Head to head
Cabo San Lucas or San José del Cabo: where should you stay?
Stay in Cabo San Lucas for nightlife, boat departures and a swimmable town beach; stay in San José del Cabo for food, galleries, quiet and a fifteen-minute airport transfer. They are 30 miles and 45 minutes apart, and Cabo San Lucas runs $40 a night more on average.
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Key facts
- Distance apart
- About 30 miles, 45 minutes
- Taxi between them
- $45–$70 each way
- Cabo San Lucas rates
- $180–$700 per night
- San José del Cabo rates
- $140–$550 per night
- Airport transfer
- 45 min vs 15 min
- Swimmable town beach
- Medano — Cabo San Lucas only
Cabo San Lucas
The marina town. Loud, walkable, and where every boat leaves from.
Pick this if
- You want to walk home from a bar
- You are booking several boat trips
- Medano Beach appeals rather than appals
San José del Cabo
The colonial town. Quiet, better food, and fifteen minutes from the airport.
Pick this if
- Food is a reason you came
- You want to sleep at night
- You are visiting in March
| Cabo San Lucas | San José del Cabo | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical hotel rate | $180–$700 | $140–$550 |
| From SJD airport | 45 minutes | 15 minutes |
| Swimmable town beach | Yes — Medano | Mostly no |
| Food scene | Higher-end, international | Best in the region |
| Nightlife | The region's centre | Quiet |
| Walkability | Good | Good |
| Boat departures | All of them | Almost none |
| March spring break | Heavily affected | Unaffected |
The bottom line
Cabo San Lucas if nightlife and boats are the trip. San José del Cabo for everyone else, and definitely in March. If a swimmable beach outside your door is the priority, neither — book the Tourist Corridor.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Cabo San Lucas from San José del Cabo?
About 30 miles along Highway 1, roughly 45 minutes by car. A taxi between them runs $45–$70 each way.
Which is cheaper, Cabo San Lucas or San José del Cabo?
San José del Cabo, by roughly $40 a night on comparable hotels, and noticeably more on restaurants. It is also fifteen minutes from the airport rather than forty-five.
Read next
The Cabo brief
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