Cabo San Lucas Transportation

Getting There

By Air

The Los Cabos International Airport averages over 200 flights a week. Renovations to its main terminal and the opening of a second terminal lend it a look and feel of the fastest growing vacation area in Mexico. The airport's lone hitch is its 29 mile (47 kilometer) gap with Cabo San Lucas to the south.

Los Cabos International Airport (SJD) +52 624 146 5111 http://aeropuertosgap.com.mx/aeropuertos/loscabos

Its two terminals service the following major airlines:

Aeromexico (+52 624 146 5097 / http://www.aeromexico.com) Alaskan Airlines (+52 624 142 3324 / http://www.alaskaair.com) American Airlines (+52 624 146 5302 / http://www.aa.com) Continental (+52 624 146 5040 / http://www.continental.com) Delta Airlines (+52 624 146 5005 /http://www.delta.com) Frontier Airlines (+1 800 432 1359 / http://www.frontierairlines.com) Mexicana (+52 624 43 5353 / http://www.mexicana.com) US Airways (+1 800 428 4322 / http://www.usairways.com)

All ground transportation can be found just outside the doors from the baggage claim areas. Aeroterrestre Taxis, bright yellow government operated mini-vans, are a good option. They are reliable and charge a controlled rate of MXN200 sparing travelers the annoyance of having to haggle. Regular taxis approximately cost MXN715. Hidalgo y L. Cardenas (+52 624 143 0090), L. Cardenas y Zaragoza (+52 624 143 0104) and Camino al Cerro y Boulevard Marina (+52 624 143 0105) are the area's most prominent taxi companies.

Astur Baja Services (+1 800 352 4990) provides passengers the option of a private vehicle (MXN1300 round trip) or a shared van (MXN200). The hitch is that advanced reservations are mandatory.

Bus service is a cheap alternative (MXN15), but woefully inconvenient. Passengers need to take a 10-minute taxi ride from the airport to San Jose del Cabo (usually costs about MXN55) and then from there grab a bus into Cabo San Lucas. But even then the bus deposits passengers about a mile outside of town, at the junction of Mexico 19 and the Cabo Bypass, necessitating a 20-minute walk, or another cab ride.

Rental car agencies include:

Advantage (+52 624 143 0909 / http://www.arac.com) Avis (+52 624 143 4607 / http://www.avis.com) Budget (+1 800 527 0700 / http://www.budget.com) National (+52 624 143 1414 / http://www.nationalcar.com) Payless (+1 800 729 5377 / http://www.paylesscarrental.com) Thrifty (+52 624 143 1666 / http://www.thrifty.com)

By Bus

Buses starting in Tijauna, about 1000 miles (1605 kilometers) to the north, can take 22-30 hours to chug into Cabo San Lucas. Autotransportes de Baja California (ABC) (+52 664 683 5681) and Tres Estrellas de Oro (+52 5549 8520) both service Baja's southern tip.

By Car

The Transpeninsular Highway, or better known as Highway 1, is the only thoroughfare leading into Cabo. It's huge on scenery, but limited on roadside services. Potholes, wandering cattle, and locals who find turning on their car lights to be too much of an inconvenience make driving at night a dangerous gamble. If possible only drive during the day and try to keep your gas tank as close to full at all times.

Getting Around Town

Walking is the fastest and most efficient way to negotiate Cabo's streets. The center of town is small and compact.

Driving in Cabo can be a challenge depending on the time of year. The streets, especially during the college spring break months of March and April or Easter, are clogged with vehicles all in search of parking. Free public parking can be found at the south end of Blvd Marina, but it generally fills quickly. Adding to the driving mayhem is that there are no street numbers, causing first time visitors to crawl along in their cars squinting out their windows for addresses that cannot be found.

Taxis are numerous and can be found at most hotels. Marina in Front of Plaza Las Glorias (+52 624 143 3290) and Cardenas y Zaragoza (+52 624 143 0104) Sitio Nuevo Atardecer and Transcabo are the more prominent companies in town. Rides around town cost MXN33-MXN55, while journeys north into the Corridor area average MXN220.

Buses service all of Cabo and the surrounding area. Most bus drivers when asked will stop at specific beaches and hotels.

Planning a Trip

Getting There & Departing

By Plane -- Local airline numbers are as follows: Alaska Airlines (tel. 624/146-5100 or 624/146-5101) and Mexicana (tel. 624/143-5352, 624/143-5353, or 624/146-5001).

By Car -- From La Paz, the best route is Highway 1 south past the village of San Pedro, and then Highway 19 south through Todos Santos to Cabo San Lucas, a 2-hour drive.

By Bus -- The bus terminal (tel. 624/143-5020) is on Héroes at Morelos; it is open daily from 7am to 10pm. Buses go to La Paz every 2 hours starting at 7:15am, with the last departure at 8:15pm. To and from San José, the more convenient and economical Suburcabos public bus service runs every 15 minutes and costs $2.50.

Orientation

Arriving -- At the airport, either buy a ticket for a colectivo (shuttle) from Josefinos (tel. 624/146-5354), the authorized transportation booth inside the building (about $13), or arrange for a rental car, the most economical way to explore the area. Up to four people can share a private taxi, which costs about $60.

The walk from the bus station to most of the budget hotels is manageable with light luggage or backpacks, and taxis are readily available.

Visitor Information -- The Los Cabos Tourism Office (tel. 624/146-9628) is in San José, in the Plaza San José, Locales 3 and 4, and is open daily from 8am to 3pm. The English-language Los Cabos Guide, Los Cabos News, Destino Los Cabos, and the irreverent and extremely entertaining Gringo Gazette are distributed free at most hotels and shops, and have up-to-date information on new restaurants and clubs. If you fall so deeply in love with Los Cabos as to want to own a piece of it, The Baja Real Estate Guide (www.tregintl.com) is a great place to start, as it's a comprehensive listings magazine not affiliated with any particular real-estate brokerage or agent.

City Layout -- The small town spreads out north and west of the harbor of Cabo San Lucas Bay, edged by foothills and desert mountains to the west and south. The main street leading into town from the airport and San José del Cabo is Lázaro Cárdenas; as it nears the harbor, Marina Boulevard branches off from it and becomes the main artery that curves around the waterfront.

Getting Around

Plan to walk everywhere within San Lucas proper. The town is fairly concentrated and provides a wealth of people-watching opportunities. Taxis are easy to find but are expensive within Cabo, in keeping with the high cost of everything else. Expect to pay about $15 to $25 for a taxi between Cabo and the Corridor hotels.

For day trips to San José del Cabo, catch a bus or a cab. You'll see car-rental specials advertised in town, but before signing on, be sure you understand the total price, including insurance and taxes. Rates can run between $50 and $75 per day, with insurance an extra $10 per day. One of the best and most economical agencies is Advantage Rent-A-Car (tel. 624/143-0909 or tel./fax 624/143-0466), on Lázaro Cárdenas between Leona Vicario and Morelos. VW sedans rent for $80 per day, and weekly renters receive 1 free day. A collision damage waiver will add $22 per day to the price. If you pick up the car downtown, you can return it to the airport at no extra charge.

Festivals & Events in Cabo San Lucas

October 18 is the feast of the patron saint of Cabo San Lucas, celebrated with a fair, feasting, music, dancing, and other special events. However, the biggest event of the year for more than 25 years, also in late October, has been Bisbee's Black & Blue Tournament, which draws thousands of party-ready anglers in search of the multimillion-dollar purse that comes with catching the biggest marlin.