Foreign buyers · Cabo ownership
Can Foreigners Own Property in Cabo San Lucas?
Yes—foreign buyers can acquire property rights in Los Cabos, but the structure and documents must be reviewed for the exact buyer and property.
Open the guideEvidence before assumptions
Ownership is possible; the executed structure controls.
Los Cabos is within Mexico’s restricted zone. Foreign purchasers commonly use a bank trust called a fideicomiso, while a Mexican entity may be considered for some circumstances. Neither choice should be made from a generic rule alone.
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Open the topics that matter to the decision.
The useful subjects from the prior page remain server-rendered here, while dated figures and broad promises are replaced with current-document review.
Many U.S., Canadian, and other foreign citizens purchase homes and land in Baja California Sur. In the coastal restricted zone, the most common structure for a residential buyer is a fideicomiso, or bank trust.
The trust is not an ordinary lease. The bank acts as trustee and the purchaser is named as beneficiary, with rights and instructions defined by Mexican law, the permit, and the executed trust agreement.
Confirm the exact legal property, trustee, beneficiaries, term, fees, transfer mechanics, liens, access, and use rights before treating any general explanation as applicable.


Mexico’s restricted zone includes land near the country’s coastlines and international borders. Los Cabos property falls within the coastal zone, so foreign residential buyers generally do not take title in the same form as a Mexican citizen.
A fideicomiso can provide beneficiary rights to use, occupy, improve, rent, transfer, and sell, subject to the law and documents. The trustee should act on lawful beneficiary instructions, but the exact agreement must be reviewed.
A Mexican entity may be considered for some business or property circumstances, but it brings formation, accounting, tax, reporting, governance, and operating requirements. It should not be presented as a universal alternative to a trust.
A fideicomiso may include substitute-beneficiary instructions relevant to succession planning. Coordinate the trust with Mexican counsel and any estate plan in the buyer’s other jurisdictions.
Property ownership, immigration status, tax residency, rental operation, and business activity are separate questions requiring current advice.
Los Cabos offers condominiums, villas, detached homes, homesites, and other property types. The fact that a foreign buyer can acquire rights does not establish that a particular property, price, return, rental plan, or community is suitable.
Review title and trust evidence, condition, permits, utilities, insurance, association documents, club or resort relationships, restrictions, total costs, and the exact contract before proceeding.
Continue with the Cabo buyer’s guide and fideicomiso guide.
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Discuss a foreign-buyer plan
Share the property, timing, intended use, and questions that matter. The next step should be specific to your transaction.
Contact Own In CaboThe offered price is in DOLLARS (US Currency) and in accordance with article 8 of the monetary law, the final price for recordation purposes will be converted into PESOS resulting from the official exchange rate on the date payment is due. In accordance with NOM 247, prices shown in DOLLARS can be converted into PESOS using the official exchange rate published by Banco de México.
Additional Can Canadians and Americans Own property In Cabo San Lucas 2021? information and image references
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Have you sat there on the last day of vacation and wondered If you can buy a property in Cabo San Lucas? Have you heard that you can’t actually own the land in the restricted zone of Los Cabos, Mexico? Baja California Sur is a state in Mexico, and as such there is a process for a foreigner to own land or a home here.
There is a lot of misinfomation on this subject but the simple answer to this question is yes you can own property in Mexico with all the rights of a Mexican citizen to buy, hold, sell, lease, and more. This is most commonly done by the means of a Fideicomiso or Trust. This trust is quite similar to the trust you may already have in the U.S. or Canada.
As a matter of fact Many Wealthy Mexican families hold their property in a Fideicomiso for the simplicity of transfer of ownership upon their death to their children or other named beneficiary. There is also an option of creating a Mexican Corporation that would hold title to the property however this is used much more infrequently than the trust due to the monthly requirements to file taxes with the Mexican Government.
Mexican law prevents citizens of the U.S. and other foreign countries from owning property within 100 kilometers of Mexico’s borders with other countries. This is the same law that also prevents property and land ownership within 50 kilometers of the natural ocean line. These ocean borders also apply to the Gulf of Mexico.
There are many types of properties available in Cabo San Lucas and surrounding areas to purchase. There are luxury condominiums, Beach Front Villas, and Estate homes with a view of the Ocean. These are but a few types of properties available for sale with everything in between.
Cabo San Lucas real estate has a broad appeal and many price points in the market. It really does have something for everybody. To own property in Cabo San Lucas is a decision you won’t regret, and most importantly it’s a lifestyle that you deserve! Whether you are looking for a beautiful beachfront Villa or a resort that has homes or Condo’s for sale. Then again, maybe you are looking for a Luxury exclusive gated community where the homes start at over 5 Million US Dollars, or possibly a condo on the beach. We have access to all this and more, including some off-market deals that will excite you.
Los Cabos has a lot of Americans from all over the country but a lot of buyers that own property in Cabo San Lucas are from Texas, California, Washington and Arizona. The ease of a short flight, incredible weather and general appeal of Mexico make this a prime destination for those states. Canada has a lot of snow birds that spend part of the year here, but also a lot of ex-pats that have decided to live full time in Mexico, and have chosen Los Cabos as the ideal place to call home.
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