Los Cabos Cracking Down On Vendors Harassing Tourists

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Last Updated 1 year ago

Many of the most popular spots in Los Cabos are beginning to be filled with vendors that constantly harass tourists to try and get them to buy their products.

This problem was a major concern at El Medano Beach throughout the pandemic years until authorities decided to institute an official uniform for licensed vendors and set up checkpoints at the beach’s entrance to address the situation. 

Now the problem seems to have spread to other beaches in Los Cabos that don’t have as many checkpoints and police on hand as El Medano. Another area that’s been filling up with vendors is the Cabo San Lucas Marina.

Apart from the fact that these vendors are known to harass tourists, authorities also want to crack down on underage workers.

Throughout the summer vacation period, there is also a rise in the number of kids that will be working in the main tourist spots in Los Cabos that tourists should be aware of. 

Why The Illegal Vendors Issue Is A Problem For Tourists  

The main issue with the rise in the number of illegal street vendors for tourists is the fact that they have to constantly turn down these vendors as they approach them on the beach.

At certain points during the peak season at El Medano, the situation was really complicated for tourists who saw their rest on the beach interrupted every few minutes. 

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Many of these illegal vendors could be selling sub-par goods to tourists. It’s never recommended that you buy drinks or food from these vendors, especially from vendors that just come carrying the food in very hot trays or without proper storage space.

With the increase in temperatures, food that is not properly stored in Los Cabos can go bad quickly.

This can lead to digestive issues for the unfortunate tourists who buy from vendors that don’t store food or even drinks properly.  

The worst-case scenario may have to do with being scammed by some of these local vendors. The most common scam that some of these illegal vendors run has to do with selling tours or rides on jet skis at the beach.

Their mode of operation is very simple. They’ll approach travelers to sell them a tour and then promise to come back with the boat or jet ski only to disappear into the crowds at the beach, never to be seen again. 

What Authorities Are Looking To Do To Avoid This Problem

As we mentioned at El Medano, authorities have implemented a uniform that must be worn by certified vendors. This idea seems to be hard to institute throughout the entire region.

What local business unions are suggesting is increasing the number of people on patrol. The leader of the local restaurant union mentioned, 

“It is more a matter of fiscal inspection, the Navy, Police and all those who carry out these inspection routes. We, as protectors of established commerce, ask that it be regulated; we understand that there are people who do have permits, but it would be good if they constantly check who does and who doesn’t” 

Travelers Could Still See A High Number Of Vendors Through The Summer

Unfortunately for tourists coming to Cabo, the vendor issue is one that they may have to contend with throughout the summer.

Although local unions are providing ideas to authorities in an effort to ease the situation, there have not been clear instructions by police to increase patrols to try and spot illegal vendors.

With kids being off school for summer break, there’s also bound to be an increase in the number of underage children trying to earn a living by selling goods to tourists, so this is something else to be aware of.

As previously stated, the most affected areas are potentially going to be El Medano Beach and the Cabo San Lucas Marina area.

Many of the other public beaches around the marina could also deal with this issue, particularly if illegal vendors are turned away by the checkpoints that are usually set up at El Medano beach.