IsMyTripSafe.com

Is Los Cabos safe? 🇲🇽

Mexico · Safety report last updated

As of July 2026, Los Cabos scores 56/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: mostly — take normal precautions. Exercise a high degree of caution when traveling to Los Cabos, Mexico. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and robbery (moderate risk).

Safety Report

IsMyTripSafe.com

Los Cabos 🇲🇽

Mexico · Assessed 29 July 2026

56

/ 100

Mostly — take normal precautions

Safer than ~50% of countries

What drives this score

Crime52/100CautionHomicide 24.9 / 100k
Sentiment63/100FairMixed
Advisories72Good
Stability57Fair
Health75Good

01 · Official Guidance

Advisories

Good

UK Foreign Office (FCDO)

Level 3

Advises against all-but-essential travel to parts

Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). Areas where FCDO advises against all but essential travel State of Baja California FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the city of Tijuana, except: airside transit through Tijuana airport the Cross Border Xpress bridge from the airport linking terminals across the Mexican-US border the federal toll road 1D and Via Rápida through Tijuana to the border FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the city of Tecate in Baja California, including roads between Tijuana and Tecate.

Updated 2026-07-23T16:13:10Z

Full advisory →

Government of Canada

Level 2

Exercise a high degree of caution (with regional advisories)

Canada's official risk level for Mexico: exercise a high degree of caution (with regional advisories).

Updated 2026-07-29T14:31:46.2003107-04:00

Full advisory →

02 · Evidence Signals

Crime

Caution

Mugging & robbery risk

Moderate risk
70

City SignalCity Web Research

Pickpocketing & theft risk

Moderate risk
70

City SignalCity Web Research

Visitor safety sentiment

55 / 100 (Mixed)
55

City SignalCity Web Research

Homicide rate

24.9 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3Mexico24.9South Africa43.7
21

Country BaselineWorld Bank Open Data · 2023

Feel safe walking alone after dark

41.3%
37

Country BaselineUN SDG Global Database · 2024

Physical assault (past year)

6.1%
72

Country BaselineUN SDG Global Database · 2024

Robbery / mugging

Moderate

While violent crime is often cartel-related, visitors can be at risk of muggings, especially in less touristy areas or at night.

Pickpocketing

Moderate

Pickpocketing and bag-snatching can occur in crowded tourist spots, markets, and on public transport.

4 more indicators

Sexual violence (past year)

1.6%
81

Country BaselineUN SDG Global Database · 2024

Detected human-trafficking victims

0.06 / 100k
91

Country BaselineUN SDG Global Database · 2024

Bribery during public-official contact

14.0%
69

Country BaselineUN SDG Global Database · 2023

Crime seen as a major business constraint

12.3%
69

Country BaselineWorld Bank Enterprise Surveys · 2010

03 · Environment

Health & Air

Good

Air quality

US AQI 50 · Good

Open-Meteo Air Quality

Hospitals

10 beds / 10k · country avg

WHO Global Health Observatory

Weather

July: highs ~29°C · no weather extremes

Open-Meteo

Road safety

12.0 / 100k

WHO Global Health Observatory

Natural hazards

No active alerts · 1 quake ≥M4.5 past yr
94

Country BaselineGDACS / USGS

CDC travel health notices · 1 for this destination

Watch

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever in Mexico

Worldwide notices (not specific to this trip): Polio, Dengue, Measles

04 · Institutions

Stability

Fair

Political stability & no terrorism

54/100
54

Country BaselineWorld Bank Governance Indicators · 2024

Terrorism deaths (latest year)

0.09 / million
93

Country BaselineGlobal Terrorism Database · 2021

Rule of law

37/100
37

Country BaselineWorld Bank Governance Indicators · 2024

Control of corruption

29/100
29

Country BaselineWorld Bank Governance Indicators · 2024

3 more indicators

Government effectiveness

47/100
47

Country BaselineWorld Bank Governance Indicators · 2024

Regulatory quality

52/100
52

Country BaselineWorld Bank Governance Indicators · 2024

Voice & accountability

51/100
51

Country BaselineWorld Bank Governance Indicators · 2024

05 · Field Research

Current Situation

Moderate

Traveller sentiment score

Mixed

63/100

Reported feel55Mixed
Robbery risk62Moderate risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk

While many travelers continue to visit Los Cabos, recent news and advisories indicate a growing concern regarding safety, particularly due to cartel-related violence in Mexico.

Exercise a high degree of caution when traveling to Los Cabos, Mexico.

While Los Cabos is a popular tourist destination, it experiences significant crime rates, particularly related to organized crime, which can impact visitor safety. Official advisories recommend a high degree of caution, and travelers should be aware of their surroundings and take precautions.

Recent developments

  • Jun 2026U.S. Embassy issued a security alert for San Jose Del Cabo.Travel Off Path
  • Oct 2025Cartel 'narco-banners' threatening Americans were reported in Mexican resorts.FOX 11 Los Angeles
  • Oct 2025Two 'narco-banners' purportedly threatening Americans visiting or living in Mexico were found.BorderReport
  • Feb 2026Los Cabos Tourism reassured travelers following gang violence in Western Mexico.TravelPulse

Common scams

  • Overcharging at taxis or restaurants
  • Distraction theft, especially in crowded tourist areas
Which areas are safe? District-by-district ratings are on the Safety Map

Full briefing

Los Cabos remains a popular tourist destination, but travelers should exercise a high degree of caution due to ongoing safety concerns in Mexico. While the resort areas are generally more secure, the region is not immune to the broader issues of organized crime and violence that affect the country. Official advisories from the UK, Canada, and the U.S. all recommend a high degree of caution, highlighting the need for vigilance.

Recent reports indicate that security alerts have been issued for areas within Los Cabos, such as San Jose Del Cabo, and there have been instances of cartel-related messaging threatening Americans. While these incidents may not directly target tourists, they underscore the volatile environment and the potential for spillover effects. The homicide rate in Mexico is significantly higher than in many developed countries, and while this is often linked to cartel activity, it contributes to an overall climate where visitors need to be more aware of their surroundings.

To mitigate risks, travelers should avoid displaying wealth, stay informed about local conditions, and use reputable transportation. Be particularly cautious in less crowded areas or at night. While pickpocketing and petty theft are concerns in busy tourist zones, the more significant risk for visitors can stem from being in the wrong place at the wrong time, especially if engaging in activities that might attract unwanted attention. It is crucial to rely on official government advisories and local news for the most current safety information.

IsMyTripSafe.com

Not legal or medical advice

Report generated 29 July 2026

Sources: U.S. State Dept · UK FCDO · World Bank · WGI · UNODC · WHO · UN SDG · Global Terrorism Database · Numbeo · OpenStreetMap · Open-Meteo · CDC. Composite index recomputed at request time.

Links:

06 · Neighbourhoods

Safest areas and areas to avoid

7 districts

Our field research rated 7 Los Cabos districts for visitors: 5 safer, 1 needing caution and 1 best avoided. See them plotted on the Los Cabos safety map.

Areas outside the main tourist zonesavoidIncreased risk of crime and less police presence.

Downtown Cabo San LucascautionCan be lively and safe, but exercise caution with petty crime, especially at night.

Cabo San Lucas MarinasaferGenerally safe tourist hub with high security presence.

San Jose del Cabo Historic CentersaferQuieter, more local feel, generally safe during the day.

Tourist Corridor (between Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo)saferResort areas are well-protected and considered safe for visitors.

PedregalsaferExclusive, gated community with high security.

El Medano BeachsaferPopular beach area, busy with tourists and vendors, generally safe.

07 · After Dark

Is Los Cabos safe at night?

41% of people in Mexico say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2024).

While violent crime is often cartel-related, visitors can be at risk of muggings, especially in less touristy areas or at night.

After dark, be most careful around Areas outside the main tourist zones, Downtown Cabo San Lucas. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.

08 · Trip Profiles

Score by traveller type

Who's travelling changes which risks matter. These re-weight Los Cabos's category data for common trip types — same data, different emphasis. Run your own profile from the interactive checker.

Solo female travellerCrime +35% weight55
Solo travellerCrime +23% weight55
Family with kidsCrime +19% weight · Health & Air +12% weight58
Nightlife-focused tripCrime +28% weight55
Travellers 65+Crime +13% weight · Health & Air +16% weight · Stability +4% weight59
Business tripCrime +14% weight · Stability +6% weight56

09 · Questions

Los Cabos safety FAQ

Is Los Cabos safe for tourists right now?

Exercise a high degree of caution when traveling to Los Cabos, Mexico. While Los Cabos is a popular tourist destination, it experiences significant crime rates, particularly related to organized crime, which can impact visitor safety. Official advisories recommend a high degree of caution, and travelers should be aware of their surroundings and take precautions. (Assessed 29 July 2026.)

Which areas of Los Cabos should tourists avoid?

Field research flags Areas outside the main tourist zones as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.

What are the most common scams in Los Cabos?

  • Overcharging at taxis or restaurants
  • Distraction theft, especially in crowded tourist areas

How does Los Cabos compare with other places in Mexico?

Los Cabos ranks #9 of 9 Mexico destinations we've assessed, scoring 56/100. See the Mexico safety overview for the full list.

How is this Los Cabos safety score calculated?

The score blends 11+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry 82% of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries 18%. Full methodology.

More Mexico reports

6 reports

Nearby destinations

4 reports

Similar safety profile

4 reports

Browse the Mexico safety overview or all destinations. Raw data: los-cabos.json (CC BY 4.0).