San José del Cabo
San José del Cabo is a small town with a historic plaza, a mission church and art galleries, and it moves more slowly than neighboring Cabo San Lucas.
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San José del Cabo is a town at the southern tip of Baja California Sur, Mexico, and part of the Los Cabos area. Its historic center grows around a plaza and the Misión San José del Cabo Añuití, founded by Jesuits in 1730, and its streets hold several art galleries and restaurants. Cabo San Lucas, about 30 minutes away by car, is the livelier resort town. Los Cabos International Airport sits between the two towns. Choose San José for a walkable center, calmer hotel zone beaches and access to whale watching and surf.
Winter and spring are the best months: the weather is dry and whales are often offshore. Summer is hot, and late summer and early fall carry hurricane risk, so check forecasts before booking. Plan two to three days in town and add a day for Todos Santos, an art town about an hour north.
San José del Cabo in five
- Choose San José for calm over partyThe historic center has galleries and restaurants, while Cabo San Lucas has the marina bars and nightlife. San José is the better fit if you want quiet nights and an easier airport run.Cabo San Lucas
- Check beach safety before you swimMany Los Cabos beaches have strong currents and shorebreak, especially on the Pacific side. Swim only at beaches locals call safe and obey flags and lifeguards.
- Plan whale watching for winterHumpback and gray whales visit Baja waters in the cooler months, roughly December to April. Book small-boat operators that follow distance rules and avoid crowding.
- Read rental car terms before you bookA rock-bottom online rate often omits the mandatory Mexican liability insurance, and the desk price can jump. Compare the all-in total, and photograph the car before you drive off.Rental cars
- Add Todos Santos or Cabo PulmoTodos Santos is an artsy town on the Pacific side, and Cabo Pulmo is a reef reserve to the northeast. Each is a long day or an overnight from San José.Todos Santos
Things to do in San José del Cabo
See all attractions in San José del Cabo
Need to know
- Airport
- Los Cabos (SJD), about 15 to 20 min north of town
- Getting there
- Direct flights; taxi, shuttle or rental car from the airport
- Getting around
- Taxis, rental cars and walking in the center
- Best base
- The historic center or the hotel zone on the beach
- Time needed
- 3 to 5 days
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryClear1 rainy dayHigh25°Low16°Dry, whalesJanuaryClear
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 4 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, whales
- FebruaryClear1 rainy dayHigh26°Low16°Dry, whalesFebruaryClear
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 7 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, whales
- MarchClear0 rainy daysHigh28°Low17°Dry, warmMarchClear
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 1 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, warm
- AprilClear0 rainy daysHigh29°Low19°Dry, hotAprilClear
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 0 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, hot
- MayClear0 rainy daysHigh31°Low22°Hot, dryMayClear
Good
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 9 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, dry
- JuneClear1 rainy dayHigh32°Low25°Very hotJuneClear
Good
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 21 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Very hot
- JulyClear5 rainy daysHigh34°Low27°Hot, stormsJulyClear
Mixed
- High
- 34°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 24 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, storms
- AugustPartly cloudy11 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh33°Low26°Hot, stormsAugustPartly cloudy
Poor
- High
- 33°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 131 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Hot, storms
- SeptemberPartly cloudy9 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh32°Low25°Hurricane riskSeptemberPartly cloudy
Poor
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 137 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Hurricane risk
- OctoberClear4 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh32°Low23°Hurricane riskOctoberClear
Mixed
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 52 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Hurricane risk
- NovemberClear1 rainy dayHigh29°Low20°Dry returnsNovemberClear
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 20 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry returns
- DecemberClear1 rainy dayHigh27°Low17°Dry, holidaysDecemberClear
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 8 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, holidays
Average daily high and low in San José del Cabo, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in San José del Cabo
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
31
- Feels like
- 34°
- Humidity
- 54%
- Wind
- 5 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
San José del Cabo
04:31 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today32°22°0%Monday: Cloudy. High 32°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue29°23°2%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 29°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Wed30°22°0%Wednesday: Fog. High 30°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu30°18°0%Thursday: Clear. High 30°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri30°20°0%Friday: Cloudy. High 30°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sat30°19°27%Saturday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 27%.
- Sun31°19°14%Sunday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 14%.
Updated 02:51 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 18.81 MXN
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Cabo San Lucasabout 30 min by carThe marina, the arch at Land's End and boat trips.Read the guide
- Todos Santosabout 1.5 to 2 hours by carAn art and surf town on the Pacific side, with a historic plaza.Read the guide
- Cabo Pulmoabout 1.5 to 2 hours by carA protected coral reef for snorkelers and divers.Read the guide
Before you go to San José del Cabo
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Rules for San José del Cabo, checked
- Find out whether you need a visa for Mexico. Some nationalities need one; others receive a tourist permit (FMM) from immigration on arrival. Confirm entry rules at gob.mx/sre before you book.Source
- Declare cash above the legal limit on the customs form at arrival or departure. Confirm the current amount with Mexican customs (SAT) before you travel.Source
- Dial 911 for police, fire or an ambulance anywhere in Mexico.
- Tipping waiters and taxi drivers is customary. Check the bill first, since some restaurants add a service charge.
Plan around San José del Cabo
Beaches, colonial cities, ruins and highlands
Read the guideCabo San LucasThe marina, arch and nightlife 30 minutes west
Read the guideTodos SantosAn art town on the Pacific side
Read the guideCabo PulmoA protected reef for snorkeling and diving
Read the guideSouthern BajaBeaches, mountains and desert coasts
Read the guideGetting around MexicoTaxis, rental cars and buses
Read the guideSan José del Cabo FAQ
Is San José del Cabo better than Cabo San Lucas?
For quieter evenings, galleries and an easier airport run, yes. Cabo San Lucas has more nightlife, boat tours and a busier marina. They are about 30 minutes apart, so many travelers stay in one and visit the other.
How far is San José del Cabo from the airport?
About 15 to 20 minutes by taxi or shuttle. Cabo San Lucas is farther, roughly 40 minutes, so San José is the easier base for late arrivals.
Can you swim at beaches near San José del Cabo?
Some, but not all. Many beaches have strong currents, so choose beaches that locals and lifeguards call safe, check flags and stay near others.
When is the best time to visit San José del Cabo?
November to April for dry, warm days and whale watching. Summer is very hot with storms, and late summer to early autumn carries hurricane risk, though prices are lower.
How many days do you need in San José del Cabo?
Three to five days covers the plaza, a beach or two, a boat trip and one longer outing such as Todos Santos. Add days for Cabo Pulmo or a rental-car loop.