One of the first questions every new Cabo buyer asks after closing is not about property taxes or HOA fees — it is about grocery shopping. Where do I buy food? Is everything imported and expensive? Do they have the brands I know? The answer, in my experience tracking Cabo grocery shopping for expats over the past several years, is better than most people expect. Between a full-size Costco, modern Mexican supermarket chains, weekly farmers markets, and a growing organic scene, you can eat extraordinarily well in Los Cabos at a cost that will surprise you.
Key Takeaways
- A couple eating well in Los Cabos spends $600-800/month on groceries — roughly 20-30% less than comparable quality in most US cities, more if you lean into local produce and proteins.
- Cabo San Lucas has a full Costco, two Chedraui locations, La Comer, City Club, and multiple specialty stores. San Jose del Cabo adds Mega Soriana and a thriving organic market scene.
- Local produce, tortillas, eggs, chicken, pork, beer, and tequila are dramatically cheaper than the US. Imported items (American cereal, European cheese, specialty snacks) carry a 40-80% markup.
- The San Jose del Cabo Art District hosts a weekly Thursday organic market that rivals anything in Portland or Austin — and the prices are half.
- Baggers at checkout work for tips only (no salary). Standard tip is 10-20 pesos ($0.50-1.00 USD). This catches every first-time shopper off guard.
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Ask Us AnythingThe Major Grocery Stores in Los Cabos
Let me walk you through every major grocery option by name, because when you land here for the first time, knowing where to drive saves you a full day of wandering.
Costco Cabo San Lucas
Yes, there is a Costco, and it is a real, full-size Costco — not a mini version. It sits on the highway between Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo, making it accessible from most communities. You need a Costco membership (your US or Canadian card works internationally), and the layout is the familiar warehouse format. The product mix is about 70% identical to a US Costco with 30% Mexican-specific items.
What to buy at Costco: meats (especially beef — the quality is excellent and the price is 20-30% below US Costco), produce in bulk, olive oil, wine, spirits, batteries, cleaning supplies, and paper goods. Costco also carries appliances, electronics, and furniture at prices competitive with the US. The pharmacy fills prescriptions at Mexican prices, which are a fraction of US costs.
What NOT to buy at Costco: anything you can get fresher and cheaper at the local markets. Do not buy tomatoes, avocados, or limes at Costco when a roadside vendor has them for a quarter of the price and they were picked that morning.
Chedraui
Chedraui is Mexico's answer to a mid-range supermarket — think a cross between Kroger and Whole Foods. Two locations serve Los Cabos: one near the marina in Cabo San Lucas and a larger Chedraui Selecto in the shopping corridor. The Selecto format carries an expanded import section with American and European brands alongside Mexican staples.
This is where most expats do their primary weekly shopping. The produce section is strong, the meat counter has a butcher who will cut to order, and the bakery turns out fresh bolillo rolls and pan dulce daily. Prices run roughly 10-15% below equivalent US grocery stores for comparable items, and 30-40% below for Mexican-produced goods.
La Comer and City Club
La Comer is a higher-end Mexican chain — similar to a Safeway or Albertsons. The produce quality is consistently excellent, and the store carries a wider selection of organic and specialty items than Chedraui. Expect to pay 5-10% more than Chedraui for the same items. City Club is a warehouse club similar to Costco but owned by the La Comer group. If you want the bulk buying experience without the Costco crowds, City Club is the play.
Mega Soriana (San Jose del Cabo)
The large Mega Soriana in San Jose del Cabo serves the eastern half of the Los Cabos corridor. It is more of a hypermarket — groceries plus clothing, housewares, and electronics. The grocery section is comprehensive and prices are competitive. This is the go-to for residents of Fonatur, Club Campestre, and the San Jose neighborhoods.
What Things Actually Cost: A Price Comparison
Here are real prices I have tracked in 2026 at Los Cabos grocery stores, converted to USD at prevailing exchange rates. Prices fluctuate with the peso, but the relative picture stays consistent.
| Item | Cabo Price (USD) | US Comparable |
|---|---|---|
| Avocados (each) | $0.30-0.60 | $1.50-2.50 |
| Limes (1 kg / ~10) | $0.50-1.00 | $3.00-5.00 |
| Tomatoes (1 kg) | $0.80-1.50 | $3.00-4.00 |
| Chicken breast (1 kg) | $3.00-4.50 | $8.00-12.00 |
| Ground beef (1 kg) | $4.00-6.00 | $9.00-13.00 |
| Fresh tortillas (1 kg) | $0.60-0.80 | $3.00-5.00 |
| Eggs (30-pack) | $3.00-4.00 | $5.00-8.00 |
| Modelo/Corona (6-pack) | $4.00-5.50 | $9.00-12.00 |
| Good tequila (750ml) | $15.00-30.00 | $35.00-60.00 |
| Imported cereal (box) | $5.00-7.00 | $4.00-5.00 |
| European cheese (200g) | $6.00-10.00 | $5.00-8.00 |
The pattern is clear: locally produced items (produce, proteins, dairy, alcohol) are dramatically cheaper. Imported items (American brands, European specialty foods) carry a premium. The smart expat adjusts their shopping habits accordingly — which is not a sacrifice, because the local food is better.
The Farmers Market Scene
This is where Cabo's food culture gets genuinely exciting, and where the lifestyle advantage over most US destinations becomes tangible.
San Jose del Cabo Art District Market
Every Thursday morning, the San Jose del Cabo Art District hosts an organic market that has become one of the best farmers markets in Baja. Local organic farms from the Pacific side — the area around Todos Santos and El Pescadero — bring produce, honey, cheese, baked goods, and prepared foods. You will find heirloom tomatoes, organic greens, artisanal goat cheese, fresh bread, local honey, and cold-pressed juices.
Prices are higher than the supermarket but lower than equivalent organic markets in the US. A bag of organic salad greens runs $2-3 versus $5-7 at Whole Foods. A jar of local raw honey is $6-8 versus $12-15 in the States. The experience itself — outdoor, walkable, social, with coffee stands and live music — is part of why people move to Cabo. This is not a chore. It is a Thursday morning ritual.
Other Markets Worth Knowing
The Flora Farms grocery stand in the San Jose corridor carries produce from their own organic farm, plus meats, cheeses, and prepared foods. Flora Farms has become a destination restaurant, but the grocery stand is the insider move — same quality produce at farm-stand prices.
For seafood, the San Jose del Cabo fish market (near La Playita) and the Cabo San Lucas municipal market sell fresh-caught fish daily. Dorado (mahi-mahi), yellowtail, shrimp, and seasonal catches go for $5-12 per kilogram — a fraction of US fish market prices. If you eat seafood regularly, this alone changes your grocery budget math. The street food and local cuisine guide covers the broader food scene.
Want to experience the Cabo lifestyle before buying?
Book a call and we will set up a property tour that includes the markets, the neighborhoods, and the day-to-day reality of living here — not just the sales office pitch.
Book a Lifestyle TourHow to Shop Like a Local
A few habits that save money and improve quality once you settle in.
Bring your own bags. Mexico charges for plastic bags at most chains (typically 1-2 pesos per bag). Bring reusable bags. Every expat keeps a stash in the car.
Tip the baggers. This catches every newcomer by surprise. The people bagging your groceries at Chedraui, La Comer, and most chains are not store employees. They work for tips only — no salary, no hourly wage. Standard tip is 10-20 pesos ($0.50-1.00 USD). This is not optional in the cultural sense, even though no sign says so. See standard tipping etiquette in Mexico.
Shop produce at the small stands. Roadside fruit-and-vegetable stands (fruterías) along the main roads between Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo sell local produce at prices 30-50% below the supermarkets. The quality is often better because the produce has not sat in a warehouse. Mangoes, papayas, watermelon, and citrus are the standout deals.
Buy tortillas from a tortillería. Every neighborhood has a small shop that makes fresh tortillas throughout the day. A kilo of fresh corn tortillas (about 30-35 tortillas) costs 20-25 pesos ($1.00-1.25 USD). They are warm, they are perfect, and once you have had fresh tortillas daily, the packaged ones become unacceptable.
Explore Mexican brands. The instinct is to reach for familiar American brands. Fight it. Mexican-produced yogurt, cheese, salsas, chips, coffee, and chocolate are often better quality and half the price. Brands like Lala (dairy), Barcel (snacks), Café de Olla (coffee), and La Costeña (salsas and canned goods) are staples for good reason.
The Monthly Grocery Budget Reality
Based on tracking actual spending among expat buyers I know in Los Cabos, here is what a couple eating well spends per month:
- Budget-conscious, mostly local: $400-550/month. Heavy on local produce, proteins, tortillas, and Mexican brands. Minimal imported items. Eating out 2-3 times per week at local restaurants ($10-20 per person).
- Balanced, mixed shopping: $600-800/month. Mix of Costco runs, weekly Chedraui shopping, farmers market, and some imported favorites. Eating out 3-4 times per week at a mix of local and mid-range restaurants.
- Premium, lots of imports: $900-1,200/month. Regular trips to La Comer for imports, specialty stores for European cheese and wine, organic everything. Eating out 4-5 times per week including higher-end restaurants.
For context, the USDA estimates a "moderate" food budget for a couple in the US at roughly $900-1,100 per month for groceries alone, not including dining out. Most Cabo expats eat better for less. The complete cost of living breakdown covers the full picture beyond groceries.
Grocery Delivery and Online Ordering
The delivery infrastructure in Los Cabos has expanded rapidly. Costco Mexico offers delivery through its website. Chedraui and La Comer both have online ordering with same-day or next-day delivery. Third-party apps like Rappi and Cornershop (now owned by Uber) deliver from multiple stores.
Delivery is particularly useful for communities like El Medano or the Corridor developments where a trip to the grocery store is a 20-30 minute drive each way. The delivery fees are modest — typically $3-5 USD — and the convenience factor is real when you are living the Cabo lifestyle and would rather be at the pool than in a parking lot.
Have questions about daily life in Cabo?
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Ask a LocalThinking about buying here rather than just visiting? Our free 33-page Buying Property in Mexico guide covers the fideicomiso, closing costs in real dollars, and the 27-point checklist we run on every property.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a Costco in Los Cabos?+
Yes. Cabo San Lucas has a full-size Costco warehouse on the highway between CSL and San Jose del Cabo. Your US or Canadian Costco membership card works in Mexico. The product mix is about 70% identical to US Costco stores with 30% Mexican-specific items.
How much do groceries cost in Cabo compared to the US?+
Locally produced items (produce, chicken, pork, eggs, tortillas, beer, tequila) cost 30-60% less than comparable US prices. Imported items (American cereal, European cheese, specialty snacks) cost 40-80% more. Overall, a couple eating well spends $600-800 per month, roughly 20-30% less than equivalent quality in most US cities.
Where is the best farmers market in Los Cabos?+
The San Jose del Cabo Art District hosts a weekly Thursday organic market with local organic produce, artisanal cheese, honey, baked goods, and prepared foods. Prices run about half of what you would pay at equivalent organic markets in the US, and the quality rivals anything in Portland or Austin.
Do I tip the grocery bagger in Mexico?+
Yes — this is culturally expected. Baggers at Chedraui, La Comer, and most Mexican chains work for tips only; they receive no salary from the store. Standard tip is 10-20 pesos (roughly $0.50-1.00 USD). This applies even if you only bought a few items.
Can I get groceries delivered in Cabo?+
Yes. Costco Mexico, Chedraui, and La Comer all offer online ordering with same-day or next-day delivery. Third-party apps like Rappi and Cornershop (Uber) deliver from multiple stores. Delivery fees are typically $3-5 USD.
Are American food brands available in Los Cabos?+
Most major American brands are available at Chedraui Selecto, La Comer, and Costco. Selection varies — you will find common staples like Cheerios, Hellmann's, and Campbell's, but niche or specialty American products may not be stocked. Expect imported American brands to cost 40-80% more than in the US.
Where do I buy fresh seafood in Los Cabos?+
The San Jose del Cabo fish market near La Playita and the Cabo San Lucas municipal market sell fresh-caught fish daily. Dorado, yellowtail, shrimp, and seasonal catches run $5-12 per kilogram — roughly 40-60% less than US fish market prices. Arrive before 10 AM for the best selection.
Aaron Cuha
Real Estate Advisor & Los Cabos Market Expert
Real estate advisor and founder of Living In Cabo. 15+ years helping families navigate complex real estate decisions. Strategic partner with Ronival — Baja's largest brokerage.
