What to know before moving to Mexico? Expats Relocating Los Cabos

Relocating to Los Cabos, Mexico—whether to Cabo San Lucas, San José del Cabo, or the East Cape—has become a strategic move for expats seeking lifestyle, safety, and long-term value. But before you make the leap, understanding key legal, cultural, and investment insights is essential.

This 2025 guide outlines everything you need to know about visas, real estate, neighborhoods, cost of living, and what life as an expat in Los Cabos truly looks like.

Why Los Cabos Is a Top Destination for Expats

Search volume for moving to Cabo San Lucas and best places to live in Baja California Sur has soared—driven by:

• Direct international flights via Los Cabos International Airport (SJD)
• Luxury communities like Palmilla, Querencia, Pedregal, and Puerto Los Cabos
• English-speaking services, world-class hospitals, bilingual schools, and a secure lifestyle
• High-performing real estate markets for relocation or investment

Los Cabos offers a rare combination of resort-style living with long-term livability, ideal for retirees, digital nomads, and families alike.

Visa & Residency: What Expats Must Secure

A Temporary Resident Visa is required to stay in Mexico for more than 180 days (up to 4 years). It is the most common visa for foreign buyers, retirees, digital nomads, and investors.

Requirements (2025 update):

• You must apply at a Mexican consulate abroad prior to entering Mexico. You cannot change status inside Mexico under this category (Visit website)
• Once Visa is stamped in your passport, you have 180 days to enter Mexico. Within 30 days of arrival, you must visit the INM office in San José del Cabo to exchange your visa for an official resident card (known as the canje)

TEMPORARY RESIDENT VISA | Financial Solvency

1. Financial Solvency: You must choose options a) or b):
1. Investment or bank accounts with a monthly ending balance of at least 5,000 days of the current general minimum wage in Mexico City (approx. $73,235.29 USD). To prove this, you need to provide: 
1. The printouts of your electronic bank statements certified (signed and/or stamped) by the bank, of each of the previous 12 months. OR
2. The printouts of your electronic bank statements PLUS a letter from your financial institution indicating your full name (no omissions), the details about your account, and the ending balance of each of the previous 12 months. The letter must be signed by hand. 
2. Employment or Pension that yields a monthly income of at least 300 days of the current general minimum wage in Mexico City (approx. $4,394.11 USD) after taxes, during each of the previous 6 months. To prove this, you need to provide:
1. Pension: The original or most recent letter from the Social Security or Pension issuer indicating the monthly amount that you receive and monthly certified financial statements in which that amount is reflected or the pension receipts for each of the last 6 months.
2. Employment: Verification letter from your employer stating your employment commencement date, position title, the salary you receive PLUS all paystubs for the last 6 months.
1. The letter must include your full name as it appears in your passport and must be signed by hand (no electronic signatures or photocopies of the original will be accepted).
2. You may also present monthly certified financial statements where the income is deposited.

• If you have direct economic dependents (spouse, parents or children) you must prove the family bond with a marriage license and or birth certificate and prove financial solvency for them by adding 100 days of the current general minimum wage in Mexico City (approx. $1,464.70 USD). per dependent to the required monthly amount.

General Requirements

1. Application Form (click here)
2. Passport, original and copy of the page with your personal details, photograph, & signature.
3. One passport size photograph (front, no glasses, color, white background and must be recent).
• Measurements: No more than 39 millimeters x 31 millimeters
4. Proof of legal status in the U.S. (this only applies for non-U.S. citizens) original and copy: US Visa, entry stamp, E.S.T.A. (Electronic System Travel Authorization) Permanent Resident card, EAD cards, approved I-797A Forms, Advanced Parole Forms (I-512), I-20 or DS-2019.

Disclaimers:

1. The issuance of this visa is contingent to the Consular Interview.
2. The Visa will only be valid for the time frame indicated on the document, and will only be valid for one entry, in order to finalize the process with Mexican Immigration.
3. The Visa fee (click here)  and non-refundable.

Outliance Real Estate provides access to trusted legal partners to ensure a seamless transition.

The Best Places to Live in Cabo for Expats

1. Cabo San Lucas

Energetic, social, and close to nightlife and marinas. Expats love El Tezal, Ventanas, and Pedregal for their blend of value and views.

2. San José del Cabo

More traditional and tranquil. Neighborhoods like Club Campestre, Palmilla, and Puerto Los Cabos attract families, artists, and retirees.

3. East Cape

Remote, undeveloped, and booming. Ideal for off-grid living or early-stage investment with high appreciation potential.

Cost of Living in Los Cabos for Expats

Real monthly costs depend on location and lifestyle:

• Housing: $1,200–$4,500 USD/month
• Utilities: $150–$400 USD (electricity, water delivery, internet)
• Healthcare: $100–$300 USD/month for private insurance
• Groceries & Dining: $400–$1,000 USD/month

Key areas to explore: El Tezal (best value), Querencia (ultra-luxury), Magisterial (local expat mix), and La Playita (beach-adjacent charm).

Safety, Infrastructure & Lifestyle Integration

Los Cabos is considered one of Mexico’s safest regions, thanks to:

• Gated communities with 24/7 security
• Investment in tourism-policing infrastructure
• Strong international expat network

Transportation is easy with Uber, rental cars, or taxis. Highways are modern, and most major services—from banking to healthcare—are bilingual and efficient.

Does Cabo have good healthcare?

Healthcare in Los Cabos is modern and affordable, with English-speaking providers at:

• H+ Hospital Los Cabos
• BlueNet Hospitals
• St. Luke’s Medical Center
  
  

For families, bilingual international schools include:

• Colegio El Camino
• Delmar International School
• Instituto Peninsular
  

2025 FAQ: What Expats Are Searching

• Can Americans retire in Cabo? Yes—with a Temporary or Permanent Resident Visa, many live comfortably on Social Security or retirement income.
  
  
• Is it safe to buy property in Los Cabos? Yes—when using professional legal advisors and certified escrow services.
  
  
• Do I need to speak Spanish? Not immediately, but learning the basics will enhance your experience. English is widely spoken.
  
  
• How long does it take to get residency? From visa approval to final card: approx. 2–3 months.
  
  

Relocating with Confidence

Outliance Real Estate, led by Jesús Valenzuela and Gaby López, offers a full-service experience for expats moving to Cabo. From sourcing properties in Palmilla, Querencia, Puerto Los Cabos, Palmilla, Pedregal and Cabo del Sol to guiding visa, fideicomiso, and lifestyle logistics, they ensure every client transitions with clarity and confidence.

Their expertise has earned them features on HGTV’s House Hunters International and in Forbes México—making them the trusted choice for relocation and investment in Los Cabos.

Relocating to Baja California Sur? Trust the top-rated team helping families and expats find homes for communities like Palmilla, Pedregal, and Querencia. Outliance Real Estate Group—founded by Jesús Valenzuela and Gaby López—is featured on HGTV’s House Hunters International and recognized in Forbes México for delivering the best relocation experience with legal support and local insight. Start your search at Outliance.com and follow us on Instagram @OutlianceRealEstate for exclusive listings, videos, and behind-the-scenes insights.