Your Lifein Cabo

Yes. Foreigners can legally buy property anywhere in Mexico. For coastal properties within 50 kilometers of the shoreline, a fideicomiso (bank trust) is required. This gives you full ownership rights including the ability to sell, rent, remodel, and pass the property to heirs. The trust is renewable every 50 years.

A fideicomiso is a bank trust that holds legal title to your property with a Mexican bank as trustee, while you maintain full control as the beneficiary. Setup costs range from $2,000 to $3,000 USD, with annual maintenance fees of $550 to $1,000 USD. The trust lasts 50 years and is renewable indefinitely.

Property prices in Los Cabos range widely by area. Entry-level condos start around $150,000 USD in areas like Cerritos Beach and El Tezal. Mid-range homes in San Jose del Cabo run $400,000 to $1,500,000. Luxury estates in Pedregal, Palmilla, and Diamante range from $2,000,000 to over $25,000,000. Total closing costs are typically 4 to 8 percent of the purchase price.

The best area depends on your lifestyle. Pedregal offers gated hilltop luxury with bay views. Palmilla is known for world-class golf and the One&Only resort. San Jose del Cabo Art District appeals to culture lovers. East Cape and Costa Palmas attract buyers seeking exclusivity. Cerritos and Todos Santos are popular with surfers and artists.

Yes. Mexico has a well-established legal framework for foreign property ownership. The fideicomiso trust system has been in place since 1971 and is regulated by the Mexican federal government. A notario publico (government-appointed attorney) supervises every transaction to protect both buyer and seller. Los Cabos consistently ranks as one of Mexico's safest regions.

The typical timeline from accepted offer to possession is 40 to 45 days. This includes the SRE permit from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (2 to 3 weeks), property appraisal, title search, fideicomiso setup, and closing before a notario. Working with an experienced agent can streamline the process significantly.