7 Things Before Moving to Cabo

Hola.

Moving to Cabo is one of the best decisions you can make. We say that because we did it. And because we watch people do it every week, most of them grinning ear to ear about six months in.

But it goes smoother when you know what you are walking into. Here are seven things every expat wishes someone had told them before they made the move.

1. The Visa Situation Is Simpler Than You Think

You do not need to sneak in or overstay a tourist visa. Mexico has a straightforward residency process.

Temporary Resident Visa: Valid for one to four years. Requires proof of income (roughly $2,500/month or $43,000 in savings/investments) or a job offer from a Mexican company. You apply at a Mexican consulate in your home country, then complete the process at the INM (immigration office) once you arrive.

Permanent Resident Visa: No expiration. Higher income threshold (roughly $4,200/month or $175,000 in savings). After four years on a temporary visa, you can also upgrade to permanent.

Tourist Visa (FMM): Good for up to 180 days. Many expats start on tourist visas while they figure things out, then switch to temporary resident status. This works, but do it properly through the legal channels.

The paperwork takes about 30 to 60 days. It is not complicated, but it helps to have a local immigration attorney.

2. Pick Your Neighborhood Carefully

This is the single biggest factor in whether you love Cabo or feel like something is off. Each neighborhood has a completely different personality.

Pedregal is established luxury on the Pacific cliffs. Tezal is the affordable, practical choice near town. The Corridor is resort-style living between the two towns. Palmilla is quiet elegance on the swimmable side. Quivira and Diamante are Pacific-side golf communities. Querencia is the mountain retreat with organic farms and community dinners.

Read the full neighborhood breakdown at cabo.la/blog/cabo-real-estate-neighborhoods-guide.

3. Your Spanish Does Not Need to Be Perfect

Los Cabos is one of the most bilingual regions in Mexico. Most people in the service industry, healthcare, real estate, and hospitality speak English. You can get by with zero Spanish.

But here is our advice: learn it anyway. Even basic conversational Spanish transforms your experience. You connect with locals differently. You negotiate better at the mercado. You understand the culture on a deeper level.

Duolingo gets you started. A local tutor (about $15 to $20/hour) gets you conversational within a few months.

4. Healthcare Is Excellent (and Affordable)

This surprises every new expat. Private healthcare in Los Cabos is high quality and shockingly affordable.

A doctor's visit runs $40 to $80 USD. Dental cleanings cost about $50. An MRI is around $250. Prescription medications are often available without a prescription and cost a fraction of US prices.

For major procedures, many expats travel to Guadalajara or Mexico City where the hospital infrastructure is even more advanced. But for day-to-day healthcare, Los Cabos has you covered.

Many expats carry a combination of Mexican private insurance (like GNP or AXA) and a global policy for emergencies.

5. The Cost of Living Has a Range

You can live in Cabo for $2,500/month or $15,000/month. It depends entirely on your lifestyle.

Budget-conscious: A one-bedroom apartment in Tezal ($800/month), cooking at home with mercado groceries ($400/month), a used car, and occasional dinners out. Total: $2,500 to $3,500.

Comfortable: A two-bedroom condo in the Corridor ($2,000/month), eating out several times a week, a gym membership, and regular activities. Total: $5,000 to $7,000.

Luxury: A villa in Pedregal ($5,000+/month), private chef occasionally, yacht days, country club membership. Total: $10,000+.

The beauty of Cabo is that you can mix and match. Eat street tacos for lunch and have a five-star dinner.

6. Driving Is Different (But You Get Used to It)

The roads in Los Cabos are mostly good, especially the main highway between Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo. But there are a few things to know.

Topes (speed bumps) are everywhere and often unmarked. Hit one at speed and you will feel it in your spine. Roundabouts are common and operate on a "whoever is boldest goes first" system. Street signs are optional in some neighborhoods.

Most expats buy a car locally. A reliable used car costs $8,000 to $15,000 USD. Registration and insurance are straightforward. You can drive on a US or Canadian license for six months, then you will need a Mexican license (easy process).

7. The Expat Community Is Your Secret Weapon

The Los Cabos expat community is one of the most welcoming in Mexico. There are Facebook groups, WhatsApp chats, weekly meetups, and organizations that help new arrivals get settled.

People share recommendations for doctors, mechanics, attorneys, and contractors. They warn each other about scams. They throw parties. It is a genuinely supportive network, and tapping into it early makes everything easier.

Our concierge team also helps new residents get established. From finding the right neighborhood to connecting you with immigration attorneys and healthcare providers, we are here for the long haul.

Reach out at cabo.la/luxury-concierge.

Browse properties at cabo.la/real-estate.

Read why people are making the move at cabo.la/blog/reasons-people-moving-to-cabo-2026.

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