Looking for an ultimate holiday destination to rejuvenate yourself? Head straight to Cabo San Lucas which is considered one of the most beautiful resort cities in Mexico. It is located on the southern tip of Mexico’s Baja California peninsula. This joyful city is known for its magnificent beaches, amazing crystal-clear waters, water-based activities, and vibrant nightlife. The city is rated among the top 5 tourist destinations in Mexico. More than 3 million tourists visit this mesmerizing city every year to escape from their boring routines.
Despite being so popular among tourists, many wonder if it is safe to visit Cabo San Lucas. Before traveling anywhere, one of the main concerns for anybody is safety. Well, luckily Cabo San Lucas is entirely safe to visit with some caution. Go through our blog post to learn all about this beautiful city, and make your trip safe and fun at the same time.
Is Cabo San Lucas Safe to Visit?
Cabo San Lucas is considered safe to visit in 2023. According to the United States travel advisories, Cabo San Lucas falls on the 2nd level of the advisory. There are 4 levels of advisories. These are:
- Level 1: Exercise normal precautions
- Level 2: Exercise increased caution
- Level 3: Reconsider travel
- Level 4: Do not travel
Despite being on the 2nd level, Cabo San Lucas is safe just as other famous countries on level 2. United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, and Belgium all stand on level 2, but you will never hesitate before going to these famous tourist cities. The same is the case with Cabo San Lucas, some minor crime rates do exist in the city, and for those you just need to be aware of your surroundings and practice the basic cautions while visiting. Most of these crimes do not affect tourists, so mind your business, stay away from trouble as much as possible, and you will be completely safe in Cabo San Lucas.
Common Crimes in Cabo San Lucas
Although Cabo San Lucas is safe for visitors, some common crimes do happen in the city. Usually, locals are a part of those crimes, and they happen only in certain neighborhoods. Most tourist places are quite safe. These areas are highly guarded, and the chances of crimes are very low at tourist attractions. The most common crimes in Cabo San Lucas include:
Kidnappings
Kidnappings are common in Cabo. Criminals kidnap people and ask for ransom from their loved ones. The risk of kidnapping is higher when tourists get cars that claim to be taxis, but they are not. Cabo San Lucas is at the third-highest number of kidnappings. These kidnappings most commonly occur in dangerous areas of the city. If you stick to the safer areas, it is highly unlikely for you to get kidnapped.
Scams
Scams occur frequently in the city. Scammers target tourists during the peak seasons. They try to talk to you, tell you that they are in trouble, and ask for money. Make sure to stay alert and avoid talking to any stranger on the roads. Sometimes they ask personal questions to get information from you to scam you. Be aware of your surroundings and be cautious while talking to anybody.
Petty Crimes
Petty crimes are prevalent in Cabo San Lucas. Muggings and pickpocketing are common in secluded places. Walking around the streets wearing expensive jewelry will draw attention toward you. Mugging is common in dangerous areas, especially at night. Try to avoid such places and be aware of your surroundings while walking on the streets.
Murders
Cabo San Lucas is famous for having high murder rates, but all these reports are very old. According to recent data from 2021, Cabo San Lucas has the second-fewest number of murders of any state in Mexico. Other states of Mexico still have high murder and crime rates. But as of 2022, Cabo San Lucas is no longer included in the list of most dangerous cities by murder rate per capita.
Drug Cartels
Drug cartel problems are common in Mexico. However, most of the drug-related crimes occur in areas close to the US/Mexican border. These areas include Ciudad Juarez, Tijuana, and Mazatlan. Cabo is safe from such drug crimes, as tourists you should not get involved in anything drugs related. You do not want to get into any trouble on your vacation.
Places to Avoid in Cabo
Some areas of the city are considered more dangerous than others. Crime rates are usually higher here than in other parts of the city. Visitors are advised to avoid these dangerous areas while visiting Cabo San Lucas. To make your visit smoother and safe, we have mentioned the places to avoid in Cabo San Lucas.
City Center
The city center is known to be a target place for petty crimes such as pickpocketing and mugging. This place is usually very crowded which makes it easy for thieves to get to you. Almost 20 crimes are reported every day in the City Center. Avoid getting into crowded spaces where someone can get close to you easily. Make sure to keep an eye on your belongings while visiting the City Center.
Santa Rosa in San Jose del Cabo
Santa Rosa is another neighborhood with a bad reputation. Crimes like assault, armed robbery, and vehicle robbery are common here. This area is a bit far from Cabo San Lucas, there are no places of accommodation or tourist attraction sites here. You can become a victim of a crime if you travel on the Trans-peninsula highway from Santa Rosa to San Jose del Cabo. Make sure to lock your car doors and do not stop at any gas station. Get anything you need when you get close to San Jose del Cabo.
Los Cangrejos and Las Palmas
These two neighborhoods are considered to be the most dangerous in the city. They are located next to each other, and the crime rates are extremely high here. These areas are close to the airfields. Tourists often go there mistakenly to explore, but they are not safe. Drug cartels are active in these areas and can target you. If you are visiting Cabo San Lucas, then avoid these places.
How Safe is Cabo San Lucas at Night?
Cabo San Lucas is safe at night as long as you take some necessary safety precautions. It is not ideal to walk on the dark streets alone at night, especially if you have been drinking. If you are traveling alone, it is advised to limit your drinking. Drunk tourists can become an easy target of crimes at night. You should get a taxi if you are heading out at night.
Is Water Safe to Drink Here?
In simple words, the answer is no. Simple tap water is not safe to drink in Cabo San Lucas. Aquifers in the Sierra de La Laguna Mountain range provide water to Cabo. The water coming from here is clean, but the pipes in which it runs through are not safe. These pipes are easily contaminated by pollutants. However, filtered water is available in the resorts and restaurants. So, the water you get to drink here is safe.
Are Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Safe to Eat?
Fresh fruits and vegetables are safe to eat in Cabo San Lucas. Fruits with thick peels are the safest option, but there have been no issues after eating fresh fruits as well. While cooking, restaurants wash the fruits and vegetables before using them. If you like to be extra cautious, then you can choose to eat only cooked food.
How to Be Safe on the Beaches in Cabo San Lucas?
Cabo San Lucas is famous for its amazing beaches. It is to be noted that not all beaches are safe for swimming. Some beaches are dangerous due to their rip tides and rogue waves. Before visiting this city, make sure to do your research and learn which beaches are safe and which are not. Follow the following tips to be safe on the beaches at Cabo San Lucas:
Colored Flag System
Make sure to learn the colored flag system before going swimming at the beach. These flag colors indicate the safety conditions for swimming. Flag colors include black, red, yellow, and green. Black is considered dangerous, and green is considered the safest for swimming.
Beaches with Lifeguards
Most beaches do not have lifeguards, but some do have them. Make sure to visit the beaches with lifeguards just to be extra safe.
Stay Alert of the Waves
Rogie waves are extremely dangerous and can sweep off people. Make sure to check the waves before stepping into the water.
Use Sunscreen
The sun rays are hotter in Mexico, and you can get sunburned on the beach here. Do not go on the beach without wearing sunscreen, and other protective clothing, including hats and sunglasses.
Drink Water
While you are out on the beach, be sure to stay hydrated. Keep drinking plenty of water while sunbathing on the beach to avoid dehydration.
Is Transport Safe Here?
Most of the tourist attraction sites in Cabo San Lucas are close to one another, you do not need to get a taxi to move from one place to another. However, if you do need a transport service, then get your taxi from a legitimate source. Avoid hailing a taxi on the street as this can be dangerous. Uber and Lyft are considered reliable options for getting a taxi. It is advised to avoid public transport, especially at night.
Are Female Solo Travelers Safe in Cabo San Lucas?
Crime rates against women are comparatively lower in Cabo San Lucas than in any other state in Mexico. Female travelers can visit this city solo without any fear. They need to take the basic precautions they need anywhere. Stick to populated areas, avoid walking alone at night, be aware of your surroundings, and you are good to go anywhere in Cabo San Lucas.
Safety Cautions While Visiting Cabo San Lucas
As we have discussed earlier, Cabo San Lucas lies at level 2 of the travel advisory. It states that you can visit the city but with caution. Some simple safety cautions can help you have a smooth and safe trip to Cabo San Lucas. Follow these basic safety tips to have a safe visit to this city:
- Avoid visiting bad neighborhoods
- Do not wear anything flashy
- Do not carry valuable items with you
- Try to walk in groups, especially at night
- Book your hotel at a trusted and reliable place
- Make sure to avoid walking alone at night
- Do not buy drugs
- Keep a check on the local news to learn about the weather conditions
- Ensure that you have travel insurance
- Keep a separate copy of your passport
Bottom Line
Cabo San Lucas is a beautiful city in Mexico with several beaches and other tourist attraction sites. The city is known for its water activities and nightlife. Safety is the main concern while going anywhere. It is safe to say that Cabo San Lucas is completely safe to visit alone, or with family. the city had a record of high crime rate, but that’s all in the past. A few petty crimes, such as mugging, pickpocketing, and scams are common. These crimes are not common at the tourist sites. Just by being a little cautious and following some simple safety tips, anyone can have a great trip to Cabo San Lucas.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are a few frequently asked questions about Cabo San Lucas:
Are Cabo San Lucas and San Jose Del Cabo the same?
No, both of these are separate cities 20 miles apart located in Baja California Peninsula. Both of them are famous tourist destinations. Those who like to have fun and party visit Cabo San Lucas, and those who like to have a calm and peaceful time can visit San Jose Del Cabo.
What is the best time for visiting Cabo San Lucas?
Cabo can be visited all year round. However, winters are cooler here, and you can have the rare sight of humpback whales on the coast. Spring and fall are considered to be warmer, and families visit the city at this time of the year. During summer, people avoid visiting Cabo to avoid the heat, but if you want low flight and accommodation prices, then summer is the ideal time to visit Cabo.
Is Cabo San Lucas worth visiting?
If you love the sea and love visiting the beaches, then Cabo San Lucas is worth visiting for you. You can enjoy several water activities here, like scuba diving, snorkeling, and much more. You can explore plenty of tropical fish, sea lions, and sea turtles under the sea.
Diana was an active fitness model in the past. She has had numerous shoots done at different locations and found out that her true interest was in exploring the world! Later on, this passion motivated her to write multiple tarvel blogs about whatever place she visited and discovered, and here it is! Enjoy reading a variety of blogs by Diana to get a lively experience of several places.