Christmas in Cabo San Lucas: what the week is like and how to spend it on the water

Christmas in Cabo San Lucas is warm, dry and busy. Around December 25 the days reach about 78°F (26°C), the sea sits near 76°F (24°C) and the sun sets around 5:40 PM. Humpback whales are in the area, and the official 2026 to 2027 whale-watching season opens on December 15. Christmas Day 2026 falls on a Friday, so many families get a long weekend from December 25 to 27, and the days from Christmas to New Year are the busiest of the year on the water.

Christmas season in Cabo at a glance

Christmas weather in Cabo

For Christmas week, the 10-year averages are highs around 78°F (26°C), lows around 68°F (20°C) and a 2 to 3% chance of rain on any given day. The sea is about 76°F (24°C). The wind usually blows around 12 mph, and evenings on the water feel cool, so bring a light layer for a sunset trip.

The sun rises around 6:57 AM and sets around 5:40 PM, which leaves short afternoons. Plan anything on the water before dinner.

Whales at Christmas

SEMARNAT published the 2026 to 2027 whale-watching season in October 2026: from December 15, 2026 to April 30, 2027 for the Cabo San Lucas protected area and for Cabo Pulmo. The first humpbacks get here in November, so by Christmas there are whales in the area on most days, although nobody can promise one on a given morning.

Any charter can run into whales on the way to the Arch. For a trip planned around them, see whale watching in Cabo and our guide to whale season in Cabo.

Posadas, Nochebuena and the tree lighting

Posadas are the nine nights from December 16 to 24. In Mexican homes, churches and neighborhoods people walk with candles to reenact Mary and Joseph's search for lodging, then share ponche (a hot fruit punch), tamales and a piñata. Some are private family gatherings and others are open to the street, so ask at your hotel which ones visitors can join.

Nochebuena, the night of December 24, is the big Christmas dinner in Mexico, and many families sit down late. Hotels and restaurants in Los Cabos hold special Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dinners, usually with a set menu that has to be booked ahead.

The municipal Christmas tree is lit in several towns on the same night. In 2025 that was December 12, in San José del Cabo, Cabo San Lucas, Miraflores, Santiago and La Ribera, with shows from 5:30 PM, the lights on around 8 PM and a free holiday bazaar. The 2026 date hadn't been announced by November 4; our December events calendar will have it when it comes out.

Three ways to spend Christmas on the water

Christmas Eve sunset. Leave the marina around 4 PM, pass the Arch with low light and watch the sun set at about 5:40 PM. A 2-hour trip has you back at the dock in time for Nochebuena dinner. For two to six people, the Bayliner 30 has a cabin and a head. More ideas are in our guide to the best sunset cruise in Cabo and on the sunset cruise page.

Christmas morning with the family. The Sea Ray 55 takes up to 15 guests and has air conditioning, cabins and heads, plus bottled water, sodas and ice. Grandparents can sit inside out of the wind while the kids are on the bow looking for whales. Breakfast can be ordered from our menu in the planner.

The whole extended family. The Pontoon 38 carries up to 18 guests on two decks, with a water slide from the upper deck and an enclosed head with a shower. Split 18 ways, 2 hours cost about USD 48 each.

What to book for Christmas in Cabo

Prices are per boat, not per person, with 16% tax included. The customary 15% crew tip is not included. We don't sell alcohol on board; guests 18 and over can bring their own. Every boat in the fleet, ranked by price, is on our boat rental in Cabo San Lucas page.

Book early for Christmas week

Each boat takes one group, and Christmas week is when the marina is busiest, so the good departure times go first. Send your date, group size and plan through the planner. We reply in writing within 2 hours, 8 AM to 8 PM Cabo time, and a secure Stripe link holds the date once it's confirmed.

Staying through December 31? Our guide to New Year's Eve in Cabo covers the sunset charter, the show at Médano Beach and how late boats can stay out. For the whole month, see Cabo in December.

Yachts in this guide

Bayliner 30Cabin cruiser · up to 6 guestsfrom $549 / 2 hSea Ray 55Flybridge motor yacht · up to 15 guestsfrom $2,129 / 3 hPontoon 38Double-deck party pontoon · up to 18 guestsfrom $869 / 2 hSea Ray 40Express cruiser · up to 12 guestsfrom $879 / 2 h

Questions people ask

What is Christmas like in Cabo San Lucas?

Warm and dry. Around December 25 highs are about 78°F (26°C), nights about 68°F (20°C), the sea is near 76°F (24°C) and rain falls on 2 to 3% of days. Christmas week is also the busiest stretch of the year on the water.

Can you see whales in Cabo at Christmas?

Yes. The first humpbacks arrive in November, and SEMARNAT's official 2026 to 2027 whale-watching season for Cabo San Lucas runs from December 15, 2026 to April 30, 2027, so Christmas week falls inside it. Nobody can promise a whale on a given day.

Is there a Christmas tree lighting in Cabo?

The municipality lights its tree every December. In 2025 it was on December 12, in San José del Cabo, Cabo San Lucas, Miraflores, Santiago and La Ribera at once, with shows from 5:30 PM, the lights on around 8 PM and a holiday bazaar. The 2026 date hadn't been announced as of November 4, 2026.

Can we take a boat out on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day?

Yes. Departures run from 7 AM to 7 PM, boats sail until 8 PM, and yachts from the marina can stay anchored in the bay until 10 PM. Send your date early, because the days from Christmas to New Year fill up first.

What time is sunset on Christmas Day in Cabo?

About 5:40 PM. A boat that leaves around 4 PM reaches the Arch in low light and watches the sun go down from the water.

Plan your day on the water

Pick a yacht, the hours and the food in the planner. A written reply within 2 hours, 8 AM to 8 PM Cabo time.

Check availabilitySee the fleet