Los Cabos Tourists Wanting To Visit This Year Should Book Soon As Hotels Fill Up

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If Los Cabos is calling your name before the year wraps, don’t wait on that reservation.

We at The Cabo Sun are in the Tourist Corridor this week, and the story on the ground is simple: rooms are getting scooped up fast, and the best-value picks are the first to disappear.

Local hotel leaders project around 75% average occupancy for November–December, with Thanksgiving and New Year’s pushing many resorts over 90%.

Rates are trending premium, too, with $500/night a realistic average in the thick of high season.

Why the squeeze right now?

Two big holiday weeks bookend the season.

Thanksgiving (November 23–30, 2025) is the unofficial kickoff for American travelers flying in for sun, and New Year’s week (December 26–January 4) brings celebratory demand that spills across both Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo. Luxury villa inventory is especially tight this year—one major operator says nearly all of its New Year’s week properties are already spoken for, with only a few homes left for those exact dates.

If you’re hotel-first, our recent coverage lays out why rates hovering near $500 during high season are the new normal—and how to still find value. And if you’re flexible on timing, we just mapped the three most overbooked winter weeks along with smarter alternatives so you can zig while everyone else zags.

Smart booking moves (that actually work)

Book 6–8 weeks out—or earlier for holiday weeks. Inventory narrows daily; “good” rooms at “good” prices vanish first during peak weeks. (We’re already seeing that pattern walking property this week.) For New Year’s, treat it like a special event: if you see something you like, lock it.

Aim slightly outside the peak dates. Shifting your stay to Dec 17–23 or Jan 5–10 can unlock lower rates and better room categories without sacrificing weather or vibe. Our piece on overbooked weeks explains why that shoulder-on-the-edges timing pays off.

Widen your map. Cabo rewards geographic flexibility. If downtown Cabo San Lucas is pricing out, look at San José del Cabo for a calmer feel and often better availability, or the Tourist Corridor for oceanfront resorts with quick access to both hubs. (Bonus: ongoing road improvements promise easier CSL–SJD hops once complete.)

Know your cancellation terms. Free-cancel or low-penalty rates give you the confidence to reserve now while you watch for price dips or upgrades closer in.

Consider villas for groups—but act fast. With private chefs, concierge setups, and room to spread out, villas are fantastic for multi-gen trips. For Dec 26–Jan 4, though, remaining options are scarce; inquire immediately if that’s your window.

What to expect when you’re here

Beach days are amazing—just respect the flags. Conditions can flip from mellow to heavy sets in a heartbeat, even when the water looks calm. Brush up with our color-by-color beach flag guide and recent safety reminders before you head down from your room.

Holiday energy is real. Expect sold-out dinners, lively marinas, and special events across both towns. New Year’s often features a drone-show style celebration replacing old-school fireworks—a win for sea life and for your photos—and it draws plenty of last-minute interest (hence the bookings crunch).

TL;DR: If Cabo is on your 2025 bingo card, book now

• Occupancy: ~75% for Nov–Dec; 90%+ spikes Thanksgiving and New Year’s.
• Rates: Plan on around $500/night in high season, with variation by brand and location.
• Villas: New Year’s week is nearly sold out across top portfolios.

Need help fine-tuning your dates? Start with our rundown of the most overbooked winter weeks and pick one of the smarter alternatives—we wrote it precisely to save you time (and money).

See you on the sand—just don’t wait too long to claim your spot.