Short answer: Call 911 first. It is the emergency number in Mexico, free from any phone. Give your exact location, what happened, and the person’s condition, and follow the operator’s instructions. Alert hotel staff, stay with the person, and do not move them if they may have a neck or back injury. Contact your travel insurer as soon as it is safe to do so. Knowing what to do in a medical emergency in Cabo can help you act calmly.
Nobody plans for an emergency on vacation, but a few minutes of preparation can help you act calmly. This guide covers the first steps and practical details for visitors. It is general guidance, not a substitute for instructions from emergency services or medical professionals. For an overview of urgent services, see our emergency care in Cabo page. The CDC also publishes Travelers’ Health information for Mexico that is worth reading before you go.
Step 1: Recognize a medical emergency in Cabo
Treat these as emergencies and call 911:
- Chest pain or pressure, or pain spreading to the arm, jaw or back
- Trouble breathing or choking
- Fainting, unresponsiveness or a seizure
- Sudden face drooping, arm weakness, slurred speech or confusion
- Severe bleeding that does not stop with pressure
- A serious fall, car or water-sports accident, or a head, neck or back injury
- Swelling of the face, lips or throat after a sting, food or medicine
- A near-drowning, even if the person seems to recover
- Signs of heat stroke: very high body temperature, confusion, hot dry skin
Step 2: Call 911 and what to say
The emergency number in Los Cabos is 911, and calls are free. Operators may speak Spanish first; stay calm, speak clearly and ask for English if needed, or ask a hotel staff member to help.
| Information | Example of what to say |
|---|---|
| Location | Hotel name, building and room, or villa address and nearby landmark |
| What happened | «My husband collapsed by the pool» |
| When | The time symptoms started or the accident happened |
| Condition | Is the person awake, breathing, bleeding? |
| Your phone number | So they can call back |
Useful Spanish phrases
- Es una emergencia médica. It is a medical emergency.
- Necesito una ambulancia. I need an ambulance.
- No respira. He or she is not breathing.
- Estoy en el hotel …, habitación … I am at hotel …, room …
Step 3: While you wait
- Alert hotel staff. Many resorts have security or first-aid trained staff who can guide responders to your room.
- Stay with the person and keep them as calm and comfortable as possible.
- Do not move someone who may have a head, neck or back injury unless they are in immediate danger.
- Apply firm pressure to bleeding with a clean cloth.
- Do not give food or drink to someone who is very drowsy or may need surgery.
- Follow the operator’s instructions, including CPR guidance if offered.
- Gather essentials: passport or ID, medication list, allergies, insurance card, phone and charger.
Getting to a hospital
For serious emergencies, an ambulance is usually the safest option because care can start on the way. If you are told it is safe to travel by car, ask the hotel which emergency department is nearest and confirm it can treat the problem. See our ambulance and medical transport page for transport options.
Public and private hospitals
Los Cabos has both public and private hospitals. Private hospitals may ask for a deposit, a credit card or insurance guarantee before admission, and costs vary. Policies differ between hospitals, so ask clearly what is required.
Step 4: Call your travel insurer
As soon as it is safe, contact your travel insurance assistance line (usually on your policy card or documents). Many policies ask to be notified quickly, may have preferred hospitals and may be able to guarantee payment directly. Keep a record of the time you called and the case number. Our insurance and billing page explains how we help with documentation.
Step 5: After the emergency
- Ask for written information about the diagnosis, treatment and medications.
- Keep every receipt and medical report for your insurer.
- Ask whether it is safe to fly and when.
- Arrange follow-up care; a doctor visit at your hotel or nurse care can help during recovery.
- Have prescriptions delivered with our pharmacy delivery.
Urgent but not an emergency?
Many problems need a doctor soon but not an ambulance, such as a mild fever, an ear infection, a minor sprain or stomach upset without warning signs. For these, a house call, a video consultation or our walk-in clinic may be appropriate. When in doubt, call 911.
Prepare before you travel
- Buy travel medical insurance and save the assistance number in your phone.
- Carry a written list of conditions, medications and allergies.
- Know your hotel’s address and how to describe your location.
- Share your itinerary with someone at home.
- Respect beach warning flags and water conditions; ask lifeguards or hotel staff if unsure.
Water and beach emergencies
Some Cabo beaches have strong currents and waves. If someone is struggling in the water, alert a lifeguard or call 911 rather than entering the water yourself unless you are trained and it is safe. Anyone who has inhaled water, lost consciousness or needed rescue breathing should be checked by medical staff, even if they feel fine afterwards, because problems can develop later.
For marine injuries such as jellyfish or stingray stings, get emergency help if there is trouble breathing, swelling of the face or throat, chest pain or confusion. For less severe stings, a doctor can advise on cleaning and pain relief.
Keep these numbers in your phone
- 911 for emergencies anywhere in Mexico
- Your travel insurance assistance line
- Your hotel’s front desk
- Your country’s consulate or embassy, which can help citizens in serious situations
- Our team on WhatsApp for non-emergency medical help
Questions before you book? Message our team on WhatsApp at +52 624 409 5065. Tell us where you are staying and what you need, and we will explain the options. In an emergency, call 911.
Frequently asked questions
What is the emergency number in Cabo San Lucas?
911. It is the emergency number in Mexico, free from any phone, for medical emergencies, accidents and other urgent situations.
Do 911 operators in Cabo speak English?
Operators may answer in Spanish. Speak clearly, ask for English, or ask hotel staff to help with the call.
What should I bring to the hospital?
Passport or ID, insurance details, a list of medications and allergies, your phone and charger, and some form of payment.
Should I call my travel insurance first or 911?
Call 911 first in an emergency. Contact your insurer as soon as it is safe to do so.
What if it is urgent but not life-threatening?
A house call, video consultation or walk-in clinic may be suitable. If you are unsure whether it is an emergency, call 911.
This article is general information, not medical advice. Always consult a licensed doctor about your own health, medications and whether a treatment is right for you.