History of Cabo San Lucas in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: February 22, 2026

Cabo San Lucas, or Cabo, is a resort city located at the southern tip of Baja California in Mexico. In 2020, its population was 202,694. Cabo, along with neighboring San José del Cabo, forms Los Cabos, a metropolitan area with 351,111 residents.

1900: Historical Context

The book Guia Familiar de Baja California, 1700–1900 by Pablo L. Martinez mentions Cipriano Ceseña as the founder of Cabo San Lucas in 1788.

1917: American Company Built Platform

In 1917, an American company built a floating platform in Cabo San Lucas to catch tuna.

1974: Tourism Industry Development

In 1974, the Mexican government began developing infrastructure to transform Cabo San Lucas into a major tourism center in Mexico, prompting the growth of the tourism industry.

September 2014: Hurricane Odile Landfall

On September 14, 2014, Hurricane Odile made landfall at Cabo San Lucas and caused widespread damage.

2015: Population Statistics

As of 2015, the population of Cabo San Lucas was 81,111, making it the third-largest city in Baja California Sur.

2017: Increased Airport Passengers

In 2017, Los Cabos Airport had 800 thousand fewer passengers than in 2022.

2017: Projected Travel Leader

In 2017, Los Cabos was projected to be one of the leaders in travel in Latin America, due to increased accessibility with added plane routes from the US and Canada.

2018: Tourism Growth

By 2018, it was expected that 4,000 new sleeping rooms would become available in Cabo, and the increase in tourism would contribute to its growth as a leader in leisure.