Los Cabos International Airport (SJD) serves the twin resort cities of Baja California Sur: historic San José del Cabo and the lively beach/marina paradise of Cabo San Lucas. Pre-booking private transfers ($35–$75 USD) is the premier way to bypass resort taxi cartels.
The #1 recommended option is a pre-booked private resort transfer ($35–$45 USD per vehicle), where a driver meets you outside with a name sign and takes you directly to your resort in 15–20 minutes. Budget travelers can take the purple/yellow Ruta del Desierto bus for $85 MXN (~$5.00 USD).
The #1 recommended option is a pre-booked private transfer ($70–$85 USD per car) or shared tourist shuttle ($20–$25 USD per person), taking 40–45 minutes via the direct toll highway (Autopista 1D) straight to your resort or marina hotel. Budget backpackers can take the Ruta del Desierto bus for $95 MXN (~$6.00 USD).
SJD operates two main passenger terminals: Terminal 1 (domestic flights) and Terminal 2 (international flights, primarily from US and Canada). Note: Public Ruta del Desierto buses depart exclusively from Terminal 1 (international arrivals at T2 must walk ~8 mins to T1). Arrivals exit into an outdoor canopy transportation staging concourse.
THE SHARK TANK: After clearing customs in Terminal 2, you must walk through a room of aggressive timeshare sales reps posing as "official information guides" or "shuttle dispatchers". Walk briskly through without stopping to the outdoor transportation canopy.
Ruta del Desierto public buses run until approximately 21:30. For late evening and night flights, having a pre-booked private transfer or shared van reservation is essential.
Traveling with heavy suitcases, young children, or landing after midnight? Pre-book a fixed-price private airport transfer or express rail pass on Klook with instant confirmation and no meter haggling.
Airport Wi-Fi often drops outside the terminal curb where Uber (drop-off only) / Pre-booked Shuttles pickup zones are located. Install a local eSIM before your flight so you can order a ride, translate station signs, and show digital train QR tickets immediately after landing.