Los Cabos International Airport (SJD) sits just north of San José del Cabo, not in Cabo San Lucas. Most visitors land here, and the first hour after your flight sets the tone for the whole trip.
Here is how to get from SJD to your hotel or villa smoothly, from a local team that does these pickups every day.
How far is SJD from your hotel or villa?
Drive times depend on traffic, the time of day and exactly where you are staying. As a rule of thumb:
- San José del Cabo: about 15 to 25 minutes to downtown and the hotel zone.
- Tourist Corridor (Palmilla, Chileno Bay, Cabo del Sol and nearby): about 25 to 40 minutes.
- Cabo San Lucas: about 45 to 60 minutes, sometimes more at busy times.
Not sure which area is right for you? Our guide to Cabo San Lucas vs. San José del Cabo compares them side by side.
What happens when you land at SJD?
- Immigration. Have your passport ready, plus the address of your hotel or villa and your return flight details.
- Baggage claim. Collect your bags. Carts are usually available.
- Customs. Hand in your form if asked. You may be asked to press a button: green means walk on, red means a quick bag check. It is random and normal.
- The sales hall. Right after customs comes the part locals call the "shark tank." More on that below.
- Outside. Once you walk through the exit doors, the transportation meeting area is right there.
Before you fly, take a screenshot of your transfer confirmation and your driver's WhatsApp number. Phone signal and airport Wi-Fi can be unreliable right after landing.
What is the "shark tank" and how do you get past it?
After customs you walk through a hall full of friendly people in uniforms asking if you need a ride, a tour or information. Many of them look official. Most are selling timeshares, and the "free" ride or tour usually comes with a long sales presentation.
The easy fix:
- Book your transportation before you land.
- Say "no, thank you, I'm all set" and keep walking, even if someone says they know your driver or your hotel.
- Do not stop in the hall to make calls or look for your driver. Your driver is waiting outside.
Where do you meet your driver?
Walk straight out of the terminal doors. Drivers wait just outside with name signs. Look for your name or our company name and you are on your way.
SJD has more than one terminal, so check which one your airline uses and share it with us along with your flight number. Our team tracks your flight, so if you land early or late, your driver adjusts.
Flight times and terminal information are on the airport's official site, run by Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico (GAP).
Which transportation option is right for you?
- Private transfer (our recommendation): a driver meets you with a sign, helps with the bags and takes you straight to your door with no other stops. SUVs for families, vans and Sprinters for groups, buses for big events, and limousines for a special arrival. See our private transportation in Los Cabos.
- Shared shuttle: you ride with other travelers and stop at several hotels, which can add a lot of time if you are the last stop.
- Airport taxi: available outside the terminal, but you may wait in line, and large groups often need more than one car.
- Rental car: useful if you plan to explore on your own. Check that your rental includes Mexican liability insurance, and ask your hotel or villa about parking.
Tips for groups, families and special arrivals
- Send flight numbers for everyone. If your group arrives on different flights, we can plan one pickup or several, whichever works best.
- Keep the group together. A Sprinter van or a bus gets everyone and all the luggage to the villa at the same time.
- Traveling with small kids? Ask for car seats in advance.
- Start the vacation in the car. Ask for cold water, drinks or a limousine for a birthday or bachelorette arrival.
- Arrive to a ready villa. Our concierge team can stock the fridge, set up the bar and have a chef ready for your first night.
- Executives and VIP guests: we can add a discreet security driver or escort through our private security service.
How early should you leave for your flight home?
For an international flight, plan to leave about 3 hours before departure from Cabo San Lucas, and about 2.5 hours before from San José del Cabo or the Corridor. Allow a little more at busy times, like weekends in high season and the end of holiday weeks, when check-in and security lines get long.
If your checkout is early and your flight is late, ask your hotel to hold your bags, or plan a final lunch on the way to the airport. We can schedule the pickup around it.
Tell us your flight details and group size and we will take care of the rest. Message us on WhatsApp at +1 305-400-2155.
Common questions
How far is Los Cabos airport from Cabo San Lucas?
Usually about 45 to 60 minutes by car, depending on traffic and where in Cabo San Lucas you are staying.
Is SJD airport in Cabo San Lucas?
No. SJD is just north of San José del Cabo, on the eastern side of Los Cabos. Cabo San Lucas is at the other end of the Tourist Corridor.
Should I talk to the people offering rides after customs?
You do not need to. Most are timeshare salespeople. Book your ride ahead, say "no, thank you" and walk straight outside to meet your driver.
What if my flight is delayed?
With a private transfer, we track your flight number and adjust the pickup time, so your driver is there when you land.
Plan your Los Cabos days with us
Yachts, villas, private drivers, chefs, security and activities, arranged by one local team that answers on WhatsApp.
Operation Manager at Cabo Diamond Services in Cabo San Lucas. Gabriel and the team plan yacht charters, villas, transportation, security and events in Los Cabos every week. Last checked November 13, 2026.
