Dial 911 in Los Cabos for police, fire, or medical emergencies — operators speak Spanish and some English. The main private hospitals are H+ Hospital and Saint Joseph Hospital in Cabo San Lucas, both with English-speaking staff. For non-emergencies, your resort doctor or hotel front desk can coordinate care. Save your travel insurance 24/7 assistance number before you fly.
Medical emergencies are rare on a Cabo vacation, but knowing what to do ahead of time saves stress and money if something goes wrong. Mexico's emergency number is 911, and Los Cabos has several excellent private hospitals that cater to international visitors. The bigger concern is paying for care — US health insurance rarely works in Mexico, so travel insurance with medical coverage and evacuation is essential. This guide covers emergency numbers, hospitals, pharmacies, and what to do if the worst happens.
Emergency Numbers
Mexico's national emergency number is 911 — it works for police, fire, and medical emergencies throughout Los Cabos. Operators speak Spanish, and many speak basic English, but having a Spanish-speaking friend or hotel staff member on the line helps. For tourist-specific assistance, Mexico maintains 078, the tourist information and assistance hotline, which has English-speaking operators and can help with non-emergency issues like disputes with vendors or tour operators. The US Consular Agency in Los Cabos (in Cabo San Lucas) helps US citizens with passport replacements, emergencies, and notarial services — keep their number handy. Canadian and UK citizens should also know their consulate contacts. Program 911, your travel insurance 24/7 assistance number, your hotel front desk, and your consulate into your phone before you arrive. If you're staying at a resort, the front desk is often the fastest way to coordinate any emergency response.
Hospitals in Los Cabos
Los Cabos has several excellent private hospitals that cater to international visitors. H+ Hospital in Cabo San Lucas is modern, well-equipped, and has English-speaking doctors; it's the most common destination for tourists with serious issues. Saint Joseph Hospital, also in Cabo San Lucas, is another top private option with bilingual staff. AMG Hospital in San José del Cabo serves the San José side and the Corridor. For minor emergencies, these hospitals have ERs and urgent care. For major trauma, serious cardiac events, or complex surgery, medical evacuation to San Diego or Phoenix may be necessary — your travel insurance's 24/7 line coordinates this. All private hospitals require upfront payment or insurance verification for non-life-threatening care; bring your travel insurance card and call the assistance line before treatment if possible. The public hospital, Hospital General, is for Mexican nationals and isn't typically used by tourists.
Pharmacies & Minor Illnesses
Pharmacies (farmacias) are everywhere in Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo. The big chains — Farmacias Guadalajara, Farmacias Similares, and Farmacias del Ahorro — are reliable and well-stocked. Many medications that require prescriptions in the US, including some antibiotics and muscle relaxants, are sold over the counter in Mexico — but always consult a doctor before taking antibiotics, and never buy controlled substances without a prescription (it's illegal and pharmacies won't sell them). For minor illnesses — sunburn, traveler's diarrhea, motion sickness, mild allergies — pharmacists are knowledgeable and can recommend over-the-counter remedies. Rehydration salts (Suero Oral) are cheap and essential if you get sick. Most resorts have a doctor on call for $100-200 per visit — convenient for minor issues without leaving the property. For stitches, broken bones, severe allergic reactions, or anything that needs imaging, head straight to H+ or Saint Joseph.
Travel Insurance & Paying for Care
US health insurance generally doesn't cover medical care in Mexico, and Medicare provides zero coverage outside the US. Mexican hospitals require upfront payment for non-life-threatening care; bills for stitches, broken bones, or gastrointestinal illness can run $500-3000. Serious cases requiring evacuation to the US can cost $20,000-50,000. Travel insurance with at least $100,000 in medical coverage and $250,000-500,000 in medical evacuation is essential. Keep your insurance card, policy number, and 24/7 assistance number in your phone and a paper copy in your wallet. If you need non-emergency care, call the assistance line first — they can direct you to in-network providers and arrange direct billing. For emergencies, go straight to the hospital and call the assistance line as soon as you're stable. Keep all receipts, diagnoses, and prescriptions for your claim. Without insurance, you'll pay out of pocket and file for reimbursement from your US insurer after the trip.
Common Medical Issues
The most common medical issues in Cabo aren't dramatic — they're sunburn, dehydration, traveler's diarrhea, and alcohol-related incidents. The dry heat dehydrates you faster than humid heat; drink water constantly, especially on boat tours and during physical activity. Sunburn is the #1 reason tourists seek care; use SPF 30+ sunscreen, reapply every two hours, and wear a hat. Traveler's diarrhea ("Montezuma's revenge") affects some travelers; stick to bottled water and peeled or cooked foods, and pack Pepto-Bismol and Imodium. Alcohol-related injuries — falls, fights, dehydration — spike during Spring Break. Pace yourself, alternate drinks with water, and use the buddy system. Jellyfish stings happen occasionally on Sea of Cortez beaches; rinse with vinegar (lifeguards have it) and don't urinate on it (that's a myth). For scorpion stings — rare in tourist areas but possible — apply ice and seek medical attention. Mosquito-borne illness is rare in arid Cabo, but use repellent in the late summer rainy season.
FAQ
What's the emergency number in Los Cabos?
911 works for police, fire, and medical emergencies throughout Mexico. Operators speak Spanish and some English. For non-emergency tourist assistance, dial 078. Save your travel insurance 24/7 number, hotel front desk, and consulate contacts in your phone.
What's the best hospital in Los Cabos?
H+ Hospital and Saint Joseph Hospital in Cabo San Lucas are the top private hospitals for international visitors, both with English-speaking doctors. AMG Hospital serves San José del Cabo. All require upfront payment or insurance verification for non-life-threatening care.
Does US health insurance work in Cabo?
Generally no. Most US health plans offer little or no coverage outside the US, and Medicare provides zero coverage abroad. You'll pay out of pocket and file for reimbursement. Travel insurance with medical coverage is essential.
Can I buy antibiotics at a Cabo pharmacy without a prescription?
Often yes — Mexican pharmacies sell some antibiotics over the counter that require prescriptions in the US. Always consult a doctor before taking antibiotics. Controlled substances still require prescriptions and aren't sold without one.
How much does medical evacuation from Cabo cost?
Air ambulance from Cabo to a US hospital can cost $20,000-50,000 depending on distance and medical needs. That's why travel insurance with at least $250,000 in medical evacuation coverage is the most important number on your policy.
Does my resort have a doctor?
Most major resorts in Los Cabos have a doctor on call, typically $100-200 per visit paid upfront and reimbursed by travel insurance. For anything beyond minor illness, head to H+ Hospital or Saint Joseph Hospital in Cabo San Lucas.
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