Los Cabos Isn't Tropical—It's Subtropical Desert (And That's Why It's Amazing)
Los Cabos (Cabo San Lucas + San José del Cabo) sits at 22.8°N—just north of the Tropic of Cancer (23.4°N). It's subtropical desert, not tropical.
What That Means
| Trait | Tropical (e.g., Cancún) | Los Cabos (Subtropical Desert) |
|---|
| Rainfall | 1,000–1,500 mm/yr | 200–250 mm/yr (arid) |
| Humidity | High year-round | Low (except Aug–Sep) |
| Vegetation | Jungle, mangroves | Cacti, succulents, desert scrub |
| Hurricane risk | High (Jun–Nov) | Lower (track usually south) |
| Water temp | 26–29°C | 19–24°C (cooler Pacific) |
Why It's Better for Many
- No sticky nights — desert air cools fast
- 350+ sunny days — reliable weather
- Unique biome: Cardón cacti, elephant trees, endemic reptiles
- Marine richness: Cold California Current upwelling = whales, marlin, mobulas, sea lions
- Dark skies: Minimal light pollution — stargazing
Seasons
- High (Nov–Apr): 25–30°C days, 15°C nights. Perfect.
- Shoulder (May–Jun, Oct): Hotter, fewer crowds.
- Low (Jul–Sep): 35°C+, humidity spike, hurricane watch. Deals.
Los Cabos isn't a jungle beach. It's desert meeting sea—stark, bright, alive. That's the draw.
Wanderlust World