Los Cabos International Airport
Also known as: Cabo Airport, Los Cabos Airport, San José del Cabo Airport.
Private transfer from SJDSee pricesSee pricesAbout Los Cabos International Airport
Los Cabos International Airport (SJD) is the main gateway to Los Cabos, at the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula in Baja California Sur, Mexico. It stands 10 km north of San José del Cabo, and Cabo San Lucas is roughly 40 to 45 minutes away by road along the Tourist Corridor. Travelers also land here for Todos Santos, La Paz and the East Cape.
Flights reach more than 50 destinations in the Americas and Europe. Most international traffic comes from the United States and Canada: American, Alaska, Delta, Southwest and United fly in from their hubs, alongside Air Canada and WestJet. Viva Aerobus and Volaris link Los Cabos with Mexico City, Guadalajara, Tijuana and other Mexican cities, and Condor adds a seasonal flight from Frankfurt.
The airport has two passenger terminals. Terminal 1 handles domestic flights and Terminal 2 handles international flights, so check which one your flight uses before you travel. A separate general aviation terminal at the north end of the airfield serves private flights.
Cabo San Lucas International Airport, about 26 km to the south, is a smaller field used mainly by private aviation; scheduled airline flights to the region land at SJD.
Airport operator, runways and traffic
- Operator
Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico (GAP)
- Runway
One asphalt runway, 16/34, 3,000 m (9,843 ft)
- Passengers per year
About 7.5 million in 2025
- Terminals
Terminal 1 (domestic) and Terminal 2 (international), plus a general aviation terminal
- Opened
1977
Arrival tips for Los Cabos International Airport
On international flights you land at Terminal 2, where immigration and customs are on the ground floor. Have your passport ready at passport control, then collect your bags at the carousel shown for your flight and report missing or damaged luggage at your airline's desk before leaving baggage claim. Fill in any customs paperwork on the plane and keep your luggage tags handy, because officers may check them on the way out.
After customs you walk through a corridor of timeshare and tour sellers, often called the "shark tank". They may present themselves as transport desks; if you already have a booking, decline politely and keep walking to the exit.
Pre-booked transfers, taxis and rental-car shuttles are outside the terminal doors. Domestic passengers arrive at Terminal 1, a single-storey building with its own baggage claim, taxi stand and car-rental desks.
Many drivers coordinate by WhatsApp, so have mobile data, an eSIM or roaming ready before you land.
Ground transportation
A pre-booked transfer suits most travelers heading to the Tourist Corridor or Cabo San Lucas, since the drive is long and taxis are costly.
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Book a transfer from SJDPrivate transfer from Cabo airport
A driver meets you outside the terminal and goes straight to your hotel or rental in San José del Cabo, the Tourist Corridor or Cabo San Lucas, or further to Todos Santos, La Paz or the East Cape. The most comfortable option with luggage or a group.
Authorized airport taxi
Taxi stands are in the arrivals area of both terminals. Convenient without a booking, but usually the most expensive way to reach Cabo San Lucas.
Shared shuttle
Shuttle vans stop at several hotels along the Tourist Corridor. Cheaper per person than a private ride, but the trip takes longer while other passengers are dropped off.
Rental cars
Car-rental desks are in the arrivals area of both terminals, and Cabo San Lucas is roughly 40 to 45 minutes away by road.
Moving between terminals
- 1
Separate terminal buildings
Terminals 1 and 2 are separate buildings. If your trip involves changing terminals, allow extra time to collect baggage, clear immigration or customs and check in again.
- 2
Confirm both terminals
Check your arrival and departure terminals with the airline: domestic flights use Terminal 1 and international flights use Terminal 2.
Terminals
Terminal assignments can change with the season, so check your boarding pass or airline app for the terminal you use.
Terminal 1
Domestic flights. A single-storey building with eight ground-level gates, where passengers walk out to the aircraft, and a VIP lounge on the mezzanine.
Airlines commonly assigned here: Aeroméxico, Aeroméxico Connect, Mexicana de Aviación, Viva Aerobus, Volaris
Terminal 2
International flights, mainly from the United States and Canada. Arrivals, immigration and customs are on the ground floor; departures are upstairs, along a 400-metre concourse with 19 gates, nine of them with jet bridges.
Airlines commonly assigned here: Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Condor, Copa Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Flair Airlines, Frontier Airlines, JetBlue, Southwest Airlines, Sun Country Airlines, United Airlines, WestJet
Airlines and destinations
Facilities
ATMs and currency exchange
ATMs and currency-exchange counters are available. Check the displayed exchange rate and fees before accepting a conversion offered by an ATM or card terminal.
Food court and restaurants
Terminal 1 has a food court on its departures concourse. Terminal 2 has a central food court, restaurants and food stands along the upstairs departures concourse.
Duty-free shopping
Duty-free shops are on the Terminal 2 departures concourse, after security.
Snack bars and souvenir shops
Both arrivals areas have snack bars and souvenir shops next to baggage claim.
Car-rental desks
Car-rental counters are in the arrivals area of both terminals.
Lost luggage
For baggage that does not arrive or is damaged, contact your airline's baggage-service desk before leaving the terminal.
Airport lounges
Terminal 1 VIP Lounge
On the mezzanine level above the domestic departures concourse. Access through an eligible ticket, membership or paid entry; check hours and conditions with the lounge.
Terminal 2 VIP Lounge
After security near the central food court on the international concourse. Access through an eligible ticket, membership or paid entry; check hours and conditions with the lounge.
Accessibility and passenger assistance
Requesting assistance
Ask your airline for wheelchair service or other help when you book, or at least 48 hours before you fly. Assistance is arranged by the airline and its ground-handling company.
Reduced mobility
Terminal 1 boards at ground level, with passengers walking to the aircraft, while Terminal 2 has nine gates with jet bridges. Tell your airline if you need help boarding.
Service animals
Confirm the documents and travel conditions for a service animal with your airline before you fly.
Assistance on arrival
If you requested assistance, tell the cabin crew before you leave the aircraft so airline staff can meet you.
Parking
Public parking is available at the terminal. Tariffs, payment methods and long-stay conditions can change, so check the posted rate board on entry and keep your parking ticket safe.
Frequently asked questions
What is the airport code for Los Cabos airport?
Los Cabos International Airport uses the IATA code SJD, taken from San José del Cabo, and the ICAO code MMSD. SJD is the code you will see on tickets and baggage tags. Cabo San Lucas has a separate, much smaller airport with a different code that is used mainly by private flights, so airline tickets to the region almost always read SJD.
How many terminals does Los Cabos airport have?
Los Cabos airport has two passenger terminals. Terminal 1 handles domestic flights within Mexico, and Terminal 2 handles international flights, mainly from the United States and Canada. The terminals are separate buildings, so check your boarding pass before you set off. A third, smaller terminal at the north end of the airfield serves general and private aviation.
How far is Los Cabos airport from Cabo San Lucas?
Cabo San Lucas is roughly 40 to 45 minutes from Los Cabos airport by road, following the Tourist Corridor highway along the coast. The airport itself is 10 km north of San José del Cabo, so hotels in San José are much closer. Travel times grow during the winter high season and holiday weekends, when traffic on the corridor builds up.
What is the shark tank at Los Cabos airport?
The shark tank is the nickname for the corridor after customs at Los Cabos airport, where timeshare and tour sellers approach arriving passengers. Some present themselves as transport or information desks. If you already have a ride booked, you do not need to stop: decline politely, keep walking and head outside, where pre-booked drivers and taxis wait.
Are there lounges at Los Cabos airport?
Yes. Each terminal at Los Cabos airport has a VIP lounge. In Terminal 1 it is on the mezzanine above the domestic departures concourse, and in Terminal 2 it is after security near the central food court. Entry depends on your ticket, a lounge membership or paid access, so check hours and conditions before you fly.
How early should I get to Los Cabos airport for my flight?
A common guideline is to arrive at least two hours before a domestic flight and three hours before an international flight from Los Cabos. Allow more time in the winter high season and around holidays, when traffic on the Tourist Corridor and lines at check-in and security build up. Always follow your airline's own recommendation for your flight.