Stings and Bites in Cabo: Jellyfish, Stingrays and What to Do

The waters and beaches around Cabo are gorgeous, but they come with a few stinging residents. Here is practical first aid for the most common encounters.

Jellyfish stings

Rinse the area with seawater (not fresh water, which can trigger more stingers). Remove tentacles with a gloved hand or card edge. Soaking in hot water (as hot as is comfortable) eases pain for many marine stings. Take an antihistamine and pain reliever. Watch for an allergic reaction.

Stingray injuries

Stingray wounds (usually to the foot from shuffling in shallow sand) are very painful and prone to infection. Immerse the area in hot water for 30–90 minutes to ease pain, clean the wound thoroughly, and see a doctor — these often need wound care, a tetanus check and sometimes antibiotics. Do the “stingray shuffle” to avoid them.

Bug bites

Mosquitoes and the occasional scorpion live in Baja. Clean bites, use antihistamine cream for itch, and watch for spreading redness. Most scorpion stings in this region cause local pain treatable at home, but severe reactions (especially in children) need urgent care.

Warning signs of a serious reaction

Difficulty breathing, swelling of the lips or throat, widespread hives, dizziness or fainting after any sting or bite is a medical emergency — use an epinephrine auto-injector if prescribed and call emergency services.

How we help

For painful or infected wounds, a house-call doctor or nurse can clean and dress them and prescribe medication delivered to your hotel.

This article is general information for visitors, not medical advice. If symptoms are severe or worrying, see a doctor — we can have one at your hotel 24/7.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do for a jellyfish sting in Cabo?

Rinse with seawater (not fresh water), remove tentacles carefully, and soak in hot water to ease pain. Take an antihistamine and pain reliever, and watch for any allergic reaction.

Do stingray injuries need a doctor?

Usually yes. Stingray wounds are painful and infection-prone. Soak in hot water for pain, clean the wound, and see a doctor for wound care, a tetanus check and possible antibiotics.

When is a sting or bite an emergency?

Trouble breathing, lip or throat swelling, widespread hives, or fainting signal a severe allergic reaction — use an epinephrine injector if prescribed and call emergency services immediately.