The Best Time to Visit Los Cabos
Month-by-month weather, crowds and pricing — plus the shoulder-season sweet spots that locals book for 30% off peak rates with near-perfect weather.
Los Cabos is warm year-round — daytime highs range from 79°F in January to 94°F in July and August, and the Sea of Cortez never drops below 72°F. But the experience varies wildly by month. Show up in February and you'll get near-perfect weather and breaching whales at peak prices; show up in September and you'll pay 50% less with a real chance of a hurricane. This guide breaks down every month — weather, crowds, pricing, and the almost-nonexistent sargassum situation (Cabo's key advantage over Caribbean destinations) — so you can pick the week that matches your priorities.
Peak dry season: December through April
This is Los Cabos's high season for a reason — sunny, 79-85°F, almost no rain, low humidity, comfortable desert evenings, and the humpback whales are in residence. It's also the most expensive time to visit and the most crowded. Book 90+ days out, especially for Christmas, New Year, and Easter/Spring Break weeks, which are the single most expensive weeks of the year (often 60-80% above shoulder-season rates). If you want peak weather but fewer crowds, target late January through mid-February — the weather is identical to Christmas week but rates drop 30% and the resorts are quieter.
The shoulder-season sweet spots: May and November
May and November are the secret months that locals and savvy travelers book. May is warm (88°F) but still dry before the storm window kicks in; November sees the rains end and dry weather return, plus the first whales arrive mid-month. Both deliver near-peak weather at 30-40% off peak rates, with far fewer crowds and much better service at the resorts (staff aren't stretched thin). Early December (before the 20th) is another value sweet spot — same great weather as Christmas week at half the price. These are the months we book for our own families.
Summer and hurricane window: June through October
Officially, Eastern Pacific hurricane season runs May 15 through November 30, with peak activity in August and September. Direct hits on Los Cabos are uncommon but possible — the last major hurricane (Odile) was in 2014. Tropical storms and heavy rain are most common in September. The trade-off: this is the cheapest time to visit, with rates 40-60% below winter peak and resorts at their quietest. July works well for summer-break families who can be flexible with dates. If you travel June-October, buy travel insurance with hurricane coverage and book a resort with a flexible cancellation policy. Avoid September if you possibly can — it's the wettest month and the highest hurricane risk.
The sargassum situation (almost zero in Cabo)
Here's Cabo's biggest advantage over Caribbean destinations: sargassum seaweed is almost nonexistent. Los Cabos sits at the tip of the Baja peninsula where the Pacific meets the Sea of Cortez, and the prevailing currents keep seaweed offshore. You'll occasionally see a small amount wash up on El Médano Beach after a storm, but nothing like the seasonal sargassum blooms that plague Caribbean beaches from April through August. If sargassum is a dealbreaker for you, Los Cabos is your destination. Travel any month of the year and you'll have clean, swimmable beaches.
Water temperature, visibility, and the best months to snorkel
Sea of Cortez water temperature in Los Cabos ranges from 72°F in January to 83°F in August — comfortable for hours in the water year-round, though January mornings can feel brisk for the first minute. Snorkeling and diving visibility is best from June through October when seas are calmest (often 60-80 feet at Santa Maria and Chileno), and choppiest from December through March when winter winds can stir up the water and cancel boat tours. If diving or snorkeling is the main point of your trip, target June, July, or October for the calmest, clearest conditions. Whale watching is best December through April.
The short answer: November & early December
The dry weather has returned, prices are still 30–40% below peak, and crowds are thin. February is the best-weather month if budget allows. Avoid mid-March through Easter (Spring Break) and Christmas/New Year weeks.
Pick your season
Los Cabos is warm year-round (82–91°F), but the experience varies wildly by month. Here's the honest breakdown.
Peak Whale & Dry Season
Dec – Apr- Vibe
- Sunny, 79–85°F, almost no rain, whales in residence
- Price
- $$$ — highest rates, book 90+ days out
- Best for
- First-time visitors, winter escapes, whale watchers, weddings
Shoulder Season
May & Nov- Vibe
- Warm, 85–88°F, mostly dry, occasional showers
- Price
- $$ — best value-to-weather ratio
- Best for
- Budget travelers, couples, fewer crowds
Summer / Hurricane Window
Jun – Oct- Vibe
- Hot, 89–94°F, humid, afternoon storms (Sep peak)
- Price
- $ — lowest rates of the year
- Best for
- Flexible travelers, last-minute deals, families on summer break
Los Cabos weather, crowds & prices by month
Air temps are daytime highs in °F. Crowd and price levels run 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest). Green months are our top recommendations.
| Month | High/Low | Water | Rain days | Crowd | Price | Local note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
JanuaryRecommended | 79° / 60° | 72° | 2 | Peak whale season. Cool, dry, comfortable. Book 90+ days out. | ||
FebruaryRecommended | 80° / 61° | 72° | 1 | Best weather month. Whales active. Spring breakers start late Feb. | ||
March | 82° / 63° | 73° | 1 | Spring break peak. Busy and pricey. Whale season tail-end. | ||
AprilRecommended | 85° / 66° | 74° | 1 | Easter week is peak. Last month for whales. Dry and warm. | ||
MayRecommended | 88° / 69° | 76° | 1 | Shoulder value. Hot but dry. Best deals of the year. | ||
June | 91° / 73° | 79° | 2 | Summer begins. Hot and mostly dry. Lowest resort rates. | ||
July | 94° / 77° | 81° | 4 | Hottest month. Family vacation peak. Buy travel insurance. | ||
August | 94° / 78° | 83° | 5 | Storm window opens. Hot and humid. Best resort deals if flexible. | ||
September | 92° / 77° | 83° | 7 | Peak hurricane month. Lowest prices & fewest crowds. Buy insurance. | ||
October | 89° / 74° | 81° | 3 | Storm window tapers. Rains ease late month. Steal deals. | ||
NovemberRecommended | 85° / 68° | 78° | 1 | Shoulder sweet spot. Dry returns, whales arrive. Highly recommended. | ||
DecemberRecommended | 80° / 62° | 74° | 2 | Whale season in full swing. Holiday weeks peak. Early Dec is value. |
The right month for your trip
Sunny, 84°F, almost no rain, low humidity. Peak rates but worth it.
Rains end, dry weather returns, prices still 30% off peak. Our top pick.
Pre-holiday window: great weather, kids in school break timing, fair rates.
Hot but dry, low crowds, romantic. Avoid late-month spring break tail.
Lowest rates of the year — but peak hurricane month. Buy insurance.
Spring break peak — loud, packed, most expensive. Bad for couples/families.
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