If you have purchased a vacation package from an airline or travel agency, transfers are usually included. Otherwise, only the most exclusive hotels in Los Cabos offer transfers. Fares from the airport to hotels in Los Cabos are expensive. The least expensive transport is by shuttle buses that stop at various hotels along the route; fares run $12 to $25 per person. Private taxi fares run from $20 to $70. Some hotels can arrange a pickup, which is much faster and might cost about the same as a shuttle. Ask about hotel transfers, especially if you're staying in the East Cape, La Paz, or Todos Santos and not renting a car—cab fares to these areas are astronomical.

If you're renting a car and driving say, to the East Cape, make sure you get detailed directions on how to locate where you'll be staying.

Unless you want to tour a time-share or real estate property, ignore the offers for free transfers when you first come out of customs. The scene can be bewildering for first timers. Sales representatives from various time-share properties compete vociferously for clients; often you won't realize you've been suckered into a time-share presentation until you get in the van. To avoid this situation, go to the official taxi booths inside the baggage claim or just outside the final customs clearance area and pay for a ticket for a regular shuttle bus. Private taxis, often U.S. vans, are expensive and not metered, so always ask the fare before getting in. Rates change frequently, but for one to four persons, it costs about $20 per person to get to San José del Cabo, $26 to a hotel along the Corridor, and $50 to Cabo San Lucas. After the fourth passenger, it's about an additional $3 per person. Usually only vans accept more than four passengers. At the end of your trip, don't wait until the last minute to book return transport. Make arrangements a few days in advance for shuttle service, and then reconfirm the morning of your departure, or, again, at least a day in advance, sign up at your hotel's front desk to share a cab with other travelers, reconfirming the morning of your departure.

By Bus

In Los Cabos, the main Terminal de Autobus (Los Cabos Bus Terminal) is about a 10-minute drive west of Cabo San Lucas. Express buses with air-conditioning and restrooms travel frequently from the terminal to Todos Santos (one hour) and La Paz (three hours). One-way fare is $4 (payable in pesos or dollars) to Todos Santos, $14 to La Paz. From the Corridor, expect to pay about $25 for a taxi to the bus station.

SuburBaja can provide private transport for $60 between San José del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas.

In La Paz the main Terminal de Autobus is 10 blocks from the malecón. Bus companies offer service to Los Cabos (three hours), Loreto (five hours), and Guerrero Negro (the buses stop at the highway entrance to town). The Guerrero Negro trip takes anywhere from six to nine hours, and buses stop in Santa Rosalia and San Ignacio.

Bus Information

Los Cabos Terminal de Autobus (Hwy. 19. 624/143-5020 or 624/143-7880). SuburBaja (624/146-0888).

By Car

Rental cars come in handy when exploring Baja. Countless paved and dirt roads branch off Highway 1 like octopus tentacles beckoning adventurers toward the mountains, ocean, and sea. Baja Sur's highways and city streets are under constant improvement, and Highway 1 is usually in good condition except during heavy rains. Four-wheel drive comes in handy for hard-core backcountry explorations, but isn't necessary most of the time. Just be aware that some car-rental companies void their insurance policies if you run into trouble off paved roads.

Gasoline

Pemex (the government petroleum monopoly) franchises all gas stations in Mexico. Stations are to be found in both towns as well as on the outskirts of San José del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas and in the Corridor, and there are also several along Highway 1. Gas is measured in liters. Gas stations in Los Cabos may not accept credit cards. Prices run higher than in the United States. Premium unleaded gas (magna premio) and regular unleaded gas (magna sin) is available nationwide, but it's still a good idea to fill up whenever you can. Fuel quality is generally lower than that in the United States and Europe. Vehicles with fuel-injected engines are likely to have problems after driving extended distances.

Gas-station attendants pump the gas for you and may also wash your windshield and check your oil and tire air pressure. A tip of 5 or 10 pesos (about 50¢ or $1) is customary depending on the number of services rendered, beyond pumping gas.

Road Conditions

Mexico Highway 1, also known as the Carretera Transpeninsular, runs the entire 1,700 km (1,054 mi) from Tijuana to Cabo San Lucas. Do not drive the highway at high speeds or at night—it is not lighted and is very narrow much of the way.

Highway 19 runs between Cabo San Lucas and Todos Santos and is currently being widened to two lanes in each direction, albeit slowly, joining Highway 1 below La Paz. The four-lane road between San José del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas is usually in good condition. Roadwork along the highway is common and commonly frustrates locals and visitors alike. Take your time and don't act rashly if encountering delays or if you need to drive several miles out of your way to turn around and re-approach a missed turnoff.

In rural areas, roads are quite poor. Use caution, especially during the rainy season, when rock slides and potholes are a problem, and be alert for animals—cattle, goats, horses, coyotes, and dogs in particular—especially on the highways. If you have a long distance to cover, start early and fill up on gas; don't let your tank get below half full. Allow extra time for unforeseen obstacles.

Signage is not always adequate in Mexico, and the best advice is to travel with a companion and a good map. Take your time. Always lock your car, and never leave valuable items in the body of the car (the trunk will suffice for daytime outings, but don't pack it in front of prying eyes).

The Mexican Tourism Ministry distributes free road maps from its tourism offices outside the country. Guía Roji and Pemex publish current city, regional, and national road maps, which are available in bookstores and big supermarket chains for under $10; but stock up on every map your rental-car company has, as gas stations generally do not carry maps.

Roadside Emergencies

The Mexican Tourism Ministry operates a fleet of more than 350 pickup trucks, known as the Angeles Verdes, or Green Angels. Bilingual drivers provide mechanical help, first aid, radio-telephone communication, basic supplies and small parts, towing, tourist information, and protection. Services are free; spare parts, fuel, and lubricants are provided at cost. Tips are always appreciated ($5-$10 for big jobs, $2-$3 for minor repairs). The Green Angels patrol sections of the major highways daily 8-8 (later on holiday weekends). If you break down, pull off the road as far as possible, lift the hood of your car, hail a passing vehicle, and ask the driver to notify the patrol. Most bus and truck drivers will be quite helpful. If you witness an accident, do not stop to help—it could be a ploy to rob you or could get you interminably involved with the police. Instead, notify the nearest official.

Contacts

Federal Highway Patrol (624/122-5735 or 624/125-3584). Green Angels, La Paz (612/125-9677).

Safety on the Road

The mythical banditos are not a big concern in Baja. Still, never drive at night, especially in rural areas. Cows and burros grazing alongside the road can pose a real danger—you never know when they'll decide to wander into traffic. Other good reasons for not driving at night include potholes, cars with no working lights, road-hogging trucks, and difficulty with getting assistance. Plan driving times, and if night is falling, find a nearby hotel or at least slow down your speed considerably.

Though it isn't common in Los Cabos, police may pull you over for supposedly breaking the law, or for being a good prospect for a scam. If it happens to you, remember to be polite —displays of anger will only make matters worse—tell the officer that you would like to talk to the police captain when you get to the station. The officer will usually let you go. If you're stopped for speeding, the officer is supposed to hold your license until you pay the fine at the local police station. But he will always prefer taking a mordida (small bribe) to wasting his time at the police station. Corruption is a fact of life in Mexico, and the $5 it costs to get your license back is supplementary income for the officer who pulled you over with no intention of taking you to police headquarters.

By Taxi

Taxis are plentiful throughout Baja Sur, even in the smallest towns. Government-certified taxis have a license with a photo of the driver and a taxi number prominently displayed. Fares are exorbitant in Los Cabos, and the taxi union is very powerful. Some visitors have taken to boycotting taxis completely, using rental cars and buses instead, the latter of which can be most time consuming. The fare between Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo runs about $50-$60—more at night. Cabs from Corridor hotels to either town run at least $30 each way. Expect to pay at least $30 from the airport to hotels in San José, and closer to $65 to Cabo.

In La Paz, taxis are readily available and inexpensive. A ride within town costs under $5; a trip to Pichilingue costs between $7 and $10. Illegal taxis aren't a problem in this region.