Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, is an appealing tourist destination known for its beautiful beaches, vibrant nightlife, and wide array of activities. But is it safe to visit in 2023? In this article, we will examine its current travel advisory level as well as news from its surroundings as well as safety tips to keep tourists safe when exploring this stunning destination.
Contents
1. Introduction
Cabo San Lucas (or simply Cabo) is a resort city on the southern end of Baja California Peninsula in Baja California Sur in Mexico, known for its stunning combination of desert, sea and mountains – with local flavors coming alive! Hike to Canyon of the Fox waterfall for some outdoor adventure; take a dip in El Chorro hot springs; explore marine life at Cabo Pulmo; then venture downtown for Bajan specialties such as chocolate clams, fresh seafood tostadas and irresistibly good fish tacos!
Cabo is known for its casual yet vibrant nightlife scene, boasting numerous bars, clubs, and restaurants to suit any mood or taste imaginable. Dance the night away by the beach while sipping margaritas or enjoy romantic dinners a la carte… you will find all this and more here in Cabo!
But with so many attractions and amenities to explore, is Cabo San Lucas safe for tourists? Let’s find out.
2. Overview of Cabo San Lucas as a Tourist Destination
Cabo San Lucas is one of the top tourist spots in Mexico, drawing millions of visitors each year from all around the globe. According to Tripadvisor’s rankings for 2022, Cabo San Lucas ranked 8th most popular destination within Mexico while receiving the Travelers’ Choice Award as recognition of excellence based on traveler reviews and ratings.
One of the main draws of Cabo is its affordability. In comparison to other beach resorts in Mexico such as Cancun or Playa del Carmen, Cabo provides more value for your money with budget hostels, hotels and villas to luxury resorts and villas ranging in budget and luxury options available for stay. In addition to these accommodations options, many activities and attractions like swimming, snorkeling, surfing, hiking and sightseeing are free or at low costs – perfect for leisurely vacations in Cabo!
Cabo’s proximity to the United States also adds appeal; just a short flight away from major U.S. cities such as Los Angeles, San Diego, Phoenix, Dallas Houston and Denver makes travel simple for Americans looking for weekend or longer vacation escapes in Cabo.
3. But what does the U.S. government say about visiting Cabo? Is it safe for U.S. citizens to travel there?
Explanation of the State Department’s travel advisory levels
The U.S. Department of State issues travel advisories for every country in the world, based on four levels of risk:
- Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions
- Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
- Level 3: Reconsider Travel
- Level 4: Do Not Travel
Crime, terrorism, civil unrest, health risks, natural disasters and other potential dangers all play an integral role. Travel advisories provide specific advice for each destination they cover.
4. So, what is the current travel advisory level for Cabo San Lucas?
Current travel advisory level for Cabo San Lucas
As of June 7th 2023, the U.S. Department of State issued a Level 2 travel advisory due to crime and kidnapping risks throughout Mexico, though this warning does not apply uniformly across its states; some have higher risk levels than others.
Baja California Sur, where Cabo San Lucas can be found, has an advisory level of Level 1: Exercise normal precautions. This indicates there are no significant safety or security issues which would prevent travelers from visiting this state.
However, the travel advisory cautions travelers against venturing beyond tourist areas due to an increase in criminal activity such as robbery, carjacking and homicide that could occur in some parts of Baja California Sur.
Information on the absence of travel restrictions for U.S. government employees
Cabo San Lucas is another safe destination for tourists as evidenced by its lack of travel restrictions for U.S. government employees. When the Department of State considers a destination too dangerous or unstable, travel restrictions are placed upon its personnel limiting or prohibiting their movements to certain regions within a country.
Due to high levels of violence and crime in Mexico, the U.S. Department of State has placed travel restrictions on some states – Colima, Guerrero Michoacan Sinaloa Tamaulipas. There are no travel restrictions placed upon Baja California Sur, which means U.S. government employees can freely visit Cabo San Lucas or any other part of its boundaries.
This indicates that Cabo San Lucas is relatively safe compared to other parts of Mexico and that the U.S. government does not consider it as an high-risk destination for its personnel.
Latest Updates/News from Los Cabos
To gain an accurate grasp on how safe Cabo San Lucas is in 2023, it can also be beneficial to look at recent news from Los Cabos (comprising Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo): Here are a few headlines and events which took place within this municipality:
- May 26: Los Cabos Tourism Board announced on May 26 the launch of a digital tourist service directory to ensure visitor safety. This platform provides information and contact details of various tourist services in Los Cabos region such as hotels,restaurants,tours,transportation and medical facilities that meet health and safety protocols and standards. It aims to help visitors quickly locate reliable certified services.
- March 17: Los Cabos Municipal President, Enrique Peafloria reported traffic congestion had increased significantly due to increased tourist and resident arrivals, and announced plans to improve road infrastructure and mobility by expanding highways, building bridges and tunnels, creating bike lanes and pedestrian paths, among other strategies.
- April 20:Los Cabos Tourism Board reported an impressive surge in tourist numbers and popularity of their region during the first quarter of 2023 – up 25% year over year from 2022! Los Cabos was also listed as second most popular Mexican destination among international visitors after Cancun.
These updates and news demonstrate that Cabo San Lucas is a thriving tourist destination that continues to improve its services and infrastructure to meet the expectations and meet needs of its visitors. They also demonstrate that Cabo San Lucas does not currently face any major security or health concerns which would discourage tourists from visiting.
5. Safety Tips for Tourists in Cabo
While Cabo San Lucas is generally safe for tourists, it is still wise to exercise proper precaution and common sense while traveling there. Here are a few safety tips for visitors looking forward to enjoying Cabo without incident:
- Avoid traveling alone at night or in unfamiliar areas, especially at times of the year. Travel in groups whenever possible and remain in well-lit, populated locations for maximum safety.
- Avoid showing off signs of wealth by wearing flashy jewelry, carrying large sums of cash or using flashy gadgets that display wealth. Keep all valuables out of sight or secure them at home.
- Avoid engaging in illegal activities, such as purchasing or using drugs, gambling illegally or soliciting prostitution. Such activities could put you in dangerous situations and legal ramifications may follow.
- Avoid drinking too much alcohol or accepting drinks from strangers; alcohol can impair your judgment and put you more at risk of scams, theft and assault. Drink responsibly and always monitor the level of alcohol in your system.
- Avoid engaging in arguments or fights with locals or fellow tourists, if any hostilities arise, defuse the situation immediately or walk away. Violence is rare in Cabo but it is best to avoid unnecessary hassle as much as possible.
- Staying alert and aware of your surroundings is essential to keeping safe. Be wary of any signs of danger or suspicious activity in the vicinity, as well as reporting incidents or emergencies to local authorities and hotel staff immediately.
6. Recommendations for exercising reasonable caution
While Cabo is generally safe for tourists, it is still wise to take reasonable precautions. These measures include using only legal transportation services, avoiding less populated areas especially at nighttime and staying informed on local news updates and happenings.
7. Conclusion
In summary, although the U.S. State Department advises travelers to exercise increased caution when traveling to Cabo San Lucas due to crime issues, most tourists find the city generally safe for tourism. Local government has made active efforts to address fake transport services and traffic congestion issues so as to maximize tourist safety and convenience; nonetheless it remains important for visitors to remain aware of their surroundings and exercise reasonable caution while visiting Cabo San Lucas.
Here are some recommendations for exercising reasonable caution while still making the most of your Cabo experience:
- Explore Cabo’s natural wonders and attractions, such as El Arco, Medano Beach, Playa del Amor, Divorce Beach, Whale Watch Cabo, Church of Saint Luke, Chileno Beach, Mt. Solmar, and Marina Cabo San Lucas. These places are safe and accessible for tourists, and offer stunning views and experiences.
- Try the local
FAQ
What is nicer Cancun or Cabo?
Ultimately, choosing between Cancun and Cabo San Lucas depends on personal preference. Both destinations boast gorgeous beaches and various activities to keep guests busy; Cabo is known for its desert landscape, luxury resorts and water sports while Cancun boasts turquoise waters, rich Mayan history and lively nightlife – for water enthusiasts Cancun may be ideal with its proximity to Mesoamerican Reef providing snorkeling/scuba diving opportunities while Cabo might appeal more with its laid-back luxury and laid-back vibe – both destinations have their unique charm and draws so as both should remain.
Is it safe to go on a cruise to Mexico right now 2023?
Unfortunately, my knowledge cutoff occurred in September 2021 and so I cannot offer up-to-date advice. Cruise safety typically depends on current COVID-19 conditions as well as any specific protocols or health measures implemented by each cruise line; to get accurate updates regarding their policies it would be wise to contact each individual cruise line directly for updates and policies regarding cruise trips to Mexico.
Is it safe to go to Mexico right now?
My knowledge cutoff for safety in Mexico as of September 2021 may differ by region; therefore it is wise to check the latest travel advisories issued by either the U.S. State Department or your local government for up-to-date information.
What to wear in Cabo San Lucas at night?
Cabo San Lucas offers a casual yet chic dress code in the evenings. Given the hot climate, light clothing such as sundresses or nice tops with jeans may be appropriate; men could opt for shorts and casual shirts instead. However, for higher-end restaurants or nightclubs you may wish to dress more formally.