Los Cabos has quietly become one of the most compelling places in Mexico for families to put down roots — and education is a big part of the reason why. The best international schools in Los Cabos offer programs that would hold their own in any major North American city, with IB accreditation, bilingual curricula, and student bodies that represent dozens of nationalities. This guide walks through each school, what sets it apart, and how to figure out which is the right fit for your family.
Whether you are relocating full-time, splitting time between Los Cabos and the US or Canada, or simply doing early research, the decisions you make about schooling will shape where you live, how your daily routine feels, and how quickly your children settle in. Before jumping into the list, it helps to understand what the landscape actually looks like.
What “International School” Means in Los Cabos
In Los Cabos, the term gets used loosely. It can mean a school with formal International Baccalaureate (IB) accreditation, a school accredited by Cognia (formerly AdvancED), a bilingual private school aligned with Common Core or US academic standards, or simply a school that has historically served expat families well. All of the schools in this guide are private (not public), all are bilingual, and all are registered with Mexico’s Secretariat of Public Education (SEP) — which means credentials earned here are recognized both nationally and for international university entry.
For a broader look at every type of school available across the region — including Montessori, Christian, and college-prep options — see the full Los Cabos school directory.
Understanding those distinctions is the first step toward finding which of the best international schools in Los Cabos is the right match for your child’s age, learning style, and your family’s timeline.
The Best International Schools in Los Cabos
1. Colegio El Camino — Cabo San Lucas
Best for: Families seeking the highest level of international accreditation and IB curriculum continuity from early childhood through graduation.
Colegio El Camino is the benchmark school for international families in Los Cabos, and for good reason. Founded in 1983 and located in the Pedregal neighborhood of Cabo San Lucas, it is one of only 25 schools in all of Mexico offering the full IB Continuum — meaning a child can enter in nursery and follow a single connected academic framework all the way through the IB Diploma. It is also one of only 41 Cognia-accredited schools in Mexico, a designation that reflects rigorous, independently verified academic standards.
The student body of around 380 students represents more than 20 nationalities, though the majority are Mexican — which means children develop real bilingual fluency in a genuinely multicultural environment rather than an expat bubble. Instruction is split equally between English and Spanish. Beyond academics, the school offers after-school athletics (soccer, basketball, volleyball), academic academies, and career counseling that guides students toward both Mexican and international universities.
- Grades: Nursery through Grade 12 (Preparatoria)
- Accreditation: IB (PYP, MYP, Diploma) + Cognia
- Location: El Pedregal, Cabo San Lucas
- Website: elcamino.edu.mx
2. Colegio Amaranto — Cabo San Lucas
Best for: Families who want a tech-forward bilingual environment with strong international exchange ties.
Founded in 1996 and affiliated with the well-regarded Instituto Educativo Olinca in Mexico City, Colegio Amaranto was the first school in Mexico to install SMART Boards in every classroom — a signal of how seriously the school treats technology integration. The curriculum aligns with Common Core standards and CEFR language frameworks, and the school runs active international exchange programs that give students a genuinely global academic experience. Located in El Tezal, it is convenient for families living along the corridor between Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo.
- Grades: Nursery through Grade 12
- Accreditation: SEP + Olinca International affiliation
- Location: El Tezal, Cabo San Lucas
- Website: amaranto.edu.mx
3. Delmar International School — Cabo San Lucas
Best for: Families looking for a values-driven bilingual education with strong STEM facilities.
Delmar International School combines a Christian-values foundation with a genuinely modern academic program. The campus features smart classrooms, a robotics workshop, science and technology labs, arts facilities, and an Olympic-sized swimming pool — an unusual set of amenities for a private school at this price point. Delmar’s approach is bilingual and comprehensive, running from preschool through high school, with a focus on developing both academic rigor and character. It sits in the El Tezal area of Cabo San Lucas and draws families from across the corridor.
- Grades: Preschool through Grade 12
- Accreditation: SEP
- Location: El Tezal, Cabo San Lucas
- Website: delmarschool.edu.mx
4. Colegio Liceo Los Cabos — Cabo San Lucas
Best for: Families who want a technology-forward school with a 30-year track record and strong college preparation.
With more than three decades in operation, Colegio Liceo Los Cabos holds the distinction of being designated an Apple Distinguished School — one of a select group of institutions recognized for exceptional use of technology in learning. The curriculum blends SEP requirements with international teaching methods, and the school places a particular emphasis on developing leadership, creative thinking, and independent problem-solving rather than rote learning. The school operates two campuses in Cabo San Lucas and serves students from nursery through high school.
- Grades: Nursery through Grade 12
- Accreditation: SEP + Apple Distinguished School
- Location: Two campuses in Cabo San Lucas
- Website: liceoloscabos.edu.mx
5. Colegio Misión — San José del Cabo
Best for: Families settling in or around San José del Cabo who want a structured bilingual program with strong extracurricular breadth.
Colegio Misión is one of the most respected schools in San José del Cabo and a consistent first choice for families living near Club Campestre, Palmilla, and the eastern corridor. Built around a multiple-intelligences teaching philosophy, the school runs a comprehensive program that includes physical education, art, theater, yoga, dance, ecology, and computer science from kindergarten onward — not just as electives, but as core parts of the weekly schedule. The curriculum uses the UNO International System, which connects local Mexican education with internationally recognized academic standards.
- Grades: Preschool through Grade 12
- Accreditation: SEP + UNO International
- Location: Near Club Campestre Golf, San José del Cabo
- Website: colegiomision.edu.mx
6. Colegio Alebrije — San José del Cabo
Best for: Families who want a bilingual, multicultural school with a nurturing environment and a strong focus on whole-child development.
Colegio Alebrije is a well-regarded bilingual school in San José del Cabo known for its inclusive, warm community and a curriculum that balances academic rigor with creative and physical development. Classes in music, arts, ecology, and human development are woven into the standard academic schedule, giving students a more rounded daily experience than typical private schools. The school also runs the UNO International System, ensuring that academic standards travel well for families who may eventually return to or move between North American schools.
- Grades: Preschool through Grade 12
- Accreditation: SEP + UNO International
- Location: San José del Cabo
Browse all schools in San José del Cabo →
Cabo San Lucas vs. San José del Cabo: How School Location Affects Daily Life
The two main population centers in Los Cabos are about 33 kilometers apart, and where your family lives relative to the school matters more than most newcomers expect. Several of the strongest schools — El Camino, Amaranto, Delmar, and Liceo — are in or near Cabo San Lucas. Misión and Alebrije anchor the San José del Cabo end of the corridor.
Most families living in communities like Palmilla or Club Campestre — which sit mid-corridor near San José del Cabo — use Colegio Misión as their closest quality option. Families in Pedregal and central Cabo San Lucas tend toward El Camino. The practical rule: look at the school’s location before finalizing where you want to live, not after.
See the guide to family-friendly communities in Los Cabos for a breakdown of which neighborhoods sit closest to each school.
How to Choose the Right International School for Your Family
With half a dozen strong options, most families narrow the field using four questions:
- Does the curriculum transfer? If there is any chance your family returns to the US, Canada, or moves elsewhere, IB accreditation (El Camino) and Common Core alignment (Amaranto) are the easiest credentials to translate. Most international universities accept IB Diplomas directly.
- What is the language balance? All the schools here are bilingual, but the actual ratio of English to Spanish instruction varies. Ask each school directly what percentage of instruction is in English and at what grade level the balance shifts.
- Where will you live? A 25-minute school run every day adds up. Matching your neighborhood to your shortlisted school is worth doing early in the housing search. Use the family relocation guide to plan both together.
- What are the extracurriculars? Los Cabos schools generally offer more athletic and arts programming than you might expect. Delmar’s robotics workshop and Olympic pool, El Camino’s IB CAS program, and Misión’s weekly yoga and theater classes are real differentiators worth asking about on a visit.
For a deeper comparison of school types — IB vs. bilingual vs. standard private — see the bilingual schools section of the directory.
Where Families With School-Age Children Are Choosing to Live
School quality and community lifestyle tend to reinforce each other in Los Cabos. The communities where families consistently settle — and where school proximity, safety, and outdoor space all align — include:
- Palmilla — one of the most sought-after family communities in Los Cabos, with gated security, beachfront access, and a strong expat parent community. Closest to Colegio Misión and mid-corridor schools.
- Club Campestre — a private golf community in San José del Cabo known for its quieter pace and family-friendly environment. Well-positioned for SJD schools.
- Cabo del Sol — mid-corridor with ocean views, golf, and convenient access to schools at both ends of the corridor.
To explore homes and communities near specific schools, visit the communities guide or browse current listings through the Los Cabos property search.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can foreign children enroll in private schools in Los Cabos?
Yes. All of the private schools listed here regularly enroll students from the US, Canada, Europe, and elsewhere. Most are experienced at managing international transfers and can advise on documentation. A tourist visa is generally sufficient for enrollment; families intending to stay longer than 180 days will want to arrange a temporary resident visa.
How much does private school cost in Los Cabos?
Annual tuition at Los Cabos private schools is significantly lower than comparable international schools in the US or Europe. Depending on the school and grade level, families typically budget between roughly USD $3,000 and $8,000 per year in tuition. Registration fees, uniforms, and extracurricular activities add to that figure. Contact each school directly for current fee schedules, as prices are set annually.
Do Los Cabos schools follow the US academic calendar?
Not exactly. Most private schools in Baja California Sur follow the Mexican academic calendar, which typically runs from late August to late June with breaks at Christmas, Easter (Semana Santa), and a mid-year break in November. This differs meaningfully from the US calendar, which is worth factoring into relocation timing. A full breakdown is available in the family relocation guide.
What documents are needed to transfer a child’s enrollment to Mexico?
Most schools ask for certified copies of academic transcripts (apostilled if transferring from the US), birth certificate, immunization records, and passport-style photos. SEP-registered schools will also require the child’s CURP (Mexican national ID number), which can be obtained after arriving in Mexico. Timelines vary — reach out to your target school at least 60 days before your planned start date.
Are there English-only schools in Los Cabos?
There are no fully English-only schools in the region — all accredited private schools in Los Cabos are bilingual, which is a feature rather than a limitation. Children typically reach genuine conversational Spanish fluency within one to two school years, and the bilingual foundation is widely seen as one of the most valuable things a Los Cabos education offers.
Explore the Full Los Cabos School Directory
This guide covers the best international schools in Los Cabos, but the region has a growing range of options beyond these six — including Montessori programs, Christian schools, and college-preparatory institutions across East Cape, Todos Santos, and La Paz.
Browse every school profile, filter by location, language, or school type, and download the free family relocation guide:
→ Browse the full school directory
→ Schools in Cabo San Lucas
→ Schools in San José del Cabo
→ Download the free family relocation guide