Los Cabos International Airport (SJD) serves the southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula - one of Mexico’s most popular beach resort regions. The airport is positioned closer to San José del Cabo than to Cabo San Lucas, which affects transfer times and costs significantly. Getting your ground transport right matters here: there are no metered taxis serving arrivals and unofficial touts are persistent.
Airport Layout
SJD has two terminals - Terminal 1 (domestic) and Terminal 2 (international). Most international travellers, including those arriving from the US, Canada, and Europe, arrive at Terminal 2. The terminals are approximately 1 km apart, connected by a free airport shuttle bus. Both terminals have transfer desks, ATMs, and currency exchange in arrivals.
Major airlines at SJD include American, Delta, United, Southwest, Alaska, Air Canada, WestJet, Volaris, VivaAerobus, and Aeromexico. Several seasonal charters from Europe (including UK and Germany) also use Terminal 2.
Authorised Airport Taxis
A tier of authorised concession taxis operates from both terminals - zone-based and fixed at the desk. These sit between shared shuttles and private transfers in both price and convenience.
Approximate authorised taxi fares (per vehicle, as of 2026):
- San José del Cabo: MXN $500–700
- Tourist Corridor: MXN $650–950
- Cabo San Lucas: MXN $900–1,200
No metered taxis serve the airport. Anyone outside the official desks who quotes a “meter price” is operating informally.
Private Transfer
The most reliable and straightforward option, particularly for first-time arrivals. Private transfer companies operate from official desks inside both terminals. Look for counters from Los Cabos Transfers, Cabo VIP Transportation, and TransferCabo.
Approximate private transfer fares (per vehicle, as of 2026):
| Destination | Approximate Fare |
|---|---|
| San José del Cabo town | MXN $400–600 |
| Tourist Corridor (km 5–12) | MXN $500–750 |
| Tourist Corridor (km 15–24) | MXN $650–900 |
| Cabo San Lucas marina / downtown | MXN $750–1,050 |
| Cabo San Lucas Pacific-side hotels | MXN $800–1,150 |
| Todos Santos | MXN $1,400–1,850 |
| La Paz | MXN $2,100–2,800 |
Private transfers seat 1–4 passengers in a standard sedan or SUV. Groups of 5+ typically use a van at a modestly higher rate. Pre-booking with flight tracking means your driver waits regardless of delays - typically 15–20% cheaper than buying at the airport desk on arrival.
For a pre-booked meet-and-greet transfer with fixed pricing and flight tracking, Welcome Pickups is a reliable choice for Los Cabos arrivals.
Shared Shuttle
The main budget option. Shared shuttle companies - Cabo Expeditions Transport, Transportaciones del Valle de San José, and others - operate from counters in both terminal arrivals halls. You share a minivan with other passengers heading in the same general direction.
Approximate shared shuttle fares (per person, as of 2026):
- San José del Cabo: MXN $250–350 per person
- Tourist Corridor hotels: MXN $300–450 per person
- Cabo San Lucas: MXN $400–550 per person
- Cabo San Lucas Pacific-side hotels: MXN $450–600 per person
Shared shuttles make multiple hotel stops, so a Cabo San Lucas journey can take 90–120 minutes versus 45 minutes for a private vehicle. Budget accordingly if you have an early dinner reservation or connecting activity booked.
Uber and DiDi
Uber operates in Los Cabos but availability at the airport itself is limited and inconsistent - the airport occasionally restricts rideshare pickup from the terminal forecourt during busy periods. If Uber works, fares are typically:
- San José del Cabo: MXN $200–350
- Cabo San Lucas: MXN $380–550
Check the app as soon as you clear customs - if surge pricing is active or no drivers are available, head to the transfer desk. In San José del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas, Uber and DiDi work reliably for day-to-day transport once you’re at your destination.
Distance and Journey Times from SJD
| Destination | Distance | Private Transfer | Shared Shuttle |
|---|---|---|---|
| San José del Cabo centro | 13 km | 15–20 min | 20–30 min |
| Corridor km 10 (Gran Fiesta area) | 23 km | 25–35 min | 40–60 min |
| Corridor km 18 (Palmilla area) | 31 km | 35–45 min | 55–80 min |
| Corridor km 24 (Sheraton / Westin area) | 37 km | 40–50 min | 65–90 min |
| Cabo San Lucas downtown | 45 km | 40–55 min | 80–120 min |
| Cabo San Lucas Pacific (Pedregal) | 48 km | 45–60 min | 90–130 min |
The Tourist Corridor
The 30 km highway between San José del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas passes through a stretch of high-end resort developments known as the Tourist Corridor. Hotels here - including Esperanza, Las Ventanas al Paraíso, One&Only Palmilla, Four Seasons, Hard Rock Hotel, and numerous Barceló properties - are neither in San José del Cabo nor Cabo San Lucas proper, which affects your transfer cost. When booking ground transport, confirm your hotel’s kilometre marker on the Transpeninsular Highway (Mexico Highway 1) rather than just naming the city - wrong zone assignments are common.
Car Rental at SJD
All major rental companies - Hertz, Avis, Budget, National, Alamo, Enterprise, Europcar - operate from Terminal 2. The drive to Cabo San Lucas on Mexico Highway 1 is straightforward, approximately 45 minutes.
Car rental is worth considering if you plan to:
- Explore the East Cape (Cabo Pulmo, Los Barriles)
- Day-trip to La Paz (3 hours north)
- Visit Todos Santos independently (80 km north on Highway 19)
- Do multiple Corridor beach hops across your stay
Note: Cabo San Lucas centro has significant pedestrian activity and limited parking near the marina - driving in town can be frustrating during peak season.
How to Choose
| Method | Cost (solo) | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-booked private | MXN $400–2,800 | Groups, remote properties, peace of mind |
| Shared shuttle | MXN $250–600 pp | Budget travellers, flexible on time |
| Authorised airport taxi | MXN $500–1,200 | Unplanned arrivals needing a vehicle now |
| Uber / DiDi | MXN $200–550 | When available; cheapest option if it works |
| Car rental | From MXN $600/day | Multi-day independence, East Cape trips |
Practical Tips
- Pre-book whenever possible. High-season arrivals (December–April, July–August) mean long queues at transfer desks. Pre-booking online is typically 15–20% cheaper and allows you to skip the queue.
- Decline unsolicited offers. Touts approach travellers immediately outside the arrivals exit at both terminals. Only use official desk-booked transfers or pre-confirmed vehicles.
- Confirm your terminal. If you’re a domestic arrival connecting to an international guest - or vice versa - the free terminal shuttle is available but adds 15–20 minutes.
- Return transfer. Most hotels can arrange airport drop-off. Book 24 hours in advance during peak season. Uber from Cabo San Lucas to SJD typically runs MXN $380–550 in normal conditions.
- Currency. USD is widely accepted in Los Cabos for transport (many operators price in USD). ATMs in both terminals dispense MXN.
- No metered taxis. Unlike Mexico City or Guadalajara, Los Cabos does not have regulated metered taxis serving the airport.
Plan your trip: airport transfers · travel insurance.
Related City Guides
- Los Cabos Travel Guide
- La Paz Travel Guide - the Baja Peninsula’s other city, a 3-hour drive north from Los Cabos
- Todos Santos Travel Guide - the art town 80 km north on Highway 19
- Mexico Currency Guide - USD vs MXN at Los Cabos and when to use which
- Getting Around Mexico
Ready to Plan Your Trip?
See our itineraries for inspiration:
- 2 Weeks Mexico - the two-week Mexico circuit
- 3 Weeks Mexico - the three-week grand tour of Mexico
- 1 Week Mexico - one week covering Mexico City, Oaxaca and the beach
- 10 Days Mexico - ten days from the capital to the Caribbean