Late summer may be the slow season in Cabo, but it's the perfect time to dive great sites near Land's End — Photo courtesy of The Jamoker
There is a reason most resort areas have off-seasons. In Cabo San Lucas, it's the extreme heat of the late summer and early autumn months. From July through the middle of October, the town bakes. September is the worst. The combination of triple-digit temperatures and sweltering humidity is so bad that many locals pick this time of year to take their own vacations. The off-season months also coincide with the rainy season, and the occasional tropical storm will blow through, flooding the downtown area. Some years, the tropical storms become hurricanes.
I know, it sounds very appealing. But, if you can stand the heat and don't mind a bit of rain, the off-season can actually be a good time to visit Baja's southernmost resort. Here are three reasons why:
1. Reduced Rates
Because there are fewer people in town, the locals compete for your business. Everything is cheaper during the off-season. Hotel rates drop, shops lower their prices, and the vendors selling water-based activities become quite liberal in their negotiations. For those with tight budgets, this is the best time to visit.
2. Fishing and Diving
Cabo San Lucas is famous for its big-game sportfishing, and the peak times for blue and black marlin, sailfish, tuna, and dorado are during the off-season months. This is also a great time for diving. The water is at its warmest, and the visibility is at its highest. In addition to the great sites in Bahia San Lucas, many local dive shops offer day trips to Cabo Pulmo, home of the oldest and largest living coral reef in the Western Hemisphere.
3. Slower Pace
Cabo slows down during the late summer months, and some businesses actually close during September. As a result, the town loses a bit of its touristy high-season glitz, and becomes much more laid-back. If you really want to learn a bit about the place and its people, the slow season is a good time to do it. The locals have plenty of free time.