Cheap flights to San José del Cabo
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Quick summary
Country
Mexico
Continent
North America
Airport
SJD
Currency
Mexican peso
Time zone
UTC-7
Deals already spotted to San José del Cabo
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Airport and getting into town
An airport about 10 to 16 km north of town
Los Cabos International
Los Cabos airport serves San José del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas. It lies north of San José del Cabo, about 10 to 16 km from the centre depending on the source and route; Cabo San Lucas is farther, some 30 km along the coast. Terminal 1 handles domestic flights and Terminal 2 international ones. At arrivals you find taxis and car rental agencies; the Ruta del Desierto bus line, shared shuttles (colectivos) and taxis serve both towns.
Indicative distances, taken from Wikipedia (EN, ES) and Wikivoyage (EN, DE); sources give 10 to 16 km for San José del Cabo. Times vary with traffic.
San José del Cabo is the calmer of the two "Cabo" towns: it has about 136,000 inhabitants (2020) and is the seat of the Los Cabos municipality, at the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula. Between it and Cabo San Lucas runs the Los Cabos "corridor", a coastal strip of about 30 to 33 km lined with resorts and beaches, which a bus covers in 30 to 45 minutes according to Wikivoyage (EN).
The historic centre
A Jesuit mission, a square and art galleries
The centre of San José del Cabo stands on a small hill about 1.5 km from the Sea of Cortez, with narrow streets and Spanish colonial-style houses. The town was founded in 1730 around a Jesuit mission set up by Father Nicolás Tamaral.
The San José mission
The present church, built in 1940 on the site of the former mission, stands facing Plaza Mijares, the central square. Its white facade and stone staircase make it the landmark of the old town. The mission was first founded in 1730 near the estuary before being moved.
Plaza Mijares and the Art Walk
The square gathers cafés and restaurants. On Thursday evenings from about November to June, 5 to 9 pm, the Art Walk opens the galleries of the surrounding streets free of charge, with more than twenty addresses according to the galleries association. Huichol art galleries are also found in the centre.
The estuary
The Estero San José, a freshwater marsh at the mouth of the San José river, is a birdwatching site with walking trails. San José's patron-saint festivities take place from 16 to 22 March, with the 19th the main day.
Cabo San Lucas: the El Arco arch
The famous arch is not in San José del Cabo, but in Cabo San Lucas
The El Arco arch, the region's best-known symbol, stands at Land's End, at the tip of the peninsula near Cabo San Lucas, and not in San José del Cabo: allow about 30 km of road between the two towns.
El Arco and Land's End
Here the Pacific meets the Sea of Cortez. The site is mostly visited by boat; a colony of sea lions lives on the rocks.
The beach between two cliffs
Around the arch, golden-sand beaches hide at the foot of the cliffs, between turquoise water and rocks. The aerial view shows this wild coast at the tip of the peninsula.
Beaches and sea
Beaches to choose carefully, and whales in winter
Beaches
The best-known beaches in the area are Chileno Bay, with a Blue Flag, and Santa María, suited to diving. Not every Los Cabos beach is suitable for swimming: ask locally and respect the flags. The most remote beaches sometimes require a 4x4 vehicle.
Cabo Pulmo
Farther north on the east coast, Cabo Pulmo National Park is renowned for its coral reefs; the access road is partly unpaved, and some car rental contracts do not cover it.
Humpback whales
The whale-watching season in Los Cabos runs roughly from December to April, peaking from January to March according to tourism offices and the press; humpbacks are the most often seen. Trips go out by boat and sightings are not guaranteed.
Museums and culture
Art, local history and traditions
Galleries and the Art Walk
San José del Cabo is the "Cabo" town of galleries: the gallery district can be explored on foot, especially on Thursday evenings from November to June.
Casa de la Cultura and the mission
The Casa de la Cultura, a 19th-century building, houses local arts groups. The mission church and Plaza Mijares, where a cultural crafts market takes place on Thursdays, complete the cultural visit.
Festivals
The March patron-saint festivities, with the crowning of a queen, shows, a charreada and sports competitions, bring residents together. We give no prices or hours: check before you go.
Food and drink
Fish and seafood, tacos and international tables
Seafood and tacos
In the centre you eat seafood, tacos and quesadillas at simple places. Los Cabos also bills itself as the world capital of marlin fishing.
Tables and cafés
Plaza Mijares gathers cafés, gourmet restaurants and cooking from traditional Mexican to international. Some galleries offer wine or tequila during the Art Walk.
Markets and fairs
On Thursdays the square's cultural market presents local craftspeople. In July the pitahaya fair is held in Miraflores, in the Los Cabos municipality.
Getting around
Buses, taxis, car rental and caution
Buses and shuttles
Buses link the centre with districts to the north and west about every 20 to 30 minutes until 11 pm; you pay the driver. Buses to Cabo San Lucas take 30 to 45 minutes. From the centre to the hotel zone it is walkable but uncomfortable in strong heat.
Taxis and car
Taxis and shared shuttles are common; a rental car is useful for remote beaches, with the precautions noted for unpaved roads.
Staying careful
Watch your belongings, stay hydrated in summer and check the official travel advice of your country of residence before departure.
Budget
A mid-range to high budget compared with Europe
San José del Cabo is a resort destination: accommodation and restaurants in hotel zones cost more than the national average, while tacos, buses and simple meals in the centre stay affordable. High season runs from winter to spring (from October or December to April or May depending on the source), and summer is generally cheaper. We give no figures, because prices change with the season and the exchange rate.
The plane ticket remains the most variable part of a trip. SniperAir watches fares to SJD and compares them with the route's price history.
When to go
When to go to San José del Cabo?
Spring
March to May: dry, sunny weather; heat builds and the whale season ends in April.
Summer
June to September: very hot, with highs of about 35 °C in July and August; rainy season and tropical storms.
Autumn
October and November: storms recede; November is generally dry and sunny.
Winter
December to February: highs of about 27 to 28 °C in January, sea at about 22 to 23 °C; whale season.
The climate is hot desert: about 290 to 355 mm of rain falls per year, mostly in summer and early autumn, with September the wettest month. The hurricane season runs from June to November; Hurricane Odile struck the region in September 2014 and caused widespread damage. The most pleasant period runs from November to May, with dry sunny days, and whales from December to April.
By length of stay
What to do in San José del Cabo depending on how long you stay
The essentials
Historic centre and Plaza Mijares, the Art Walk on Thursday, a beach.
Going deeper
Add a day in Cabo San Lucas for the El Arco arch by boat.
The surroundings
Whale watching in winter, Cabo Pulmo or La Paz.
In pictures
San José del Cabo and Los Cabos in pictures
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions about flights to San José del Cabo
How do I get from Los Cabos airport to San José del Cabo centre?
The airport (SJD) is about 10 to 16 km north of the centre depending on the source. The Ruta del Desierto bus, shared shuttles and taxis serve San José del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas.
Is the El Arco arch in San José del Cabo?
No: it is at Land's End, near Cabo San Lucas, about 30 km from San José del Cabo. It is mostly visited by boat.
When is the best time to visit San José del Cabo?
From November to May, with dry sunny days; whales are present from about December to April. Summer is very hot and rainy, and the hurricane season runs from June to November.
Is San José del Cabo expensive?
It is mid-range to high compared with Europe: accommodation and restaurants in tourist areas are pricey, while tacos and buses stay affordable.
What should I eat in San José del Cabo?
Seafood, tacos and quesadillas in the centre; the cooking of the restaurants around Plaza Mijares.
What is there to do on Thursday evening?
The Art Walk, from about November to June, 5 to 9 pm: the centre's galleries open free of charge and a crafts market is held on the square.
How much does a flight to San José del Cabo usually cost?
The price depends mainly on your departure city, the period and the booking date. The "opportunities" section above shows real examples of prices already detected by SniperAir for this destination.
How do I get alerted when a flight to San José del Cabo drops below my budget?
Create an alert profile with your departure airport, San José del Cabo as the destination and your maximum budget. You are notified automatically as soon as a matching fare is detected.
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