Forget Cabo! Travelers In-The-Know Opt for This Nearby Mexican Beach Town Instead
Want to visit one of Mexico’s best hidden gem beach towns?
If you’re looking for a Mexico destination that’s as easily accessible as Cabo, but way more under the radar, then keep reading.
I’ve traveled to Mexico more than 20 times, visiting Todos Santos several times in the last few years — and it continues to be one of my favorite destinations in the country.
Though it’s a hidden gem that I will certainly return to over and over again, you might be wondering, What makes Todos Santos special?
This Mexico pueblo magico (meaning “magic town”) has become a hotspot for artists, surfers, creatives, and expats looking to explore a slower pace of life.
In this Todos Santos travel guide, I’ll dive into all the logistics you need to know to plan your trip and share the best things to do there — so let’s dive in!
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Where is Todos Santos located?
Todos Santos is a relatively small town located near Los Cabos in the same state (Baja California Sur), on Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula.
It’s about 1 hour from Cabo San Lucas, and less than 1.5 hours from the Cabo Airport by this airport shuttle, rental car, or taxi.
Is Todos Santos worth visiting?
100% Yes! Foodies, artsy creatives, surf enthusiasts, and design buffs, will all appreciate the unique charm of Todos Santos.
One of the best Mexico beach towns, it’s also perfect for anyone who is truly seeking a relaxing vacation.
While there’s plenty to do, it’s not one of those places with a million bucket list activities to check off your itinerary — so you can truly unwind here without the guilt of needing a packed schedule.
Cabo vs Todos Santos: Which is better?
Despite their physical proximity and similar landscapes, they’re VERY different places, and appeal to totally different travelers.
The vibe in Cabo is more touristy with an endless array of things to do, large resorts, entertainment and nightlife options — while Todos Santos has a more laid-back, bohemian vibe, a cultural town center, and a larger focus on nature.
While Cabo San Lucas is a more social, lively getaway, Todos Santos is meant for those seeking an off-the-beaten path escape where they can truly unwind.
What’s the best time to visit Todos Santos?
Overall, visiting between November and April will provide the most pleasant weather, avoiding extreme summer heat, rain showers, and hurricane season.
Take it from someone who has visited Todos Santos in winter, spring AND summer (that would be me 👋) — summer should be avoided at all costs here, as the heat becomes unbearable mid-day through late afternoon.
Winter in Todos Santos is especially popular because it’s the best season for whale watching in this part of Mexico.
If you plan on getting out on the water to check out some marine life, you’ll want to head there from late-December to April when it’s peak season for seeing humpback and gray whales.
What’s the best way to get to Todos Santos?
To get to Todos Santos, you’ll want to fly into either San José del Cabo International Airport (SJD), located in San José del Cabo, or La Paz International Airport (LAP), located in La Paz, Mexico.
Though they’re about the same distance from Todos Santos, La Paz has fewer flight options, so you’ll have an easier time finding affordable flights into Cabo.
From either, you’ll want to rent a car and take the toll road straight to Todos Santos.
While there are private transfers and cabs, I recommend renting a car here as it gives you the flexibility to get around and explore at your own pace.
⚠️ A note on the toll road
If you’re nervous about driving in Mexico, don’t worry. This road is safe, mostly paved the entire way, and very straightforward.
Just make sure you have some pesos on you, as you can only pay the tolls in cash and they don’t take USD, CAD, or any foreign currencies.
What’s the best way to get around Todos Santos?
As I mentioned, renting your own car is the best way to get around Todos Santos. For convenience, get it at the airport when you arrive.
Everything is pretty spread out in the area, and there are other small towns nearby worth exploring, like El Pescadero, El Triunfo, and Los Barriles.
If you want to check out the charming downtown, stay at the best hotels, and explore the best beaches (like Playa Los Cerritos), you’ll want your own ride.
The only time you wouldn’t need to rent a car is if you are booking a hotel right in downtown and only plan on staying downtown your entire trip — though I definitely don’t recommend that!
The downtown area is not located along the coast, and that’s really the most beautiful part of visiting the area.
🚙 Note: While renting a 4 wheel drive (4WD) isn’t 100% necessary, many of the roads to get to the beaches and coastal communities are dirt roads with many potholes, bumps, topes (large speed bumps).
So, if you don’t think you’d be confident driving in off-road conditions (and semi-off road conditions), you’ll feel better in a 4WD vehicle equipped for dirt and sand.
What are the best places to stay in Todos Santos? (The 5 Best Hotels)
1. Kimpton Mas Olas Resort & Spa
I’ve stayed at this property twice now and it’s absolutely one of the best hotels in Todos Santos.
Located in the beach community of El Pescadero just 15 minutes from downtown Todos Santos, Mas Olas has the best oceanfront resort location in the area and offers top notch hospitality, dining, and luxuriously spacious rooms.
2. Paradero Todos Santos
Paradero is the cool kids’ design hotel in town with more desert vibes and award-winning Brutalist style accommodations.
What Paradero Hotel lacks in oceanfront access they make up for in unique experiences that are included in the nightly rate.
Guests can enjoy complimentary activities like cooking classes, meditation classes, ocean safaris, and temazcal ceremonies during your stay.
There’s also the onsite Tenoch Restaurant at Paradero Todos Santos, which is recommended by the Michelin Guide.
3. Hotel San Cristobal
Surrounded by mountains, making for an absolutely stunning backdrop, this white-washed boutique hotel sits along a public fishing beach on Mexico’s Pacific Coast.
With elevated design that brings in authentic Mexican influences, an ocean-facing pool, and two highly-rated restaurants, Hotel San Cristobal is one of the best hotels in the area.
4. Villa Santa Cruz
If you’re looking for a bit more off-the-beaten path oceanfront location, Villa Santa Cruz is it.
The 16-room hotel offers a mix of accommodations including beachfront bungalows and villas as well as glamping suites.
The best part is, the hotel is home to one of the best beach bars in the area, The Green Room, which is an epic spot for catching Baja sunsets.
5. Todos Santos Boutique Hotel
For those that want to stay in the heart of Todos Santos’ historic town, make sure to book the chic Todos Santos Boutique Hotel.
A historic 1800s property, it was recently renovated into a stunning design-centric oasis with a pool and fine dining restaurant.
The 10 Best Things to Do in Todos Santos Mexico (Top Spots and Hidden Gems)
1. Enjoy the Best Beaches in Todos Santos
There are many stunning beaches along the coast of Baja near Todos Santos, but choosing which ones to visit depends on what you’re looking to do.
Keep in mind that Todos Santos beaches are typically not the best for swimming, as the waves, surf, and rip currents can be strong and dangerous — so check out the list below to see which beaches you’d want to check out.
1. Playa Los Cerritos
🏄♀️ Ever wanted to learn how to surf? Then book these surfing lessons with a pro at Playa los Cerritos beach near Todos Santos.
Besides surfing, this beach is also great for swimming, as the currents and waves are gentle here compared to other beaches.
There are also a lot of facilities at Playa los Cerritos beach, making it a good family-friendly place to spend the whole day.
2. Punta Lobos
Right in front of the Hotel San Cristobal, this is a local fisherman beach where people can also relax and sunbathe — although the surf is pretty strong so it’s risky to swim here.
If you want to make a day of it, you can do the hike to Punta Lobos nearby and grab dinner at the hotel’s restaurant, Benno, after a day in the sun.
3. Playa La Cachora
This wide stretch of sand is great for long beach walks, relaxing, and catching a gorgeous Baja sunset — but Playa la Cachora is not a swimmable beach.
4. Playa Las Palmas
One of the better beaches for swimming, Playa las Palmas is off the beaten path, and you’ll get to it by going down a rugged dirt road.
However, once you’re there, you can enjoy the waves and may even spot one of the local wild horses.
2. Have a Drink at Hotel California
One of the first hotels in the area, Hotel California in Todos Santos is an important landmark of Downtown Todos Santos.
Established in the 1940s, it’s a fun pit stop as you explore downtown. ⭐️ Looking for a guide? Book this top-rated Downtown Todos Santos Walking Tour.
Whether on a tour or on your own, be sure to stop for a drink at the hotel’s lively bar, and enjoy their colorful Mexican architecture.
🎶 Note: Don Henley, singer of “Hotel California” by The Eagles, has said their song has no connection to this hotel — though they’ve definitely capitalized on the name with a gift shop and high prices.
3. Visit the Nearby Town of El Pescadero, and its Famous Playa Cerritos Beach
If you’re into surfing and swimming then head to Cerritos Beach in the small community of El Pescadero, located about 15 minutes south of Todos Santos.
Cerritos is the best beach in the area for surfing and swimming as many of Baja’s beaches are not swimmable due to strong currents and rough waves.
You’ll find plenty of parking at this beach and facilities nearby so you can make a day of it.
4. Explore Downtown Todos Santos
No trip to this part of Mexico’s Baja Peninsula would be complete without an afternoon exploring the historic downtown center of Todos Santos.
Though new businesses and hotels are infusing the area with global influences of gastronomy, architecture and design, the area has retained a historic colonial charm.
Small in size, Downtown Todos Santos still packs a punch of color and charm with loads of galleries, cafes, shops and street vendors to explore.
Between snapping pics of the colorful flags and colonial architecture, pop into the historic Hotel California, score souvenirs at Cielito Lindo Market, and browse the many art galleries as you tour Downtown Todos Santos.
5. Enjoy the Best Restaurants in Todos Santos
For such a small Mexican community, Todos Santos is brimming with great restaurants with a wide array of cuisines to satisfy many cravings.
Of course, you’ll find local and authentic Mexican food, but there’s also great Italian in town, organic farm-to-table restaurants and Michelin Star meals.
Below, you’ll find my list of the top restaurants to consider when traveling to Todos Santos, Mexico.
1. Hierbabuena
This highly-rated farm-to-table dining spot has an atmosphere to match, located inside a beautiful garden.
Everything is super fresh and healthy here without skimping on flavor, plus this spot is great for anyone with dietary restrictions like vegan, gluten free, etc.
2. Benno Todos Santos
With a nod from the Michelin guide, Benno Restaurant at Hotel San Cristobal gets not only points for its creative menu but also for its breezy oceanfront locale.
On my last trip to Todos Santos, I tried the scallop gnocchi and charred salad and both were phenomenal.
3. Jazamango
This restaurant is headed by one of the most famous Mexican chefs, Javier Plascencia, so you can expect dishes and flavors here that will truly delight.
From seafood caught locally in Punta Lobos, to meaty options like grilled bone marrow and a 12 hour braised short rib, Jazamango is a winner.
4. Pacifica Fish Market
If you’re looking for a casual atmosphere, and authentic Mexican fare, head to Pacifica Fish Market.
They’re known for having the best fish tacos in town as well as fresh seafood at affordable prices.
6. Go Hiking at Punta Lobos
The most scenic hike in the area is without a doubt the one to Punta Lobos, a small scenic cove with turquoise water and a great vantage point for spotting whales.
I recommend following this trail that starts across the street from the parking lot of the Hotel San Cristobal.
The hike is about 4.7 miles (7.5 km) out and back, and provides panoramic views of the ocean and Sierra de la Laguna mountains.
7. Whale Watching in Todos Santos (Seasonal)
One of the best reasons to visit Baja and Todos Santos in winter is to see the Mexico whale migration that happens during this time.
It’s most common to see gray whales and humpback whales, but orcas can also occasionally be spotted here from (approx.) late-November to April.
While you can book a whale watching tour to get up close and personal with these majestic creatures, you may also see whales surfacing right from the beach.
During my visit to Todos Santos last January, we were staying at Mas Olas and saw them constantly right from the pool deck and oceanfront restaurant — it was quite the dinner entertainment 🐋
8. Release Baby Turtles on the Beach
If you visit between December and February, you’ll be in Todos Santos for prime turtle release season when you can watch a hatchling go into the Pacific Ocean for the first time.
The main organization in the area that runs Todos Santos baby turtles release activities is Tortugueros Las Playitas A.C.
They organize sea turtle releases almost every day between (approx.) mid-December through February.
9. Sunset Cocktails at the Green Room
While Todos Santos sits along the coast, there’s surprisingly not a ton to do right along the water compared to Cabo San Lucas, unless you’re staying at a Todos Santos beachfront resort.
For this reason, a visit to The Green Room is one of the most beloved activities in the area.
With its prime on-the-beach locale, you can quite literally sip cocktails with your feet in the sand. I recommend you come for sunset drinks 🍹
10. Shop Independent Boutiques
I love shopping in Todos Santos, as there are quite a few independent boutiques with a great curation of brands — so make sure to leave room in your suitcase to bring a few items home.
Some favorite places to shop include: Nomad Chic, Zocalo, and Saguaro.
Here, you can find beautiful authentic textiles, beach hats, straw bags, and a ton of boho style clothing.
If you’re looking for lower-priced souvenir style finds, the Cielito Lindo Market is a fun spot to peruse.
My Final Thoughts on Visiting Todos Santos Mexico
If you’re craving a Mexican vacation that feels more like a well kept secret and less like a town built for tourists, then you’ll adore the vibe in Todos Santos.
Each time that I’ve visited, it feels calming and never overrun with crowds, which makes planning a trip here a laidback, enjoyable experience.
From the beautiful backdrop of the Sierra de la Laguna mountains to the charm of Todos Santos’ historic downtown center, you’ll get a mix of authentic Mexico with tranquil vibes that makes for such a great Mexico getaway.
I hope this Todos Santos travel guide will help you plan an epic trip!