Walking from Médano Beach
Villa 1 sits at the marina end of Médano, about 0.9 mi (1.5 km) from the Cabo San Lucas marina and 1 mi from the Puerto Paraíso mall. That puts the marina boardwalk, the sportfishing docks, downtown bars and a long list of restaurants within a 15 to 25 minute walk, either along the sand or through the streets behind the beach. Our Médano Beach guide covers the beach itself, and the Cabo San Lucas marina page explains what is where along the boardwalk.
Sidewalks in Cabo are uneven, curbs are high and midday sun is strong for most of the year, so wear proper shoes and carry water. After dark, stick to the lit streets and the marina boardwalk rather than the unlit stretches of sand.
The villa golf cart
Villa 1 includes a golf cart, which is the easy way to move people, beach bags and groceries around the Hacienda Beach Club grounds. Whether a cart can be driven on public streets outside the resort is a local traffic question we have not been able to confirm, so ask the concierge before taking it past the gate.
Uber and DiDi in Los Cabos
Both Uber and DiDi operate in Los Cabos, and for trips around Cabo San Lucas, along the corridor or to San José del Cabo they are usually cheaper than a taxi and remove the need to negotiate a fare. Some resorts and gated developments restrict app pickups at the front door, so you may be asked to meet the car at the street.
The airport is the exception. As of September 2026, Mexico's federal transport ministry (SICT) maintains that ride-hailing platforms have no permit to operate inside the country's airports, and in March 2026 it announced that National Guard enforcement at airport terminals was resuming. A 2025 court suspension only protects app drivers from discriminatory stops; it did not grant them airport permits. In practice, that means you should not plan on an Uber or DiDi pickup at arrivals at SJD.
Getting a ride to the airport for your departure is widely reported to work, although individual drivers sometimes cancel. Book it with extra time to spare, or arrange a transfer instead. Our SJD airport to Médano Beach guide covers the arrival side in detail. Because the rules have changed several times since 2024, check SICT announcements (gob.mx/sict) or ask the concierge before you rely on an app for either leg.
Taxis
Cabo San Lucas taxis do not run on meters. Drivers work from zone-based rates, but the price you pay is whatever you agree before the door closes, so ask "¿Cuánto cuesta a…?" and confirm whether the figure is in pesos or dollars. Fares are per vehicle, not per person, which makes taxis more reasonable for a group of four.
At SJD, only federally licensed taxis and transport companies may collect passengers. You buy a ticket at the official kiosk inside the terminal and pay before boarding; one 2026 guide quotes roughly US$90 to US$115 to Cabo San Lucas, which is about what a pre-booked private transfer costs. Carry cash, because kiosk card terminals are not always reliable.
- Agree the fare and the currency before you get in.
- Carry small bills; drivers often cannot break large notes.
- Use taxis from ranks or ones your restaurant or the concierge calls, rather than cars that pull up and offer a ride.
- Rounding up is enough of a tip for a short ride.
Ruta del Desierto and public buses
The Ruta del Desierto is the main public bus linking Cabo San Lucas, the tourist corridor, San José del Cabo and the airport. It is basic, slow and very cheap. Its last reported fare increase, in December 2024, set the Cabo San Lucas to San José del Cabo fare at 45 pesos and Cabo San Lucas to the airport at 100 pesos; confirm the current fare when you board. Buses run from early morning to late evening, cash in pesos only.
The bus works well for a solo traveler heading to San José for the day. It is a poor choice for luggage: there is no hold, buses fill up and the trip to the airport can take well over an hour. The Cabo San Lucas stops are along the main road near Puerto Paraíso, a short walk from Médano.
Renting a car
You do not need a car to enjoy Médano, but one is worth having for day trips: a Todos Santos day trip, the beaches along the corridor, or an evening in San José del Cabo. Rental desks are at the airport and in town, and the villa has a free parking garage.
Mexican third-party liability insurance is mandatory, and the Government of Canada notes that Canadian auto insurance is not valid in Mexico; US policies are in the same position. Expect the rental company to add Mexican liability cover at the counter even if the online rate looked cheaper, and read what the quote does and does not cover before you sign.
- Toll road: the fastest route between the airport and Cabo San Lucas uses a toll section; keep pesos handy for the booth.
- Fuel: attendants pump for you. Check the pump reads zero before they start, pay in pesos if you can, and tip a few pesos for window cleaning.
- Checkpoints: military and police checkpoints operate on Baja highways, especially north toward Todos Santos and La Paz. Always stop and follow instructions; they usually take a minute or two.
- Speed bumps (topes) appear without warning on local roads, and livestock can wander onto rural highways at night.
Water taxis
Some of the best places in Cabo can only be reached by water. Water taxis and glass-bottom boats leave from Médano Beach and from the marina for El Arco, Pelican Rock and Lover's Beach. Agree the price, the drop-off and the pickup time before you board, and make sure there are life jackets for everyone. For a longer outing, a Land's End boat tour is the more comfortable version of the same trip.
The simplest transport plan
The easiest way to handle Cabo transport is to base yourself somewhere you rarely need it. From Villa 1 the beach is at the door and the marina is a walk away, and airport transfers can be arranged on request. Check dates and book Villa 1 direct if that setup suits you.
