Los Cabos International Airport

San Jose del Cabo, Los Cabos, Baja California Sur, Mexico.

The Los Cabos International Airport is the major port of entry into Baja Sur from the U.S. and Canada. It is a full-serve international airport with customs and immigration open during all flight operations and is the 7th busiest airport in Mexico. With 25 flights arriving and departing daily, and over 3 million passengers during 2012, it can be a little overwhelming. Arriving at the new terminal at the San Jose del Cabo airport can be a bit intimidating for the first-time visitor. As modern and up-to-date as the new facility is, once through immigration and customs, one might wonder what the next step is to get to ones destination in either San Jose del Cabo or Cabo San Lucas.

There are many options for the visitor to get to his or her destination: private car, rental car, taxi, shuttle, even a limo, but best of all, a smiling familiar face to greet them. The distance to San Jose del Cabo is only 6 miles; to Cabo San Lucas approximately 30-40 miles. For those fortunate to have someone meeting their arrival, this, too, can be confusing. The best plan is to communicate via cell phone to pinpoint arrival time, airline, and pick-up location. Short of having access to a cell phone, here are some suggestions.

Even though there are 3 terminals, they are not named in sequence. Terminal 1 is for domestic and international flights including Aeromexico, Mexicana, United and America West, while the 3rd terminal, now designated as Terminal 2 is for Alaska, Delta, Frontier and other seasonal carriers. For those arriving in Terminal 1, it is easy to drop off your passengers at the departure doors and drive on. Your passengers will get checked in and then proceed through security and directed into the waiting area where there are gift shops and food and beverages available.

For arriving passengers, it is also painless to park in the designated parking for arrival flights by obtaining a ticket that must be paid prior to leaving the parking lot with either pesos or credit/debit card and cross the road to the door for arrivals. There is a waiting room with food and beverages available. Your guests will arrive through the sliding glass doors after retrieving their luggage and passing through customs and immigration. All arriving passengers must push a button at the customs gate; if it is green, that means “go”; if it is red, all luggage must be searched. There are electronic arrival and departure boards with the specific information within the waiting area. Advise your guest to be sure to retain the bottom portion of the visa they filled out and gave to immigration upon entering. If this is lost, it can result in a fine and a delay to leave the country.

For arriving passengers, it is also painless to park in the designated parking for arrival flights by obtaining a ticket that must be paid prior to leaving the parking lot with either pesos or credit/debit card and cross the road to the door for arrivals. There is a waiting room with food and beverages available. Your guests will arrive through the sliding glass doors after retrieving their luggage and passing through customs and immigration. All arriving passengers must push a button at the customs gate; if it is green, that means “go”; if it is red, all luggage must be searched. There are electronic arrival and departure boards with the specific information within the waiting area. Advise your guest to be sure to retain the bottom portion of the visa they filled out and gave to immigration upon entering. If this is lost, it can result in a fine and a delay to leave the country.

For Terminal 2, which is physically the 3rd terminal, the 2nd one being for private aircraft, it is not difficult to drop off departing passengers at the entrance to gate ticketing and check-in. There is an information booth in the center of the terminal. Once inside and checked in, the passenger will take the escalator or elevator to the second level, go through the Duty Free Shop, and then enter a large and comfortable waiting area where there are restaurants, gift shops and a VIP room. There are 10 departure gates and state-of-the art services; clean restrooms, ATM machines, and plenty of fast food and beverage services.

For arriving passengers and those picking them up at Terminal 2, the scenario can be a little more complicated. Again, best to know the arrival time, flight number and airline of arriving passengers. If you plan to go inside the terminal to wait, then you must park in the designated area, obtain a ticket from the ticket booth outside, then walk some distance to the terminal and locate the waiting area for arrivals. If you can make prior arrangements and know the exact time of arrival (best by cell phone communication), then ask your passenger to take the escalator or elevator to the upper level (once they have retrieved their luggage and passed through the normal immigration and customs) and walk toward the departure doors on the far end of the terminal. This makes it easier for the driver by not having to park. If you have parked and are waiting for them, then you must walk a distance to where you parked. Handicapped in wheelchairs can wait at the arrival doors for their ride.

Walking between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 is a distance of a quarter mile and can be quite a hike. There is a shuttle that will travel to the other terminal that is supposed to be free (with a nominal tip), or a taxi, which is more expensive. There are 5 car rentals: Thrifty and Budget across from Terminal 1, Dollar and National at the entrance to the airport and Alamo, Hertz and Avis on Highway 1. There is a Best Western Hotel next to the airport entrance. Most employees speak English. For further information, contact 624-146-5111. by Sandra Berry

Los Cabos International Airport
Carretera Transpeninsular Km. 43.5, San José del Cabo, C.P. 23420, Los Cabos, Mexico

Los Cabos International Airport
Carretera Transpeninsular, Km. 43.5 San José del Cabo, C.P. 23420,
Los Cabos ,Baja California Sur,  Mexico
Phone: (624) 146-5111 | (624) 146-5112 | (624) 146-5113
Fax: (624) 146-5201 | 146-5200 | 146-5208
Website: aeropuertosgap.com.mx/en/los-cabos-3.html

Los Cabos International Airport, San José del Cabo. Last Revision October 21, 2013 – FSL