Cabo San Lucas Cruise Port: Tender, Water Taxi and Excursion Prices (2026)

Where these numbers come from

Cabo San Lucas has no cruise pier. Ships anchor in the bay near the famous Arch, and passengers ride tenders of roughly 10 to 20 minutes to the Marina Cabo San Lucas dock. The ride is part of your fare. The cost is time, because waits of 15 to 45 minutes are common in the first two hours, and the last tender back is a hard deadline.

Once you step off, the marina is right there with no separate terminal. Medano Beach is about a 10 minute walk behind Puerto Paraiso mall, so a beach afternoon can cost nothing beyond food and lounger rental. Taxis within town run $15 to $20 or more per trip in one guide, while the same guide says rideshare is $5 to $10, so compare before you ride. Pesos are preferred, but dollars are accepted.

The signature cost is the Arch. A licensed water taxi to El Arco and Lover's Beach is $15 to $25 round trip when you book it yourself. A glass-bottom boat is $20 to $35. The same outing through the ship runs $70 to $95, so the independent price is about a quarter to a third of the ship price. One source warns that the Pacific side of the beach has dangerous currents, so treat that as a reason to read local signs.

Worked example, couple at the Arch. Two water taxi seats at $15 to $25 each come to $30 to $50 round trip. The ship version at $70 to $95 each is $140 to $190. Booking yourself saves $90 to $140. If you add a taxi each way at $15, the total is still under the ship price.

Worked example, snorkel or whales. Independent snorkeling at $55 to $95 each costs a couple $110 to $190, against $200 to $300 through the ship. In season, whale watching is $60 to $110 independent or $110 to $160 through the ship. December to April is the window. Plan to be back at the dock at least 90 minutes before the final tender.

Prices shown in US dollars. Check current exchange rates. For another Mexican stop with a pier, compare Cozumel, then use the cruise excursion budget calculator.

Sources

• Mr. Playas: Cabo shore excursions, tender port playbook (2026)
• Cruise Prodigy: Cabo San Lucas port guide (verified September 2026)

Figures checked on September 30, 2026.

This page is general information, not legal, insurance or travel-agent advice. Fees, rules and limits change, so confirm the figures with the official sources listed above before you book or travel.