Essentials
- City
- San José del Cabo, Baja California Sur, Mexico
- Population
- Approx. 136,000
- Internet Speed
- Starlink and fiber optics are common; average 50-150 Mbps
- Currency & Banking
- Mexican Peso (MXN). 1 USD ≈ 17.00 MXN. ATMs at BBVA and Santander on Calle Valerio González.
- Tap Water
- Not drinkable; use bottled 'garrafones' (20L for approx. $50 MXN)
- Power
- 127V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets (same as USA/Canada)
- SIM Card
- Telcel (best coverage) or AT&T. Prepaid 'Amigo' kits cost approx. $200 MXN for 3GB.
- Banking for Expats
- Intercam (specializes in expat accounts), BBVA, and Wise/Revolut for transfers.
- Accommodation
- Airbnb, Vivanuncios, and Facebook Groups (Cabo Rentals/Social).
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes in the Art District and hotels; cash 'Efectivo' required for small shops and buses.
- Short Term Rentals
- Drift San Jose (boutique) or Driftwood Oceanfront (approx. $1,800 - $3,500 USD/month).
- Budget Accommodation
- Baja’s At Sea or Surf Hostel Cabo
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Art District (Centro) for culture; Zona Hotelera for beach access.
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- La Playa (near the Marina) or Fonatur (quiet, residential, good infrastructure).
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Koral Desk (The Shoppes at Koral Center). Daily pass: approx. $450 MXN ($26 USD).
- Best Cafe for Work
- Coffee Lab (Art District). Fast WiFi, outdoor seating, and excellent espresso.
- Networking Events
- Thursday Art Walk (Nov-June); Cabo Small Business Meetups at Koral Center.
- Social Events for Expats
- San Jose del Cabo Expats Facebook Group; weekly trivia nights at local breweries.
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Uber (widely used, approx. $150 MXN from Centro to Zona Hotelera) and DiDi.
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Cabo Bicycle in the Art District (approx. $30 USD/day).
- Best Beach Nearby
- Playa Palmilla (Blue Flag certified, swimmable, 10 min drive).
- Top Regional Airline
- Volaris and VivaAerobus (flying to CDG, Guadalajara, Tijuana).
- Top International Airline
- Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, United (direct to LAX, Dallas, SFO).
- Highway Access
- Federal Highway 1 (Transpeninsular Highway) connecting to Cabo San Lucas and La Paz.
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- San Jose del Cabo Main Bus Terminal (Aguila/Autobuses de la Baja).
- Public Transport Passes
- The 'Ruta del Desierto' (Purple Bus) costs approx. $13 - $40 MXN depending on distance.
- Regional Travel
- SuburCabo or Ruta del Desierto buses to Cabo San Lucas every 15 minutes.
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- H+ Hospital (Koral Center) - Private with English-speaking staff.
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Modu Yoga Studio in the Art District (approx. $300 MXN per drop-in class).
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- The Gym SJC (Calle Valerio González). Monthly: approx. $1,200 MXN.
- Laundry Services
- Lavanderia El Centro. Bulk wash, dry, fold service for approx. $15 MXN per kilo.
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- UberEats and Rappi.
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Smoked Marlin Tacos or Chocolate Clams.
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Chula Vegan Cafe (located in the Art District).
- Best Dessert Spots
- Baja Luna or local carts selling Churros in the Plaza Mijares.
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Chedraui Selecto and local Mercado Municipal (Calle Mauricio Castro).
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon.com.mx (delivery takes 2-5 days from mainland).
- Grocery Delivery
- Cornershop (by Uber) and Walmart Delivery.
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Art District (Centro) for sophisticated bars; Plaza Pescador for casual drinks.
- Local Brewery
- Baja Brewing Co. (located at Plaza Artesanos).
- Wine Bars
- La Revolte (Plaza Mijares) specializing in Mexican wines from Valle de Guadalupe.
- Street Food Stalls
- Tacos El Paisa (Calle Manuel Doblado) – iconic late-night pastor tacos.
- Popular International Cuisine
- Kitchen Table (Contemporary/Fusion) or Flora Farms (Farm-to-Table).
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Mission San José del Cabo (founded 1730) and Plaza Mijares.
- Museums & Art Venues
- Patricia Mendoza Art Gallery and Frank Arnold Art.
- Historical Sites
- San Jose Estuary (historical freshwater source).
- Religious Sites
- Parroquia San José (Main Plaza).
- Annual Events
- San José del Cabo Art Walk (Thursdays, 5-9 PM); Festival de Cine de Los Cabos.
- Cultural Districts
- The Art District (Distrito del Arte).
- Theater Venues
- Teatro de la Ciudad (San José del Cabo Civic Center).
- Local Markets
- Organic Market (Mercado Organico) - Saturdays near the Estuary.
- Music Scene
- Dalton’s Gin Bar (Live jazz and acoustic sets).
- Street Art
- Murals along Calle Álvaro Obregón near the Art District.
- Cooking Classes
- Flora Farms Cooking Classes (approx. $120 USD per person).
- Art Galleries
- Ivan Guaderrama Art Gallery (interactive digital/physical art).
- Historic Buildings
- Palacio Municipal (City Hall).
- Local Heritage
- Pericú indigenous history commemorated in local cultural centers.
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Estero San José (Bird sanctuary and freshwater lagoon).
- National Parks Nearby
- Cabo Pulmo National Marine Park (approx. 2 hours away, world-class diving).
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The Paseo de San José cycling track along the hotel zone.
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Costa Azul lookout for watching surfers and sunsets.
- Birdwatching Locations
- San José Estuary (over 200 species).
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Playa La Playita (strictly check local seasonal fire bans).
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- DHL Express (Calle Valerio González) and Estafeta.
- Tech Repair Services
- Soporte Mac (Computers) and local repair shops on Calle Manuel Doblado.
- Table Tennis Spots
- Available at select resort amenity centers and local sports clubs.
- Language Classes
- Baja Spanish Institute ($25-40 USD/hour).
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Biblioteca Pública Municipal Pablo L. Martínez.
- Community Centers
- Centro Cultural San José del Cabo.
- Gaming Lounges
- Local internet cafes in 'El Centro' neighborhoods.
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Casino Caliente (Plaza Pescador).
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $4,800 USD per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $192,000 USD)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $3,200 USD per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $128,000 USD)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $4,500 USD per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $270,000 USD)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $2,900 USD per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $174,000 USD)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $4,200 USD per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $336,000 USD)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $2,600 USD per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $208,000 USD)
- Corporate Tax
- 30% standard rate.
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 10% for individuals/foreign residents.
- Tax System
- Residence-based (Worldwide income for residents).
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 35%
- VAT
- 16% (standard in Mexico).
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, Mexico has 'REFIPRE' rules for tax havens.
- Property Tax
- Yes (Predial), very low, usually 0.1% to 0.2% of assessed value annually.
- Property Transaction Tax
- ISAI (Acquisition Tax), approx. 2% to 5% of purchase price.
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Mexico offers a 180-day FMM (Visa-free for many) or a 4-year Temporary Resident Visa with proof of foreign income.