Visiting La Paz in Baja California Sur without your own vehicle? We have some tips for you!
In general, Baja tends to be a bit less friendly for those without their own wheels than some other travel destinations. But you can still get around without renting a car or driving your own vehicle down the peninsula. Luckily the capital city of La Paz is an easy city to get around without your own car.
How far is it from Cabo to La Paz? It is about 160 km (80 miles) from Los Cabos Airport to La Paz by vehicle.
Getting to La Paz from SJD airport in Los Cabos is easy without your own car. There are several bus options and you can also organize a private driver or shared shuttle. Getting around is easy too. Read on for more details!
Getting to La Paz from Cabo by Bus
There are three options to reach La Paz from Los Cabos or the airport using public transport services.
How to get to La Paz from Cabo airport by bus?
Eco Baja Tours has trips directly from SJD Airport to La Paz daily. There are typically at least three buses every day. The trip takes approximately three hours on the bus. You can check the schedule online here and purchase your ticket in advance too. It is also possible to go to the ticket office at the airport once you arrive but keep in mind that the buses might be fully booked. Eco Baja Tours usually uses minibuses. At the time of this writing, tickets are about $600MXN per person one way.
The most frequent bus option from Cabo to La Paz is the Aguila bus. This bus is less convenient if you are coming from the SJD airport as the bus does not stop there. You will have to take a city bus (Ruta del Desierto) or taxi to the bus station 11 km away to catch the Aguila bus. However these Aguila buses run more frequently – usually hourly – and are less expensive than the other options. One-way tickets from Cabo to La Paz range from $190-$380MXN depending on the route and service. The closest bus station is near the Walmart in San Jose del Cabo at the corner of Calle Valerio González and Highway 1. You can purchase your tickets online and see the schedule here.
Another bus option from Cabo to La Paz is ABC bus. This bus also does not enter the airport but leaves from the bus station at San Jose del Cabo at the corner of Calle Valerio González and Highway 1. You can purchase your tickets online and see the schedule here. The ABC bus does not run as frequently as the Aguila bus but might suit your timing better so be sure to check their schedule.
All of the above buses stop at the La Paz bus station on the Malecón at Independencia and Paseo Álvaro Obregón (24.163509, -110.315862). They may also make other stops around the city, and even sometimes stop for special requests. If your Spanish is good you can ask the bus driver to stop at a particular cross street on the route and if possible they might oblige.
Helpful hint: the buses are air-conditioned and can get very chilly! Bring a sweater.
Getting from La Paz to Cabo airport by bus?
Of course when it is time to return to the airport you can hop on the bus again to get from La Paz to Los Cabos airport. Catch the Autobuses Aguila, ABC or Eco Baja Tours from the bus station on the Malecón to return. Buses run several times a day so check the schedule online and book your tickets in advance so you don’t miss your flight! It is recommended to be at the bus station at least 30 minutes before your scheduled departure.
Getting from the city of San Jose del Cabo to La Paz by bus?
If you are staying in Cabo San Lucas or San Jose del Cabo you can catch Autobuses Aguila for a trip to La Paz. The Aguila bus station is located at the corner of Calle Valerio González and Highway 1 in San Jose del Cabo. The trip takes approximately three hours and costs $190-380MXN. Make an adventure of it and stop at Todos Santos for the day or overnight. Check out our guide to Todos Santos here!
Getting to La Paz from Cabo by Shuttle or Taxi
If you prefer to ride with more comfort and privacy you can also take a private shuttle from Cabo to La Paz. This will usually be a more expensive option if you are traveling solo or as a pair, but if you are in a larger group it can be more economical.
How much is a taxi from Cabo to La Paz? A taxi from the SJD airport in Cabo to La Paz would take about two hours and cost approximately $8000MXN. It might be quite difficult to find a taxi that would make this journey. We would recommend arranging a private driver or shuttle instead.
A shared shuttle to La Paz from the Cabo airport will cost about $1400MXN per person. You will likely make a few stops along the way for the other passengers so the trip will take two or three hours.
If you’d like a private driver from Cabo to La Paz, we would recommend arranging it in advance. The price is approximately $6000MXN and you’ll typically travel in an air-conditioned SUV or minivan with cold refreshments to beat the heat. Usually the SUV can take up to six passengers. This is an excellent option for a family or group. You’ll also find vans for larger groups of 10-15 people for a bit higher cost. The trip will take about two hours.
La Paz to Cabo airport shuttles are also available when you need to make your way back to San Jose del Cabo. You can book them online here.
Keep in mind that while Los Cabos does have Uber available they cannot pick you up at the airport. However they can drop you off at the airport! There is Uber service in La Paz as well. Locals use the apps Didi and inDrive as well.
Getting to La Paz from the La Paz Airport
Perhaps you are flying into La Paz International Airport (LAP) instead of SJD in Los Cabos. Smart and convenient! This airport has flights from many cities in Mexico such as Tijuana, CDMX, Guadalajara, and Mazatlan, as well as occasional direct flights to Phoenix and Dallas in the USA.
A taxi from the airport to the city center will cost around $200MXN. Uber and other ridesharing apps are not allowed to operate pickups in the airport at this time but you can probably get an Uber to the airport from town.
Getting Around in La Paz Without a Car
Now you’ve arrived in beautiful La Paz – how will you get around? Luckily it is very easy to get around La Paz without your own car. There are local buses, colectivos, taxis, Uber, Didi and inDrive. You can also visit countless restaurants, bars, shops and sights while simply strolling the streets. You can even get to the famous Balandra beach using public transport and taxis.
Depending on where you are in town you might see taxis sitting on the street corner or driving by that you can flag down for a ride. But you may want to keep a phone number handy to call or whatsapp when you need to go somewhere. As mentioned above, ridesharing apps including Uber, Didi and inDrive are available in La Paz so if you like to use the apps that is easy too.
How to get to Balandra beach from La Paz by bus?
If you want to get to the beautiful beaches around La Paz you can hop on a Playa Bus. These stop at Balandra beach, Tecolote and Pichilingue ferry terminal. You can catch the Playa Bus at the bus station on the Malecón at Independencia and Paseo Álvaro Obregón (24.163509, -110.315862). Buses run about every hour and cost around $60MXN each way if you go all the way to Balandra or Tecolote. The schedule changes but at the moment the first bus is at 9AM and the last one is at 6PM. Purchase your tickets at the bus station counter or onboard the bus.
If your Spanish is good you can also ask the bus driver to stop at an intersection for you. If possible they will usually oblige.
Also note that Balandra beach has unique opening hours so you might be best off taking a taxi or Uber to the beach to ensure admission and returning on the bus. Check out our guide to Balandra beach here.
Colectivos are local shared buses that can take you shopping and around town. You’ll often see many of them stopped along popular shopping streets. This can be a great way to have an adventure and see how the locals get around. You’ll definitely need to be able to communicate in Spanish to figure out the routes and stops. Colectivos are the least expensive way to get around La Paz without a car, besides walking of course!
Another fun option to get around is to rent a bicycle. Keep in mind that the streets are busy with cars so take care. But many people enjoy a ride along the Malecón and there is even a wide dedicated bicycle path.
La Paz to Todos Santos and Beyond
Good news! You can also go from La Paz to Todos Santos and other areas of Baja California without a car! Catch the Autobuses Aguila or Eco Baja Tours from the Malecón in La Paz to the center of Todos Santos any day of the week. The trip on EcoBajaTours takes about an hour and costs around $200MXN. The bus station in Todos Santos is located at the corner of Calle Ignacio Zargoza and Heroico Colegio Militar across from Parque Los Pinos (23.447197, -110.225564).
The Aguila bus goes more often and is a bit less expensive but both are excellent options.
Be sure to visit our guide to getting around in Todos Santos without a car too!
Long-Distance Bus from La Paz
If you’d like to visit Loreto or other places in Baja, Autobuses Aguila bus can take you there! Check their website for the destinations and schedules. Also take a look at ABC for long-distance trips around Baja. They go all the way to Tijuana! The long-distance buses can be an interesting way to travel in Mexico, and a good way to meet locals who are sitting next to you for several hours. Buses are usually comfortable and large with storage for luggage underneath the rig. Most have movies showing on several TVs which can either be annoying or entertaining depending on the selection. I have found they are typically action flicks dubbed in Spanish. Bring a sweater as they can be very chilly with the AC turned up high!
Enjoy your visit to stunning La Paz!