Los Cabos Safety & Preparing For Your Trip
Cabo San Lucas is one of the most popular Mexico vacation destinations. With miles of white beaches, sand dunes, and a superb restaurant scene to explore, it’s beloved by U.S. vacationers. However, while you should go on vacation to Los Cabos to relax and enjoy yourself, you should also go armed with safety tips for yourself, your family, and your possessions.
These tips apply to any place you choose to go, not just Los Cabos, and will help you keep your vacation stress-free. When looking online about safety in Los Cabos, travelers often have several key concerns. Typically these always surge in popularity after a large fearful event in Mexico. Recently two young women were drugged in Cancun in early August 2024. Because it mentioned “Mexico” and “drugged” many people don’t read through and just result to a deeper search, or in relation to a future trip in Cabo. Not so much.
Here are the top five common questions users ask in Google
– Is Los Cabos safe for tourists? Many want to know about the overall safety for visitors, including the likelihood of encountering crime.
– What precautions should I take while visiting Los Cabos? People often seek advice on how to stay safe, from avoiding certain areas to being cautious with personal belongings.
– Are there any health risks in Los Cabos? Concerns about health safety, including water quality and potential diseases, frequently arise.
– How do I deal with local emergency services in Los Cabos? Travelers often need information on how to contact local authorities and emergency services in case of an incident.
– What are the safest areas to stay in Los Cabos? Recommendations for hotels or neighborhoods known for their safety are commonly sought to ensure a worry-free stay.
Always Keep Your Valuables Close
Petty crime is common in all tourist areas, so you should always make sure your phone, wallet, and passport are kept in an inner pocket, either in your clothing or your backpack/handbag. Pickpockets are very skillful at what they do, so if your wallet is within easy reach in the back pocket of your jeans, you’re highly likely to have it stolen. Also, avoid bringing your valuables to the beach. Leave them in the hotel safe or at least inside the hotel room. Unless you can take turns watching your stuff, don’t chance it.
Lock Your Car
This again applies to anywhere you go (and most likely to where you live too). Even if you’re popping out to get cash from the ATM or pump some gas, keep your car locked when you’re not in it (and even when you’re in it).
Take Care at Night
Most well-lit, crowded tourist towns are safe at night, so you shouldn’t worry. However, there are a few basic rules that will help you keep safe, especially if you’re out on your own. If your resort is out of town, make sure you take a taxi or Uber/Lyft back in the evening rather than walking.
Be Careful When Swimming
For many people, popular destinations like Los Cabos are all about swimming in the beautiful sea. However, not all Los Cabos locations are safe for swimming. That’s because of strong currents in the Sea of Cortez. Always make sure you swim at beaches that are designated as safe for swimming with a blue flag, have a lifeguard, and have proper buoy markings that tell you how far out you can swim.
You should also be aware that there are jellyfish in Mexican waters. While some jellyfish stings will give you nothing but a painful burn, some can cause severe allergic reactions requiring a trip to the emergency room. If you see any jellyfish while swimming, get away and out of the water. If you are stung, rinse with fresh water and seek medical help immediately.
Protect Yourself From the Sun
Another reason some many holiday-makers love locations like Los Cabos is the guaranteed sunshine. If you’re from a location where winters can feel never-ending, you will want to soak up those rays, and that’s understandable. Try not to overdo it: wear a hat and plenty of sunscreen and keep out of the sun completely during the hottest hours of the day, between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Stay hydrated — water is the best bet — as you may be so focused on relaxing that you don’t notice the effects of the sun and the heat on your body.
U.S. State Department Guidance When Traveling to Mexico
Los Cabos is located in Baja California Sur. The U.S. Department of State currently advises to “exercise increased caution when traveling” to this state “due to crime.” This shouldn’t be read as too worrying because as far as travel advice goes, it’s only one degree up from places where the Department recommends exercising “normal caution.” Reassuringly, the State Department doesn’t advise against traveling to Baja California Sur or even urge travelers to reconsider their plans to travel there.
To give you further reassurance, the State Department issued the same level of caution (Level 2) for countries like France, Belgium, and Germany — all safe countries for traveling. Just remember: crime is common everywhere; as long as you’re sensible, you’ll be fine.
Is Cabo Safe To Visit in 2024?
Absolutely. Los Cabos remains a safe destination for travelers in 2024 and into the near future, as long as you adhere to straightforward, practical precautions. By safeguarding your belongings from petty theft and staying aware of your surroundings, especially on the beaches, you can enjoy a worry-free vacation. Each year, millions visit Los Cabos without incident, experiencing the area’s vibrant culture and stunning scenery. Exercise common sense, stay alert, and you’ll find that Cabo offers an incredible experience filled with memorable moments.
Pure Cabo offers a range of vacation activities in Los Cabos, as well as options to hire a bodyguard if you want extra safety and security on your vacation. Reach out to us with whatever you need and want from your Cabo vacation; we can help.