The traditional script for your fifties reads like a countdown to retirement. But that thinking belongs to an era when a single job lasted 30 years and ended with a gold watch and a fat pension.
What if instead of winding down, you could reinvent your work life while basking in the glow of a Pacific sunset? Today’s digital economy offers a different path, one where you can build a thriving business while living in a place that most people only dream of visiting on vacation.
Los Cabos, Mexico isn’t just another beautiful beach destination. It’s rapidly emerging as a hub for location-independent professionals who’ve realized that “retirement age” is the perfect time to blend business ambition with lifestyle freedom.
Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo (collectively, Los Cabos) welcomed a record-breaking 3.86 million air travelers in 2023; that’s one million more than pre-pandemic levels.
But here’s what makes this particularly relevant for perhaps investing in Cabo real estate: the region’s population grew by 47% between 2010 and 2020, with projections suggesting it will reach 800,000 by 2040.
This isn’t just tourism growth, it’s a fundamental shift in who calls Los Cabos home. The region has become a magnet for remote workers and entrepreneurs from California, Texas, and beyond who recognize that in our digital age, success is no longer bound by geography.
Having run my own digital ventures from five continents since 2006, I can tell you that few places offer the unique combination of infrastructure, lifestyle, and opportunity that Los Cabos presents. In fact, in the last five years I’ve spent more time in Mexico’s Baja Sur peninsula where Los Cabos is located than any other place outside of the U.S.
The Digital Infrastructure Reality Check
Let’s address the crucial question first: Can you actually run a business from here?
According to Kaeli Sanderson, a Canadian expat who’s called Los Cabos home for six years, the answer is a resounding yes. “Los Cabos has become a hotspot for remote workers,” she notes, citing reliable internet and a growing community of digital professionals as key factors. I’ll second those sentiments.
The tech backbone is solid and affordable. Internet service through Telmex runs about 349 MXN monthly (roughly $20 USD) for reliable connectivity. For those who prefer a more professional setting, co-working spaces like T1ME & CO in Cabo San Lucas and COLAB in San José del Cabo offer high-speed internet and networking opportunities for around $25 per day.
The Practical Side of Paradise
The mechanics of daily life here are surprisingly straightforward.
Banking is no problem. BBVA offers comprehensive services including international transfers, with English-speaking branches in expat areas.
Healthcare deserves special attention, as it’s often a major concern for professionals making a location shift. Los Cabos offers a sophisticated mix of public and private healthcare options that might surprise you.
As Sanderson shares from her personal experience, “Having a C-section cost me about $1000 USD, which is way less than you would pay in places like Canada or the USA without medical coverage.”
While the public system (IMSS) is available with proper registration, most expats opt for private healthcare for its combination of English-speaking doctors and faster service. Private healthcare here delivers high-quality care at a fraction of North American prices, with doctor consultations typically running just a few hundred pesos.
The quality rivals what you’d find in major U.S. cities, but without the crushing costs that often keep American entrepreneurs tethered to corporate jobs for insurance. That said, smart business planning includes budgeting for medical expenses and considering a health insurance plan that aligns with your needs.
Getting around is equally manageable. The main highway connecting San José del Cabo to Cabo San Lucas serves as the area’s spine, with options ranging from public buses to Uber. The international airport offers direct flights to major U.S. and Canadian cities, making it easy to maintain face-to-face connections with clients or family.
Cabo Can Be Your New Business Community
The expat business community here is vibrant and growing. Local markets like the Los Cabos Organic Market aren’t just places to shop – they’re networking hubs where entrepreneurs connect. As Sanderson observes, these gatherings have become “hotspots for health-conscious expats, locals, and travelers alike.”
High-end grocers like California Ranch Market cater to international tastes, while co-working spaces offer both workspace and community. T1ME & CO, for instance, features a “conscious bar” with non-alcoholic beverages and adaptogenic coffee – perfect for maintaining focus while networking with fellow professionals.
The Numbers Add Up in Los Cabos
The financial side of things makes sense for both a business and lifestyle upgrade.
Living costs can be significantly lower than in major North American cities, particularly if you choose local markets over tourist spots. A high-speed internet package with cable runs under $60 USD monthly, and as mentioned above, healthcare costs are a fraction of U.S. prices.
More importantly, the lifestyle dividend is substantial.
Imagine taking client calls from your ocean-view terrace, scheduling meetings around walks on the beach, and building your business in a community of like-minded professionals who’ve also chosen to rewrite the rules of work and retirement.
Making Your Move to Cabo
The path to establishing yourself here is well-marked.
Mobile connectivity? Any Oxxo convenience store can set you up with a prepaid SIM card.
Need a workspace? Both Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo offer co-working options with day passes under $25.
Language issues? While English is common in tourist areas, learning Spanish enriches both your business and personal life. Consider it an investment in your new venture – one that pays dividends in local connections and opportunities.
The Bottom Line
Los Cabos offers more than just a beautiful backdrop for your next chapter.
It also provides the infrastructure, community, and opportunity to build a thriving location-independent business. As I’ve learned from years of digital entrepreneurship, success in today’s economy isn’t about where you sit, it’s about what you can contribute from wherever you choose to be.
The question isn’t whether you can run a successful business from Los Cabos, because the infrastructure and community are already in place.
The real question is: Are you ready to trade the traditional wind-down for an exciting new chapter that combines professional growth with personal adventure?
