Do you need a passport for Cabo?

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Do you need a passport for Cabo?

Yes, you need a passport for Cabo, and it should be valid for at least 6 next months from the date of your entry to Mexico. Depending on the country of origin, you might also need a visa.

Cabo is a starting point for many travelers who want to explore Baja California and it was my first stop in Baja too. When I took my first trip to Cabo, I fell in love with its rugged desert scenery, delicious food, and friendly people. I ended up coming back many times after my forst visit.

This town is a favorite vacation spot for many North American travelers because of its outdoor opportunities, good nightclub scene, and delicious Baja-style food. It also has connections from dozens of destinations within the United States, so it’s easy to see why many travelers choose it as a vacation spot. 

iVisa can help you arrange a Mexican visa for a small fee. Click here to check Mexico visa requirements for your country.

Where is Cabo San Lucas located?

Cabo San Lucas is located on the southern tip of Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula, which consists of 2 states – Baja California and Baja California Sur. Cabo San Lucas is the largest city in Baja California Sur with over 100,000 people. 

Is Cabo outside the US?

Yes, Cabo San Lucas is outside of the United States. It’s part of Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula.

✅ Read: Where to find the best breakfast in Cabo San Lucas?

What US state is closest to Cabo San Lucas?

California is the closest state to Cabo San Lucas.

Is there a difference between Cabo and Cabo San Lucas?

Cabo San Lucas and Cabo are often used interchangeably, but there’s a difference between these two names. Cabo San Lucas is part of the Los Cabos municipality which also includes San Jose Del Cabo. Many people use the term “Cabo” when they refer to Cabo San Lucas and the Los Cabos municipality. 

➡️ Read: What is the best time to visit Cabo to avoid high crowds?

What state in Mexico is San Jose del Cabo?

San Jose Del Cabo is located in the Mexican state of Baja California Sur, which is part of the Baja California Peninsula. 

Do you need a passport to go to Baja California Sur?

Yes, you need a passport to go to Baja California Sur.

What documents do I need for Cabo besides my passport?

If you fly to San Jose Del Cabo from the United States to Canada, you will need to fill out    the FMM permit, also known as Forma Migratoria Multiple.

(FMM) tourist permits are issued for a maximum of 180 days of stay in Mexico. While it’s supposed to facilitate your entry to Mexico, it’s not a substitute for your visa. 

✅ Is there Uber in Cabo San Lucas?

Planning a trip to Cabo? Use my travel resources 

• Accommodations in Cabo – Booking.com, VRBO, or HostelWorld,
• Travel insurance for Mexico – SafetyWing 
• Car rentals in Mexico – DiscoverCars 
• Guided Tours in Cabo – Viator 
• eSIM to stay connected on the road – Airalo
• Flights to Baja California – CheapAir 

How to get to Cabo San Lucas

You can get to Cabo by plane, boat, and driving. The easiest and most convenient option to get to Cabo is by flying, because it will save you days on the road.

✔️ By plane

The easiest way to get to Cabo is by flying. There are dozens of daily flights to Cabo from the United States and Canada. You can also book a flight to Cabo from major cities in Mexico, like Guadalajara, Mexico City, and Monterrey.

What airport do I fly into for Cabo San Lucas?

You need to fly to San Jose Del Cabo International Airport (SJD), which is in San Jose Del Cabo, a sister city of Cabo San Lucas which is about 30 minutes away by driving. 

What airlines fly to Cabo San Lucas? 

Cabo San Lucas Airport is serviced by many airlines including United, Delta, American, Southwest, Spirit, Frontier, Volaris, Viva and AeroMexico.

Can a US citizen fly within Mexico without a passport?

No, US citizens can’t fly within Mexico without a passport. As a foreign citizen, you will be required to show your passport before boarding a flight to Mexico.

Do you clear US customs in Cabo San Lucas?

You will need to go through the customs when you land in Cabo San Lucas. 

✅ How to get from Cabo Airport to your hotel ?

Book a shuttle from Cabo Airport to your hotel

✔️ By car

Driving to Cabo from the United States is a much longer trip, and it will take you at least 2-3 days depending on where you want to stop along the way. There is a lot to see along the way, and if you have enough time to make stops, this could be a perfect road trip.

How far is Los Cabos from the US border?

Cabo San Lucas is 1,600 km (994 miles) from the US border. 

What documents do I need to drive to Baja from the United States?

If you plan to drive from the United States to Mexico, you will need several documents, including a valid passport, Mexican car insurance, and car registration.

Here’s the list of documents that you will need to drive to Baja:

• Valid passport
• Valid driver’s license 
• Mexican car insurance 
• Car registration 
• Car title (or documents from your lender if you have a loan on your car)
• FMM (Forma Migratoria Múltiple) that can be obtained at the border or online 

Do I need car insurance to drive in Mexico?

A Mexico car insurance is required for all vehicles entering the country, and your US insurance will not be valid in Mexico. Baja Bound Mexican Insurance is a popular website for finding insurance for your car, RV, boat, motorcycle, and other types of transportation.

Can I buy Mexican auto insurance at the border?

No, you can’t buy Mexican car insurance at the border. To enter the country, you need to have proof of Mexican car insurance. You can get it online through Baja Bound ahead of your trip.

FMM Immigration Form

If you plan on driving south of Ensenada on the Pacific side or south of San Felipe along the Sea of Cortez, you will also need a FMM Immigration form (Forma Migratoria Multiple or FMM) issued by Instituto Nacional de Migración (INM).

 ➡️ Fill out the tourist card application.

Border crossings that you can cross if you plan to drive to Cabo:

➡️ San Ysidro Port of Entry

This is the busiest land border crossing in the world, connecting San Diego, California, with Tijuana, Baja California. It has pedestrian and vehicle lanes.

➡️ Otay Mesa Port of Entry

Located southeast of San Ysidro, the Otay Mesa Port of Entry also has both pedestrian and vehicle lanes. It’s less congested than San Ysidro, but it’s a bit further from downtown San Diego.

➡️ Tecate Port of Entry

Further east of San Diego, the Tecate Port of Entry connects Tecate, California, with Tecate, Baja California. It’s a smaller crossing than San Ysidro and Otay Mesa, which is less crowded and offers a more scenic route.

After crossing the border at Tecate, you can enjoy a scenic drive along La Rumorosa, a mountain pass between Tecate, and Mexicali, the capital of Baja California.

What do I need to travel to Cabo San Lucas? 

Depending on how you plan to get to Cabo San Lucas, you need specific documents. If you fly to Cabo San Lucas, you will need a valid passport, a tourist card (which is provided at the airport or by your airline), and in some cases, a return ticket. 

If you drive to Cabo, you will need a passport, Mexican car insurance, car registration, and a valid driver’slicense. You will also need a Tourist Card (FMM), which you can get at the border.

8 Tips for driving in Baja California 

1. Avoid driving at night 

It’s best to limit your driving to daytime. Many roads around Baja have poor lighting, so you will be driving in the dark. This could make for a dangerous trip, especially if you drive on narrow winding roads that often have potholes.

2. Watch out for potholes

It’s not uncommon to come across potholes and bumps on Baja roads, so you should always drive with caution and follow the posted speed limit. 

3. Watch out for livestock

When driving around Baja, watch out for cows, donkeys, and other animals that often roam near the roads. Unfortunately, these animals are often left on their own, and they end up walking along highways, which creates hazardous conditions for drivers.

4. Stay on main highways (quotas)

For safety reasons, it’s best to stay on main highways as they are better maintained and have more police. Secondary roads in Baja can have poor conditions, few amenities, and poor cell phone signal. 

5. Keep your tank full

Always keep your tank full when driving in Baja. It’s not uncommon to drive long distances in the peninsula without seeing a gas station, so you should always fill up your car before getting on the road. 

6. Be ready for military checkpoints

When driving in Baja, you will pass through several military checkpoints where you might get some questions about your travel plans. In some cases, military personnel might ask you to open your car for a quick inspection.

Remain calm, answer questions, and be ready to show your documents including your driver’s license, vehicle insurance, and registration. These inspections go pretty fast, and unless you manage to draw suspicion, you should be fine.

7. Always have cash

When traveling around Baja, you should always have cash because many restaurants, vendors who sell food on the side of the road, and even some gas stations in Baja might not accept cash. 

8. Pace yourself 

There’s a lot to see in Baja. If you are driving to Cabo San Lucas, there will be plenty of places where you can stop and enjoy outdoor activities like hiking, off-roading, surfing, boating and camping.

✔️ Visiting Cabo on a cruise

Cabo San Lucas is a popular destination for cruise ships. Dozens of cruise ships come to Baja throughout the year, including the low season, from June through october, because Cabo is known as one of the driest cruise ports in the Pacific where the rain in minimal even during the hurricane season.

Do you need a passport to go to Cabo on a cruise?

Yes, you need a passport to go to Cabo on a cruise. 

Traveling to Cabo from Europe 

There are no direct flights to Cabo from Europe and you will need to catch a flight to Cabo from the United States, Mexico, or Canada.

Where to stay in Cabo:

• Budget: City Express Plus by Marriott Cabo San Lucas – If you are looking for an affordable hotel in Cabo San Lucas, don’t miss City Express, a quiet and comfortable stay perfect if you are looking to relax and enjoy a nice quiet stay.

• Mid-budget: Bahia Hotel & Beach House – A trendy hotel along Medano Beach, Bahia Hotel & Beach House boasts spacious and neatly decorated rooms. The beach is perfect for swimming and snorkeling and you can enjoy the views of the Pacific without leaving your hotel.

• Luxury: Grand Velas Los Cabos Luxury – One of the best all-inclusive resorts in Los Cabos along the private beach, Grand Velas is an exceptional property with top-notch food, gorgeous designs, and friendly and welcoming service. Guests also leave great reviews of its spa and fitness center. 

Best tours in Cabo: 

Cabo is a gateway to adventure and you can’t leave this popular place without booking at least one guided tour.

Whether you want to see whales, learn to surf, take a classic boat or kayaking tour in Cabo, or enjoy a fun ATV ride along Baja’s sunny coast, you will have a blast on these popular adventures that you can book through Viator.

➡️ Check: Best coffee shops in Cabo

Also, don’t forget that Baja’s rich cuisine is one of the highlights of Cabo San Lucas, and if you want to learn the secrets of authentic Baja cooking, you should take one of cooking tours in Cabo. 

Book these popular Cabo tours

Renting a car in Cabo San Lucas 

If you don’t feel like joining a hired tour and would rather explore the Cabo area on your terms, you need to rent a car.

Renting a car in Cabo will give you plenty of flexibility, and allow you to visit the best swimmable beaches along the tourist corridor that connects Cabo San Lucas and San Jose Del Cabo.

It will also allow you to create your own Cabo itinerary and visit places like Todos Santos, and La Paz, and, if you have more, time, head north and check out Loreto and Mulege, some of the most beautiful places in Baja California. 

Where to rent a car in Cabo San Lucas?

San Jose Del Cabo International Airport (SJD) is the best place to rent a car in Cabo San Lucas. Major car rental companies like Hertz, Avis, Budget, and many others have offices in San Jose Del Cabo Airport. 

You can find car rentals in Cabo through DiscoverCars, my favorite rental platform where you can find many options of many makes and models.

Specify what car rental you are looking for by including filters such as price, car size, accessories, etc. Once you select the filters, the search engine will populate the page with available options. 

Do I need car insurance to drive in Cabo San Lucas?

Yes, you need car insurance to drive in Cabo San Lucas or anywhere else in Mexico. Car insurance is required for all car rentals and you can get it through DiscoverCars, a popular car rental platform before you arrive to Cabo. 

Is Cabo San Lucas safe?

Cabo San Lucas is relatively safe. If you follow common sense and don’t get involved in sketchy situations and avoid drugs, you should be fine. 

I always recommend buying insurance for your trip to Baja California, because you never know what might go wrong. My preferred choice is SafetyWing, a budget-friendly insurance that has several types of plans and can cover you if you lose your baggage, get into an accident, or lose your documents.

SafetyWing offers different types of plans, so you can select the coverage that works best for you.

Do you need a passport for Cabo: FAQs 

What part of Mexico doesn’t need a passport?

All parts of Mexico need a passport. 

Can you go to Cabo with a passport card?

No, you can’t fly to Mexico with a passport card. All travelers going to Cabo are required to have a passport that’s valid for at least 6 months from the date of their arrival. 

Is there a difference between Cabo and Cabo San Lucas?

Cabo and Cabo Sa Lucas are often used interchangeably, however, Cabo also refers to the Cabo municipality that includes Cabo San Lucas and San Jose Del Cabo. 

Can you fly to Cabo with a birth certificate? 

No, you can’t go to Cabo or any other destination in Mexico with a birth certificate. If you are flying to Mexico from the United States, or any other foreign country, you will need a passport, that’s valid for at least 6 months from the date of your arrival to Mexico.

Is Cabo San Lucas in Mexico or New Mexico?

Cabo San Lucas is located in Mexico’s Baja California Sur State.

Cabo travel planner

Do I need a visa for Baja California?

If you are traveling to Baja California from the United States and Canada or Western Europe, you don’t need a visa. iVisa is website that can help you with a visa to Mexico.

Do I need a car in Baja California?

You need a rental car to see the best of Baja California, as most places aren’t accessible by public transportation. I use DiscoverCars for car rentals in Baja and other parts of Mexico, and love their budget-friendly prices and flexible cancellation policy.

Click here to check prices on car rentals in popular detsinations in Baja. 

Do I need a travel insurance in Baja California?

Personal travel insurance in not required in Baja, but it’s a good idea to get one ahead of your trip. Travel Insurance Master will cover you in case of hospital visits, missed flights, lost or stolen belongings and other accidents that could happen on the road.

Do I need a car insurance to drive in Mexico?

A Mexico car insurance is required for ALL vehicles entering the country. Note that your US insurance will not be valid in Mexico. Baja Bound Mexican Insurance is a popular website to find insurance for your car, RV, boat, motorcycles and other types of transportation.

Where can I find the best Baja tours?

the best websites for finding tours all over Baja is Viator. Guided tours are usually available in bigger cities like Cabo San Lucas, San José del Cabo, La Paz and Tijuana.

Where can I book flights to Baja?

Click here to find cheap airline tickets to Baja.

Where do I find cheap hotels in Baja?

Booking.com is the best website to find hotels all over Baja, but you can also use HostelWorld to find hostels. VRBO is a perfect place to find apartments and home-style places to stay in Baja. 

Can I drink water in Baja California?

While major cities like Cabo and La Paz treat their water, it’s generally not advised to drink water in Baja California. Always carry your water bottle with you, or better yet, buy a water bottle with filtration for your trip.