A new public bus route now connects downtown Cabo San Lucas directly to the San José del Cabo International Airport, giving riders a 45-peso (about $2.50 USD) alternative to taxis and private shuttles that typically charge $40 to $80 USD for the same trip. The route launched in early June 2025 and operates daily from 4:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Los Cabos Had No Direct Public Transit to Its Airport Until Now
For decades, getting to and from the San José del Cabo International Airport (SJD) without a car meant hiring a taxi, booking a private shuttle, or arranging a ride with a friend. SJD handles roughly 5.5 million passengers per year, making it one of Mexico’s busiest airports and the primary gateway for the Los Cabos tourism corridor. Yet no public bus route served the terminal directly.
The new Route 13, operated by the local transit concessionaire Transportes Aguila, runs along the Transpeninsular Highway (Highway 1) from central Cabo San Lucas through the tourist corridor and into San José del Cabo before reaching the airport terminal. The full ride takes approximately 50 to 60 minutes depending on traffic and stops. Buses depart roughly every 20 to 30 minutes during peak hours.
Los Cabos has long relied on a patchwork of informal van services and licensed taxis for airport transfers. Private shuttle companies charge between $25 and $80 USD per person depending on the destination, while taxi fares from the airport to Cabo San Lucas hotels can exceed $90 USD. The new bus fare of 45 pesos represents a fraction of those costs.
Municipal officials in Los Cabos had discussed public airport transit for years. A 2023 urban mobility study commissioned by the Los Cabos city government identified the airport corridor as the highest-priority gap in the region’s bus network. That study noted that service workers in the hotel zone, many of whom earn between 8,000 and 12,000 pesos per month (roughly $440 to $660 USD), spent up to 15% of their income on transportation to jobs near the airport and along the corridor.
Route 13 Runs 18 Hours Daily Along Highway 1
Route 13 begins at the main bus terminal in downtown Cabo San Lucas near the Soriana supermarket on Boulevard Lázaro Cárdenas. It then heads northeast along the Transpeninsular Highway, passing through the hotel zone that stretches between Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo. Stops include key points near Palmilla, the Mega shopping center in San José del Cabo, and the airport access road.
The buses are standard urban transit vehicles, not luxury coaches. They have air conditioning but limited luggage storage. Riders with large suitcases may find the space tight, especially during busy periods. The route is designed primarily for workers commuting to airport-area jobs, hotel employees, and budget-conscious travelers comfortable with local transit.
The 4:00 a.m. start time is significant. Many flights depart SJD between 6:00 and 8:00 a.m., and the early service window means riders can reach the terminal with time to spare for check-in and security. The 10:00 p.m. cutoff covers most evening arrivals, though passengers on late-night flights will still need a taxi or shuttle.
Practical Details for Riders From the Tourist Corridor
If you live or stay in the hotel zone between Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo, you can flag down Route 13 buses at marked stops along Highway 1. Payment is cash only in pesos. Drivers do not carry change for large bills, so bring small denominations.
The route does not enter the airport terminal loop directly. Riders are dropped at the airport access road junction, roughly a five-minute walk from Terminal 1. A clearly marked pedestrian path connects the bus stop to the terminal entrance. Return trips pick up passengers at the same junction.
For comparison, the Uber and DiDi ride-hailing apps operate in Los Cabos but face legal gray areas and periodic enforcement crackdowns. Taxis from the official airport stand remain the most convenient but most expensive option. Route 13 fills a middle ground: affordable and predictable, if slower and less comfortable than a private ride.
The municipal transit office in Los Cabos has said it plans to evaluate ridership numbers after 90 days and may adjust frequency or extend hours based on demand. The next scheduled review is in September 2025. This story was first reported by El Informante de Baja California Sur.