Los Cabos, Todos Santos & La Paz

Destination 01

Los Cabos

9 places

Stay 3 nights, ideally in San José del Cabo, with a boat day in Cabo San Lucas and a day trip to Cabo Pulmo.

• Photo: Microstar · CC BY-SA 4.0

  El Arco de Cabo San Lucas

  Granite arch at Land's End where the Pacific meets the Sea of Cortez, seen by water taxi or glass-bottom boat.

  Tip Pair it with a stop at Playa del Amor when seas are calm.

  SeeLand's End$$1.5 hrMorning
• Photo: Andres Guerra · Google

  Playa Médano

  Calm, swimmable beach facing El Arco, lined with beach clubs and water sports.

  OutdoorsMédano$3 hrAfternoon
• Photo: Alejandro Pacheco · Google

  Playa Chileno

  Protected bay on the Corridor with good snorkeling, shade palapas and lifeguards.

  Tip Arrive early for parking and shade.

  OutdoorsTourist CorridorFree3 hrMorning
• Photo: John Markos O'Neill from San Francisco, California · CC BY-SA 2.0

  Cabo Pulmo National Park

  Living coral reef on the East Cape with schools of jacks, rays and sea lions.

  Tip Snorkel or dive only with local licensed guides.

  OutdoorsEast Cape$$$6 hrNov – Jun
• Photo: Art Walk San Jose Del Cabo · Google

  San José del Cabo Art District

  Galleries around Plaza Mijares, with a Thursday evening Art Walk November to June.

  SeeSan José del Cabo$2 hrThursday evening
• Photo: Joseph Dandona Jr. · Google

  Whale Watching

  Boat tours to see humpbacks breaching off the cape between December and April.

  DoMarina$$$2.5 hrJan – Mar
• Photo: Flora Farms · Google

  Flora Farms

  Organic farm with a field-to-table restaurant and garden cocktails in the foothills.

  Tip Reserve dinner; Sunday brunch is popular.

  EatLas Animas$$$$2 hrDinner
• Photo: Ashlee Barrera · Google

  Acre

  Restaurant and farm set in a palm grove, cooking wood-fired dishes with local produce.

  EatLas Animas$$$$2 hrDinner
• Photo: Cabo Wabo Cantina · Google

  Cabo Wabo Cantina

  Sammy Hagar's long-running rock bar and live music venue in downtown Cabo.

  DrinkDowntown$$2 hrNight

Destination 02

Todos Santos

9 places

One or two nights for galleries, surf beaches and a long dinner.

• Photo: Guaycura Hotel Beach Club Spa · Google

  Historic Centre

  Pueblo Mágico of adobe buildings, galleries and the mission church around the plaza.

  SeeCentroFree2 hrAfternoon
• Photo: Hotel California Todos Santos · Google

  Hotel California

  Mid-century hotel on Calle Juárez with a courtyard bar and boutique.

  SeeCentro$$45 minAfternoon
• Photo: MISAEL MONTELONGO · Google

  Playa Los Cerritos

  Sheltered Pacific beach with beginner surf, board rentals and beach bars.

  Tip The safest swimming beach near town.

  OutdoorsEl Pescadero$4 hrMorning
• Photo: Anallely Delgado · Google

  Punta Lobos

  Fishermen launch pangas through the surf here; buy the catch when boats return.

  Tip Boats land around midday to early afternoon.

  SeeFree60 minMidday
• Photo: Tortugueros Las Playitas A.C. · Google

  Sea Turtle Release at Playa Las Playitas

  Local conservation group releases hatchlings at sunset in season.

  Tip Hatchling season is roughly Dec to Apr.

  DoLas PlayitasFree60 minSunset
• Photo: Esteban Moran · Google

  Playa La Pastora

  Long empty Pacific beach and surf break north of town, good for walks and whales offshore.

  Tip Strong currents; do not swim.

  OutdoorsFree1.5 hrSunset
• Photo: Stebs · Google

  Jazamango

  Javier Plascencia's garden restaurant with wood-fired Baja cooking from local farms.

  EatCentro$$$2 hrDinner
• Photo: Baja Beans the Original Café/Store · Google

  Baja Beans

  Roastery café in El Pescadero with breakfast and a Sunday market.

  EatEl Pescadero$60 minBreakfast
• Photo: La Esquina · Google

  La Esquina

  Open-air café and juice bar near the beach, a casual gathering spot.

  DrinkLa Poza$60 minMorning

Destination 03

La Paz

9 places

Stay 2–3 nights for island boat trips, whale sharks in season and the malecón.

• Photo: Dave Ross · Google

  Malecón de La Paz

  Five-kilometre seafront promenade lined with sculptures, palms and sunset views.

  Tip Walk it at sunset when locals come out.

  SeeCentroFree1.5 hrSunset
• Photo: Shawn from Airdrie, Canada · CC BY-SA 2.0

  Espíritu Santo Island

  Protected desert island with red cliffs, white beaches and a sea lion colony at Los Islotes.

  Tip Full-day boat tours include snorkeling with sea lions.

  Outdoors$$$8 hrMorning
• Photo: Fabio · Google

  Playa Balandra

  Shallow turquoise bay with the mushroom-shaped rock, inside a protected area.

  Tip Entry is capped in shifts; arrive early and bring water.

  Outdoors$4 hrMorning
• Photo: Guillermo Rubio · Google

  Whale Shark Swims

  Guided swims with whale sharks in La Paz Bay, regulated by the park authority.

  Do$$$3 hrOct – Apr
• Photo: Isaac Ochoa · Google

  Playa El Tecolote

  Wide beach facing Espíritu Santo with palapa restaurants and kayak rentals.

  Outdoors$3 hrAfternoon
• Photo: Museo de la Ballena y Ciencias del Mar · Google

  Museo de la Ballena

  Small whale and marine science museum near the malecón with skeletons and exhibits.

  SeeCentro$60 minMorning
• Photo: Bismarkcito · Google

  Bismark-cito

  Seafood stand on the malecón for chocolate clams, ceviche and fish tacos.

  EatCentro$45 minLunch
• Photo: Francis Teran · Google

  Doce Cuarenta

  Popular café and bakery for breakfast, coffee and pastries a few blocks from the sea.

  EatCentro$45 minBreakfast
• Photo: MEZCALERIA La Miserable · Google

  La Miserable

  Small mezcalería known for well-chosen Oaxacan mezcals and guided tastings.

  DrinkCentro$$1.5 hrEvening