Getting Around Los Cabos

The short answer

If you are staying in Cabo San Lucas and plan to stay there, you can walk almost everywhere or use taxis for short hops. If you want to explore San José del Cabo, the Corridor resorts, or anywhere beyond the marina, you need either a rental car or a plan for hiring taxis by the trip. No single option covers everything, so most visitors end up combining two or three.

The Corridor that connects Cabo San Lucas to San José del Cabo runs roughly 20 miles along Mexico Highway 1. Driving it end to end in light traffic takes about 30 to 40 minutes. In peak season with resort traffic, add another 10 to 20 minutes. Knowing this one distance unlocks most of the region's logistics: nothing is that far, but nothing is walkable between towns either.

What to know

Taxis are the most common option for short trips within Cabo San Lucas or San José del Cabo. They are plentiful at the marina, outside resorts, and near popular restaurants and beach clubs. Fares are not metered. Drivers quote a price before you get in, and that price is negotiable. Always agree on the fare before you sit down. A typical short in-town ride in Cabo San Lucas runs in the $5 to $10 USD range as an estimate. Cross-town trips from Cabo San Lucas to San José del Cabo can run $35 to $55 USD depending on the driver and time of day. These are estimate ranges; actual fares vary.

Ride-hailing apps like Uber exist in Los Cabos, but there are significant limits. The apps generally work within the downtown cores of both towns. Pickup at Los Cabos International Airport (SJD) is not reliably available because the airport taxi syndicate restricts app-based pickups at the terminal. If you try to request an Uber at the airport arrivals area, you will often find no drivers available or a driver who cancels when they see the pickup location. Book a prepaid airport shuttle or private transfer in advance instead.

Rental cars are the most flexible option if you plan to leave the main tourist zones. Driving the Corridor between the towns, visiting Chileno Beach or Santa Maria Beach for snorkeling, heading to Todos Santos for a day, or reaching East Cape and Cabo Pulmo all become much easier with your own vehicle. Highway 1 through the Corridor is well-maintained and well-signed. You will need your US driver's license and will want to purchase Mexican auto insurance, which your rental agency will offer. Your US auto insurance policy typically does not cover driving in Mexico, so decline to skip this coverage.

The local bus that runs the Corridor is an option for budget-conscious travelers and a few independent explorers. Public buses run along Highway 1 between Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo, stopping at marked stops along the route. Fares are low, roughly $2 to $4 USD per ride as an estimate. The trade-off is timing and logistics: buses run on irregular schedules, stops are spaced out along the highway rather than directly at resort entrances, and the walk from a highway stop to certain beach coves or resort gates can be 10 to 20 minutes in full sun. For visiting a Corridor beach like Chileno, a taxi or rental car gets you much closer.

Practical tips

Walkability depends entirely on where you are. The marina area and the main pedestrian strip around Médano Beach in Cabo San Lucas are genuinely walkable. You can reach beach clubs, restaurants, bars, the marina dock, and a good selection of shops without needing any transportation. The main drag in San José del Cabo's historic downtown and Art District is similarly walkable once you are there. The problem is getting between these two areas, because there is nothing to walk through in between.

For airport transfers, book a shuttle or private transfer before you land. Los Cabos International Airport (SJD) sits in San José del Cabo, about 30 minutes from San José and 45 to 50 minutes from Cabo San Lucas. Several shuttle services offer shared vans or private SUVs on a prepaid basis. Private transfers cost more than shared shuttles but deliver you directly without stops. If you are traveling in a group of three or more, a private transfer often comes out close to the shared shuttle price per person and saves 30 to 45 minutes in transit.

When taking taxis, having small US bills or pesos helps avoid overpaying in change. Drivers often quote in USD in tourist areas and accept both currencies, but the exchange rate they apply varies. Paying in pesos after checking the current rate yourself is usually the better deal. See the money, currency, and tipping guide for specifics on carrying cash and tipping in Los Cabos.

If you are renting a car, consider pickup at the airport rather than in town. Drop-off logistics are simpler, and you avoid coordinating a taxi from the hotel to a downtown rental office. Reserve in advance during peak season (November through April), when availability at preferred agencies tightens. International driving permits are not required for US citizens in Los Cabos, but carry your US license and passport.

Day trips to Todos Santos or La Paz are technically doable by shared bus or shuttle, but they are significantly easier and less stressful with a rental car. Todos Santos is about 75 miles north of Cabo San Lucas on the Pacific side, roughly 70 to 80 minutes of driving. La Paz is about 100 miles north, closer to two hours. Neither destination is particularly convenient by public transit if you want to explore on your own schedule. For suggestions on what to fit into a multi-day stay, the 5 days in Cabo itinerary builds in realistic drive times between zones. When planning your timing, check the best time to visit guide for how season affects traffic and crowds on the Corridor. For an overview of safety considerations while traveling the region, see is Cabo safe.