This Charming Small Town in Mexico is Baja’s Best-Kept Secret. Here’s How to Visit.
Use this travel guide to plan the perfect long weekend in Todos Santos, Mexico.
While Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo—collectively known as “Cabo”—might get most of the attention from travelers heading to Baja California Sur in Mexico, there’s so much more to explore beyond the resort corridor. One of my favorite places in Baja, which I keep returning to year after year, is the tiny town of Todos Santos which is about a 1.5 hour drive northwest of Cabo towns and airport.
A historic mission town, founded in 1724, it’s also a Pueblo Magico, a designation given to particularly charming small towns and villages throughout the country. A short drive south of Todos Santos is the area of Pescadero, an up-and-coming area known for its desert retreats and surf spots. Since it’s a short drive between the two, they’re easy to visit together and most travelers coming to Todos Santos will visit both.
After visiting Todos Santos many times over the years, here are my best recommendations of things to do in Todos Santos and Pescadero in Baja California, Mexico.
Short on time? Here’s a quick overview
Hotels
Perro Surfero - $ - a welcoming, digital nomad hub in the town of Todos Santos.
Tribu Todos Santos / Tribu Pescadero $$ - a boho retreat with two, beachy locations in the area.
Hotel El Perdido $$$$ - a small, boutique luxury hotel in Pescadero.
A perfect day
Morning: Grab coffee and breakfast at DoceCuarenta, before a hike to Point Lobos or surfing in Los Cerritos.
Afternoon: Eat lunch at San Cristobal or El Compa Chava, then explore the shops and galleries in town.
Evening: Release baby turtles into the ocean at sunset at Tortugueros Las Playitas A.C. before drinks at beach bar The Green Room and dinner at trendy seafood restaurant, Oystera.
Getting there
Fly to Los Cabos International Airport (SJD)
Rent a car from Cactus Car Rentals
>> 🗺️ Get organized: Save all of my recommendations directly in your Google Maps app for easy on-the-go access.
Getting there
You’ll get the most out of the area if you rent a car, and hands down the best car rental agency to use in BCS is Cactus Car Rental. Their staff is super friendly, cars are well maintained, and there’s never any hidden fees. It’s a 1.5 hour drive from the airport to Todos Santos on a toll road. Have ~$6 USD or 98 pesos in cash on hand to pay it (USD and pesos accepted).
Need to know…
Is Todos Santos safe? Yes, this small town is very safe.
Best time to go to Todos Santos? High season is from December - April.
How many days is enough? If you’re just going to Todos Santos, plan to spend at least 3 nights + days there. It’s a short flight and short drive, but you likely won’t arrive until dinner if coming directly from the U.S., so 2 nights is a little tight. If you’re staying longer (4-6 days) tack on a visit to La Paz or Magdalena Bay, either as a day trip or overnight.
What to pack? See my full Mexico beach packing list.
Best hotels in Todos Santos
Tribu
El Perdido
Some of my favorite hotels I’ve stayed at in Todos Santos over the years include:
Perro Surfero - $ - Affordable hotel (private rooms) with a shared communal space, pool, and kitchen. Caters to digital nomads. Cheap and cheerful and run by a very hospitable Spaniard.
Tribu Todos Santos / Tribu Pescadero - $$ - The adobe teepees are very unique, and also comfortable. This boutique hotel also occasionally runs yoga retreats, so expect a laidback, boho vibe.
San Cristobal - $$$ - Trendy, colorful, and right on the beach, San Cristobal is a fun and lively party scene for those who prefer a more resort-style accommodation.
Hotel El Perdido - $$$$ - This tiny, luxury hotel in the Pescadero desert is intimate, romantic, and beautifully designed. Although most will recommend the brand new Paradero for a splurge stay, I preferred the more down-to-earth yet still luxurious vibes here.
Where to eat and drink in Todos Santos
Oystera
Green Room
The Green Room
We loved the beachside bar, The Green Room, so much, we ended up there 3 times on a recent week-long stay. The sunsets at this beachside bar are incredible, and the mezcalitas and fish tostadas aren’t bad either. They also have a full dinner menu, but I preferred to just grab a drink and snack at the bar. Reservations are good to have (especially for large groups) but we generally didn’t have a problem dropping in.
Oystera
As one of the newest restaurants in town, Oystera has a lot of hype and is very fashionable. The cocktails are delicious and the vibe is hard to beat, but we had a somewhat mixed experience with the food on our two visits here (we may have simply ordered the wrong thing the first time around). I’d definitely go back for chocolate clams (a type of clam the region is known for) and cocktails in the beautiful space.
El Compa Chava
El Compa Chava is a ceviche spot came recommended by one of our local Airbnb hosts in Pescadero, and is our go-to for a cheap and cheerful lunch when we’re in Todos Santos. They make delicious ceviches (fish, shrimp, octopus, or mixed) and tostadas. Cash only.
El Coyote
El Coyote is a chic, outdoor restaurant (part of the hotel, El Perdido) is hidden among the desert roads in Pescadero, and one of our favorites for a nice meal out. Come here for fresh salads made with ingredients from their nearby garden and fire-roasted steaks or fresh fish. They also make a mean carajillo cocktail. Reservations recommended, especially if you plan to eat on the later side (we once tried to eat here but they had closed early because they thought no one else was coming).
Barracuda Cantina
Barracuda Cantina is a Pescadero staple for tacos, ceviche and beers. They now have two locations, one directly on the beach and the original just a short walk away. They have slightly different menus but either is a great choices for a casual lunch or early dinner.
Agricole
The high-end grocery store, Agricole, is best known for its strawberries and cream but is also an excellent place to stock up on snacks and groceries. We loved their fresh chips, salsas, tortillas, eggs, and juices / agua frescas. If food is your favorite souvenir, plan to stock up on some of their condiments, like chapuline (grasshopper) salt or spicy jamaica salsa.
Coffee spots
I tried a few coffee spots around town and favorites included:
Doce Cuarenta: Is a Mexican coffee chain with great coffee. This outpost also has a tasty selection of pastries and sandwiches. Good wifi if you’re looking for a place to work and grab coffee. Close to the town of Todos Santos.
Taller 17: Cute, small shop right in Todos Santos. Good for a quick to-go coffee.
Cabañas Las Tunas: We went to this beautiful coffee shop and breakfast spot almost every morning while staying at a nearby Airbnb in Las Tunas. Great coffee, smoothies, and pastries in a beautiful open-air space.
Other restaurants on my list
Jazamango: You’ll see this one on a lot of lists. It’s a beautiful, farm-to-table spot with mostly good food. We’ve had a couple of misses (including a pizza that inexplicably tasted like soap?) but keep going back anyways.
Violeta: This is a new-ish wine bar I didn’t have a chance to try, but looks very promising.
Tiki Santos Bar: Came recommended by a few people but haven’t tried it. Known for their drinks and ceviche.
5 Tacos and a Beer: Solid taco spot in the Las Tunas neighborhood.
Freesouls Cerritos: Rooftop bar in Pescadero with a pool. Only had drinks here but food looks good too.
Salvia Juice Bar: Fresh juices and smoothies right next to Todos Santos surf shop.
Teatro 6: Cute little bar with cocktails in downtown Todos Santos. Open until 1am, good for after dinner drinks.
🗺️ Get the full list: Access all of these recommendations on-the-go from your Google Maps app. Simply download this curated Google Map List for Todos Santos, complete with tips and notes to guide you as you go.
Best things to do in and around Todos Santos
While the best thing to do in Todos Santos is simply relax and enjoy the coast—be it on a surfboard or while helping baby turtles into the ocean—there is something for everyone in this chill Baja beach town.
1. Explore the shops and galleries in Todos Santos
From the artisan market to the cute, boho shops that dot the town, it’s worth spending an afternoon wandering around the town of Todos Santos. Some of our favorite shops include:
Todos Santos Surf Shop (there’s a juice and smoothie bar next door)
2. Hike or bike to Los Lobos and Playa Las Palmas
Punta Lobos is one of the most popular hikes in the area. It starts off just across the street from Hotel San Cristobal, winding through some abandoned structures, then up to the peak the hike gets its name from, Punta Lobos. There are beautiful vistas of the desert and ocean from this point. From there you can either turn around or hike down into a beautiful, protected cove and spend some time on the beach before returning. For an even longer hike, skip the cove and instead continue to the other side of the ridge to a swimmable beach called Playa Las Palmas, which gets its name from the forest of palm trees on the beach’s edge. Warning, the wild horses on Playa Las Palmas are a bit aggressive and will steal any food you have. I once had an unopened bag of chips swiped by them from inside my tote bag.
Another alternative: rent a bike from Over the Edge Bike Shop in town and mountain bike your way around the trails.
3. Learn about mezcal with a tasting at El Refugio
If you like mezcal, or want to learn more about it, don’t miss a tasting at El Refugio in Todos Santos. During the 2-hour long tasting, we were able to sample 6 different mezcals from throughout Mexico, including some truly unique variations (like one that incorporated the smoke from smoked meat in its creation). “It really changed my perspective on what mezcal can taste like,” Jon told me after. If given the option, stay for dinner after the tasting. The restaurant cooks a small, rotating menu of delicious, homey dishes each night (including at least one vegetarian option).
4. Learn how to surf at Cerritos Beach
Cerritos Beach is about a 15-minute drive south of Todos Santos and thanks to its (relatively) calm waters, a popular spot for beginner surfers. For classes and rentals, grab a board and a lesson with Mario Surf School or High Tide Sea Expeditions (who also does Kayak and SUP rentals/tours). After, get lunch at locally famous taco spot, Barracuda Cantina, which now has two locations—one on the beach and one a couple blocks away (the original location). The menus are slightly different, but you can’t go wrong with either.
5. Grab a sunset drink on the beach
Since Todos Santos and Pescadero are on the west coast of Baja California, it’s sunset territory here. One of the best ways to enjoy one is with a drink on the beach. Two excellent beach bar options are The Green Room, an laidback, hidden bar and restaurant north of the town of Todos Santos (don’t skip their fish tostadas) and Amaya, an open air bar on the sand at the end of a dirt road in Pescadero (also has food). Both bars are pinned on our Todos Santos map.
6. Release baby turtles into the sea (winters only)
From early December to late March, every day at sunrise and sunset, volunteers at Tortugueros Las Playitas A.C. will release baby turtles from their nests into the sea. Visitors are welcome to come by and watch and learn about this local sea creature. It’s an especially great activity to do if you have kids with you.
7. Take a day trip to go whale watching
If you’re visiting from November to March, you can catch sight of the migrating whales just off shore. We were able to see them just while sitting on the beach (Jon even heard them while swimming in the ocean, which was pretty incredible), but if you want to get up close, join a whale watching tour on a boat. Most tours operate out of Magdalena Bay (3 hours north), so it’s a bit of a commitment and best done as an overnight, but very worth it. If you’re staying at a hotel (not an Airbnb), you can also ask them about any local tour operators they have connections with.
8. Day trip to La Paz and Isla Espiratu Santo
Alternatively, take a day trip to La Paz (1 hour away) for a tour of the Isla Espiratu Santo. These tours run year-round and are a magical chance to swim with sea lions, turtles, and whale sharks in a UNESCO World Heritage Biodiversity hotspot.
9. For “nightlife” head to Esquina or Shaka’s
Nights end on the early side in this town, but if you’re looking for something to do after dinner, I’d recommend catching the live music nights at the popular outdoor cafe, Esquina, which hosts a variety of regular, community events. On the Pescadero side of town, Shaka’s, a bar owned by an American expat, is the best spot for a late-ish night (open until 11pm). Like Esquina, it also has live music most nights, as well as sports viewings. On cooler evenings, the fire pits are a nice touch.
