Getting Around Cabo San Lucas
Cabo San Lucas sits at the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula, and together with neighbouring San José del Cabo it forms the Los Cabos area. The two towns are linked by the Tourist Corridor, a stretch of coastline along the Transpeninsular Highway (Mexican Federal Highway 1) that is packed with resorts and timeshares. Understanding how these pieces connect is the key to moving around comfortably.
No Trains, Metro or Trams
Visitors should know up front that Cabo San Lucas has no rail, metro or tram network of any kind. Getting around relies entirely on road transport, boats and your own two feet. Plan accordingly and don't expect to find a train station or subway.
Walking
Downtown Cabo San Lucas is genuinely walkable. The marina area, the waterfront promenade, Medano Beach and the historic centre of San José del Cabo are all easy on foot, and the marina promenade passes bars, restaurants, shops and the connected Puerto Paraiso and Luxury Avenue malls. Walking from Medano Beach to downtown Cabo San Lucas is a short stroll depending on exactly where you start.
A few practical cautions:
- The Tourist Corridor itself is not walkable — resorts and attractions are spread out along the highway, so you'll need a vehicle for that stretch.
- Heat and sun are serious; mornings and late afternoons are better for longer walks, and shade is limited.
- Use normal tourist precautions after dark and stick to busy, well-lit areas. Locals advise against walking to The Glass Factory — take a taxi or Uber instead.
Buses and Public Transport
The main public transport option is the Ruta del Desierto bus, which runs between Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo along the Tourist Corridor and also serves Los Cabos International Airport. The buses are purple and orange, and they are the cheapest way to cover longer distances.
- Payment: Mexican pesos only — bring small bills and change, and don't rely on US dollars or large notes.
- Frequency: buses run frequently throughout the day, roughly every 15–30 minutes.
- Stops: there are designated stops along the corridor, but drivers often let passengers off where requested, and buses can be flagged down along the highway.
- Quality: varies — some buses are newer and air-conditioned, others are older with open windows.
- Main stops: in Cabo San Lucas the northbound stop is near Puerto Paraiso Mall on the Transpeninsular Highway; in San José del Cabo look for the southbound stop near Tacos Rossy or in front of the Chedraui Selecto grocery store.
For longer regional trips, Autotransportes Aguila provides frequent departures from La Paz, San José del Cabo and other nearby cities, while Autobuses Baja California (ABC) handles long-distance routes. The Cabo San Lucas bus terminal sits north of the city centre on the road toward Todos Santos.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Taxis are plentiful and available around the clock, serving the main parts of Cabo, the corridor and the airport. They are colour-coded: blue or green in Cabo San Lucas, red and yellow in San José del Cabo.
- No meters. Agree on the fare before you get in.
- Cash only — both Mexican pesos and US dollars are accepted, though pesos usually get you a better rate.
- Some drivers attempt to overcharge tourists, so settling the price in advance matters.
Uber operates in both Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo and is generally cheaper than taxis. Fares fluctuate and tend to be higher in the evenings and at night. Two things to keep in mind: Uber can drop off at the airport but cannot pick up there, since rideshare pickups are not authorized; and some resorts restrict Uber pick-ups at the lobby, so you may need to meet your ride at the entrance or outside the property. Drop-offs are permitted. There is also friction between the taxi union and Uber, and there have been reports of police stopping Uber cars.
Rental Cars, Scooters and Water Taxis
Renting a car is a good option if you're staying in a villa or planning day trips beyond the two towns, and agencies with familiar international names operate at the airport and in both towns. Highway 1 along the Tourist Corridor is well maintained but busy, and local drivers tend to drive fast. Use GPS since signage is limited, allow room when merging, avoid late-night driving especially on weekends and holidays, and stay off rural highways after dark because of wandering livestock.
For something more unusual, you can rent motorcycles and scooters — helmets are provided — and ride the so-called "Cabo Loop," a paved route that passes through San José del Cabo, Los Barriles and Todos Santos before returning to Cabo San Lucas.
On the water, water taxis and glass-bottom boats are the standard way to reach El Arco (the Arch) and some of the beaches.
Getting from the Airport into the City
The region is served by Los Cabos International Airport (SJD), located just outside San José del Cabo on the Transpeninsular Highway. Domestic carriers include Aereo Calafia, Aeromexico, Señor Air and Volaris, while international carriers include Alaska Airlines, American, Copa, Frontier, United, Air Transat and WestJet. Cabo San Lucas also has a small international airfield handling general aviation and air taxi services.
Your main options for the trip into Cabo San Lucas:
- Ruta del Desierto bus — the cheapest option. Stops are just outside Terminal 1 (domestic arrivals) and Terminal 2 (international arrivals); at Terminal 2 the stop is upstairs on the Departures level. Buses are clean, modern and air-conditioned but may have limited luggage space. They run roughly every 15 minutes from early morning until late evening, and the ride to Cabo San Lucas takes about an hour to an hour and a quarter depending on traffic and stops. To return to the airport, catch the bus near Puerto Paraiso Mall in Cabo San Lucas.
- Private transfers (van service) — the most convenient choice for families or groups, especially with large baggage, and cheaper than taxis. Shared shuttle vans to major hotels are also available. Book in advance, ideally at least 48 hours before arrival, since most cancellation policies use that window.
- Taxis — available at the airport, with fares negotiated before you ride.
- Uber — can drop you off at the airport but cannot pick you up there.
Beware of touts. At the airport you may be approached with an offer of free transportation in exchange for your time on a "tour" of a resort, including breakfast, or with free tickets to cruises and excursions, or even cash. This is a timeshare promotion. You will be asked for a deposit, and while you may receive the promised gifts if you attend, the presentation can take up to four hours and comes with a hard sales pitch for what is generally a very overpriced timeshare. These agents sometimes claim to represent your transportation company — that is a lie. Your transportation will always be waiting outside the terminal, never inside.
Arriving by Sea
Cruise ships call at Cabo San Lucas very frequently. All of them anchor or moor offshore, so passengers are ferried to shore. If you plan to arrange independent tours, factor in the time that ferrying takes, both at the start of your tour and at the end so you can be sure of returning to the ship on time.