By MICHAEL BAGINSKI/ With record visitations by Canadians in 2025 and this country accounting for 9.3% of all international visitors to Los Cabos, Canada has become the second-largest international source market for the west coast Mexican destination (after the U.S.), say tourism officials. And with airlift continuing to grow, there is no end in sight.
“Canada has evolved into a core market for Los Cabos, not just a seasonal source of winter travel,” says Rodrigo Esponda, Managing Director of the Los Cabos Tourism Board (LCTB). “Airlines are expanding service because demand is strong, consistent and increasingly nationwide. What we’re seeing now is long-term market confidence.”
Recent data from the Los Cabos Tourism Observatory indicates that Canada is currently the fastest-growing international airlift market for the destination, recording the largest increase in forward seat capacity among major global source markets over the next six months.
More lift
According to the LCTB, seat capacity from Canada to Los Cabos is projected to increase more than 13.1% over the next six months, with January alone showing a 24.6% year-over-year jump, one of the strongest growth rates across all international markets serving the destination.
The expanded airlift follows a record year for Canadian visitation in 2025 (almost 216,000 visitors), marking the destination’s strongest performance from Canada to date, driven by robust demand from Western Canada and accelerating growth from Ontario and Québec.
Additional capacity is being delivered through expanded service from major Canadian carriers, including Air Canada, WestJet and Sunwing, strengthening nonstop connectivity from 10 key gateways including Vancouver, Abbottsford, Kelowna, Calgary, Edmonton, Regina, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal supporting year-round travel demand beyond the traditional winter peak.
Desert meets ocean
The destination’s performance from Canada has been fuelled by its appeal as a premium, experience-driven alternative to traditional sun destinations, offering a mix of luxury resorts, award-winning dining, outdoor adventure, wellness experiences and dramatic desert-meets-ocean landscapes, says Esponda.
And with increased airlift in place through mid-2026 and strong forward demand across multiple Canadian regions, Los Cabos is positioned to continue building on its Canadian momentum while supporting steady year-round visitation, he adds.
In Toronto Lost week to meet with the trade, Esponda enthused over the growing Canadian market, and noted that with an average stay of 11 days and spend of $4,600, “every Canadian is worth two Americans” (who stay an average of 5.6 days).
Esponda further noted the growth potential of Canada, particularly from the Toronto and Montreal markets. He noted that talks are underway with Porter and Transat to add service next summer and that Air Canada, while still flying seasonally from YYZ, has added more capacity.
He also highlighted the safety of the destination, particularly following recent events in “far away” Puerto Vallarta.
In Los Cabos, he says, there is a unique private-pubic security system in place, along with a dedicated safety task force and security committee amidst other measures to ensure that visitors stay safe. The destination, located at the tip of the Baja peninsula, is also geographically isolated and is “it’s own little world.”
Esponda noted that Shakira recently chose to set up base in the destination with her family and commute to other cities in the region for her concerts.
The safety factor is particularly important as “the best of the destination is outside the resort,” says Esponda, where experiences range from desert exploration to scuba, and birdwatching to paddleboarding.
And as the self-described “Aquarium of the World,” with a healthy (unbleached) reef, Esponda admits, “We’re a water-based destination,” but quickly adds, “There’s so much more” – including a vibrant arts and gastronomic scene, the latter including both local and international options.
There also no shortage of accommodation options in Los Cabos, which boasts 19,000 rooms, about 10,000 of which are all-inclusives, including the elegant “game changing” Grand Velas resort. A number of premium hotels are also in the pipeline including a Raffles, and the biggest hotel is only 400 rooms, with height restrictions ensuring that the destination doesn’t turn into another Cancun.
As for Canada, Los Cabos tourism is fully invested, Esponda concluded, including marketing initiatives, road show participation and a partnership with ACTA.
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