Cabo Health and Safety Tips: Water, Sun, Beaches, Taxis and Getting Sick

Cabo is an easy place to stay healthy if you know the handful of things that trip visitors up. Most of them are boring: water, sun, the wrong beach, a taxi fare you did not agree on first. We live here, so this is the list we send friends before they land. Nothing dramatic, just the stuff that keeps a good trip good.

Water and food

Drink bottled or purified water. That includes what you brush your teeth with if you have a sensitive stomach. Restaurants and bars in the tourist zones generally use purified ice, but if you are unsure, ask. Street food is one of the best parts of Baja, so do not skip it, just use judgment: busy stands with high turnover are your friend, and a bottle of hand sanitizer in your bag before you eat is the single cheapest health tip we know.

Sun and heat

The sun here is stronger than it feels, especially when there is a breeze off the water. Reapply sunscreen, wear a hat, and drink more water than you think you need. In summer, June through September, temperatures can reach 85 to 95°F with real humidity, and that is when hydration and shade stop being optional. Peak season, November through April, runs a much friendlier 75 to 85°F. If you are out on a boat or an ATV, take water with you.

Beaches: know which side you are on

This is the one that matters most. Los Cabos has two coasts. The Sea of Cortez side, including Medano Beach in Cabo San Lucas, is where you swim. The Pacific side is beautiful and is not for swimming. Even wading can be dangerous there because of rogue waves and strong undertows. Look for the warning flags on any beach and respect them. Rip currents do not care how good a swimmer you are. Ocean conditions are calmest from November to April; summer brings a higher chance of tropical weather and rougher water.

Getting around

Taxis are common and generally fine. The one rule: confirm the price with the driver before you get in, especially for longer rides or late at night. That avoids the awkward conversation at the other end. Keep a small amount of pesos on you for tips and small purchases, and keep your main cash and cards somewhere secure. A few words of Spanish, gracias and por favor at minimum, go a long way.

Nights out

Cabo's nightlife is generally safe for tourists. The habits that keep it that way are the same as anywhere: plan your ride home before you go out, stay aware of your surroundings, drink responsibly, and keep your group together. Tell someone where you are going. If you are here for Spring Break, which runs from early March through mid-April, expect big crowds and plan a little more carefully.

For women traveling solo or in small groups

Cabo is generally very safe for women, particularly in the main tourist zones, resorts and gated communities. Carry a fully charged phone with important numbers saved, including your concierge or hotel and emergency services, and think about a portable charger for long days out. Use reputable transportation and the same common-sense precautions you would use at home.

On the water

Whale watching runs December through April and is one of the best things you can do here. Choose a certified operator, follow the crew's instructions, and expect the boat to keep a legal distance from the animals. Early morning trips have smoother water and fewer boats, which is better for your stomach and for the whales. Wear a life vest when the crew hands you one.

If you get sick

Most visitor illness here is a stomach bug or too much sun, and both pass in a day or two with rest, fluids and shade. Pharmacies are easy to find in both Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo, and many resorts and hotels can call a doctor to you. For anything serious, there are private hospitals in Los Cabos. Bring any prescription medication you need in its original packaging, and check that your travel insurance covers medical care abroad before you fly.

Before you go

• Pack: sunscreen, a hat, hand sanitizer, a refillable bottle, a portable charger, and any prescriptions.
• Save: your hotel or concierge number and the local emergency number in your phone.
• Swim: on the Sea of Cortez side only, and read the flags.
• Taxis: agree the fare first.
• Summer: June through September is hot, humid and technically hurricane season. Watch the forecast.

Cabo does not need you to be nervous, just a little prepared. When you are ready to book a boat or a desert day, every trip on our adventures in Cabo page is with an operator we work with.