Did the Los Cabos Vendor Crackdown Actually Work? The Answer Might Surprise You

Share The Article

You’re lounging under a palapa, sipping a tamarindo margarita, waves lapping nearby—when suddenly a stream of beach vendors offers you everything from silver trinkets to sizzling mango-on-a-stick.

It’s part of the Cabo charm… or is it?

With local authorities launching a bold new crackdown to clean up the vendor scene, many wondered if it would actually change anything. Would your beach day be more peaceful—or just quieter in theory? We at The Cabo Sun took to the sand—and yes, we chatted with locals—to find out what’s really going on.

Crackdown hits, but results vary by beach

Back in June 2025, Cabo authorities rolled out a sweep focused on unlicensed beach vendors in tourist hotspots like Médano Beach, the Marina, and along Playa El Tule.

Inspectors sought valid permits—aiming for safer, more regulated vendor activity. Here’s what that entailed.

Meanwhile, there’s been a staffing challenge. The town’s fiscal inspection team—known as Inspección Fiscal—has been running understaffed thanks to earlier personnel cuts.

The department head, Manuel Barajas, confirmed they’re scrambling to reassign inspectors from ZOFEMAT and bring on roughly nine new hires to monitor the Marina, Médano, and downtown areas. Full statement here.

On-the-ground vibe: Marina vs. Médano

We scoped out two contrasting areas:

• The Marina was noticeably calm: That suggests enforcement there may be holding firm despite staffing gaps.
• Médano Beach, on the other hand, felt busier and more chaotic—especially midday and early evening. Crowds of visitors, music, and vendors vying for attention gave it a much higher “intensity” level.

Bottom line: enforcement seems more effective in tightly controlled zones like the Marina, while high-traffic beaches like Médano remain tough to keep in check.

So—did the crackdown “work”?

✅ Partially. In well-patrolled areas (like the Marina), the move appears to have dramatically reduced the presence of unlicensed vendors—at least temporarily.

⚠️ Not uniformly. Médano still feels electric: it’s harder to monitor, more crowded, and vendors appear more persistent—likely because fewer inspectors are physically present at peak times.

Why staffing shortages diluted the impact

Barajas explained the shortfall stems from early municipal downsizing.

While plans are underway to bring in support staff, the team currently manages three major zones with just a handful of inspectors. Enforcement efforts ebb and flow depending on available manpower. Vendor license details also recently increased, which added complexity.

This shortage is no small detail: less staff means fewer random checks, less consistent vendor ID verification, and reduced presence during busy afternoon and evening hours. In practice, that translates to gaps—especially at hot spots like Médano.

Your street-snacking takeaways

If you’re vending in Cabo San Lucas, here’s what you need to know:

• Look for laminated ID badges or uniforms—an official sign the vendor is licensed. More tips here.
• Expect cleaner, more authorized carts near the Marina and Plaza Amelia Wilkes.
• On Médano Beach, peak hours mean more vendors—but not necessarily legal ones.
• Over in quieter zones like Playa El Tule or east-facing Médano areas, you’ll still find fewer vendors—and more consistency in enforcement.

Why it still matters

Even if enforcement isn’t airtight, the crackdown and visible inspections send a message: Cabo officials mean business. And for travelers, that encourages vendors to stay legit—or risk getting fined. When you support permitted sellers, you’re helping raise the quality bar.

Final verdict: surprising, but subtle

Yes, the vendor crackdown did make a dent—but its impact varies. Marina and low-traffic parts are noticeably cleaner. Médano remains vibrant—with vendors still weaving through crowds during the busiest hours.

In short: it worked—just not everywhere, and not consistently. Staffing remains a real obstacle, but with new inspector hires on the way and uniform regulations now enforced, Cabo’s beaches are getting cleaner, safer, and more orderly.