Most visitors to Los Cabos fly into the San José del Cabo airport, officially Los Cabos International Airport (SJD), roughly 7 to 8 miles from San José del Cabo and about 23 miles from Cabo San Lucas. The easiest way to your hotel is a private transfer or shared shuttle booked before you fly, since Uber and other ride apps can't legally pick up at the arrivals curb.
A much smaller airport sits just outside Cabo San Lucas. Here's how the two compare, how to get through the terminal without getting hustled, and how long the drives take.
San José del Cabo Airport (SJD) vs. Cabo San Lucas Airport (CSW)
SJD is the main gateway. It's run by Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico (GAP), sits on the Transpeninsular Highway, and is where the big airlines land, including Aeroméxico, American, Delta and Southwest. Check which terminal your airline uses before the trip home.
CSW is the airport in Cabo San Lucas itself, about 8 km north of town (some sites still use its old code, CSL). It's the only privately owned international airport in Mexico, with customs and immigration on site, and it's about 15 to 20 minutes from the Cabo San Lucas marina. It mainly serves private aircraft plus JSX flights from Dallas Love Field, Los Angeles and Scottsdale (see our guide to JSX flights from Scottsdale to Cabo San Lucas). Taxis, rental cars and shuttle buses serve CSW.
Getting Through the Terminal at SJD
After customs you'll pass a hallway of sales podiums often called the "Shark Tank." Offers of a free ride, tour or welcome gift there usually come tied to a timeshare pitch or a cash deposit, and the people making them aren't airport staff, even in official-looking lanyards. Some even claim your transfer company already left.
Say no, gracias and keep walking until you're outside. Pre-booked drivers aren't allowed in that hall. At Terminal 2 they wait outdoors under numbered canopies, and your confirmation should list yours. The US State Department also warns that some timeshare sellers in Mexico use aggressive tactics.
Los Cabos Airport Transportation: Your Options
Private transfer: A driver meets you outside with a name sign. Federally permitted operators can pick up at the curb, so check that your confirmation names the company and the vehicle shows its permit.
Shared shuttle: Book online or at the arrivals desks. It's cheaper per person but stops at other hotels, so a shuttle from SJD to Cabo San Lucas takes longer than a private ride. Shopping for a Cabo San Lucas airport shuttle? Unless you're flying JSX or private into CSW, book your pickup at SJD.
Authorized airport taxi: Taxis have desks inside and signed lanes outside. They aren't metered and local reporting calls them pricey, so confirm the fare first.
Rental car: Major brands have counters at or near the airport.
Public bus: The cheapest option (see below).
The official Los Cabos tourism board's transportation guide covers taxis, private transfers and rental cars in more detail.
Uber and Ride Apps at the Airport
Uber works around Los Cabos, but airport pickups don't. Mexican airports are federal zones, and the federal transport ministry (SICT) says ride-hailing apps aren't authorized to operate at them, SJD included. Uber won a court injunction in October 2025 limiting enforcement against its drivers, but SICT said in March 2026 that the ruling isn't an authorization. Local reports from August and September 2026 describe SJD pickups as prohibited or unreliable, even though Uber's own site advertises reserved airport pickups. A March 2026 report says DiDi faces the same ban.
Workarounds like requesting a ride from the departures level or hauling bags to a gas station off airport property are unofficial, and drivers cancel during enforcement sweeps. Rides to the airport for your flight home are reportedly far less of a problem. These rules have shifted several times in the past year, so check the latest before you count on an app.
Car Rental in Cabo San Lucas: What the Counter Will Ask For
Whether your car rental is at SJD or the Cabo San Lucas airport, a cheap online rate can grow at the counter:
Mexican liability insurance is mandatory. Mexican law requires third-party liability coverage from a Mexican insurer, and US or Canadian auto policies don't cover liability in Mexico. National's downtown Cabo San Lucas office won't accept liability coverage from credit cards or third-party travel sites. The tourism board estimates local coverage at $20 to $25 USD a day.
Card holds. Bring a passport, license and credit card in your own name. National holds at least $500 USD, and much more if you decline its liability coverage with valid proof.
A collision waiver isn't liability coverage. National notes its collision damage waiver "is not insurance" and carries a deductible.
Age rules vary. The tourism board lists 24 as the minimum. National rents to drivers 21 to 24 for a daily surcharge.
Fuel. Return the tank at the level you got it. Stations are full service, so plan to tip.
The State Department warns that uninsured drivers in a crash may be arrested, and "Arrests can happen regardless of who is at fault." US licenses are valid in Mexico, and it advises driving between cities only in daylight.
The Public Bus: Ruta del Desierto
Ruta del Desierto is the public bus between San José del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas, with highway stops at major corridor hotels. The tourism board puts the ride at about an hour and the fare at roughly $2 to $3 USD. It also stops at SJD's Terminal 1, a short walk from Terminal 2, at a higher airport fare. Main stops include La Comer supermarket in San José del Cabo and the area near Puerto Paraíso mall in Cabo San Lucas. Carry cash, ideally pesos.
Drive Times Between San José del Cabo, the Corridor and Cabo San Lucas
The Tourist Corridor is a four-lane highway running 33 km (20 miles) between the two towns. Typical times by car:
SJD to San José del Cabo: 15 to 25 minutes
SJD to corridor resorts: 20 to 40 minutes, longer the closer you are to Cabo San Lucas
SJD to Cabo San Lucas: 40 to 50 minutes, or about an hour if you skip the toll road
San José del Cabo to Cabo San Lucas: 30 to 40 minutes by car, about an hour by bus
CSW to the Cabo San Lucas marina: 15 to 20 minutes
Rush hour, crashes and roadwork can add 20 to 30 percent. Your base shapes every ride: Grand Velas sits at Km 17 on the corridor, ME Cabo by Meliá is a beachfront hotel a short drive from the marina, and Escape to Cabo Villa Rentals is a vacation rental agency with a San José del Cabo address, the town closest to SJD. Still picking an area? Read Los Cabos vs. Cabo San Lucas vs. San José del Cabo.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there Uber in Cabo San Lucas?
Yes, and it's often much cheaper than a taxi. It can't legally pick you up at the airport, and some resorts keep app drivers off the property, so you may need to meet yours at the gate.
Is Uber safe in Cabo San Lucas?
The US State Department suggests trusted ride-share apps, or taxis booked through your hotel or an authorized stand, over cars hailed on the street. Match the plate, driver and pickup point to the app before you get in. See also Is Cabo San Lucas Safe?
How do I get from SJD to Cabo San Lucas?
The easiest transportation from SJD to Cabo San Lucas is a pre-booked private transfer or shared shuttle, about 40 to 50 minutes. You can also take an authorized airport taxi, rent a car, or ride the Ruta del Desierto bus from Terminal 1.
What airport is in Cabo San Lucas?
Cabo San Lucas International Airport (CSW, formerly CSL) sits just north of town and mostly handles private flights and JSX. Most airline passengers land at SJD near San José del Cabo.
How far is the airport from Cabo San Lucas?
SJD is about 23 miles away, usually a 40 to 50 minute drive. The smaller CSW is about 8 km north of town, around 15 to 20 minutes from the marina.
Should I rent a car in Cabo San Lucas?
It's worth it if you're staying in a vacation home and want easy grocery runs. Corridor resort guests without one pay for a ride every time they leave. Budget for mandatory Mexican liability insurance and a credit card hold.
How do I get around in Cabo San Lucas?
Uber and authorized taxis cover most short trips. Taxis aren't metered, so agree on the fare first. Blue and green taxi vans run around the clock in Cabo San Lucas, and the Ruta del Desierto bus covers the corridor.
Planning the rest of your trip? Browse places to stay, things to do and local services.
