Travel times and route options to SJD

SJD is the commercial airport used when flying to Los Cabos to visit Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo. With no traffic, the airport is about a 20-minute drive from San Jose when using the toll road and about 30 minutes when taking Highway 1. From Cabo San Lucas the trip is about 35 minutes if using the toll road and closer to 50 minutes if using Highway 1.

Airport route with minimal traffic

I recommend using the toll road if you are in a rush as it will often save you time and usually only costs about 50 pesos. Uber or taxi drivers will often ask if you are in a hurry or if you have a preference on which route to take. Depending on the time of day and traffic conditions, travel time can increase greatly so make sure you check the GPS ahead of time. An accident on Highway 1 can increase your travel time by a couple hours in some cases.

Arriving in SJD

As the plane prepares for landing, the flight attendants will hand out a customs form which you are required to fill out and submit to enter the country. Only one form is necessary per family and it asks how long you are staying, what you are traveling with, and some other basic questions.

After getting your luggage from baggage claim, you will hand the form to the customs agent. I suggest traveling with a pen so you can fill the form out on the plane. If you don’t, you will have to wait in line for a pen inside the airport.

Passing through immigration in Cabo

After deboarding the plane, your first stop will be the immigration desks. The line tends to back up here but it moves fairly quickly. If you have temporary or permanent residency, you can pass through immigration on the citizen side which often has no line at all. Have your passport and flight information ready as the officer will ask you for both. They will also ask you questions about where you are staying and for how long.

Once you get your passport stamped, you’ll head through the glass doors to the baggage claim area. In my experience, the airport has been great about quickly getting bags from the plane to the baggage claim carousel. They usually have an employee pulling bags off of the carousel and putting them in a pile on the side which can sometimes cause a bit of a traffic jam, and in my opinion, defeats the purpose of the carousel.

SJD Airport Currency Exchange

While waiting for your luggage, you can visit the currency exchange desk just steps away from the carousel to convert your dollars to pesos. You can also wait and compare rates at the many exchange locations throughout Cabo to ensure you are getting the highest exchange rate. You will need your passport to exchange money. I recommend converting enough cash to pay for some meals, tipping staff, and paying for anything that may be cash only which happens much more often than in the US.
Directly to the left of the currency exchange is the Animal Health Inspection office where you will need to present paperwork for your pets if you are bringing them into Cabo. When I brought my cat, the only paperwork I needed to show was a vaccination record, but check the airports website before your trip to ensure you have all the necessary documents.

Getting through customs in Cabo

Once you have your luggage, pesos, and pet taken care of, you will have to get in line to hand in your customs form. After the agent takes your form and tears off the portion they need to keep, you will have to press a red button. If the light turns green, you are free to step into the Cabo sun and enjoy a margarita or cold cerveza. If the light turns red, you are the lucky passenger who will need to put your bags through the scanner and have them searched by an agent.

Of the many times I’ve flown into SJD, I’ve only gotten the red light one time. I was questioned about an item in my bag that was still in the original packaging. They asked what it was and I was able to explain it and got away with keeping the item once they believed I was not intending to sell it. If you have something brand new, I suggest taking it out of the original packaging to avoid any issues. Check the airport's website for an updated explanation of what you can and cannot bring into the country.

The last area before exiting the airport is the gauntlet of transportation and other service desks. As you walk through you’ll be asked if you need a taxi, a rental car, etc. I have not used any of these services myself, but have heard from others they are not the best options. The one time I used a taxi service I was charged significantly more than what an Uber cost (the taxi charged me $50 USD and Uber from the same location has been around $20).

Getting picked up from the Cabo airport

(Edited July 9th, 2024)

Due to some recent tightening of the rules, Ubers are no longer picking up from the airport. When I asked my Uber driver about it he said the National Guard has become much more strict on Uber’s working in and around the airport. If you are set on taking an Uber instead of a Taxi, you will have to walk down the sidewalk, past the gas station, and out of the airport.

Last time I landed in SJD, I ordered an Uber as usual. When he arrived he drove right by me and on the Uber app sent me a message saying I needed to meet him at the Oxxo store down the sidewalk. After walking to the Oxxo, I watched him drive by me again and he messaged saying the National Guard was following him and he could not stop to pick me up. I continued to walk toward the airport exit and on his third lap he was able to stop quick for me to jump in. To avoid this situation, I would recommend taking a taxi or shuttle from the airport.

Taxis are almost always available. Just make sure you are clear about your destination and agree on a price before taking the ride. Another option is to schedule private transportation through your hotel or via a third party transportation company. A quick Google search for “SJD shuttle” will give you a variety of options.

In regards to the cantinas outside the airport, if you’re excited about being in Cabo and want to grab drink, do it! However, if you’re hungry, I strongly recommend waiting until you're outside the airport to eat as there are so many better options. My experience with food from these bars has been sub par.

Heading home from SJD

After you’ve enjoyed the sunshine, beautiful beaches, and delicious food, and it’s time to head home, plan to arrive at the airport about an hour and a half before your boarding time. This amount of time has always been sufficient for me, but please adjust according to your comfort level and situation. Remember, if you are running late, consider taking the toll road.

SJD Airport Shopping Area

After checking your bags, you head upstairs and through security which opens additional gates at busier times. Security here operates similarly to TSA pre-check in other airports where you don’t need to take off your shoes or belt and sometimes not even your jacket, but there is no dedicated TSA pre-check line. Once you pass through security, you’ll walk through a large area with various shops selling perfumes, tequilas, souvenirs, snacks, and more. If you forgot to get your mom a gift, there are plenty of options here that are duty free, meaning they aren’t taxed. From there it’s a short walk to the gate you’re flying out of and you can grab Sbarro, Subway, or Carl’s Jr. on the way.

If you loved your trip and have questions about renting, buying, or investing in property in Los Cabos, send me a message. Have a safe flight!

Flying in and out of Los Cabos International Airport (SJD)