The history of Cabo San Lucas in brief
Cabo San Lucas sits at the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula, in the municipality of Los Cabos. Its story runs from the Pericú, the people who lived here, through galleon routes and industrial fishing to the tourism that shapes the town now.
The landscape that frames this story, El Arco and the rocks of Land's End, is seen from the water. To see it yourself, read about Cabo boat tours, and for the arch itself see El Arco and Land's End.
Timeline of Cabo San Lucas
The main steps, in order.
| Period | What happened |
|---|---|
| Before European contact | The Pericú live here. The place is known as Yenekamú. |
| 1587 | Thomas Cavendish raids the Santa Anna, a ship on the Manila trade route, off Cabo San Lucas. |
| 1925 | Factory ship operations begin. |
| 1929 | Fish processing on land begins. |
| Mid 20th century | First tourism development. |
| Mid 1970s | Marina expansion and the hotel economy gain strength. |
| 1976 | Development of the planned resort area Los Cabos begins. |
| Late 1970s | Fish canning production ends. |
| 1980 | Cabo San Lucas becomes part of the newly founded municipality of Los Cabos. |
For most readers the key point is the sequence: first the Pericú, then a long period of sea trade and industrial fishing, and only from the mid 20th century the tourism that defines the town today.
Our pick: a guided tour of the towns
A guided tour of Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo is the easiest way to see both places in one day.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
See Cabo San Lucas from the water
Boat trips to El Arco, whale watching, snorkeling and more, with live prices and availability.
The Pericú and Yenekamú
People lived here long before the first European ships.
The Pericú
The people who lived here are called the Pericú. They knew the place as Yenekamú. The area was not empty when Europeans arrived, so any account that starts with the first ships leaves out most of the story.
Galleons and a raid in 1587
In 1587 Thomas Cavendish attacked the Santa Anna off Cabo San Lucas. The ship was on the Manila trade route. The raid is a single event. It does not mean a pirate fortress or a permanent pirate village stood here.
Industrial fishing and tuna
Factory ships and canning shaped the town.
Factory ships and canning
Factory ship operations began in 1925, and processing on land followed in 1929. The tuna industry shaped the local economy. Canning production ended in the late 1970s.
Fishing today
Today's sportfishing charters belong to the tourism chapter. They do not replace the history of industrial fishing, and Cabo San Lucas is no longer a fishing village. For the current rules, see the fishing charter guide.
From marina to resort town
How tourism took over.
First tourism
The first tourism development came in the middle of the 20th century. Marina expansion and the hotel economy gained strength in the mid 1970s.
The 1976 resort plan
In 1976 the development of the planned resort area Los Cabos began. That is a planning milestone. It is not the founding year of the town, and tourism did not start with it.
Municipality of Los Cabos
From 1980 Cabo San Lucas belongs to the newly founded municipality of Los Cabos, whose seat is San José del Cabo. In the 2020 census, Cabo San Lucas counted 202,694 people, San José del Cabo 136,285 and the whole municipality 351,111. These are census figures from 2020, not current numbers.
Missions: not in Cabo San Lucas
A common mix-up.
The mission in San José del Cabo was founded in 1730. It belongs to that town, not to Cabo San Lucas. The mission Santa Rosa de Todos Santos dates from 1733 and belongs to Todos Santos, which you can visit as a day trip. Read the Todos Santos guide for more.
Cabo San Lucas history: frequently asked questions
Who lived in Cabo San Lucas before the Europeans?
The Pericú. The place was known as Yenekamú. The area was inhabited long before Europeans arrived.
Was Cabo San Lucas a pirate town?
No. Thomas Cavendish raided the Santa Anna, a ship on the Manila trade route, off Cabo San Lucas in 1587. That does not point to a pirate fortress or a permanent pirate village.
When did the tuna industry operate?
Factory ship operations began in 1925 and processing on land in 1929. Canning production ended in the late 1970s.
When did tourism begin in Cabo San Lucas?
The first tourism development came in the middle of the 20th century. Marina expansion and the hotel economy gained strength in the mid 1970s.
Is Cabo San Lucas still a fishing village?
No. Industrial fishing shaped the town in the 20th century and canning ended in the late 1970s. Today tourism, the marina and sportfishing charters define it. In the 2020 census Cabo San Lucas counted 202,694 people.