Cabo San Lucas in January? Sun, Fun and Whales!

Cabo weather in January

You’re in luck with a January vacation because the weather is almost perfect this month! Depending on what kind of winter vacation you want…

If you don’t like really hot tropical vacays – where you melt the moment you step outside and have to dash from one air-conditioned place to another – you’ll love it here.

Temperature in Cabo in January

Daytime highs typically hover between 75 F (24 C) and 80 F (27 C), while nighttime lows dip on average to 61 F (16 C).

There’s a definite chill in the air in the early mornings. We throw on a sweater when taking our coffee to the beach to reserve a beach chair. But by 9:00 am or so, the sun has worked its magic and it’s time to swap out that sweater for a swimsuit!

Once the sun sets in the evening, it cools off again, and you’ll likely find yourself reaching for a wrap or sweater when it’s dark.

Compared to San Diego, Cabo is significantly warmer in January. But if comparing Cabo to  Puerto Vallarta further down the Pacific Coast, PV is hotter.

Of course, we all know the weather is more unpredictable than it used to be. So before you go, check the forecast on sites like Accuweather, Weather Spark and Weather.com.

Sunshine in January

Don’t worry about rain. The weather in Los Cabos in January is crazy sunny!

Rain falls mainly in August through September, with September being the wettest month. (And hurricane season officially runs from mid-May to November, though meaningful storms outside September are rare.)

The winter months are the driest months in Cabo, with January being the driest of them all – less than half an inch of rain the whole month.

You’re pretty well guaranteed clear skies, bluebird days and many hours of sunshine. (February’s weather is similar.)

Humidity

Muggy? No. The climate is desert-like in January. There’s simply no humidity!

(So ladies, your locks won’t frizz. You can style your hair to go out at night without worrying that it’s all for nothing. Your hair will still look great hours later.) 

Sunrise and sunset

The sun rises about 7:00 am in January in Cabo San Lucas. The sun sets between 5:50 pm and 6:10 pm. 

Generally, you get about 11 hours of daylight per day in January, with a little more daylight toward the end of the month (a later sunset).

Can you swim in Cabo in January?

Facts first: The average water temperature in January is 72.5 F (22.5 C). 

For comparison, the “comfort zone” for swimming is usually 77 F (25 C) and 82 F (28 C) – that’s the Olympic range for swim competitions.

We find the ocean water in Cabo cold this time of year. (Janice feels it more than George!)

Don’t get us wrong. We still swim in the sea and try to go for a dip every day. But unless the sun is blazing (or it’s the hottest time of day), our swims are usually pretty brief.

If we’re being totally honest, January isn’t ideal if you mainly want to swim in warm ocean water and go snorkeling and scuba diving. 

The peak period runs from December to March/April, thanks to everyone fleeing chilly U.S. and Canadian winters for some Baja sunshine. Add Christmas holidays, spring break and Easter to the mix, and Cabo is buzzing.

Bottom line: January is pricier than the summer and shoulder season months, and hotels book up fast. Reserve your accommodation early, snag restaurant reservations at popular spots, lock in tours ahead of time – and hit the beach early to claim a chair.

New Year’s Eve in Los Cabos

Will you be in Cabo for New Year’s Eve? It’s a fantastic place to ring in the New Year!

Private chef dinner (or brunch)

Not in the mood to go out for dinner on New Year’s Eve? Have the celebration come to you with a private chef in your villa or condo – and get all the glam of a holiday feast, with none of the grocery runs or dirty dishes!

Mexican traditions

How about ringing in the New Year by enjoying some Mexican traditions? Here are some of the most interesting.

Luggage

Wanderlusters apparently walk down the streets on New Year’s Eve with their luggage. This is meant to bring prosperity in the New Year. However, we’ve never actually seen this happen in Cabo. 

12 Grapes of luck 

One tradition that’s commonplace in both Mexico (and Spain) is eating 12 grapes at midnight on December 31 – one grape with each of the 12 clock chimes. 

As you eat each grape, you make a wish for each month of the year. It’s known as las doce uvas de la suerte (which means “12 grapes of luck”). 

Underwear 

Pick your underpants wisely on New Year’s.

In Mexico, many people wear a particular color of underwear, depending on their wishes for the New Year. For example, green underwear represents health, red represents love and yellow represents abundance. 

Fireworks displays

There are plenty of large fireworks displays in the town on New Year’s Eve, with dazzling illuminations brightening up the sky. 

We love to sit on Medano Beach, wrapped in blankets (remember the temperature drops in the evening), oohing and aahing as the sky lights up overhead in bursts of brilliant color. 

The Mexicans go all out in Cabo when it comes to fireworks on New Year’s!

17 Best things to do in Cabo in January

1) Whale watching

Most tours swing by Lover’s Beach and Cabo’s iconic Arch (El Arco) at Land’s End – that dramatic rock arch at the very tip of the Baja California Peninsula.

2) Enjoying the beach

Cabo can be as action-packed as you like in January. But we wouldn’t blame you for doing absolutely nothing except basking on the beach.

Just remember: Not every stretch of sand in Cabo is swimmable. Medano Beach is your best bet for safe swimming (and most Cabo resorts with swimmable beaches are found along this lively curve of shoreline).

But even if the ocean at your resort is a “look-but-don’t-touch” situation, you’re still set. Most places have enticing pools, so relaxing poolside with a good book is hardly a hardship.

3) Swimming with whale sharks

If there’s one thing you do when visiting in January, make it snorkeling with whale sharks in nearby La Paz.

They’re the largest fish in the ocean. And these gentle giants are only in the waters around Cabo from October through April, with the highest concentration of them in November through March. 

So January is one of the best times of the year to see these amazing creatures! 

Afterward, tuck into a tasty Mexican lunch. And because this is Cabo, you finish with a tequila tasting before being driven back to town, happy and just a little smug about your camel-riding skills.

5) Golfing

6) ATV ride in the desert

Because it’s not too hot, January’s prime time for an ATV adventure.

Maybe rev across dusty desert trails and out toward wild undeveloped Migrino Beach? There, you can rumble along the water’s edge with nothing but waves, sand and open space.

Don’t go driving your ATV like a maniac, though. Ride safely – you don’t want to have an accident. 

7) Water taxi ride to Land’s End

Hop into a water taxi from the Cabo San Lucas Marina (or flag one down from Medano Beach) and cruise past the dramatic rock formations – for about $20 to $25 USD round-trip.

Want to level things up? Try this unique clear boat tour. The whole boat is transparent, so you can watch fish dart beneath your feet as you putter around the famous rock Arch.

8) Ziplining

Craving a totally different view of Cabo?

Ziplining is your ticket to soaring above canyons, feeling that glorious adrenaline rush and loving the cooler January temps. (Trust us, it’s way nicer than sweating it out in summer!)

Oh, and you’ll be sipping margaritas too while chopping, stirring and (importantly!) digging into your homemade feast.

10) Kayaking

We’ve kayaked to Santa Maria and Chileno Bays twice now – and we’re still obsessed with the views.

You paddle past Cabo’s dramatic rocky shoreline, then cool off with a snorkel stop at each bay. (You actually get hot paddling, so the January water feels great.)

There’s also a unique glass-bottom kayak version – same scenic route, but with fish-spotting built right into your boat!

11) Sunset cruises

You might notice a theme throughout this list of attractions in Cabo – boats!

The Sea of Cortez offers so many wonderful things to do. And a sunset cruise in Cabo San Lucas is the perfect way to finish off any day before the starry night arrives. 

12) Taco tasting food tour

When in Mexico… eat as many tacos as possible!

You can find some of the best tacos in Cabo at places like Tacos Gardenias, Taco Loco and La Lupita Taco & Mezcal.

But to really get your taco on, go on a guided taco tasting tour of some of the best local spots. Learn about the back stories behind the taco recipes too.

13) Partying

The only January blues in Cabo? The bright blue sea!

It’s peak season – that means the partying never stops in Cabo this month.

We’ve mentioned El Squid Roe and Cabo Wabo. But venues like Sancho’s Sports Bar and the teeny hidden gem of Uno Mas? are also immensely popular throughout the month.

14) Hiking in Fox Canyon

Take advantage of the cooler temperature in Cabo San Lucas in January by going on a fabulous hike in Fox Canyon in the Sierra de Laguna mountain range.

15) Fishing

The waters around Cabo in the Sea of Cortez and Pacific Ocean are some of the most action-packed fishing grounds on the planet.

In fact, Cabo San Lucas is home to the world’s richest sportfishing tournament – Bisbee’s Black & Blue (held annually in October).

January is prime time for casting a line for striped marlin. You’ll find plenty of yellowfin and mackerel in the waters too. 

16) Shopping and browsing art galleries

With the weather being so pleasant, January is a good month for strolling outside and doing day trips and activities like these ones!

17) Attending the Tropic of Cancer Festival

Speaking of Todos Santos, the Tropic of Cancer Music and Arts Festival takes place each year in January in Todos Santos.

Packing for a Cabo vacation in January

Are you wondering what to pack for Cabo San Lucas this time of year? Take layers.

While you’ll probably be in your swimsuit or summer wear during the day, it does get nippy at night. This is the desert, after all!

We recommend a light sweater or jacket and long pants. (But don’t worry, you won’t need your winter woolies.)

And don’t forget a rash guard to protect yourself from sunburn, sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat. 

We always find running shoes useful for exploring during the day, along with flip-flops for the beach.

More monthly Cabo travel guides

• Best Time to Visit Cabo (and the Worst!)
• What’s Cabo like in February?
• What’s Cabo like in June?
• What’s Cabo like in October?
• What’s Cabo like in November?
• What’s Cabo like in December?

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