Vibe
Slow mornings, coffee, surfboards, galleries, and mellow dinners set the tone. Polished but relaxed, social enough for a drink, quiet enough for real sleep.
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- galleries
- tacos
- surfing
- beaches
- desert
[ 2 - 4 nights ]
Todos Santos
Golden dust hangs over the streets as you drift past low colonial facades, small galleries, taco spots, and boutiques that feel more Baja-boho than old-school Mexico. A few blocks later, the town gives way to palms, cactus, and the big Pacific, where the beaches look wild and dramatic rather than gentle. Meals tend to be a real part of the day here, and wandering is half the point. Todos Santos suits you best when you want a calm, slightly stylish base with real desert-coast character.
Updated · Jul 2026
How long to go
Ideal for 2 to 4 nights, enough for town wandering, beach time, and a couple of good meals without running out of momentum.
When to skip
Skip it if easy swims, strong Wi-Fi, cheap eats, frequent buses, or nightlife are non-negotiable. Without a car, the semi-remote rhythm can wear thin.
Destination guide
- Baby sea turtle release at Playa Las PlayitasFreeA very good budget pick if the timing works. Around sunset, volunteers give a short intro and then release hatchlings on the beach. Keep one evening flexible because dates shift with the season, usually from late fall into March. Go a bit early and do not expect a polished tourist show, which is part of the charm.
- Punta Lobos coastal walkFreeBest simple outdoor outing near town. Start at Punta Lobos and walk up the Pacific bluffs for big ocean views, sea lions, and, in season, possible whale sightings. Good as a half-day plan when beach sitting starts to feel lazy. Bring water and start early because the sun gets rude fast.
- Day trip in from La Paz$Todos Santos works well as a day trip if based in La Paz. Buses leave from near the malecón and the ride is about an hour, or go by rental car. The nice way to do it is simple, walk the center, have a long lunch, then head to the coast before going back.
- Surf at Cerritos Beach$$Cerritos is the easiest nearby beach for beginners, with sandy bottom sections and a social, easygoing scene. Good for a first lesson or just renting a board if there is already some confidence in the water. It is close enough for a casual half-day from Todos Santos, around 10 to 15 minutes away.
- A flexible base for digital nomads and travelers who like having useful extras, with coworking space, strong Wi-Fi, a gym, common areas, and a communal kitchen. The setup sounds more social and functional than charming, and it suits people balancing beach time with work.
- Tacos y Mariscos El Sinaloense$Solid cheap seafood stop when the plan is fish tacos, shrimp tacos, ceviche, or marlín without any ceremony. Good for a casual lunch that still feels local.
- Alma y Manny Comida Mexicana$A dependable local-style meal for tamales, pozole, chilaquiles, chile rellenos, and other filling classics. Best when a beach snack is not enough and something proper is needed.
- Baja Beans Cafe$Useful backpacker breakfast and coffee stop for caffeine, pastries, breakfast plates, and a light reset after a late night. Chocolate croissants get plenty of love for good reason.
- Bahía Restaurant & Bar$$Go here for marlin salad tostadas, grilled fish, and ceviche. It is simple and very much a seafood lunch place, the kind of spot that makes sense before an afternoon at the beach.
- The Green Room$$Better for sunset drinks and snacks than a serious dinner. Grab a margarita and tuna tostadas, then sit there while the Pacific does the heavy lifting.
- Jazamango$$$The splurge meal in town, worth it if the budget has room for one nicer night. Order the roast suckling pig, spicy fish tostadas, wood-fired pizza, or whatever is coming out of the garden that day.
- fish tacosA Baja classic that Todos Santos does very well. Go simple, fresh fish, cabbage, salsa, lime, and do not overthink it. Best as a casual lunch after the beach.
- cevicheVery easy choice in town, especially in relaxed seafood spots. Good in the heat, good with a cold drink, and a smart order when the heavier plates sound like too much.
- marlín tostadasSmoked or dressed marlin on a tostada is one of the more Baja-feeling things to eat here. Order it when a menu has marlín and do not choose the safe boring option instead.
- Playa Las Palmas$A quieter beach south of town with palms, fewer people, and more of a hidden-cove feel than the usual surf stops. Good for swimming and body surfing if conditions are friendly. Reach it by driving south to around Km 57, then taking the dirt road west about 1.5 miles. Bring water, shade, and snacks because services are minimal.
- La Poza LagoonFreeA low-key nature break just outside town, good for a walk, birding, and a change from the usual beach routine. It is more about quiet scenery than swimming. Easiest access is via Calle Guaycura toward Hotel Posada La Poza. Go by bike or on foot if staying nearby, and bring insect repellent because the bugs can be more committed than expected.
- Palm Beach$One of the more hidden beaches around Todos Santos, reached by a rougher approach and a short walk through palms. The reward is a remote stretch of sand that is often nearly empty, sometimes with wild horses around. Best with a car and a bit of patience because the turnoff can be easy to miss and there are no real services once there.
Practicalities
The easiest arrival is by highway bus across Baja. Transportes Águila runs direct from Cabo San Lucas toward Todos Santos, usually around 1 hour 15 minutes, with fares often about MX$170 to MX$260. From La Paz, buses also run from near the malecón and usually take about 1 hour to 1 hour 35 minutes. It is simple, but not turn-up-any-minute simple. Schedules can be thin, online listings vary, and airport connections from SJD often mean a shuttle or taxi plus bus unless you prebook everything.
Winter is the sweet spot. January and February feel especially mild, with sunny days around 25°C and cooler nights that make walking town and sunset beach time easy. December to June is the driest stretch overall, so this is the safest window for road trips, surf days, and lazy afternoons outside. August and September get hotter, stickier, and wetter, with the highest rain and hurricane-season risk. In stormy periods, beach roads can get messy and plans can wobble.
Cash is worth carrying here. Town has only a small handful of bank ATMs, so a dead machine on a weekend can turn annoying fast. Telcel is the safest bet for data, but Wi-Fi can still be weak enough to frustrate remote work. Do not drink the tap water. The center is easy on foot, but many stays are not walkable to the beach, and local taxis are limited. Also, some restaurants and shops take random Monday or Tuesday breaks, so check ahead.
The main risk here is the ocean, not the town. Beaches around Todos Santos look inviting, but strong rip currents and sneaker waves have caught people out, especially on emptier stretches west of town. For easy swimming, Cerritos is usually the safer bet than the beaches right by Todos Santos. In town, things feel calm, but beach parking lots and isolated roads still attract petty theft. Keep valuables out of sight, lock the car, and avoid getting casual after dark on remote stretches.
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