Los Cabos Taxi Fares Skrocket — Is It The Only Option For Tourists?

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Last Updated 8 months ago

Los Cabos is one of the top luxurious destinations in North America. Travelers come here ready to splurge in most cases, unless you’re flying solo staying at one of Cabo’s top hostels.

Most visitors are here for the grand resorts on some of Mexico’s finest beaches. But that might cost you a pretty penny since the average rates lately have been $600 per night.

With summer winding down, perhaps that will change. One cost that looks set in stone is the sky-high cost of taxis in Los Cabos.

In the States, it’s almost a given that taxis are going to drain your bank account, but that’s not the case everywhere in Mexico.

In Cabo, however, there is an ongoing debate in the hotel industry on whether costly taxi fares negatively impact tourism.

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Factoring in the high rates for hotels, the last thing travelers want to do is spend more money. That’s why many tourists go the all-inclusive route for their stay and don’t leave the resort.

That way, you know exactly what you’re paying and can have a fun, worry-free vacation. But there is also a group of travelers who want to go out and see the sites, and who can blame them?

Cabo is much more than just a top beach destination. But what is the most efficient and affordable way to get around?

Surely, it can’t be taxis, can it? That seems so old-school for a premiere vacation spot.

What Do Los Cabos Taxis Charge?

The cost of transportation has raised red flags, much like Cabo’s beaches. Figuratively, of course. The prices to get around are through the roof.

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Recent reports claim a single taxi ride from the Los Cabos International Airport to Cabo San Lucas can total $100, if not more.

Assuming you pay hundreds of dollars per night at one of Cabo’s many ritzy resorts, you are going to pay $200 just to get to the city and go back home.

That’s a rate of 1700 Mexican pesos to go just 40 kilometers (roughly 25 miles). That’s a lot of dough for a simple service!

While this issue has raised alarms for the travel industry, it doesn’t appear to be a deterrent for tourists.

A spokesman for the Los Cabos Hotel Association discussed this concern. While the sky-high taxi fares are a hot topic, the overall image of Cabo takes precedence.

Bigger concerns are infrastructure and overall cleanliness to present a welcoming image for visitors.

Cabo is known as a top luxury destination, so splurging your paycheck seems to be synonymous with vacationing here.

Other Transportation Options

Americans love pressing buttons on their phone and receiving almost instant service. Yes, we’re talking about mega-popular ride-share services, Uber and Lyft.

While Lyft does not service this region at all, there have been conflicting reports of Uber’s place in the Cabo market, especially at the airport.

It seems taxis have a monopoly over Uber for airport rides, so that would definitely set passengers back around $200.

Uber does operate in and around the city, so it’s quite possible to save money that way compared to expensive taxi rides.

What about renting a car? This is always an option for travelers here, but there are some factors to consider.

Rental car prices tend to surge during the busiest seasons. Plus, insurance coverage is required, and so is returning the vehicle with a full tank of gas.

In all likelihood, depending on the length of your trip, this could set you back hundreds of dollars too.

Many resorts offer shuttle service to/from the airport, but not all offer shuttle service to the city center.

If there is a specific activity you want to experience, it’s best to book directly from the resort. Safe, reliable transportation will be provided.

However, at some point, you may need to bite the bullet and pay for an expensive taxi, but not for every ride.

A mix of Uber, hotel shuttles, and rental cars are on the table, but most travelers don’t want to spend their vacation days ‘nickel and diming’.