Cabo San Lucas Real Estate Just Had Its Biggest Year-Over-Year Jump Yet — Here's What the Q1 2025 Numbers Actually Mean


If you've been keeping an eye on the Cabo San Lucas property market for any length of time, you already know this place doesn't really do "slow." But even by Cabo standards, the numbers coming out of Q1 2025 are genuinely eye-opening. We're not talking about marginal growth or the usual optimistic spin — we're talking about figures that would turn heads in any market, anywhere in the world.

So let's break it all down, because there's a lot here worth understanding — whether you're a serious investor, a casual dreamer, or someone who's been sitting on the fence about buying beachfront properties in Cabo for way too long.

The Headline Numbers: 70% Volume Growth and a 56% Price Surge

Home sales grew by over 70% in volume, with the average sale price rising 56% compared to Q1 2024 — underscoring strong demand for high-end residences. Let that sink in for a second. That's not just a good quarter; that's a market firing on all cylinders.

In Q1 2025, the market registered that 70% year-over-year increase in total sales volume, hitting an extraordinary $559 million USD. Luxury properties led the charge, now representing a staggering 77% of all dollar volume in the region. The ultra-luxury segment deserves special mention too — the $2M–$5M price band saw 48 transactions totaling $166 million USD in Q1 alone.

And here's something that often gets glossed over in these reports: Los Cabos remains primarily a cash market — an attractive indicator of financial stability and strong equity-based purchases. That's a big deal. When buyers are showing up with cash, it tells you something real about buyer conviction and market health.

What's Happening Off-MLS? The Numbers You're NOT Seeing

Here's the part most casual market watchers miss. All data typically reflects sold activity through the MLS and doesn't represent all real estate transactions in the area, including private sales. Some of the most prestigious ultra-high-end luxury communities — including Maravilla, Montage, Cove Club, Four Seasons, El Dorado, and Chileno Bay — continue to experience exceptionally strong activity that's happening entirely off the MLS.

Chileno Bay is probably the most dramatic example of this. Chileno Bay alone has recorded over $230 million USD in real estate sales since November 2024, highlighting the sustained demand for premier luxury properties in Los Cabos. That's a single community generating nearly a quarter-billion dollars in transactions in just a few months — and most of that wouldn't even show up in the standard market data.

At Chileno Bay, one of the most coveted addresses in the region, custom-built homes are quietly changing hands in the $30 to $40 million USD range through private offerings — cementing Cabo's reputation as a truly world-class luxury real estate destination. It's the kind of statistic that makes you do a double-take.

Where the Smart Money Is Looking: Top Communities to Watch

Not all of Cabo San Lucas real estate is created equal, and the Q1 2025 data makes that even clearer. Beyond Chileno Bay, there are several communities that continue to stand out for long-term value and lifestyle appeal.

Communities like Palmilla, Querencia, Quivira, Diamante, Puerto Los Cabos, Hacienda Beach Club, and El Encanto de La Laguna offer some of the best overall value in high-end luxury real estate. These communities feature world-class residences along with exceptional lifestyle amenities — whether it's championship golf, exclusive beach clubs, wellness centers, or fine dining.

And it's not just about the homes themselves. Despite a rise in active listings, demand in the luxury tier continues to outpace supply, leading to competitive bidding — especially in high-demand enclaves like Palmilla, Querencia, and Cabo del Sol. When supply can't keep pace with demand at the high end, prices tend to have one direction to go.

A Quick Look at the Numbers by Community Type

  • Ultra-Luxury (off-MLS communities like Chileno Bay, El Dorado, Maravilla): Transactions in the $20M–$40M+ range, largely invisible to standard market reports
  • High-End Lifestyle Communities (Palmilla, Querencia, Diamante): Market experts forecast annual appreciation of 3–7% over the next 18 months, especially for properties in premium locations, with communities like Querencia and Palmilla poised for sustained gains due to constrained inventory.
  • Mid-Luxury ($500K–$1.5M): Still active, particularly among U.S. and Canadian buyers looking for Cabo real estate investments with rental income potential

Why Is the Cabo San Lucas Property Market So Resilient?

Honestly, this is the question worth asking. Markets don't just grow 70% in a quarter without some serious underlying forces at play. A few things are clearly driving this:

Baja California Sur continues to hold its reputation as the most desirable region in Mexico for foreign investment. The reasons are pretty straightforward when you think about it — year-round sun, direct flights from most major U.S. cities, world-class amenities, and a lifestyle that's genuinely hard to replicate elsewhere.

The rise of remote work and lifestyle migration has brought a new cohort of high-earning professionals to Cabo — many of whom are making permanent moves, not just buying vacation homes. That's a structural shift in buyer behavior, not a passing trend.

Travel to Cabo is at an all-time high, with over 4 million visitors now coming each year, further fueling interest in one of the most dynamic and sought-after markets in Mexico. Tourism and real estate demand are deeply intertwined here, and that visitor pipeline keeps feeding both short-term rental income and long-term appreciation.

What About Land Sales? The One Weak Spot

It's not all one-directional, and honest Cabo real estate news should acknowledge that. Land sales declined by 45% in volume and 15% in units compared to Q1 2024, suggesting buyers are prioritizing finished properties for immediate enjoyment or rental income. That makes a lot of sense intuitively — when you've got a strong rental market and buyers want to start earning returns quickly, a raw lot that needs two years of construction isn't exactly the most appealing option.

But even this tells a positive story about the broader market. Buyers aren't walking away — they're just shifting their focus to turnkey homes and condos. That's not weakness; that's preference evolution.

What This Means If You're Thinking About Buying

Look, the data is pretty clear. Buyer demand is strong, especially for move-in-ready homes and condos. Los Cabos remains a secure, cash-driven market — minimizing risks tied to overleveraged transactions. Lifestyle, climate, and proximity to the U.S. continue to make it an ideal choice for international buyers.

In high-demand communities like Palmilla, Pedregal, and Chileno Bay, luxury homes not only appreciate steadily but also offer attractive short-term rental income — with annual gross yields often ranging from 6% to 10% in tourism-driven zones. That's a meaningful return on top of any capital appreciation you might see.

And for those worried about the legal side of foreign ownership — as of 2025, there have been no major regulatory shifts affecting property ownership for foreigners in Cabo San Lucas. Buyers continue to purchase through the fideicomiso (bank trust) or Mexican corporations in restricted zones, retaining full rights to use and resell their properties. This consistency has played a critical role in maintaining investor confidence.

The Q1 2025 data doesn't just show a market that's performing well — it shows a market that's deepening, broadening, and attracting serious capital from serious buyers. Whether you're eyeing luxury homes in Cabo San Lucas, a beachfront condo on the Pacific Corridor, or a stake in one of the region's premier gated communities, one thing's hard to argue with: the momentum is real, and it's showing no signs of stalling.

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