Los Cabos Civil Protection is calling on residents, businesses, schools, and government agencies to take part in a nationwide earthquake and tsunami drill on May 6 at 10:00 a.m. local time. The Simulacro Nacional 2026 will simulate a magnitude 8.1 earthquake followed by a coastal tsunami alert, two of the most realistic hazard scenarios for the southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula.
Civil Protection Director Francisco Cota Márquez said the exercise aims to strengthen prevention culture and test the municipality’s emergency response capacity. Staff will monitor key points across Los Cabos during the drill to assess evacuation routes, response times, and safety protocols.
What the Drill Involves
The scenario will play out in two phases. First, participants will practice drop, cover, and hold procedures for a major earthquake. Then, a simulated tsunami alert will activate coastal evacuation protocols in areas including Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo.
Businesses and buildings that want an official certificate of participation must register their facilities on the national drill portal before May 6. After the drill, they need to upload photographic and documentary evidence of their participation. Registration and certification are handled through Mexico’s federal Civil Protection system.
Residents in coastal areas, including the tourist corridor between San José del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas, should expect some disruption on the morning of May 6 as evacuation procedures are tested.
Why It Matters in Los Cabos
Los Cabos sits in a seismically active zone. The region averages roughly 799 recorded earthquakes per year, with about 205 of those reaching magnitude 2.0 or higher. At least two quakes above magnitude 7.0 have struck the area since 1900. In September 2025, a swarm of 89 earthquakes in a single week rattled residents, prompting authorities to accelerate plans for an earthquake early warning system similar to Mexico City’s SASMEX network.
The May 6 drill also marks the 40th anniversary of Mexico’s National Civil Protection System, created in May 1986 in the aftermath of the devastating September 1985 Mexico City earthquake that killed thousands. Mexico now holds two national drills per year, in May and September.
Cota Márquez encouraged all Los Cabos residents, including the large foreign resident community, to participate. The drill requires no special equipment or training. People simply need to follow the standard earthquake and tsunami response: move to safe zones, evacuate coastal areas when the tsunami alert sounds, and wait for the all-clear signal.
This story was first reported by BCS Noticias.