January weather guide

Weather in Cabo San Lucas in January

Cool, dry, sunny — peak whale-watching season

Score89Exceptional
Typical day27°C81°F · low 13°C
Rain & sun6mm7.1 hrs sun/day
El Arco rock formation rising from the sea at Cabo San Lucas
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What the weather is like in January

Avg high
27°C
81°F
Avg low
13°C
55°F
Rainfall
6mm
best
Sun / day
7.1 hrs

January is classic Cabo high season: warm sunny days near 27°C, cool evenings around 13°C and almost no rain (6mm). Gray and humpback whales fill the bay, so this is prime whale-watching. Resorts run full and rates are at their highest.

Against December, January runs about the same temperature with much the same rainfall and 0.8 hours more sun a day.

These January averages are station normals for Cabo San Lucas (Servicio Meteorologico Nacional, via Wikipedia, 1991-2020); other parts of Cabo San Lucas vary. Full sources below.

Cabo San Lucas in January, on the ground

January is the heart of Cabo’s winter: sunny, dry and settled, with the coolest nights of the year. It is full whale-watching season, and whales are often visible from shore.

Crowds and prices in January

Holiday rates ease after the first week, but January stays high season, with winter visitors and whale-watchers filling the resorts through the month. It is busier and pricier than the late spring.

What to do in January

  • Go whale watching in the Sea of Cortez, when gray and humpback whales are around.
  • Drive up the Pacific coast to Todos Santos, a Pueblo Mágico with a historic centre and galleries.
  • Hike or kayak along the coast in the cooler weather, before the heat of late spring.

Before you book: Evenings are cool and the sea is cooler than in summer, so pack a layer for nights out of the sun and boat trips.

What to pack for Cabo San Lucas in January

  • Light layers for warm days
  • A light jacket for the evenings
  • Swimwear

What's on in January

  • Gray & humpback whale season (Sea of Cortez & Pacific (Cabo San Lucas Bay)) — From December to April, gray and humpback whales migrate down Baja's coast to calve and breed in the warm waters off Cabo. Boat tours run daily and breaching whales are often visible from shore — the single biggest reason to visit in winter.

Is January the right month?

Cabo San Lucas's best month, March, is two months after January; the toughest, September, is four months before. If January does not fit, February is the closest month in the same best-season window. For the best balance of good conditions and smaller crowds, aim for June. See the full month-by-month breakdown for Cabo San Lucas, or where else to go in January.

Where to stay in January

January is peak season in Cabo San Lucas, so prices are at their highest. Book early for the best choice of rooms.

  • Cabo San Lucas Marina & Downtown$$
    Restaurants, the marina, walkable buzzThe heart of the action — restaurants, the marina, boat tours and Médano Beach all on foot. Lively and sometimes loud, especially during spring break. The most central, social base.See hotels in Cabo San Lucas for 12–18 Jan 2027
  • The Tourist Corridor$$$
    Resorts, golf, seclusionThe resort strip along the highway between the two towns, home to many of the high-end properties and championship golf. Quiet and scenic, but you'll rely on taxis to reach either town.See hotels in Cabo San Lucas for 12–18 Jan 2027
  • San José del Cabo$$
    Old-town charm, art district, calmer paceA historic colonial-style town with a cobblestone art district, galleries, the mission church and a more relaxed, local feel. Closest to the airport and a refreshing contrast to the marina scene.See San José del Cabo hotels for 12–18 Jan 2027
  • Médano Beach$$$
    Swimmable beach, beachfront resortsCabo's main calm, swimmable beach on the Sea of Cortez, lined with resorts. Steps from downtown with safe water for swimming and watersports — the pick for beach-first stays.See hotels in Cabo San Lucas for 12–18 Jan 2027

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Before you go

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Frequently asked questions

What is the weather like in Cabo San Lucas in January?
In Cabo San Lucas, January averages highs of 27°C (81°F) and lows of 13°C (55°F), with about 6mm of rain and 7.1 hours of sun a day. It is high season, with dry, sunny days and gray and humpback whales in the waters off Cabo. Evenings are the coolest of the year, so pack a layer.
Is January a good time to visit Cabo San Lucas?
January scores 89/100 on the Atlas Ranger Score — "Exceptional" — which blends weather with crowds and price. January is one of the best months to visit Cabo San Lucas — strong conditions and the reason many travellers pick this window.
How warm is Cabo San Lucas in January?
Expect daytime highs around 27°C (81°F) and overnight lows near 13°C (55°F), with about 7.1 hours of sun a day.
Does it rain in Cabo San Lucas in January?
January sees roughly 6mm of rain — relatively dry.
What should I pack for Cabo San Lucas in January?
For January, pack: Light layers for warm days; A light jacket for the evenings; Swimwear.
How far ahead should I book Cabo San Lucas for January?
January is peak season, so rooms and fares are at their most expensive and the best places go first. Book several months out, and take a rate you can cancel if your dates might move.

Sources: Visit Los Cabos (Official tourism board): whale watching · Servicio Meteorologico Nacional: Cabo San Lucas, 1991-2020 · U.S. State Department Mexico Travel Advisory · U.S. National Hurricane Center — Eastern Pacific. Full provenance on the Cabo San Lucas guide.

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