Cabo San Lucas Passport and Travel Requirements
Cabo San Lucas is one of Mexico’s premier travel destinations. This beautiful resort town is popular among both U.S. and international travelers looking for clean beaches, clear waters, warm weather, and outdoor adventures. However, before traveling to any vacation destination, it’s essential to ensure that you understand the destination’s passport and travel requirements. Otherwise, you could end up derailing your trip before it even begins.
This is certainly true in Cabo. With Cabo being such an easily accessible destination for tourists, you might even wonder, “Do you have to have a passport to go to Cabo?” But if you’re not a citizen of Mexico, yes, you do.
If you’re flying into Mexico, whether your final destination is Cabo San Lucas or San Jose del Cabo, you will need to present a valid passport to enter. There are no alternatives, and you can’t present a license or birth certificate. Instead, when you land, you’ll go through immigration, the same as you would when visiting any other foreign country.
If you’re planning a visit to Cabo, keep reading. In this article, we’ll explore the legal entry requirements for Cabo, the best travel methods, family travel tips, and more.
Traveling to Cabo San Lucas from the U.S.
Before you present your passport, you’ll need to get there. It is possible to travel to Cabo by car, especially if you live in Southern California. However, the most popular way to get to Cabo is by plane. Air travel to and from Cabo is easy, as there are direct flight options from most major U.S. cities.
There are two main airports serving Cabo: Los Cabos International Airport and Cabo San Lucas International Airport, which primarily serve private and charter flights. Some cruises stop in Cabo if you prefer to visit by sea.
One unique thing about traveling to Cabo is the time zone. While Cabo is South of the West Coast of the U.S., it’s actually in the Mexican Pacific Standard Time zone, which is the equivalent of Mountain Standard Time in the U.S.
When you travel to Cabo will have a big impact on your trip. May to June and October to November are good times of year to visit if you want to enjoy pleasant weather, but these times of year will likely also cost you more. The off-season can be a great chance to save on your resort, but you may also experience more rain, heat, and humidity, as well as the chance of hurricanes.
Cabo is a popular and safe destination for U.S. travelers, as long as you take a few precautions.
Legal Requirements if You Are Visiting Cabo San Lucas from the U.S.
Do you need a passport for Cabo? The answer is yes.
U.S. citizens visiting Cabo must present a valid passport, as well as a Tourist Card. Your passport must be valid for at least six months from the start of your trip, and must be free of any damage. The Tourist Card used to be provided by the airline when you would fly into Mexico. However, this is no longer the case. Now, you’ll need to fill out a Tourist Card online before you fly to Mexico.
The application is free to complete online and takes just a few minutes. Some airports require that you carry a printed copy of your Tourist Card. Additionally, some Mexican states also have other requirements in addition to the Tourist Card. Make sure to check the local requirements before you fly so you’re prepared.
If you plan to stay in Cabo or anywhere in Mexico for more than 180 consecutive days, you would also need to apply for and present a visa.
Travelers entering Mexico are permitted to carry items for personal use, but certain restrictions apply to specific items. For instance, you can only carry one laptop computer and up to three cell phones per person. You can also only have up to two cameras. Any medical supplies that you are carrying must be for personal use only. Tourists can also carry up to 10 cigarette packs or 25 cigars, as long as the individual is over the age of 18.
Anytime that you’re traveling internationally, it’s a good idea to purchase travel insurance. Your medical insurance won’t cover you outside of your home country, and you’ll have to pay out of pocket for any care you receive. Travel insurance can not only cover medical expenses but also other expenses, such as necessary changes to your itinerary or lost luggage, depending on the coverage you choose.
RELATED: Best Places to Stay in Cabo San Lucas
Traveling to Cabo by Air
Air travel is the most popular way to get to Cabo. Flights from the Southwest and West Coast are easy and often short, making it easy to visit Cabo on a short trip or simply shorten your travel time before vacation.
What to Expect at the Airport
Upon arrival, every visitor will go through customs and immigration. The process for this is very straightforward in Cabo. First, you’ll go through immigration and present your passport and Tourist Card. Next, you’ll collect your checked luggage, then continue on through customs. Here, you’ll submit your customs declaration form.
After going through customs and immigration, you can continue on to your resort. While you can rent a car, this isn’t recommended. As a visitor, you’re likely with traffic laws and common practices, which could make for a dangerous situation. Official taxis or shuttles through your resort or a private company are a better choice.
On your way out of the airport, avoid individuals trying to talk you into booking travel deals or excursions. Instead, do your research ahead of time on reputable companies or book directly through your resort to avoid the common tourist traps sold at airports.
Traveling to Cabo by Land
While less common, it is possible to travel to Cabo by land. You can drive from the U.S. to Cabo via the Baja California Peninsula. The roads are in good condition and traveling there is safe. But the drive from San Diego to Cabo is 16 hours, making for a long trip.
If you choose to drive, you’ll still need a passport and your driver’s license. You’ll also need your car’s registration certificate and proof that you’ve purchased Mexican tourist auto insurance. Finally, when you cross the border, you’ll obtain a Temporary Vehicle Import Permit and a Tourist Entry Card.
Before you start your long drive, make sure to read up on the local traffic laws and common practices on Mexican roads.
Traveling to Cabo by Sea
Cabo is a stop on cruises from major cruise lines departing from California. Passengers departing the ship to visit Cabo technically do not need a passport. Individual cruise lines may allow travelers to sail with a birth certificate and other forms of ID on closed-loop trips leaving and returning to the same U.S. city. However, visiting without one can be risky, especially if you have to disembark and travel home directly from Mexico for any reason.
You will not go through customs or immigration when entering Cabo via a cruise. Instead, local customs officials clear the entire ship. Instead, you’ll simply disembark and enter Cabo.
While you can travel to Cabo by sea on a cruise ship without a passport, it’s still a good idea to have one, just in case.
Traveling to Cabo San Lucas with Children and Minors
Cabo San Lucas is a great destination for families. But if you’re planning to travel with kids there are a few extra things you’ll need to do to prepare.
If only one of the child’s parents is traveling to Cabo, you’ll need to carry a notarized letter of consent from the other parent stating that they approve of the travel plans. If the child isn’t traveling with either parent but traveling with friends or other family members, they’ll need a notarized letter of consent from both parents.
All children traveling internationally will need a valid passport, regardless of their age.
Canadian Citizens and Other Countries
The requirements for Canadian citizens traveling to Mexico are very similar to those for U.S. citizens. You’ll need a passport that’s valid for at least six months past the start of your trip. If you plan to stay for more than 180 days, you’ll also need to get a visa. Canadian citizens need to present a Tourist Card as well.
For other nationalities traveling to Mexico, check out the Mexican consular services for your home country to learn more about your travel requirements.
Plan Your Cabo Getaway Today!
Cabo is an incredible destination for all kinds of travelers, from nature lovers to those looking for a relaxing beach vacation, couples searching for romance to families looking for fun, and everyone in between.
The passport requirements for traveling to Cabo are straightforward, making it easy for anyone to plan a trip.
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