The moment I step off the plane in Cabo San Lucas, my shoulders drop. The light is different here. The air feels warmer and softer. And no matter how many times we visit, that first arrival always feels like the beginning of something familiar and deeply comforting.
We first started coming to Cabo in 2016, back when the airport experience looked very different than it does today. If you have traveled here over the years, you know exactly what I mean.
Landing at San José del Cabo International Airport Then and Now
Back in 2016, arriving at the airport felt a bit like stepping into a well worn local secret. The terminals were smaller, darker, and frankly, a little chaotic. The floors showed their age, the ceilings felt low, and after a long flight, everything seemed compressed into tight lines and crowded spaces. You could sense the airport straining to keep up with Cabo’s growing popularity. Often we would deboard the plane like they did in the 60's by taking the stairs off the plane!
But there was also something endearing about it. It felt real and unpolished. You knew immediately that you were not in a glossy, overly curated destination. You were in Mexico, and your vacation had officially begun.
Fast forward to today, and the remodel has completely transformed the experience. The airport is brighter, more spacious, and far easier to navigate. Natural light floods the terminals, signage is clearer, and the entire flow feels calmer and more intentional. It still feels distinctly Mexican, but now with a modern elegance that reflects how much Los Cabos has grown over the last decade.
Navigating Customs Without the Stress
Customs used to be the most daunting part of arrival, especially after a long travel day. Lines felt endless, instructions were unclear, and everyone seemed unsure of where to go next. It could feel overwhelming, particularly for first time visitors.
Today, customs is much more streamlined. The process is clearly marked, and airport staff are positioned throughout the area to guide travelers along. While you still need patience during peak arrival times, the overall experience is far more efficient and less intimidating than it once was. February is a peak month and July the airport seems almost deserted.
A small tip from experience: have your paperwork ready, listen carefully to instructions, and take a deep breath. You are almost there.
The Gauntlet: Transportation Offers After Customs
Once you exit customs, you enter what many seasoned Cabo travelers jokingly call “the gauntlet.” This part has not changed much over the years.
You will walk through a corridor lined with enthusiastic representatives offering transportation services, timeshares, and excursions. It can feel intense if you are not expecting it. The key is simple: keep walking. Be polite, but firm. A friendly “no thank you” and steady forward motion will get you through quickly.
At the end of this corridor, you will exit into fresh air, sunshine, and the unmistakable feeling that you have arrived.
Getting a Taxi or Transfer
Outside the airport, transportation is straightforward once you know what to look for. Official taxis and pre arranged transfers are clearly marked, and staff are available to help direct you to the correct area.
Over the years, we have learned that pre booking transportation offers the smoothest start to the trip, especially if you are heading straight to a resort or rental. That said, taxis are readily available and easy to use if you prefer flexibility.
This is also the moment when Cabo really starts to reveal itself. Palm trees sway. The sun feels warmer on your skin. Luggage is loaded, and suddenly, vacation begins in earnest.
The Unexpected Bonus: Restaurants Right Outside the Airport
One of my favorite changes over the years is the small but growing collection of restaurants located just outside the airport. In the early days, there were few options beyond grabbing a snack inside and moving on quickly.
Now, stepping outside offers the chance to pause, eat, and truly settle into the Cabo mindset. Whether you are waiting for transportation or simply not ready to rush off, these restaurants provide a relaxed introduction to Baja flavors. Cold drinks, local dishes, and the hum of travelers arriving from all over the world create a surprisingly pleasant first stop.
It is often the first place we toast the start of another Cabo stay.
A First Chapter in Our Cabo Story
Every time we arrive, I am reminded how much Cabo has changed and how much it has stayed the same. The airport remodel brought comfort, ease, and beauty to the arrival process, but the heart of Cabo remains untouched. Warm welcomes. Bright skies. That unmistakable feeling of being exactly where you are meant to be.
This arrival ritual has become the opening chapter of our Cabo story, one we have been writing since 2016 and continue to add to with every visit.
And this is just the beginning.
Coming Up Next in the Series
In the next post, I will share what it feels like to arrive at our resort, why it has become our home away from home, and how those first hours in Cabo always unfold for us.
If you are planning your first trip or simply dreaming of your next one, follow along. I will be sharing Cabo through memories, moments, and the little details that make it unforgettabl
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