Most countries throughout the world are not welcoming tourists from the United States due to COVID-19. That’s because coronavirus was surging in the U.S.—they had good reason to close their borders to Americans. But there’s at least one exception, and it’s a place Americans love to visit. With open borders, traveling to Mexico during COVID-19 proved safer than many expected—especially in Cabo San Lucas.
Tourism in Mexico during COVID-19 is on the rebound
Lately, Mexican tourism officials have been celebrating the rebound in tourism. Visitors from the United States made the greatest impact, now that more are traveling to Mexico during COVID-19. According to late-2020 figures, nearly 500,000 U.S. citizens flew to Mexico in October alone.
Americans were ready to escape the freezing cold, lockdowns, and cabin fever—flocking to the pristine beaches of Mexico and the Baja California Peninsula. Popular buying areas also saw renewed interest, including golf-side Cabo Del Sol homes for sale, family-friendly Club Campestre homes, and master-planned Quivira residences.
How traveling to Mexico during COVID-19 had stopped
Back in late March 2020, when COVID-19 hit the headlines, Cabo shut down. Since nearly 80% of jobs in Cabo depend on tourism, the losses were massive. According to Mexico’s INEGI, tourism lost more jobs than any other sector. About 30% of all businesses in Baja California Sur—home to Cabo—closed completely.
Cabo officially reopened on June 20, 2020, and the early recovery was strong. Then in late November, the U.S. CDC advised against traveling to Mexico, threatening further losses in Mexico’s tourist destinations.
Traveling to Mexico during COVID-19 was very safe (with protocols)
2020 was tough for everyone. We put precautions in place—social distancing, masking—and got on with life more vigilantly. While Mexico recorded high mortality rates during peaks and did not require negative tests or quarantines for entry at that time, local protocols made a difference in resort areas like Los Cabos.
Great news: Cabo and all of Baja California Sur became a model of resilience and recovery. Local companies like Cabo Sailing returned to service once Cabo reopened—offering a 30% discount to Ronival clients (ask us for details). If you’re exploring ownership while you visit, compare ocean-view options in Pedregal or beachfront villas in Palmilla.
Some Americans had their weddings in Cabo
With many U.S. venues closed, couples chose warm, sunny destinations like Cabo. Resorts, beaches, and service providers adapted to new guidelines, making destination events possible.
Safety-measure protocols throughout Cabo
Los Cabos implemented strong safety protocols, promoted widely on travel sites. Visitors were reminded to learn the rules before arrival—masking, distancing, and respectful behavior in public spaces.
State tourism officials emphasized safety first: restaurants and hotels limited capacity, temperatures were taken at store entrances, and masks were mandatory except while seated and eating. Police and inspectors monitored compliance, and widespread testing for tourism workers helped keep operations safer.
El Arco de Cabo San Lucas – The Arch that marks Land’s End
If you’re ready to come back, getting out on the water is a must. This is where the giant Pacific meets the “world’s aquarium,” the Sea of Cortez. From whale migrations to abundant sea life—and the Arch at Land’s End—there’s so much to see. For a beach-day overview, check our guide to safe beaches in Los Cabos.
Two beaches located at the Arch: Playa del Amor and Playa del Divorcio
When you visit the Arch area, you’ll find two iconic beaches: Playa del Amor (“Lover’s Beach”), generally calm and suitable for swimming on the Sea of Cortez side, and Playa del Divorcio (“Divorce Beach”) on the Pacific side—great for sunbathing but dangerous for swimming due to strong currents and surf. There are no lifeguards on the Pacific side—please stay out of the water there.
A local legend tells of love and tragedy from the 18th century—part of the mystique that surrounds Land’s End today.
Work With Ronival Real Estate
Ronival Real Estate has helped thousands of buyers and sellers across Los Cabos since 2010. If you’re interested in Cabo Real Estate, our team can assist with everything from showings and negotiations to closing and property management. Have questions? Contact us here or call +52 (624) 227 5766.
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