Cabo San Lucas in the Off-Season: Is It Actually Worth Visiting?

Fewer Crowds, More Vacation

One of the first things I noticed during my off-season visit was how much quieter everything felt. There was room to stretch out beside the pool, lounge chairs were easier to find, and the resort moved at a more relaxed pace.

If you picture Cabo as nonstop nightlife and busy beaches, you might be surprised by a stay like this. I enjoyed having the freedom to slow down without feeling like I was missing something.

Where I Stayed: Solmar Resort

I stayed at Solmar Resort in Cabo San Lucas—not the similarly named Grand Solmar property. Its location near the Pacific shoreline offers dramatic scenery and convenient access to the resort experience, but it also comes with a few practical considerations.

An Unexpected Suite Upgrade

I'd booked a standard room and was pleasantly surprised to receive a much larger suite. It had a separate sitting area, a dining table, a kitchenette with a full-size refrigerator, a king bed, two bathrooms—including one with a jacuzzi—and two balconies with pool views and a partial ocean view.

I can't say why the upgrade was offered. Lower occupancy may have played a part, but that's only a possibility, not a guarantee for future visitors.

Was the All-Inclusive Package Worth It?

During my stay, the resort offered an all-inclusive option for a little over 1,100 Mexican pesos per person, per day. That was the price presented to me at the time, not a current rate or a promise of what you'll pay.

I chose the package largely for convenience. Leaving the property to find other restaurants or groceries wasn't especially practical for the type of visit I wanted, and the quieter season meant fewer dining options were operating at the resort.

For anyone considering all-inclusive, I'd compare the daily price with how much you actually expect to eat at the resort. Check which restaurants, meals, drinks, and services are included before deciding.

Cabo San Lucas Weather: What to Expect Year-Round

Los Cabos can be visited throughout the year, but season matters. This quick seasonal guide is more useful for planning than treating one sunny day as the whole climate story.

The official eastern Pacific hurricane season runs from May 15 to November 30. Tropical cyclones can occasionally occur outside that period, and conditions can differ from long-term seasonal patterns. See the National Hurricane Center's climatology for details.

Best time? I'd lean toward winter or early spring if pleasant sightseeing weather is your priority. If you're comfortable with heat, want a slower resort stay, and can accept greater weather uncertainty, the warmer season may suit you better.

The Beach Is Beautiful—But Is It Safe to Swim?

The beach near Solmar was one of the most photogenic parts of my visit: wide sand, enormous rocks, and powerful Pacific waves. But there is an important distinction between a beautiful beach and a swimmable one.

Solmar Beach is not a swimming beach, regardless of the season. Strong shore break, undertow, and currents make entering the water dangerous. I photographed a black flag with a crossed-out swimmer during my visit. Do not take calm-looking moments as permission to go in.

If swimming is essential to your trip, choose an appropriately designated swimming beach and follow the local flags and lifeguard guidance. You can still enjoy Solmar for its scenery—from a safe distance from the surf.

How to Get to Cabo San Lucas

By plane

Most international visitors arrive through Los Cabos International Airport (SJD), near San José del Cabo. From there, Cabo San Lucas is usually around a 40–60 minute drive, depending on traffic and where you're staying. Airline routes and schedules change by season, so check the connections available from your departure city.

Airport to your resort

Compare a shared shuttle, private transfer, authorized taxi, or rental car. A shared shuttle may cost less for a solo traveller, while a private transfer can be convenient for a couple or group with luggage. Confirm the pickup instructions and full price before arriving.

Getting around Los Cabos

Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo are different towns, connected by the Tourist Corridor. Depending on your plans, you may use taxis, a private driver, public transportation, or a rental car. If most of your vacation will be beside the pool, you may not need a rental car at all.

By cruise ship

Cabo is also a popular cruise port, with ships commonly anchoring offshore and passengers taking tender boats to the marina. Check the specific arrangements for your sailing. I've visited Cabo as a cruise guest too, but a port day is a different experience from several nights at a resort.

For current visitor transportation guidance, consult the Los Cabos Tourism Board.

Deep-Sea Fishing in Cabo San Lucas

Cabo San Lucas is internationally recognized for offshore sportfishing. Marlin, dorado (mahi-mahi), and tuna are among the popular targets, making time on the water another way to experience this part of Baja California Sur.

I haven’t personally been deep-sea fishing in Cabo. This section is researched travel information to help you plan and ask useful questions before booking.

Choose a trip that suits your plans

Fishing is available throughout the year, but the species you might encounter and the opportunities on a particular trip vary with the season and conditions. Ask a local operator what is realistic for your travel dates and preferred trip length. A target species is not a promise of a catch.

You can book a private charter for your own group or look for a shared trip, subject to availability. A shared charter means booking places aboard a boat with other anglers; a private charter gives your group its own boat. Confirm the passenger limit, minimum numbers, and whether the quoted price is per person or for the whole boat.

What to check before booking a fishing charter

• Fishing licenses: Ask which licenses are required for your group, who arranges them, and whether their cost is included.
• Equipment and bait: Confirm that rods, reels, tackle, and bait are supplied, and ask whether any bait or equipment charges are extra.
• Trip duration: Check departure and return times, how much of the trip involves travelling to the fishing grounds, and what happens if weather changes the plan.
• Transportation: Confirm the marina, meeting point, and whether transport from your accommodation is included. Allow time to find the correct dock.
• Crew gratuities: Ask whether tips are included or paid separately, so you can budget without surprises.
• The full quoted price: Get the inclusions and exclusions in writing, including taxes, dock fees, food, drinks, any catch-handling services, and cancellation terms.

Cabo’s October fishing tournaments

October is especially well known for major fishing events, including Bisbee’s Los Cabos Offshore and Bisbee’s Black & Blue Marlin Tournament. If tournament season is part of your travel plans, check the current official schedule and event information rather than relying on dates from an earlier year.

Visit Bisbee’s official tournament website

Research sources: Los Cabos Tourism Board’s beginner’s fishing guide, Los Cabos sportfishing information, and a local operator’s shared-charter information. Check your chosen operator’s current arrangements before booking.

Is Cabo Cheaper in the Off-Season?

It can be. Quieter dates may bring room promotions, more choice, or opportunities like my unexpected upgrade. But there are trade-offs: hot weather, potential storms, and some services or dining venues operating on reduced schedules.

Compare the full trip cost—not just the room price. Add airport transportation, meals or all-inclusive packages, activities, and cancellation terms. I wouldn't assume the off-season is always cheapest without checking your dates.

Who Should Visit Cabo in the Off-Season?

It could be a good fit if: you're happiest with a quiet pool, don't mind serious heat, value a relaxed pace, and can be flexible if the weather changes.

I'd think twice if: you want consistently comfortable daytime temperatures, plan lots of strenuous outdoor sightseeing, or expect to swim directly from a Pacific-facing resort beach.

Every traveller has a different definition of a great vacation. My experience convinced me that fewer crowds can be a real benefit—but knowing the trade-offs makes the difference.

My Verdict: Was Off-Season Cabo Worth It?

For me, yes. I enjoyed the slower atmosphere, the ocean views, and the surprise of having more space than I'd expected. The all-inclusive package made my particular stay simpler, even though it may not be the right choice for everyone.

The heat and the unswimmable beach are important caveats, not fine print. Cabo's off-season can feel wonderfully peaceful if the trip is built around the experience it actually offers.

Watch My Cabo San Lucas Experience

Want to see what this off-season stay actually looked like? Here's my video from The Second Half.

More Travel Guides from The Second Half

I'm sharing firsthand travel stories, useful planning details, and what I've learned about enjoying travel after 50. Explore more at livingthesecondhalf.com, and sign up there for The Second Scoop, our monthly newsletter.

Disclosure: This is an independently written account of my own stay. No hotel affiliation or sponsored placement is implied. Prices and amenities reflect my visit and can change.