In 2027 the sun sets in Cabo San Lucas between about 5:35 pm in late November and early December and 7:08 pm in late June and July. Baja California Sur keeps UTC-7 all year with no daylight saving. Only the Pacific side gets the sun setting straight into the ocean; on the Sea of Cortez side and the Corridor, it sets over the land, which gives softer light. Golden hour starts about 30 minutes before sunset.
Ask anyone who has photographed in Los Cabos and they will tell you the same thing: the light in the last half hour is the reason to come. Here is exactly when it happens each month, and where to stand.
Sunset Times by Month
Times for Cabo San Lucas on the 15th of each month in 2027, with the compass direction of the sunset. Baja California Sur keeps Pacific time all year (UTC-7, no daylight saving), the same as Alberta in winter.
| Month | Golden | Sunset | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 5:23 pm | 5:56 pm | 247° |
| February | 5:45 pm | 6:16 pm | 257° |
| March | 5:59 pm | 6:29 pm | 268° |
| April | 6:10 pm | 6:40 pm | 281° |
| May | 6:22 pm | 6:53 pm | 291° |
| June | 6:34 pm | 7:06 pm | 296° |
| July | 6:36 pm | 7:08 pm | 294° |
| August | 6:21 pm | 6:52 pm | 285° |
| September | 5:53 pm | 6:23 pm | 273° |
| October | 5:24 pm | 5:54 pm | 261° |
| November | 5:04 pm | 5:35 pm | 250° |
| December | 5:04 pm | 5:37 pm | 245° |
San José del Cabo is about a minute earlier, and the East Cape about two. The direction column matters for photographs: in December the sun sets toward the southwest, in June toward the northwest, which changes what is behind you.
Pacific or Sea of Cortez
The Pacific side, from Pedregal north past Diamante and Quivira, faces west. The sun drops straight into the ocean, the color is intense, and the waves add drama. The beaches are not for swimming, so sessions stay on the sand.
The Sea of Cortez side and the Tourist Corridor face south and southeast. The sun sets over the land to the west, so the beach falls into soft, even light that is kind to faces, and the sky over the sea turns pink after sunset. Several of the calm, swimmable bays are on this side.
The Best Sunset Spots
- Pedregal and the Pacific resorts: ocean sunsets, especially strong in winter. See Waldorf Astoria Pedregal, Nobu and Pueblo Bonito Pacifica.
- El Arco from the bay: from November to January the sun sets toward Land's End, close to the line of the arch from the Cabo San Lucas side. See The Cape and our El Arco guide.
- The Corridor bays: soft light and calm water at Chileno Bay and Santa María Bay, best for families.
- San José del Cabo: the beach for the last light, then the historic center at blue hour.
Planning a Sunset Session
We start sessions about an hour before sunset: around 4:35 pm in December and 6:05 pm in June. Wedding ceremonies start about 90 minutes before sunset, so that portraits fall in the last light. In winter, evenings cool quickly after sunset, so bring a layer for after the photos.
A Note on Time Zones
Los Cabos is on UTC-7 all year, which is Pacific time for most of Mexico's west coast. In winter it matches Alberta and Arizona; in summer, when the US and Canada move their clocks, Los Cabos matches Pacific Daylight Time on the US west coast. Cancún is two hours ahead of Los Cabos all year. Check your phone's clock against the hotel's on arrival.