Landing at Los Cabos International Airport should feel like the beginning of your vacation—and with a little preparation, it absolutely can. While the airport gets lively during peak hours, knowing what to expect makes the whole process easier and more enjoyable.
This guide walks you through every step of arrival at SJD Airport, from passport control to baggage claim to choosing the right transportation. You'll get up-to-date information on entry requirements, a quick explanation of the red-green customs system, and tips for finding licensed, comfortable rides to your hotel.
Where Is SJD Airport?
Los Cabos International Airport sits in the desert just north of San José del Cabo, roughly 8 mi / 13 km from town and 28 mi / 45 km from Cabo San Lucas along Highway 1. That geography shapes your first vacation decision: how long—and how much—it takes to reach the resort zone. For a full breakdown of local transportation options, check out our guide on how to get around in Cabo.
Knowing the terminal layout can help you move through the airport more efficiently. Terminal 1 typically handles domestic flights, while Terminal 2 is used for most international arrivals and departures.
Each terminal has separate exit points, so it helps to double-check your arrival terminal when coordinating transportation. Crowds tend to be busiest Friday through Sunday, especially from noon to 4 p.m., so booking your transfer ahead of time is the easiest way to avoid delays and ensure a smoother ride to your destination.
Step-by-Step Arrival Process Inside SJD Airport
Your journey through SJD follows a predictable sequence that becomes much smoother when you know what to expect at each stage. Let me walk you through the key checkpoints you'll encounter:
- Immigration comes first, and preparation here pays dividends. Have your passport ready along with your FMM tourist card—most airlines distribute these during the flight, though SJD now accepts the online version too. U.S. and Canadian visitors can stay up to 180 days without a visa, but expect lines stretching 15–60 minutes during midday peaks.
- Form completion should happen on the plane to save valuable time once you land. Having your pen ready and paperwork filled out puts you ahead of most travelers.
- Baggage claim presents SJD's unique quirk that catches many travelers off guard. While screens show your carousel number, staff often pull bags off the belt and stack them in piles nearby. Don't just watch the conveyor—scan the area around your carousel too.
- Luggage retrieval typically takes 20–30 minutes, though brightly colored tags or straps help you spot yours faster in the organized chaos.
- Customs processing uses Mexico's distinctive red-green traffic light system. Press the button once for your entire group—green means walk through, red means a quick hand search that usually takes just a couple of minutes.
- Electronics and new purchases require special attention. Remove packaging from new electronics and keep receipts handy to avoid extra scrutiny.
- The timeshare gauntlet is your final challenge. Persistent representatives crowd the hallway after customs, but a simple "No, gracias" and steady pace toward Exit 4 keeps you moving.
- Meeting your driver happens outside, where pre-booked transportation providers wait with a company badge and placard showing your name.
Following these steps in sequence ensures you'll navigate SJD Airport efficiently and start your Cabo vacation without unnecessary delays or frustrations.
Ground Transportation: Choosing the Best Ride from SJD
Once you clear customs and step into the Baja sun, you have four legal transportation options, each with distinct advantages depending on your budget and timeline.
Shared shuttles offer the most economical choice at around 120 pesos per seat. Vans depart every 30–45 minutes, making multiple stops along the Tourist Corridor. While you'll wait for other travelers and endure several hotel stops, companies now post real-time departure boards on their apps, and the total journey to Cabo San Lucas typically takes about an hour.
Private transfers provide immediate departure and direct routes. Licensed operators meet you outside Exit 4, track delayed flights, and accommodate special requests like child seats or ADA-equipped vehicles when you reserve ahead. The price makes financial sense once you're traveling with three or more people.
Private luxury transportation starts at around $120 USD, depending on your hotel’s location. Providers like Vivolx offer flight tracking, Wi-Fi, chilled water, and direct service to your hotel—no stops, no waiting. Use code ADVENTURE for an extra discount.
Authorized airport taxis line up curbside with no reservation required, charging 1,200–1,800 pesos to Cabo San Lucas. Pay in pesos when possible and keep small bills; drivers rarely carry change for large denominations.
Car rental desks sit just past customs, with shuttles to the lots. While daily rates start around 600 pesos, mandatory Mexican liability insurance typically doubles that figure. Factor in tolls, downtown parking scarcity, and late-night return logistics before committing to a rental.
Remember that ride-share pickups remain strictly prohibited on airport grounds. Stick with airport-authorized services you can book in advance, confirm your name on the driver's tablet, and your Cabo vacation starts the moment the doors close.
Uber & Lyft at SJD: What You Need to Know
That instinctive reach for your phone to summon an Uber hits a legal wall at Los Cabos International Airport. Ride-sharing apps cannot legally pick up passengers at SJD, and drivers who attempt it face fines and vehicle impoundment from actively monitoring airport security.
Even if a driver attempts an unauthorized pickup, their commercial insurance won't cover you during the illegal transaction, potentially leaving you stranded without protection if problems arise.
Your safest bet involves sticking with airport-authorized options at Exit 4: shared shuttles, prepaid private transfers, or the official taxi rank past customs. These operators carry proper insurance and understand the regulatory system.
Once you're settled in town, ride-sharing for your return trip to the airport typically works without issues and proves far less problematic than arrival pickups.
Travel Times from SJD to Popular Cabo Areas
Understanding drive times from the airport helps set realistic expectations and prevents rushed departures on your return flight. In light traffic, expect fifteen minutes to the San José del Cabo hotel zone, about thirty minutes to resorts along the Tourist Corridor, forty minutes to the marina in Cabo San Lucas, and close to an hour for Pacific-side retreats near Todos Santos.
Highway 1 experiences significant congestion between 3 and 6 p.m., adding fifteen to twenty minutes during rush hour. Ongoing roadwork in the Corridor and holiday traffic, especially around Semana Santa and Christmas, create additional delays. For stress-free departures, leave Cabo San Lucas at least three-and-a-half hours before your flight, or two-and-a-half hours from San José del Cabo.
Pack water, light layers for air-conditioned vehicles, and download offline maps before landing since free airport Wi-Fi cuts out unpredictably.
Airport Amenities: Wi-Fi, Duty-Free, Cash & Snacks
SJD's free Wi-Fi connects automatically, but expect slower speeds during afternoon rushes. For reliable internet access, terminal VIP lounges offer faster connections alongside unlimited drinks. Priority Pass is applicable here, and day passes are available at the door, as confirmed in this detailed VIP lounge review.
ATMs and currency-exchange counters across from baggage claim provide convenient cash access, though rates run higher than downtown bank machines. Pull just enough pesos for immediate transport and tips; save larger withdrawals for your hotel, where rates improve significantly.
Duty-free shops along the international concourse stock tequila, perfume, and last-minute souvenirs. While adequate for gifts, serious shoppers discover better variety and bargains in Cabo's artisan markets.
Several budget hotels cluster along Highway 1 just south of the runway for late-night arrivals. A quick taxi ride provides rest, device charging, and reliable hotel Wi-Fi, letting you start your vacation refreshed rather than exhausted.
Pro Tips for a Smoother Arrival
A few simple steps can make your arrival at SJD more relaxed and efficient:
- Bring pesos in small bills. Airport ATMs are fine in a pinch, but downtown banks usually offer better exchange rates.
- Save key documents to your phone. Keep digital copies of your passport, FMM, transport details, and any reservation confirmations.
- Download offline maps. Free Wi-Fi at the airport can be spotty, so having offline navigation is a smart backup.
- Pack a pen. You may need to fill out forms on the plane or at immigration.
- Keep valuables in your carry-on. If your checked bags are delayed, head to the lost & found near Carousel 3.
- Dress light and stay hydrated. Crowds are common on Friday afternoons, so comfort is key if you’re arriving during peak times.
Want to Simplify the Rest of Your Cabo Trip?
Airport logistics are just the beginning. If you’d rather not deal with taxis or car rentals every time you head out to explore, many Cabo Adventures tours offer optional hotel pickup and drop-off for an additional fee.
Whether you’re planning the Luxury Two Bay Snorkel, the Off-Road UTV adventure, or the Los Cabos City Tour through historic San José, adding transfers takes the pressure off getting there—especially during peak travel weeks when traffic and parking can eat into your day.
Just be sure to request transport when booking your tour, as availability can be limited during busy seasons.