mainland. There are regular ferries that cross the Sea of Cortez from nearby La Paz to either Los Mochis (Topolobampo) or Mazatlan. The journey is long but scenic.
Local climate and weather
With the Sea of Cortez, the Pacific Ocean, and the tropical desert of the Cape Region surrounding the municipality, Los Cabos enjoys plenty of sun all year round. Most of the year is dry and warm, and you might hear that it’s slightly hotter in Cabo San Lucas than in San Jose del Cabo.
Despite the sun-filled year, Los Cabos does have a rainy season. It lasts from July through October, although it is no cause to worry. Los Cabos only receives an average annual rainfall of about nine inches. It should be noted, however, that hurricanes often form around this time of the year.
Los Cabos also has its own version of winter, when temperatures reach an average low of around 55 degrees.
Money matters
Although Los Cabos and the rest of the Baja Peninsula region are closely tied to the United States, the currency here is Mexican Peso ($ or sometimes MX$).
Major credit and debit cards are widely accepted throughout Mexico, including Los Cabos. Do note that local banks exact a “foreign exchange charge,” among other fees. Check with your bank to be sure.
If you run out of cash, you can rest assured that you can re-supply at the nearest cash machine (ATM). Exchange rates are usually favorable. As noted above, you might incur an extra charge for foreign ATM withdrawals.
If you have cash in your currency and would like to convert it into Mexican pesos, there are several places to do so. Look for an exchange house or “casa de cambio” if you can’t find any banks in your area.
Live life in Baja
Build your legacy in Los Cabos with Catherine Buchanan. Contact her today at 503.545.1767 or email her at catherine@livebaja.com or c.buchanan@snellrealestate.com to start looking at homes for sale in Los Cabos.