What Is the Best Way to Get Around Cabo? What U.S. Expats Need to Know Before Moving
Karla & Erick | Cabo Realty | Century 21 Paradise Properties
What is the best way to get around Cabo if you live here? For most people moving from the U.S., it’s your own car, with Mexican liability insurance. San José del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas are about 32 km (20 miles) apart, and schools, doctors and stores are spread along the corridor. Taxis don’t use meters, Uber can’t pick you up at the airport, and the public bus costs about 37–40 pesos but isn’t built around a family schedule. This guide is for people relocating from California, Texas and Arizona.
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| ~32 km Between San José del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas |
37–40 MXN Ruta del Desierto bus fare |
| $70–125 Airport taxi to Cabo San Lucas (USD) |
No Uber pickups at the airport |
Most transportation advice online is written for a one-week vacation: one hotel, a few rides. When you live here, you move every day. Los Cabos isn’t one walkable town. It’s two cities connected by the Tourist Corridor, with the Pacific side and the East Cape beyond. Planning your daily life around vacation advice is how people end up spending a lot on rides or feeling stuck at home.
Flying in? See Direct Flights to Los Cabos: Top Airlines.
Uber works in town, but not with the coverage you’re used to in Los Angeles, Houston or Phoenix, and drivers sometimes cancel airport or hotel-zone trips. Taxis are everywhere but don’t use meters, so agree on the price before you get in. For a visit, that’s fine. As your daily way to get around, it adds up fast.
The Ruta del Desierto bus runs along the corridor between San José del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas, about every 8–10 minutes from roughly 4:30 AM to 11:00 PM. The fare is about 37–40 pesos, paid in cash. Some residents use it every day, but if you’re used to your own car, relying only on the bus is a big adjustment, especially with kids.
For most people relocating from the U.S., yes. Here’s what to know before you drive:
| Topic | What Applies in Baja California Sur |
|---|---|
| Insurance | Mexican liability insurance from a licensed Mexican insurer is required. Your U.S. policy doesn’t meet Mexico’s requirement. |
| Driving down from the U.S. | The Baja peninsula is a free zone, so most visitors with U.S. plates don’t need a Temporary Import Permit (TIP) while the car stays in Baja. |
| Taking the ferry to the mainland | A TIP is required once the car leaves Baja (La Paz to Mazatlán or Topolobampo). |
| Temporary residents | Can usually keep a U.S.-plated car, with the right paperwork. |
| Permanent residents | Can’t get a TIP. Options include importing the car, keeping it only in the free zone with current U.S. registration, or buying a car here. |
Rules depend on your residency status, so check before you make the drive. See Regulations for Foreign-Plated Vehicles in Baja California Sur.
From the marina in Cabo San Lucas, water taxis (pangas) take you to El Arco, Lover’s Beach and Land’s End, usually from morning to early afternoon. It’s a fun day out, not part of your daily routine. Agree on the price and your pickup time before you board.
| Where You Live | Getting Around |
|---|---|
| Downtown San José or Cabo San Lucas | Closest to errands; some daily life without a car is possible |
| Tourist Corridor (Palmilla, Querencia, Cabo Real, Cabo del Sol) | More space and privacy; you’ll drive for almost everything |
| San José side (Puerto Los Cabos, Club Campestre) | Close to the airport and San José; a car is still needed |
| Cabo San Lucas side (Pedregal, Quivira, Diamante) | Close to the marina and downtown; farthest from the airport |
Still deciding? Read Los Cabos Corridors Explained: A Relocation Guide for U.S. Expats and The Cost of Living in Los Cabos vs Major U.S. Cities.
You won’t really know how you’ll get around Cabo until you live it: morning traffic, the drive to the supermarket, the distance to the hospital and to school. If you’re not sure which area fits your routine, rent for a season first, then choose where to buy.
For visitors, pre-booked transfers, taxis and Uber work. For residents, most find their own car is the most practical option, especially outside the two towns.
Uber can drop you off at SJD, but can’t pick you up at arrivals. Book a shuttle or private transfer before you land.
About $70–125 USD to Cabo San Lucas. Taxis don’t use meters, so agree on the price first.
No. Mexico requires liability insurance from a licensed Mexican insurer.
Usually not, as long as the car stays on the Baja peninsula. You need one if you take the car to mainland Mexico.
It’s possible downtown, using the bus and taxis, but much harder if you live in the corridor.
We help buyers from California, Texas and Arizona choose a community that fits how they’ll actually live, from the school run to the drive to the airport.
Sources: The Cabo Sun, “Can You Take an Uber to the Los Cabos Airport for Departures in 2026?” (Jan 2026); The Traveler, “Los Cabos Airport Uber Guide” (Sep 2026); SJD Taxi, airport transfer rates (Sep 2026); Cabo Adventures, “How to Get Around in Cabo”; Mexico Relocation Guide, “Bringing Your Car to Mexico: 2026 Guide.” Prices are approximate. Information verified October 2026.
Disclaimer: This is general information, not legal advice. Vehicle, insurance and airport rules change; confirm with Mexican customs (Aduanas/Banjercito) and your insurer. Karla & Erick are MLS members with Century 21 Paradise Properties.
Karla & Erick | Cabo Realty | Century 21 Paradise Properties
Thinking of moving to Baja California Sur, México?
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We specialize in beach & golf communities across Los Cabos and Baja California Sur—offering expert advice, relocation support, and clear guidance to help you invest with confidence.
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