Los Cabos

The municipality of Los Cabos experienced a 9.7% population growth between 1995-2000, rising from 27,111 permanent inhabitants to 34,438. In fact, San José del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas’ combined growth rate was 56.3% higher than the national average and one of the highest in the country. This high population growth rate derived from constant and accelerated migration and is leading to problems such as unsustainable water use, land tenure conflicts, and unplanned shantytowns.[1] The Urban Development Plan for San José del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas should be updated, including a provision to renew the urban center of Cabo San Lucas. 

Public utilities are lacking throughout the municipality, although electricity is generally available to most areas.  Three of the four administrative districts of the municipality (Santiago, Miraflores and La Ribera) have no sewer system, while in the high-growth areas of Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo, a high number of drinking water users (15,807 of 28,091) do not have drainage (figures are as of May 2002).

Benefits, such as parks and recreational facilities, are an essential part of creating a sustainable community.  Open space and recreational areas are not considered economically viable and, therefore, are low on the municipal priority list.  Neighborhood committees that work directly with municipal authorities and elected officials could work to prioritize these community benefits and allocate funds accordingly from the taxes available.

The shortfalls in road surfacing is also growing (75% of the streets are unpaved), as well as in sidewalks and street lighting.[2] The municipality should create a trust to construct and administer urban public parking lots, which could be a funding source for road paving. [3]  Finally, the municipality needs to design a Master Plan for the Municipal System of Roads and transportation for the Los Cabos corridor, as well as for Cabo del Este.[4]