Cabo San Lucas, Mexico is located in a place that most wouldn’t associate with the country.
It’s actually on that little strip of land to the west of the rest of Mexico, just south of California.
Currently, there are 200,000 residents that call Cabo home, but that number swells dramatically depending on the time of year.
To many, this coastal town is paradise.
As beautiful as the beaches may be, there are still some aspects to look out for.
Take a ride with us through the pros and cons of living in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
Contents
Pros of Living in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
1. Women Feel Safe
Ask any woman you know and she can inform you how unsafe situations are around every corner.
This is true whether you live in a place or are simply a traveler, there’s always an opportunity for danger.
Cabo San Lucas works extra hard to make this a true paradise by employing women in the force and providing more ways to get help.
2. Crime Rates
Since tourism is massively important to the local economy, the city goes above and beyond to keep the area safe.
In fact, it’s one of the safest destinations in the world.
It’s not only the right thing to do, but it makes good business sense.
The crime most likely to take place here is bribery.
3. Non-Smokers
Years of propaganda against tobacco have had a significant impact on this Mexican town.
The attitude in Cabo is quite anti-smoking.
So, having to worry about walking through clouds of smoke is not an issue here.
That’s great news for both locals and visitors.
It also benefits Cabo when it comes to maintenance costs.
A lot fewer cigarette butts to pick up from the roads and beaches is always a perk.
4. Weather
One of the great benefits of living in this proximity to the equator and next to the ocean is the weather.
Similar to the Mediterranean, Cabo San Lucas doesn’t get excessively hot.
Nor does it get snow days.
That’s both positive and negative if you’re a child who wants a free day from school.
Don’t forget, if you get too hot, there’s always the ocean to cool down in.
5. Budget Luxury
The waters and sunsets make you feel like you’re living the life of a billionaire when, in fact, you’re working off a budget.
There are so many fine dining restaurants, local activities, and relaxing beaches that you feel like you’re always on vacation.
Being always able to indulge in a luxurious lifestyle without having to pay big bucks is a massive perk.
After all, sunsets are free!
6. Friendliness
Maybe it’s because the place is so stunning, but the locals are extra friendly.
You never have to worry about not connecting with anyone if you’re new.
Most citizens like to go out of their way to get to know their neighbors and strangers while out shopping.
It’s kind of refreshing to get along so well with people who were strangers five minutes ago and then suddenly they come over to your house.
7. LGBTQ Friendly
Most of Mexico leans in a conservative direction.
Religion is still more popular here than it is stateside, so many Mexicans are uncomfortable with a more progressive way of life.
With that being said, this is how Cabo San Lucas differs from everywhere else, which might be reflective of how many have immigrated here.
Either way, as a member of the LGBTQ community, you can feel comfortable, safe, and ready to party each year for Pride.
8. Internet Speed
This is one instance where being a huge hub for tourism comes in handy.
In order to maintain expectations, the internet has to be kept at a fast pace.
People from all walks of life come to take in the sun and many do so on their laptops.
The speeds for locals are quite fast, especially compared to other parts of Mexico.
This stays the standard throughout the city limits.
Cons of Living in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
1. Rainy Season
Much of the year feels great, as previously mentioned.
However, all good things must come to an end at some point, right?
That time of year is August and September.
The sucky aspect of that is this period of time is when many Americans want to be on vacation, especially that first weekend of September for Labor Day.
But it just so happens to be when it’s the grossest outside.
2. Tap Water
The Sex and The City movie shows one of the main characters actively avoiding drinking the water when she was in a city next door to Cabo San Lucas.
When she accidentally lets down her guard in the shower and gets running water in her mouth, it proves to be a bowel disaster.
Unfortunately, that’s not too far off from reality.
It is not recommended to drink water that hasn’t been filtered.
Also, ask about the ice cubes before you get them in your drink.
3. Tropical Storms
Another year, another tropical storm.
Such is life when you live by the ocean.
There has to be some trade-off to enjoying such unadulterated beauty, right?
Well, as far as coastal cities go, Cabo does get off better than many others.
That’s because hurricanes don’t really touch down on the land here.
While that is one less thing to worry about, it is important to be extra prepared for any damage brought on by the expected tropical storms.
4. Censorship
Technically, Mexico has laws in place that protect the right to free speech by citizens and the press.
However, that’s not really the case.
The government has tight control over what the media is allowed to say, causing many journalists to be extremely careful about what they’re reporting on.
To avoid a paper trail, the tactic to keep people in line is intimidation.
It’s best to self-censor when posting from Cabo San Lucas.
5. Health Care
City officials want people to come and spend their money here, but not to get hurt here.
The health care standards are pretty low, especially considering how many tourists blow through regularly.
A lot of the problems are that the equipment is extremely outdated and the medical professionals don’t have the training and overall experience compared to many other parts of the world.
Whether you are a permanent fixture or here temporarily, it may behoove you to get additional insurance.
6. Education
Unfortunately for the kids growing up in Cabo, not a lot of the wealth that streams in from tourism actually goes where it needs to go, like schools.
Overall, the students consistently score below the national average for all grades.
Without enough parents making a fuss, it doesn’t look like this situation is going to change any time soon.
The bar has been low for so many years now.
7. Traffic
As one might expect, traffic is a real mood killer in Cabo.
Between the tourists and slow drivers, it can be a massive pain trying to get anywhere.
Even if you know the city like the back of your hand, it’s hard to get around it.
Leave the house extra early no matter where you’re headed.
It is the only way to be just a little bit late.
At least no one is likely to call you out for it.
8. Red Light District
Adults should be free to do whatever they want.
The red light district isn’t a negative because of legal prostitution.
It’s on this part of the list because of what prostitution attracts, unfortunately.
That’s both worrisome for the women involved in the practice and the people who are in the area.
The crime rate increases, which is detrimental to the prostitute’s income and safety.
Pros and Cons of Living in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico – Summary Table
| Pros of Living in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico | Cons of Living in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico |
|---|---|
| 1. Women Feel Safe | 1. Rainy Season |
| 2. Crime Rates | 2. Tap Water |
| 3. Non-Smokers | 3. Tropical Storms |
| 4. Weather | 4. Censorship |
| 5. Budget Luxury | 5. Health Care |
| 6. Friendliness | 6. Education |
| 7. LGBTQ Friendly | 7. Traffic |
| 8. Internet Speed | 8. Red Light District |
Cabo San Lucas Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Cabo San Lucas Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: HIGH
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW
- MUGGING RISK: LOW
- TERRORISM RISK: LOW
- SCAMS RISK: HIGH
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Frequently Asked Questions
Where should you avoid going in Cabo?
If you live here, you know that the majority of the city is pretty comfortable to be in.
If you’re a tourist, it’s best to stay in areas that are big on tourism and groups of people.
Unfortunately, there are drug cartels on the outskirts of the city, the parts furthest inland.
Overwhelmingly, these groups do not approach tourist areas, but locals should stay vigilant if they live in that direction.
Is it possible to live in Cabo for $1,000 a month?
Many citizens live successfully on that and less.
It all has to do with what your lifestyle is and where you choose to live while you’re here.
It’s entirely possible to live on less and still live comfortably.
Of course, avoiding inflation also would be nice.
Can Americans buy property in Mexico?
Yes, but not just anywhere.
There are restricted zones in conjunction with the shoreline and country borders.
Any foreigner who holds a deed to property has the same rights as Mexican citizens.
What's the average cost of a home in Cabo San Lucas?
The average cost of what would be considered a luxury home is $3,000,000 and a regular house would be around $300,000.
Depending on what you’re looking for, that’s quite a massive range to choose from.
Pick your location wisely through research.
Is it smart financially to retire in Cabo?
Due to the fact that the city gets so many American tourists, much of the area is English speaking.
That means a retiree can move to Mexico and not be fluent in Spanish.
That doesn’t mean they don’t or shouldn’t learn, it just makes the transition easier.
Financially, money stretches further, so it makes Cabo an attractive destination for those looking to retire outside the US.
With a warm climate year-round. Cabo is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. You can enjoy activities like snorkeling, surfing hiking, and fishing.
What are differences between choosing Cabo vs playa del Carmen????
Living in Cabo San Lucas is like being on a permanent vacation with its stunning beaches, friendly locals and budget luxury lifestyle; however, the rainy season can be quite intense and issues such as censorship, low healthcare standards and traffic congestion are hard to ignore.