Your Guide to a San Jose del Cabo Wedding
A San Jose del Cabo wedding combines authentic Mexican charm with laid-back luxury. Unlike its energetic neighbor Cabo San Lucas, San Jose del Cabo offers a quieter, more intimate setting with its cobblestone streets, art galleries, and historic colonial architecture around Plaza Mijares. It’s a calm, refined choice for couples who want their wedding to feel special, not like a spring break party. You can see the town’s character in images like this: San Jose del Cabo Historic.
Here’s a quick overview for planning a wedding in San Jose del Cabo:
- Best time to wed: October through June, to avoid summer heat.
- Average cost: $80,000-$250,000+ USD for 50 guests.
- Popular venues: Acre Baja, Flora Farms, Hilton Los Cabos, Hotel El Ganzo.
- Venue types: Organic farms, luxury resorts, beachfront properties, treehouses.
- Guest capacity: From 16 to over 350 guests.
- Transportation: 25-30 minutes from Los Cabos International Airport (SJD).
- Key vendors: Planners, photographers, florists, caterers.
Most venues require you to hire an external wedding planner, especially outdoor locations like Acre Baja. They handle coordination, backup plans for weather, transportation, and vendor management.
Weather is a major factor. The comfortable months are October through June. Summer is hot and humid with a chance of rain. Peak wedding season means higher costs and less availability, so booking 12-18 months in advance is recommended for popular dates.
Choosing Your Venue: From Farms to Five-Stars
San Jose del Cabo wedding venues range from beachfront resorts to rustic farms, each offering a different backdrop for your celebration.
Popular Venue Types:
- Luxury Resorts: These offer full services and ocean views. Resorts like Hilton Los Cabos Beach & Golf Resort are known for having a swimmable beach. Viceroy Los Cabos has a modern design, while Paradisus Los Cabos can host large groups. Other high-end options include Rosewood Las Ventanas al ParaĂso and Mar del Cabo by Velas Resort, which has outdoor spaces for events of 40 to 150 guests.
- Organic Farms: For a bohemian feel, Flora Farms and Acre Baja are popular choices. Flora Farms is known for its garden-to-table dining. Acre Baja, set on 25 acres in the foothills, mixes organic farming with event spaces and treehouse lodging for a jungle-chic atmosphere. You can see its style here: Acre Wedding.
- Boutique Hotels: For smaller gatherings, boutique hotels offer personal service. Hotel El Ganzo is a good example with its artistic vibe and rooftop pool. See the Pool at Hotel El Ganzo in San Jose del Cabo.
Venue capacities range from intimate boutique hotels to large resorts and farms. For example, Acre Baja can host anywhere from 16 to 350 guests. When choosing, consider the experience you want—a beachfront ceremony, a lush garden reception, or a modern hotel affair. For more ideas, you can explore Cabo Wedding Venues.
Budgeting for Your Big Day
A destination wedding is an investment. For a San Jose del Cabo wedding with around 50 guests, costs can range from $80,000 to $250,000+ USD. This covers the venue, catering, planner, and decor.
Common Wedding Costs:
- Venue & Minimums: Many venues have rental fees or buyout costs, plus food and beverage minimums that can range from $40,000 to $100,000+ USD at a venue like Acre Baja.
- Catering: Plan for $300 to $600+ USD per person for the reception and bar.
- Planner: A full-service planner is often required, with fees from $8,000 to $20,000+ USD.
- Other Services:
- Florals & Decor: $10,000 – $30,000+ USD
- Entertainment: $3,000 – $12,000+ USD
- Photography/Videography: $6,000 – $15,000+ USD
- Guest Transportation: $3,000 – $6,000+ USD
Splurge vs. Save:
- Save: Choose a weekday, keep the guest list small, and use the natural scenery for decor.
- Splurge: Buy out a property for a multi-day event, host welcome parties, invest in custom lighting and florals, and book live bands.
Guests typically cover their own travel and lodging. The hosts cover the wedding events. Consider event insurance, as cancellation policies can be strict. You can find more on planning a destination wedding here: More info on planning a destination wedding.
The Best Time of Year for Your San Jose del Cabo Wedding
Ideal Months:
The best months are October through June. The weather is sunny, dry, and warm, with low humidity and cool evenings.
- October-November: Pleasant temperatures and calm seas.
- December-April: This is peak season with great weather. It’s also whale-watching season. Prices are higher, so book well in advance.
- May-June: Weather is still good, with temperatures starting to rise. You may find better availability than in winter.
Weather to Note:
- Heat: July, August, and September are the hottest months, with high humidity.
- Hurricane Season: This runs from June to November, with the highest risk in August and September. While direct hits are uncommon, storms can cause rain and travel issues. If booking these months, get travel insurance and choose a venue with an indoor backup plan.
Peak season (December-April) has the best weather but also higher prices and more crowds. The off-peak season (July-September) can be more affordable but comes with heat and a higher chance of rain.
Nailing the Details: Vendors, Guests, and Getting Around
Coordinating a destination wedding involves many moving parts. With the right team, your San Jose del Cabo wedding can run smoothly.
Finding Your Team: Planners, Photos, and Florals
San Jose del Cabo has a talented community of wedding vendors.
- Wedding Planners: A local planner is essential for handling logistics and vendor relationships, and many venues require one. Companies like Del Cabo Weddings are known for their detailed planning. You can contact them at Del Cabo Weddings.
- Photography: Los Cabos has beautiful backdrops, from the Sea of Cortez to organic farms. Photographers are available to capture your day, with some offering drone filming for aerial shots.
- Floral & Decor: Local designers can create arrangements that fit the setting. Ariavera Floral is one local option that uses fresh flowers for beach altars, gardens, or terrace settings. Find more information here: Ariavera Floral.
- Catering: The food scene in San Jose del Cabo is excellent, with menus ranging from Mexican buffets to farm-to-table dining at venues like Flora Farms and Acre Baja. Caterers can typically handle dietary restrictions.
Vendors to Book:
- Wedding Planner
- Venue
- Caterer
- Photographer & Videographer
- Florist & Decorator
- Officiant
- Musicians/DJ
- Hair & Makeup Artist
- Transportation Provider
Guest Accommodations and Activities
Making your guests’ trip comfortable and fun is important. San Jose del Cabo has many lodging options and activities.
- Hotel Blocks: Keep guests together by securing discounted room blocks at resorts like Hilton Los Cabos, Paradisus Los Cabos, or Mar del Cabo.
- Villa Rentals: For groups wanting more space, companies like Agave Villas offer villa rentals in areas like the East Cape.
- Boutique Hotels: For an intimate stay, consider unique lodging at boutique hotels like Hotel El Ganzo or others in downtown San Jose del Cabo. You can look at more options at Explore boutique hotels in Cabo.
Pre-Wedding Activities:
Encourage guests to explore the area.
- Art Walk: On Thursday evenings (November-June), the San Jose del Cabo Art Walk is a popular activity where guests can visit galleries and enjoy live music.
- Snorkeling & Diving: The Sea of Cortez is great for exploring marine life.
- Golf: Los Cabos is a top golf destination with many courses.
- Mezcal Tastings & Food Tours: Let guests experience local flavors.
- Animal Sanctuary: At Acre Baja, guests can visit the animal sanctuary.
- Day Trips: Suggest trips to Todos Santos or the beaches of the East Cape.
Transportation for Your San Jose del Cabo Wedding
Getting everyone around Los Cabos can be simple with some planning. SJD Taxi offers private and shuttle transportation services.
- Airport Arrival: Los Cabos International Airport (SJD) is about 25 to 30 minutes from San Jose del Cabo. SJD Taxi monitors flights for delays, so a vehicle is ready when you arrive.
- Guest Transportation: For airport transfers, you have a few choices.
- Shared Shuttles: This is an affordable option, costing between $13-$40 USD per person each way. Shuttles carry multiple passengers and make a few stops. They are a good choice for those on a budget, but they cannot make grocery stops, enter private communities, or accommodate child car seats.
- Private Transfers: For a direct and more comfortable ride, SJD Taxi offers private SUVs and vans. These trips include a complimentary beer or water per passenger, can make grocery stops, and will take you to the door of your rental. Child car seats are available upon request. You can find more information on Wedding Transportation in Los Cabos and Cabo Wedding Shuttle Service.
- Getting to Venues: Arranging shuttles for guests is a good idea for venues like Acre Baja, as parking can be limited and ride-shares may be hard to find late at night. SJD Taxi can arrange transportation for your wedding events. For tips on getting to a popular venue, see Cabo Transportation to Acre Resort.
- SJD Taxi Services: SJD Taxi can manage group transportation for your entire wedding party, from airport arrivals to venue transfers. Planning event transportation is a key step for a stress-free wedding. You can get more ideas from the Los Cabos Event Transportation Guide. You can book private or shuttle transfers and cancel up to 72 hours before your service for a full refund.