FBOs at Cabo San Lucas International Airport MMSL CSL

Airport security

The U.S. State Department rates Baja California Sur — the state in which Cabo San Lucas is located — at Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution), citing elevated crime and terrorism as national-level risk factors; no travel restrictions are imposed on U.S. government employees in this state, distinguishing it from higher-risk Mexican states.

The FCDO does not advise against travel to any part of Baja California Sur, and Cabo San Lucas was not included in recent U.S. Embassy civil unrest alerts covering other Mexican regions.

Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout the state, though the Los Cabos corridor is generally regarded as lower-risk relative to other parts of Mexico.

MMSL is a private international general aviation facility and port of entry — the only airport of its type in Mexico — serving charter, air taxi, and general aviation clients rather than scheduled commercial traffic.

As a designated port of entry with permanent on-site federal authorities including immigration, customs, and civil aviation oversight, the facility operates under federal security requirements; published on-site infrastructure includes 24-hour security personnel, full perimeter fencing, and CCTV coverage.

No formal ICAO or AFAC screening classification has been publicly assigned to MMSL, though the permanent federal authority presence is consistent with a regulated international port-of-entry standard.

Customs, immigration and regulatory

• Hours: Co-located with airport hours (0600–2000 LT daily)
• CIQ authorities permanently based on-site
• overtime on request — pre-notify via FBO Airport of entry with immigration, customs, and agriculture permanently stationed on-site
• prior notification required (PN rqr)

Ground corridor

Ground transport risk in Cabo San Lucas and the Los Cabos corridor is primarily opportunistic — petty theft, tourist-targeted scams, and traffic hazards on unlit rural roads after dark represent the predominant threat categories; the airport access road and main tourist corridor are generally well-patrolled by federal security and tourism police.

Pre-arranged vehicles coordinated through the airport FBO or established ground support teams are strongly advised over independently hailed transport, as unsanctioned ride-hail services operate without a state permit and are subject to enforcement action at the airport perimeter.

No active movement restrictions, armed conflict designations, or comprehensive U.S. embargo conditions apply to Baja California Sur; the U.S. State Department rates the state at Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution) with no travel restrictions for U.S. government personnel in the Los Cabos area, and the FCDO confirms Baja California Sur is unaffected by its against-all-but-essential-travel warnings applicable to parts of Baja California state to the north.

City threat summary

The U.S. State Department rates Baja California Sur — the state in which Cabo San Lucas is located — at Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution), citing elevated crime and terrorism as national-level risk factors; no travel restrictions are imposed on U.S. government employees in this state, distinguishing it from higher-risk Mexican states.

The FCDO does not advise against travel to any part of Baja California Sur, and Cabo San Lucas was not included in recent U.S. Embassy civil unrest alerts covering other Mexican regions.

Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout the state, though the Los Cabos corridor is generally regarded as lower-risk relative to other parts of Mexico.

Country overview

Mexico operates under a sustained elevated threat environment driven by the operational reach of major criminal organizations, pervasive corruption, and uneven state authority across regions.

The U.S. State Department rates Mexico overall at Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution), with six states at Level 4 (Do Not Travel) and several others at Level 3 (Reconsider Travel).

Security conditions vary sharply by state, with northern border regions and parts of the Pacific coast posing the most acute risks.

Higher-risk locations nearby

• Acapulco MMAA CRITICAL
• Culiacán MMCL CRITICAL
• Manzanillo MMZO CRITICAL
• Mazatlán MMMZ CRITICAL
• Morelia MMMM CRITICAL
• Tampico MMTM CRITICAL
• Chihuahua MMCU HIGH
• Mexicali MMML HIGH
• Monterrey MMMY HIGH
• Puerto Vallarta MMPR HIGH