In this episode of Notes From the Field, Ronan McMahon shares his biggest insights after spending more than a month on the ground in Cabo, Mexico—one of the most dynamic real estate markets in the world today.

Broadcasting from Guadalajara, Ronan reflects on four and a half weeks exploring Los Cabos, from the wild Pacific beaches of Cabo San Lucas to the charming historic streets of San José del Cabo and the rapidly evolving neighborhoods overlooking the city.

Along the way, he explains why Cabo has become a global magnet for wealth, tourism, and investment—and why the market continues to deliver extraordinary returns for early buyers.

Ronan also breaks down the neighborhoods driving Cabo’s growth, including the rise of El Tezal as a vibrant residential district and the massive concentration of luxury resorts along the famous Tourist Corridor.

For investors who entered the market early, the results have been dramatic. Homes once purchased for around $420,000 are now listing for over $1 million, while condos bought just a few years ago have seen gains of 60% or more before even taking possession.

But beyond the numbers, Ronan explains why Cabo has become something even more powerful:
a thriving international hub attracting entrepreneurs, creatives, and affluent residents from around the world.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• Ronan’s biggest takeaways after 4+ weeks of boots-on-the-ground research
• Why Cabo is becoming a satellite market of California
• The neighborhoods where the biggest gains have already occurred
• Why demand for rentals continues to surge
• How luxury resorts and infrastructure are reshaping the region
• Where Ronan is looking for the next investment opportunities

If you’re interested in international real estate, emerging markets, or lifestyle investing, this episode provides a rare inside look at one of the most exciting coastal markets in the Americas.

December 12, 2025

Broadcasting from Cork before heading back to Portugal and then on to Mexico for the winter season, Ronan uses this episode to step back and reflect on Cabo not just as a market, but as a place that has shaped both his lifestyle and investment strategy over the past decade.

He explains why Cabo has become his preferred winter base despite the distance from Ireland and Portugal, and why its unique combination of weather, accessibility, luxury amenities, food, and surrounding destinations has made it one of the most compelling real estate markets anywhere on his global beat.

Ronan also shares how Cabo has delivered some of the strongest returns and rental performance he has seen anywhere—through a combination of identifying the right macro story, buying the right product, and getting in at the right moment. Along the way, he breaks down how Cabo evolved from a luxury tourism destination into a true luxury living destination, attracting not only affluent visitors, but long-term residents, renters, and buyers from across North America and beyond.

Most importantly, Ronan turns to San José del Cabo—a market he has been studying closely for more than 11 years. After reviewing hundreds of opportunities over the years, he explains why none had met his standards until now, and what makes this first-ever San José del Cabo opportunity different.

For Ronan, this is more than just another deal. It is the culmination of more than a decade of boots-on-the-ground research in one of the most desirable coastal markets in the Americas.

In This Episode

Ronan covers:

• Why Cabo has become his preferred winter base
• What makes Cabo’s weather, lifestyle, and energy so exceptional
• How luxury tourism laid the foundation for today’s real estate boom
• The accessibility and infrastructure that support long-term demand
• Why Cabo has delivered some of the strongest rental income and capital appreciation on his beat
• The importance of buying the right product for the “ordinary rich” market
• Why San José del Cabo has such rare appeal as a lifestyle and investment destination
• What makes this first-ever San José del Cabo opportunity so significant

Key Takeaway

Cabo’s appeal goes far beyond tourism. It has evolved into a true lifestyle and investment market—one where weather, accessibility, luxury infrastructure, and long-term demand continue to support both rental income and capital appreciation. And in Ronan’s view, San José del Cabo may be one of the rarest opportunities yet.