Todos Santos is one the most popular destinations on the Baja California Peninsula, with a prime location close to Cabo but far enough away from the party for a more relaxing vacation. Home to some of the best surf in Mexico, Todos Santos is an area visited by tourists and travelers for many different reasons.
In this guide, we’ll be exploring some of the best things to do in Todos Santos, as well as giving you an idea of how the overall area looks and feels to travel throughout. First, let’s talk about the town of Todos Santos itself:
A rundown on the town of Todos Santos
The town of Todos Santos itself, established as a mission in 1723 by Father Jaime Bravo, has become a hotspot for tourism and scenic vacations in recent decades. Located on the western coast of Mexico’s Baja California Sur; Todos Santos is the perfect choice for those looking for a small lively town with a big city edge.
Home to some of the best surfing spots in Baja, you’ll be able to cross off most of your travel bucket list while stopping over here – not only that but both Cabo San Lucas and La Paz are just a short drive away for those who like to party.
This is the overall area featured in our Todos Santos travel guide, focusing on the western half of the peninsula.
Now, the best time to visit Todos Santos is generally around late winter to early summer – as in November or December through April, depending on what you want to do while visiting. For example, if you want to avoid the tourist season, you should try to come later in spring after winter tourists have left.
How far is Todos Santos from Cabo San Lucas?
The route from Cabo San Lucas to Todos Santos is easy to follow, and only takes around an hour. And all you need to do to get back to Cabo is follow one official highway down south. If you can manage that, you’ll end up in Los Cabos within an hour, with San Jose del Cabo just a short drive from there as well.
Book With SJD Taxi: Todos Santos, Mexico Shuttle Service
Directions: you’ll want to travel via Federal Hwy 19 – expect around 1 hour of driving.
Visiting Todos Santos and other nearby spots
Todos Santos isn’t the only place worth visiting while on the Pacific Ocean side of Baja California’s Peninsula. To its south, you have the village of El Pescadero and Los Cerritos Beach; two of the main reasons many visit Todos Santos to begin with.
Let’s talk a bit about each of these areas and spell out the best ways to get around the Todos Santos area in general.
El Pescadero
Further south than Todos Santos but still within the municipality of La Paz, the small town of El Pescadero is a small village largely supported by nearby farms and agricultural operations. With that being said, the main attraction here for most tourists is the surfing on nearby beaches, especially Los Cerritos Beach, which we’ll be discussing below.
As of recent years, the real estate scene here has exploded, with high-end restaurants and condominiums sprouting up each month. Originally a small, sleepy surfing village – nowadays, the area is more developed and features residential neighborhoods.
The northern San Pedrito section of town is where much of the village’s farming takes place, and while visiting some of these lush gardens you could even stop by San Pedrito Beach for some killer waves.
Book With SJD Taxi: Pescadero Locations
Directions: you’ll want to travel via Federal Hwy 19 – expect around 20 minutes of driving.
Los Cerritos
Los Cerritos is a relatively famous beach just outside of the village of El Pescadero; it’s popular with surfers, swimmers, and fans of beach clubs in general. Getting to the beach requires a short drive or trek from the village, and once you arrive you’ll be able to choose from a few different locations, with the overall area commonly being referred to as Playa Los Cerritos:
- San Pedrito Beach: the northern beach featuring lots of rocks, usually recommended for intermediate surfers
- Cerritos Beach: the main beach area with a fast barreling wave that presents quite a challenge even for experienced surfers
On Cerritos Beach, you won’t only find waves. Nowadays, the area is much more developed than surfing nomads of old may remember it is – you’ll find restaurants, hotels, and beach clubs scattered about, offering you a refuge from the beach heat on a sunny day (though they may be lacking a bit compared to Cabo restaurants).
Real estate is booming here, with beach-side lots going for a hefty price for those looking to build their dream home with ocean views. If you’re used to the busy tourist haven of Cabos San Lucas, the small-town vibe of Los Cerritos could be a welcome change.
Book With SJD Taxi: Cerritos Locations
Directions: you’ll want to travel via Federal Hwy 19 and Salsipuedes – expect around 20 minutes of driving.
Tips for enjoying a safe stay in Todos Santos
So, is Todos Santos safe? Less busy than Cabo San Lucas in general, the area’s higher level of safety is largely due to the laid-back community and a lack of spring break-themed nightclubs and party hotels and resorts; while fun, these types of venues do tend to attract a rowdier crowd.
With that being said, you will still want to avoid using services like Uber while in Baja near Los Cabo – instead, you should rely on a vetted transportation service like ours. Our shuttle services operate all around the Baja California Sur, and can safely transport you to and from your destinations while visiting, including the Los Cabos International Airport.
Best things to do in Todos Santos, Mexico
There are several activities to get busy with while in Todos Santos – and we can start by covering the most popular reasons for visiting: swimming and surfing.
Surfing and swimming
Facing the Pacific Ocean, this side of Baja California Sur holds a special place in many surfers’ hearts. Swimmable beaches with surfable waves is a huge reason for most to visit the area, although this has been changing a bit in recent years.
It’s not that the waves are getting any smaller – downtown Todos Santos in general just happens to be undergoing a major renovation phase, with hotels and housing developments popping up around every corner. But you can still find a regular, challenging wave to ride at Cerritos Beach or a more gentle beach break wave at San Pedrito Beach.
If you don’t plan on surfing, you could just hit the water with a wetsuit and boogie board on a sunny day.
Hiking around Playa Las Palmas
If you’re a hiker, this region of Baja California Sur does have some decent trails, although areas like the East Cape are better for this compared to Todos Santos. One of the most popular hikes in the area is the Old Port of Todos Santos Trail, a 5-mile coastal trail with tons of foot traffic and a dog-friendly policy.
If you’re looking for remote natural beauty while hiking this side of the Baja Peninsula, try the Punta Lobos trail, a 7 mile route with stretches of remote coastline throughout most of it. These aren’t the only two trails of course, as Todos Santos has a long list of excellent coastal paths to choose from no matter your skill level.
Horseback riding
Ever been horseback riding along a Baja beach? If you’re visiting Todos Santos, this is one of the most exciting and affordable things to do for animal lovers visiting the area. Helmets, bandanas, snacks, and a local ranch guide are usually included when you book through one of these local tour services.
These kinds of tours are generally small and private, giving you the chance to hang out with a local guide who knows the area while riding atop a well-trained horse. Not only that, but oftentimes these guides will also have extensive knowledge of local flora and fauna and will be able to answer questions about anything interesting you come across.
Catch the whale-watching season
Depending on when you visit Todos Santos, you may be able to catch a few whale-watching tours while here. Like many other coastal cities in Mexico, the town was built near bays and inlets where whales prefer to breed and birth their young every year.
For gray whales, the best time of year is between late January and March, as these are the months in which they give birth to their babies. If you want to see humpback whales, you should head here between October and January or during the month of April when they revisit the area.
Help conserve local sea turtles
If you’re staying in Todos Santos from November through April. During these months, you can witness or even volunteer to help with the release of thousands of baby sea turtles from a few different species that come to nest along the shores of this area each year, including:
- Leatherback sea turtles
- Olive Ridley turtles
- Black sea turtles
If you want to participate in these events, you’re going to want to contact Tortugueros Las Playitas, a conservation group located in Todo Santos.
Visit local art galleries
Todos Santos features a surprisingly large amount of art galleries for those looking for a break from sandy beaches and palm trees. Most of these galleries will be located downtown, so it’s possible to visit most or all of the ones you want to see in a single day.
That being said, if you’re interested in buying unique pieces of art or seeing more than just a few galleries you could spend multiple days touring the area looking specifically for art; you’ll find a mix of art made by locals and some produced by expats hanging in galleries here.
Explore local restaurants
Because Todos Santos has become a real estate and development focus point in Baja, tons of new restaurants and cafes open each year. You’ll likely find a favorite spot of your own while exploring, as new culinary experiences are one of the best parts of traveling.
If you’re a fan of seafood and oysters, stop by Oystera – a specialty oyster bar featuring a farm-to-table menu. Nearby you’ll find a selection of boutique shops to browse while you walk and relax after a delicious lunch or dinner.
For coffee lovers and breakfast or brunch enthusiasts, you’ll want to hit up Caffe Todos Santos. This eatery is a popular spot for coffee, huevos rancheros, chilaquiles, and other classic Mexican dishes. They also feature local artist’s work along their walls, giving wandering eyes a canvas to appreciate while sipping a freshly made cappuccino.
Take a few nearby day trips
Todos Santos and El Pescadero are both very close to some other must-see locations in Baja; you can either go north to La Paz, south to Los Cabos and San Jose del Cabo, or east to East Cape Baja.
The great thing is, that all of these areas are within about an hour’s drive from Todos Santos – with the exception of places like Los Barriles and Cabo Pulmo on the East Cape that would take around two hours or more to reach.
If you want to party, you need to check out the legendary spring break town of Los Cabos. If you’re feeling like visiting a fresher metropolitan scene that isn’t as popular as Cabo San Lucas, you’ll want to try La Paz. For those of you who are keen to be around fewer people and more nature, making the drive out to the East Cape is well worth it.
Final thoughts
Visiting the town of Todos Santos, Mexico should be next on your list if you’re through the Cabo San Lucas area. If you’ve read this guide and still don’t know what to do while traveling in the area, you may want to consider checking out some of our Cabo-specific guides that cover all there is to do in Los Cabos or read up on other areas of Baja like the East Cape.
