How to Get Around Los Cabos: 10 Modes of Transport
How to get between Cabo San Lucas, San José del Cabo, and Los Cabos Airport by bus, car, taxi, and more.
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Cabo offers a variety of transportation options to suit every traveller’s preference, budget, and needs. With a mix of compact downtown areas, scenic coastal roads, and sprawling resort communities, it’s no wonder Cabo is such a popular winter vacation destination. Navigating Cabo is relatively easy, but choosing the right transportation option can make all the difference to your vacation experience. We’ve compiled everything you need to know about getting around Cabo, from public transit networks to private transfers, in this transportation guide to Los Cabos.
Cabo Transportation at a glance
More from Cabo
How to get around in Cabo
Cabo, when referring to the general area of Los Cabo, is easy to get around. It is made up of three areas: Cabo San Lucas, San José del Cabo, and the Tourist Corridor between these two cities. There’s also Los Cabos International Airport (SJO), the gateway to this sun-soaked southern tip of the Baja California peninsula and the beautiful state of Baja California Sur.
Getting around Cabo San Lucas is a breeze, thanks to a range of convenient transportation options that cater to every budget and preference, from taxis and shuttles to public buses and car rentals.
How do tourists get around in Cabo?
Getting around Los Cabos, is easy and convenient, with various options available. There’s a whole range of transportation available to get you to wherever you’re going in Los Cabos, including:
1. On foot
Walking is an excellent way to explore a city, get your step count up, and reduce your emissions. A lot of Cabo is walkable, making it a great way to get around and sightsee. Explore on your own and enjoy a wealth of boutique stores, local restaurants, and art galleries. Or book onto a walking tour in Cabo to discover hidden gems, get local recommendations, and learn more about these charming cities.
Can you walk around in Cabo?
Yes, you can absolutely walk around in Los Cabos. Both Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo are safe to walk around in, especially in the central and downtown areas. It’s just important to practice general safety precautions as you would travelling anywhere else and avoid walking at night, especially alone.
Is Cabo a walkable city?
Both Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo’s downtowns are highly walkable. The best way to get around the city centres is on foot. From Cabo San Lucas’ marine and beachfront promenade (malecón) to San José del Cabo’s Plaza Mijares and Art District, walking allows you to discover hidden gems, soak up local culture, and enjoy scenic views.
2. By car
Renting a car from Los Cabos Airport and driving yourself is the most convenient way to get around Los Cabos. This is the most flexible way to travel but isn’t as cheap as using public transportation. It’s a great idea to rent a car if you like to explore further afield or are interested in taking any day trips from Cabo during your stay.
The journey to Cabo from the airport follows Federal Highway 1 which is easy to drive but can be busy. It can also be really tricky to park in the cities if you don’t have a reserved space.
Renting a car in Cabo costs about $50 USD a day for a standard rental. We always recommend getting full insurance when hiring a car, so budget another $50 USD a day for the insurance. So, in all, it’s about $100 USD a day (in peak season) for a rental car in Cabo, but you can find cheap deals if you travel out of season, or use a booking platform like DiscoverCars.com.
3. By taxi
Taking a taxi in Cabo is easy and the quickest way to get to where you want to go if you don’t have a car. Most taxis in Cabo San Lucas look like green or white minivans that seat up to 8 people. In San Jose del Cabo, taxis are red and yellow.
While quick and convenient, taxis are not the cheapest option though. A taxi from the airport costs about $50-$70 USD to Cabo San Lucas. To San José del Cabo from the airport, a taxi costs about $40-$60 USD. They normally accept USD as well as Mexican pesos, but most don’t accept cards so you’ll need cash.
You can flag a taxi down in the street or ask your hotel to call one for you. If you’re staying in a self-catering apartment, you can still pop into a nearby hotel and ask reception if they’ll call you a taxi and they often will.
Be sure to negotiate your price before getting into the taxi. They’re not metered and you don’t want a nasty surprise when you get to your destination.
Many local taxi drivers don’t speak English so having some basic Spanish is helpful. Having offline Google Maps and Google Translate downloaded to your phone is also useful.
4. Uber
Uber is quite a contentious issue in Cabo with many people claiming it’s illegal. There’s tension between Uber drivers and local taxi drivers, who have more of a say regarding taxi transportation in Los Cabos. Many locals feel Uber’s convenience and low prices are putting Cabo’s taxi drivers out of business, which is why it’s been deemed ‘illegal’. It’s unclear whether it’s a law or a rumour, but Uber does exist in Cabo.
Uber is a slightly cheaper option than a taxi, at about $30-$40 USD for a one-way journey. Ubers can’t be picked up from the airport – you’ll need to exit the border of the airport to be picked up – but can drop off at departures.
Is it safe to Uber in Cabo?
Uber is totally safe to use in Cabo and is a convenient way to get around. All you need is the app on your phone and you’re good to go. We can confirm that Uber does work in Cabo and is safe to use.
Uber can be a reassuring way for travellers to get around Cabo as your journey is tracked. But the company does take a huge cut of a driver’s payment and is based in the US, so the money paid to Uber leaks out from the local economy. It can be better for the local community if you choose a local taxi company instead but it’s up to you (we used both methods).
5. By private transfer
You can book a private Los Cabos airport transfer in advance. A taxi is about the same as a private transfer, but you can rest easy knowing your transfer is pre-booked in advance.
Private transfers are solely responsible for taking you where you need to go and are a great option if you want to get somewhere quickly, or don’t want to ride-share with others.
6. By shuttle
Choosing a shuttle from Los Cabos airport is cheaper than choosing a private airport transfer, although not as convenient. Often, you need to wait until everyone who’s booked the shuttle gets on before setting off, and there may be multiple stops before yours.
Shared shuttles run at about $25-$50 USD per person depending on the journey you book.
7. By bus
Cabo is served by purple and orange Ruta del Desierto public buses. These buses pick up from outside Terminal 1 (a short walk from Terminal 2) at Los Cabos Airport and run down the Transpeninsular Highway (Hwy #1) to San José del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas. We used them several times during our trip and found them to be an extremely affordable transportation option.
If you want to take the bus from San José del Cabo to Cabo San Lucas or the airport (and vice versa), the Ruta del Desierto bus is the way to go. Taking the bus is a bit more hit-and-miss than other methods of getting around. Some buses are newer than others so may be anything from air-conditioned to stuffy and hot or breezy with open windows. Most journeys aren’t that long so it’s certainly worth it to save some money if you’re a budget traveller.
Ruta del Desierto Bus Schedule
The Ruta del Desierto buses start as early as 4:30 AM and run until around 11:00 PM. Buses depart every 8 to 10 minutes but you may wait more like 15 to 30 minutes. It’s always good to leave with plenty of time as things are more relaxed in Mexico than in other countries around the world.
Ruta del Desierto Bus Price
The local Ruta del Desierto bus is the cheapest way to get to Cabo San Lucas, San José del Cabo, or the airport. It costs about 40 pesos (~$2 USD). To get to or from the airport costs 80 pesos (~$4 USD).
Ruta del Desierto Bus Stops
The bus will stop anywhere along the route and can pick you up anywhere it’s safe to stop if you flag it down. To be safe, it’s best to try to pick it up only from official stops, which are marked with a small sign with a bus symbol on. There are three main designated stops that are best to pick it up from if you’re close by:
How to take the public bus in Cabo San Lucas
The bus stop in Cabo San Lucas can be found on the main road outside the post office (Correos de México Cabo San Lucas) by Plaza Puerto Paraiso Shopping Centre.
The Ruta del Desierto bus stops at most major hotels and resorts, but on the main road so you’ll have to walk over to the hotel with your luggage.
How to take the public bus in San José del Cabo
The bus stop in San José del Cabo near the beachfront Hotel Zone is by La Comer. For the centre, ask for El Centro (downtown). We got off right at Calle Manuel Doblado and followed it into the centre of town. It’s about a 15-minute walk from the main road. It’s useful to track your location on Google Maps (download it offline to your phone) so you know when to get off.
8. By water taxi
As Cabo is on the water, there are some areas that are only accessible by boat. If you want to visit Land’s End, home to the famous Cabo Arch (El Arco), Lover’s Beach, and Divorce Beach, or more central Medano Beach, then you need to take a water taxi.
There’s a range of boats available at Cabo San Lucas’ marina, from wooden water taxis to glass-bottom boats and traditional sightseeing catamarans.
Boats that run between the marina and Medano Beach usually cost between $10 to $15 USD per person. Typically, a trip to Land’s End from the marina and back will cost about $20 to $25 USD per person but you might get it cheaper if you haggle.
9. By bike
Cycling isn’t a very popular way to get around Cabo San Lucas as most of downtown is walkable or too busy to be able to navigate comfortably on a bike. But San José del Cabo’s historic centre is much more bicycle-friendly. You can rent a bike in Cabo and enjoy a leisurely ride along the beach and beside Estuary Bird Sanctuary.
10. On a tour
If you’re planning to explore more of the Baja California Sur peninsula, organising your transportation with your tour company can be an easy way to get an affordable win-win situation. Here are some amazing experiences in Baja that you can add to your Cabo itinerary where transportation can be included in your tour:
Cabo Transportation FAQs
To prepare you with everything you need to know before you go, we’ve compiled these frequently asked questions about getting around Cabo.
What is the best way to get around Cabo San Lucas?
The best way to get around Cabo San Lucas depends on your preferences, budget, and the activities you have planned but can include walking, taxis, buses, renting a car, private transfers, and shuttles.
How do I get from SJD to Cabo San Lucas?
Los Cabos International Airport (SJD) is located about 6 miles (10 km) northwest of San José del Cabo and 25 miles (40 km) northeast of Cabo San Lucas. You can take a taxi, book a private transfer, book a shared shuttle, rent a car, or use the public bus to get to Cabo San Lucas.
How do I get from Los Cabos to Cabo San Lucas?
Los Cabos is actually an area that encompasses both Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo, as well as the Tourist Corridor between them. To get around Los Cabos, you can use the methods of transportation we’ve detailed in this article. To get to Cabo San Lucas from the airport, you can follow the details in the answer above.
How much is the bus fare in Cabo?
The bus fare in Cabo depends on the route you’re taking. The main bus in Cabo is the Ruta del Desierto orange and purple bus and we’ve listed the fare below and in the Bus section of this post.
How much is the Ruta del Desierto bus?
If you’re travelling from the Los Cabos International Airport to San José or Cabo San Lucas, the fare on the Ruta del Desierto public bus is 80 pesos (~$4). Between San José and Cabo San Lucas, the fare is 40 pesos (~$2).
Are taxis expensive in Cabo?
Taxis are quite expensive in Cabo but they’re the easiest and most convenient way to get around without a car. The price can vary depending on the distance and type of service you require.
How much does a taxi cost in Cabo San Lucas?
For a standard taxi in Cabo, a trip from the airport can cost between $50-$70 USD to Cabo San Lucas and between $40-$60 USD to San José del Cabo.
Are taxis easy to get in Cabo?
Taxis are readily available in Cabo, but availability can vary depending on the location, time of day, and season. They are most often found at the airport, in downtown areas, and in the Hotel Zones. If you need a taxi in a more remote area, it’s best to try to organise one ahead of time.
How do you pay for a taxi in Cabo?
Most taxis in Cabo do not accept cards so you need cash. You can normally pay in Mexican pesos or US dollars.
Do cabs in Cabo take USD?
Yes, most taxis in Cabo take US dollars, but only in cash.
Do taxis in Cabo take credit cards?
No, most taxis in Cabo only take cash.
How do I call a cab in Cabo?
To call a taxi in Cabo, you can ask your hotel to arrange a cab for you. Alternatively, you can call a local taxi company using details online. Uber and Cabo Driver are also popular taxi apps that work in Cabo.
Do you tip cab drivers in Cabo?
Tipping taxi drivers in Cabo is customary and appreciated, but not mandatory. A standard tip is about 10-15% of the total fare. A minimum tip of 10 to 20 Mexican pesos (~ $0.50-$1 USD) and rounding up to the nearest 10 or 20 pesos is polite. For an airport pickup or long trip, budget around 100 to 200 pesos (~ $5-$10 USD) for a tip.
How much is a taxi from Cabo airport to a hotel?
The cost of a taxi from Los Cabos International Airport to your hotel depends on the distance but is usually about $50 to $100 USD.
How do you get a taxi at Cabo airport?
Getting a taxi at Los Cabos International Airport (SJD) is relatively straightforward. Here are the steps:
Terminal 1 (Domestic Flights)
- Exit the terminal and look for the taxi stand.
- Go to the authorized taxi booth and provide your destination.
- Receive a slip with the taxi number and estimated fare.
- Proceed to the designated taxi pickup area.
Terminal 2 (International Flights)
- Exit the terminal and cross the pedestrian bridge.
- Turn left and follow signs to the taxi stand.
- Go to the authorized taxi booth and provide your destination.
- Receive a slip with the taxi number and estimated fare.
- Proceed to the designated taxi pickup area.
Terminal 3 (New International Terminal)
- Exit the terminal and follow the signs to the taxi stand.
- Go to the authorized taxi booth and provide your destination.
- Receive a slip with the taxi number and estimated fare.
- Proceed to the designated taxi pickup area.
Is Uber legal in Cabo?
Uber is not authorized to operate legally in Los Cabos (apparently) but still operates and is widely used.
Can I get an Uber in Cabo San Lucas?
It’s easy to get an Uber in Cabo and can be a more affordable alternative to traditional taxis.
Is it safe to take an Uber from Cabo Airport?
There have been incidents where Uber drivers were met with aggression from local taxi drivers and tourists were blocked from entering Uber cars at the airport. It’s recommended to opt for an official taxi at the airport or to leave the confines of the airport to be picked up by your Uber.
Is a rental car needed in Cabo San Lucas?
Having a rental car in Cabo can be convenient but is not necessary. It’s a more expensive transportation method but does give you complete flexibility to follow your own schedule and go where you want.
Is it safe to drive a car in Cabo San Lucas?
Driving in Cabo is totally safe but navigating the cities can be challenging. It’s essential to be aware of local laws, and road conditions, and to take necessary precautions to stay safe.
Can you get around Cabo San Lucas without a car?
Getting around Cabo without a car is easy and convenient. You can use local taxi, transfer, or shuttle services, or opt for the public bus to get around. We didn’t have a car in Cabo and it didn’t stop us from going anywhere.
Can I walk around in Cabo San Lucas?
Cabo San Lucas is considered safe for walking around, with many pedestrian-friendly areas and attractions, especially in downtown and the marina area. It’s always a good idea to exercise caution when exploring any new place as you would anywhere else in the world.
Is Cabo safe to walk around at night?
Cabo San Lucas is generally safe to walk around at night. The marina and downtown areas are well-lit and populated but we wouldn’t recommend leaving the main tourist areas at night.
Read next:
Los Cabos Travel Guide: Which Cabo to choose?
The 15 Best Day Trips from Cabo
10 Tips for Taking a Boat Tour in Cabo
An Ethical Guide to Whale Watching in Cabo
The 32 Best Things to Do in Cabo San Lucas
The 22 Best Things to Do in San José del Cabo
The 18 Best Oceanview Hotels in Cabo
A Concise Guide to SCUBA Diving in Cabo
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