Los Cabos has some of the most heavily visited resort areas in Mexico, and the basics of safety are straightforward: stay in the tourist corridor, watch the water and be sensible after midnight. This page covers the details we would want if we were booking a trip to Los Cabos in 2026.
The 2026 advisory level
The US State Department rates Baja California Sur, the state that contains Los Cabos and La Paz, at Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (as of June 2026), citing crime. It lists Cabo San Lucas, San José del Cabo and La Paz as tourist areas, and US government employees have faced no special travel restrictions there. Advisory levels can change, so check the US State Department Mexico advisory and the UK FCDO page before you fly, and see our Mexico safety overview for how advisories vary by state.
Area by area
Cabo San Lucas marina and downtown. The most visited zone, with restaurants, bars and tour boats. Busy and patrolled, with pickpocketing and aggressive timeshare and boat-tour sellers the main issues. The bars and clubs near the marina are where most drink-spiking and bill-padding reports come from.
Medano Beach. The main beach in Cabo San Lucas, with beach clubs and watersports. Safe for swimming in the calm bay, but watch jet-ski rental scams where operators claim damage that was already there. Photograph any rental before you take it out.
The Corridor. The highway between Cabo and San José lined with resorts, golf courses and secluded beaches. Safe at resorts, with the main risks being currents on unprotected beaches and road safety. See our Cabo vs Cancún comparison for how it feels in practice.
San José del Cabo. A calmer town with an art district, a town plaza and a Thursday evening art walk in the high season. Safe for evening strolls in the central area; take a taxi from further out.
Todos Santos and La Paz. Day trips to Todos Santos (see our guide) and La Paz are safe by day. Avoid night driving on Highway 19 and Highway 1 as roads are poorly lit and livestock wander.
Outer neighbourhoods. Residential districts away from the resort corridor have higher crime and little for visitors.
For where to stay, read our where to stay in Los Cabos guide.
Taxis, Uber and transfers
- Taxis: Run by a union with zone-based fares and no meters. Expect around USD 15 to 30 for a ride within Cabo San Lucas and USD 50 to 80 between the two towns as of 2026. Confirm in advance.
- Uber: Available, but confrontations with taxi drivers can happen, particularly at the airport and at some hotels.
- Airport: Los Cabos International Airport is about 30 to 45 minutes from either town. Use a pre-booked transfer or official desks and ignore the “welcome desk” touts who sell timeshare. Our Los Cabos airport transfer guide compares options.
- Rental cars: Get full insurance. Be wary of rental desks that quote a very low daily rate and then add mandatory coverage at the counter.
- Buses: Local buses connect the two towns cheaply and are fine during the day.
Common problems
- Timeshare sellers. Present at the airport, marina and hotels.
- Rental scams. Jet skis, ATVs and cars with claimed pre-existing damage.
- Drink spiking. Rare, but reported in marina bars. Watch your drinks.
- Ocean hazards. Pacific-side beaches have strong currents and sneaker waves. Never swim where the red flag is flying; the sea is a bigger danger than crime.
- Heat and dehydration. Summer is hot, and desert hiking needs water and sun protection.
- Hurricane season. Storms between June and November can close ports and flights; see our hurricane season guide.
- Tour operators. Compare licensed operators on Los Cabos tours rather than booking with strangers on the marina.
Travel insurance for Los Cabos
Private hospitals in Cabo San Lucas are good but expensive and require payment upfront, and an air ambulance to the mainland is costly. Check your policy covers water sports and rental vehicles. Compare Mexico travel insurance and read our insurance guide for what a good policy includes.
Bottom line
Cabo San Lucas is safe for visitors who stay in the tourist zones, watch the sea, use official transport and ignore the timeshare pitch. The risks that put people in hospital are water and driving, not crime, so plan with our Los Cabos guide.