Many Travelers Don’t Know Los Cabos Has A 2nd Airport & It’s A Game Changer For Avoiding Crowds

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If you have flown into Los Cabos for a winter vacation before, you already know the standard arrival drill at Los Cabos International Airport in San Jose del Cabo. Even with the new biometric e-gates helping speed up immigration lines, landing at the main SJD hub during peak season still means navigating a massive terminal undergoing a 370 million dollar construction overhaul, waiting at crowded baggage carousels, running the dreaded timeshare shark tank, and taking a 45-minute highway ride down the corridor just to reach Cabo San Lucas.

What most visitors have 0 clue about is that the region actually has a 2nd international airport.

Located just 15 minutes from the marina and downtown resorts, the Cabo San Lucas International Airport (which uses the airport codes CSL and CSW) is a quiet, boutique airfield that completely changes how you arrive in Baja. Instead of fighting thousands of spring breakers and snowbirds at the main commercial mega-hub, savvy travelers are using this 2nd airport to skip the crowds and start their vacations in record time.

Why Most Tourists Have Never Heard Of It

The reason this airport flies completely under the radar is that you will never see it pop up when searching for standard tickets on giant commercial airlines like American, Delta, or United. For decades, the Cabo San Lucas International Airport operated strictly as a private general aviation airfield for celebrity jets, corporate turboprops, and millionaire charters.

Because it was built for high-end private aviation rather than 200-seat commercial airliners, the terminal looks nothing like a normal airport. There are 0 chaotic food courts, zero neon duty-free mazes, and 0 lines snaking out the door. It features a single 7,000-foot runway, a sleek private hangar terminal, and a small team of customs agents who process arrivals in minutes.

Semi-Private Flights From The United States On JSX

You do not need to own a 20 million dollar Gulfstream jet to land here anymore. For American travelers, the easiest and most affordable way to fly directly into the Cabo San Lucas airport is by booking a seat on the hop-on jet service JSX.

Operating out of private hangar terminals rather than messy commercial concourses, JSX flies 30-seat Embraer jets with business-class legroom, free Starlink Wi-Fi, complimentary cocktails, and 0 middle seats. Better yet, you only have to show up at their private lounge 40 to 45 minutes before your international flight departs, completely skipping standard TSA security lines.

JSX has expanded its footprint into Cabo San Lucas for the 2026 winter season. In addition to its popular nonstop routes from Los Angeles (LAX) and Dallas Love Field (DAL), JSX just launched a brand-new nonstop flight from Scottsdale, Arizona (SCF) in October 2026 that ramps up to daily service for the peak winter rush. One-way fares typically start around 700 dollars, making it comparable to a standard 1st class ticket on a major airline, but with a 10 times better arrival experience.

Regional Mexican Hops On Senor Air

If you are already traveling inside Mexico or planning a multi-city vacation, a local regional carrier called Senor Air uses the Cabo San Lucas International Airport as its primary home base.

Flying 37-seat Embraer regional jets, Senor Air connects Cabo San Lucas directly with 7 destinations across northwestern and western Mexico. You can hop on a quick 55-minute flight across the Sea of Cortez from Mazatlan 6 days a week, or catch direct flights from Puerto Vallarta, Guadalajara, Los Mochis, Hermosillo, Chihuahua, and Ciudad Obregon without ever setting foot inside a crowded commercial terminal.

From The Tarmac To Your Pool Chair In 15 Minutes

The biggest perk of landing at CSL is the sheer speed of the arrival process. When your plane touches down, you walk down the airstairs onto the sunny tarmac and step directly into a calm, air-conditioned lounge.

Because there are only 30 or 37 seats on the entire plane, you are never competing with 5 other widebody jets at the immigration desk. Customs officials check your passport in a couple of minutes, your luggage is handed to you right planeside, and you walk straight out the front door into your waiting private SUV.

While passengers landing up the road at SJD are still waiting for their suitcases to drop onto the carousel, you are already 15 minutes away from sipping a welcome margarita at your resort in Pedregal or checking into your beachfront hotel on Medano Beach.

How To Plan Your Trip Through Cabo’s 2nd Airport

If you want to test out this arrival hack for your winter or spring getaway, you have to plan ahead.

1. Book Your Seats Early: Because JSX and Senor Air fly small regional jets with only 30 to 37 seats per flight, peak winter and spring break dates between November and April sell out fast.
2. Pre-Book Your Private Transfer: Because this is a small boutique airfield rather than a massive commercial hub, there is not a giant line of random street taxis waiting outside the gate. Always arrange a private SUV transfer through your resort or concierge ahead of time so your driver is waiting on the curb the minute you walk out.
3. Bring A Physical Passport Book: Remember that even though you are flying out of private lounges, this is still an international flight. United States citizens must present a valid physical passport book—not a passport card—and submit their passport details within 48 hours of booking on JSX.