Most people fly into Los Cabos and turn south toward the beaches. We're the other way. Santiago is about an hour north of the airport, inland, in a palm oasis at the foot of the Sierra de la Laguna. Here's how to get from the arrivals hall to our lagoon, and what's useful to know before you set off.
How long is the drive from SJD to Santiago?
The drive from Los Cabos International Airport (SJD) to Santiago takes about one hour. Santiago is roughly 23 miles (37 km) north of the airport by road, and about 35 miles from San José del Cabo. From San José del Cabo itself, plan on about 50 minutes.
The route, step by step
The route is simple: Highway 1 north the whole way.
- Leave the airport and follow signs for Highway 1 (Carretera Federal 1) heading north, toward Santiago and La Paz.
- Stay on Highway 1 through open desert and cardón cactus. It's one of the more scenic drives in Baja California Sur, and there's very little to distract you from it.
- At Km 81.5 you'll cross the Tropic of Cancer, marked by a large monument and a small plaza of craft and food stalls. It's a good place for a five-minute stop.
- Turn off for Santiago, and once you reach town, follow the signs toward La Laguna.
- Continue to Fco. J. Mujica Street. We're there, inside the oasis community, beside the lagoon.
If you're coming from San José del Cabo, it's the same road: Highway 1 north for about 50 minutes, then follow the signs toward La Laguna.
Rental car or private transfer?
Rent a car if you want to explore Santiago and the wider region on your own schedule. Rental counters are at Los Cabos International Airport, so you can pick up the car as you land. It gives you freedom for beach days on the coast or a drive into the hills.
Book a private transfer if you'd rather land, sit back and watch the desert go by. We arrange private transfers for our guests. Send the request to our team up to 30 days before you arrive and no later than 24 hours before your flight, so we can line up the driver.
Our take: if you're coming mainly to slow down by the lagoon and let us organize the outings, a transfer is the easier choice. Our Sierra de la Laguna adventures to the Sol de Mayo waterfall and Santa Rita hot springs include transportation, and the hike to Sol de Mayo includes the transfer, so you won't need wheels for those. If you plan to wander up and down the coast, rent the car.
Before you leave the airport
A few things make the arrival smoother:
- Get some pesos. Santiago runs mostly on cash, so have some on hand for the town and outings. Tell your bank you're traveling before you go. We're cash-free ourselves, so you'll only need a card with us.
- Sort out your phone. Cell service may be limited around Santiago. Ask your carrier about international plans before you fly, and plan to use WhatsApp over our Wi-Fi once you arrive.
- Download your map. Save the route offline before you leave the airport, in case your signal drops on the way.
Arriving with us
Check-in is from 3:00 pm and check-out is at 12:00 pm. If you land early, tell us your arrival time in advance and we'll do what we can to have your room ready. If it isn't, we'll store your luggage so you can go straight to the pool or the lagoon.
Our reception is open 24 hours, so a late flight is no problem. Our concierge is around every day from 7:30 am to 11:30 pm, and our security team is on site the rest of the time. If you expect to arrive very late, let us know: rooms are held until 6:00 am the day after your check-in date, after which the booking counts as a no-show.
Bring the photo ID and the physical credit card you booked with. Check-in requires both.
What the first evening looks like
By the time you've driven up from the coast, the light is usually going soft over the palms. Drop your bags in your Terra Room or Aqua Tent, step out onto the terrace and listen. The frogs start up as it gets dark, and the herons settle in the reeds. Our restaurant cooks a rotating surprise menu from what the land and season offer, and dinner can come to your terrace if you'd rather not move.