Los Cabos is one of the world’s most popular and beloved tourist destinations, and although the past two years have certainly been 
challenging for the destination, and for tourism in general, the latest numbers show some very positive trends.
We’ll share the latest statistics as we answer some commonly asked questions about current travel and safety in Los Cabos.
How Easy is it to Travel to Los Cabos Right Now, and How Many People Are Doing So?
Let’s answer the second question first. There were 296,200 airport arrivals to Los Cabos in July 2021, an 11% increase (up 29,000 people) from July 2019, which was pre-Covid-19 of course. Of these arrivals, approximately 33% were domestic travelers (97,600), while the remainder (198,600) were international in origin, and overwhelming from the U.S. (over 99%). Interestingly, domestic travel was down 10.2% from July 2019, while international travel was up 25.6% from the same period.
Overall, these are incredibly positive numbers for Los Cabos as a destination, with significant growth in U.S. based tourism despite the ongoing health and safety challenges posed by Covid-19 and the Delta variant.
As to the first question, it’s still quite easy to travel to Los Cabs, as Mexico does not require negative Covid-19 tests for entry. However, travelers from the U.S. will need negative Antigen or PCR tests within 72-hours of their return flights home.
What is the Satisfaction Level of Tourists with the Los Cabos Experience?
Again, the numbers are very positive here: 74% of tourists in July 2021 rated their experience as “better than expected”, an uptick over both July 2019 and June 2021, suggesting that Los Cabos continues to improve in performance relative to expectation.
Only 1.2% of tourists in July 2021 perceived security as bad or regular, meaning the overwhelming majority not only were safe, but had a positive perception about the safety of Los Cabos in general.
This is an important indicator, since Los Cabos has been by far the most forward thinking of Mexican resort areas in stressing health and safety protocols during the Covid-19 pandemic.
These include the following actions:
- Los Cabos with Care, an expansive and exhaustive health and safety protocol system that evaluates and strictly implements protocols throughout the transportation and hotel sectors, at restaurants and bars, at tour activities…basically, anywhere tourists are likely to visit.
- Los Cabos has additionally achieved Sharecare health security verification, becoming the world’s first VERIFIED™ travel destination. This designation signifies that the majority of the hotels and resorts in the destination continue to ensure that their health protocols are in compliance with over 360 expert-validated global standards.
- Los Cabos has also implemented a COVID-19 testing program to support visitors as they comply with testing requirements for their return flights. Antigen testing is available at all hotels, villas and timeshares, as well as the Los Cabos International Airport for emergency situations. The PCR test (as needed for select countries) is administered at specific locations, including hospitals and laboratories.
How Prevalent is Covid-19 in Los Cabos?
Baja California Sur, the state of which Los Cabos is a part, has – since the onset of the pandemic in March 2020 recorded 52,615 confirmed cases (data through August 19th of this year).
Although the incidence of Covid-19 in tourists is very rare, those visiting should exercise caution. Local residents are required to wear masks in public except in certain situations (eating, drinking, swimming, etc.). This policy does not apply to tourists, but visitors should be especially cautious if they encounter an establishment (shop, restaurant, etc.) where these mandates are not being strictly followed.
What Travel Trends Are Evident from Flights Scheduled to Los Cabos Over the Next Six Months (August 2021 – January 2022)?
Los Cabos should continue to see healthy growth in tourism from the U.S. There are 1.25 million seats scheduled to Los Cabos from the U.S. over the next 6 months, which is 52.5% more seats compared to the same period in 2019.
- However, when comparing the seats scheduled for the next 6 months against the 2020 flight schedule (heavily pandemic influenced), the volume is 65.5% higher.
- Chicago (+28.7%), Los Angeles (+82.7%), Phoenix (+40.3%), Houston (+41.9%), Dallas/Fort Worth (+33.5%), Denver (+153.5%), and Seattle (+125.5%) show the most significant airport increase in Los Cabos service versus 2019.
- Los Angeles remains the top market in the U.S. for Los Cabos service (23% of the market), followed by Dallas (12%), Houston (11%), and Phoenix (8%).
Not surprisingly, all of these destinations are within three hours flight time to Los Cabos (see the attached map).
- American, Alaska, Delta, and United Airlines are the most relevant airlines to the destination, representing 78% of scheduled service over the next six months.
For more information about travel and safety, as well as upcoming events, activities and attractions, and villa rentals in Los Cabos, call us TOLL FREE at 1-888-655-4548, visit www.LosCabosVillas.com, or email us at Info@LosCabosVillas.com.
Photo credit: Los Cabos Tourism Board
Upcoming Events Calendar
September
Viva La Plaza in Cabo San Lucas – Sep. 3, 10, 17, 24
Mexico Independence Day – Sep. 16
October
Viva La Plaza in Cabo San Lucas – Oct. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
Los Cabos Billfish Tournament – Oct. 10 – 14
Bisbee’s Los Cabos Offshore Fishing Tournament – Oct. 14 – 17
Bisbee’s Black and Blue Fishing Tournament – Oct. 19 – 23
November
Baja Ha-Ha Cruisers Rally – Nov. 1 – 13
Day of the Dead – Nov. 1, 2
WON Tuna Jackpot – Nov. 3 – 6
Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Nov. 4, 11, 18, 25
Viva La Plaza in Cabo San Lucas – Nov. 5, 12, 19, 26
Los Cabos Film Festival – Nov. 10 – 17
SCORE Baja 1000 – Nov. 15 – 20
Revolution Day – Nov. 20
December
Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Dec. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
Viva La Plaza in Cabo San Lucas – Dec. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
El Dia de la Virgen de Guadalupe – Dec. 12
Las Posadas – Dec. 16 – 24
Nochebuena (Christmas Eve) – Dec. 24
Navidad (Christmas) – Dec. 25
Nochevieja (New Year’s Eve) – Dec. 31
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