Best Time to Visit Cabo San Lucas: Weather, Whales and Months to Skip
The best time to visit Cabo San Lucas is November to April, with almost no rain and highs of 77F to 84F (25C to 29C). September is the wettest and stormiest month at 4.3 inches.
The best time to visit Cabo San Lucas is November to April, with April and November as our top picks. In those months rain is close to zero, highs sit between 77.2F and 83.7F (25.1C and 28.7C), and humidity stays low at 54% to 64%. Winter adds whale watching. Summer, by contrast, brings 89F (32C) heat, sticky nights and the risk of Pacific hurricanes from August to October.
Cabo is one of the driest beach destinations in North America. In our data, March, April and May each average less than a tenth of an inch of rain, and the town gets more than 10 hours of sunshine a day in every single month. So rain is rarely the problem. Heat, humidity and storms in late summer are what you plan around, along with the crowds that come with the best weather.
Best time to visit Cabo San Lucas: the monthly numbers
These are WeatherApex 20-year averages (2006 to 2025) for Cabo San Lucas, at the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula. San José del Cabo and the tourist corridor between the two towns follow a very similar pattern.
| Month | Avg high F (C) | Avg low F (C) | Rain (in / mm) | Rainy days | Sun hours per day | Humidity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 77.2 (25.1) | 62.8 (17.1) | 0.2 / 4 | 1 | 10.1 | 61% |
| February | 77.7 (25.4) | 62.8 (17.1) | 0.2 / 5 | 1 | 10.6 | 60% |
| March | 79.9 (26.6) | 64.6 (18.1) | 0.0 / 1 | 0 | 11.2 | 55% |
| April | 81.9 (27.7) | 67.1 (19.5) | 0.0 / 0 | 0 | 12.2 | 54% |
| May | 84.2 (29.0) | 70.0 (21.1) | 0.0 / 1 | 0 | 12.6 | 53% |
| June | 85.6 (29.8) | 73.9 (23.3) | 0.4 / 10 | 1 | 12.8 | 62% |
| July | 89.1 (31.7) | 78.6 (25.9) | 0.8 / 20 | 4 | 12.7 | 66% |
| August | 89.4 (31.9) | 79.9 (26.6) | 2.7 / 68 | 8 | 11.8 | 72% |
| September | 87.8 (31.0) | 79.0 (26.1) | 4.3 / 110 | 9 | 11.0 | 77% |
| October | 87.6 (30.9) | 76.5 (24.7) | 1.5 / 38 | 3 | 11.0 | 68% |
| November | 83.7 (28.7) | 70.7 (21.5) | 0.5 / 13 | 1 | 10.1 | 64% |
| December | 79.2 (26.2) | 65.5 (18.6) | 0.3 / 8 | 1 | 9.8 | 64% |
Two seasons show clearly. From November to June, Cabo is a dry desert coast: 0 or 1 rainy days a month, low humidity and comfortable heat. From July to October it turns hot and humid, and the summer storms arrive. September is the wettest month at 4.3 inches (110 mm), which is more rain than the whole of the dry season put together.
Cabo through the year
Winter (December to February): mild days, whales offshore
Winter is high season, and it is easy to see why. January averages 77.2F (25.1C) by day with just one rainy day and 10.1 hours of sun. Nights are the surprise for some visitors: they drop to 62.8F (17.1C), so you will want a light jacket for dinner on the marina.
This is also whale season. Humpback whales and gray whales are usually seen off Los Cabos from about mid-December to mid-April, with January to March often the most reliable stretch. If seeing whales is your main goal, the best time to visit Cabo San Lucas is February. You can see the details on the Cabo San Lucas in February page.
The water is at its coolest in winter. Swimming is fine for most people on a sunny afternoon, but a wetsuit helps for long snorkeling sessions.
Spring (March to May): the driest, sunniest stretch
Spring is when Cabo is at its most reliable. March averages 79.9F (26.6C) and April 81.9F (27.7C), with essentially no rain at all and humidity around 54% to 55%. Sunshine climbs past 12 hours a day by April. We think April is the single best month for most travelers: warm enough for long beach days, cool enough at night (67.1F or 19.5C) for good sleep, and usually past the peak of spring break.
March is the month to watch for crowds. Spring break and Easter week can fill hotels and make the beaches and bars much louder. May is excellent if you like heat: 84.2F (29.0C), 12.6 hours of sun and the lowest humidity of the year at 53%. Full numbers are on the April weather in Cabo page.
Summer (June to August): hot and getting humid
June is still dry, with just 0.4 inches (10 mm) of rain, and it is a good month if you like heat and want slightly lower prices. Highs reach 85.6F (29.8C) and sunshine peaks at 12.8 hours a day, the most of the year.
July and August are a step up in discomfort. Highs reach 89.1F and 89.4F (31.7C and 31.9C), and nights stay near 79F to 80F (26C to 27C). Humidity rises to 66% and then 72%. The water is at its warmest, and fishing season is in full swing, but walking around town in the afternoon is hard work. August also brings the first real rain, at 2.7 inches (68 mm) over 8 days.
Autumn (September to November): storm risk, then a fine recovery
September is the month we would skip. It is the wettest month (4.3 inches over 9 days), the most humid (77%), and the peak of the eastern Pacific hurricane season, which officially runs from May 15 to November 30. Los Cabos has been hit hard by hurricanes in the past, and even a storm passing offshore can close ports and beaches. See September in Cabo San Lucas for the numbers.
October is a mixed month. Rain falls back to 1.5 inches (38 mm) over 3 days, but it is still hot at 87.6F (30.9C), and storm risk lingers in the first half. By late October, Cabo is usually back to its dry, sunny self.
November is our other top pick. The heat breaks to 83.7F (28.7C), rain is down to 0.5 inches (13 mm), humidity is 64%, and the water is still warm from summer. It is often a little cheaper than the winter months, too. Details on the November weather in Cabo page.
Picking a month by what you want
- Best weather overall: April and November. Warm, dry, sunny and comfortable at night.
- Whale watching: January to March, within a wider season of roughly mid-December to mid-April.
- Warmest water and fishing: July to October, but you accept the heat and the storm risk.
- Lowest prices: late August to early October. Cheap for a reason, so book flexibly and insure the trip.
- Avoiding party crowds: skip the weeks of spring break and Easter. Late April, May and November are calmer.
- Families: late June works for school calendars, with dry weather and long sunny days before the humidity peaks.
Shoulder weeks: the best time to visit Cabo San Lucas on a budget
Cabo's prices follow its seasons closely. The most expensive weeks are Christmas to New Year, spring break and Easter. The cheapest are the storm months of late summer. In between are a few shoulder windows that give you most of the good weather for less money, and for many travelers they are the best time to visit Cabo San Lucas.
The first window is early to mid November. Summer heat has eased, the storms are over in most years, and the winter crowds have not arrived yet. The second is late April into May, after Easter. Spring break groups have gone home, the weather is about as dry and sunny as it gets, and the water is starting to warm. June is a third option for anyone who copes well with heat: still dry, with the longest days of the year, and usually quieter than July.
The weeks we would not chase for a deal are mid-August to early October. Rooms are cheapest then, but you are paying for that discount with heat, humidity and a real chance of storm disruption. If you do book in those weeks, choose refundable rates and keep an eye on the tropical outlook in the days before you fly.
Beaches, swimming and safety
Weather is only part of the beach story in Cabo. The Pacific side, including the long stretches near the hotel zone facing the open ocean, often has strong currents and heavy shore breaks, and many of those beaches are not safe for swimming in any month. The calmer, swimmable beaches are mostly on the Sea of Cortez side, toward the marina and along the corridor to San José del Cabo. Check the beach flags and ask at your hotel before you go in.
Sun is the other risk. With more than 10 hours of sunshine a day all year and very little cloud from November to June, sunburn comes quickly. Reef-safe sunscreen, a hat and shade at midday are worth taking seriously, even in January.
Cabo compared with Mexico's Caribbean coast
Many people choose between Cabo and the Caribbean resorts such as Cancun and Tulum. The two coasts have nearly opposite strengths. Cabo is much drier, especially in winter: January has 1 rainy day in Cabo against 12 in Cancun. The Caribbean side has warmer winter water and warmer nights. If you want reliable sun from December to April, Cabo usually wins. If you want the warmest sea and do not mind a few showers, look at our best time to go to Cancun guide or the wider best time to visit Mexico overview.
What to pack for Cabo
- November to April: summer clothes for the day, plus a light sweater or jacket for evenings, when lows drop to 62F to 67F (17C to 20C). Our what to wear in 70 degree weather guide fits winter evenings well.
- May to October: the lightest clothes you own, plenty of sunscreen, and a refillable water bottle. A rain layer is only worth packing for August and September.
- Boat trips and whale watching: a windbreaker, because it is cooler and windier on the water.
- Beaches: water shoes help on the rockier coves.
How we chose the best time to visit Cabo San Lucas
We used WeatherApex climate data for Cabo San Lucas: daily weather from 2006 to 2025, averaged by month, covering highs, lows, rain, rainy days, sunshine and humidity. Because Cabo is so dry, we weighted heat, humidity and storm risk more than rain. These are typical conditions, not a forecast, and a single tropical storm can make one week very different from the average. See Cabo San Lucas weather by month for every month, or compare dates with the trip planner. For official forecasts and storm warnings, see Mexico's Servicio Meteorológico Nacional.
One last tip: whale watching trips and sunset cruises sell out in February and March, so book them as soon as your flights are confirmed.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to go to Cabo San Lucas?
April is the best month for most travelers. Cabo averages 81.9F (27.7C), no measurable rain, 12.2 hours of sun and 54% humidity, with nights of 67.1F (19.5C). November is a close second at 83.7F (28.7C).
When is whale season in Cabo San Lucas?
Whales are usually seen from about mid-December to mid-April, with January to March often the most reliable. Winter weather is mild, around 77F (25C) by day, with only one rainy day a month.
When is hurricane season in Cabo?
The eastern Pacific hurricane season runs from May 15 to November 30. For Cabo the main risk is usually late August to early October, and September is also the wettest month at 4.3 inches (110 mm).
Is Cabo too hot in summer?
July and August are very hot, with highs of 89.1F and 89.4F (31.7C and 31.9C) and nights near 79F to 80F (26C to 27C). Humidity rises to 72% in August, so it feels hotter than the dry spring heat.
