Todos Santos sits at the junction of two very different Baja landscapes: the Pacific coast to the west (dramatic surf beaches, cold-water upwelling) and the Sea of Cortez to the east (calm warm water, coral reefs, sea lions). Highway 19 - the corridor between Todos Santos, La Paz, and Los Cabos - is one of the most scenically varied drives in Baja California Sur. The day trip options here split between beach and coastal exploration on one axis, and two larger cities (La Paz to the north, Cabo to the south) on the other.
Quick comparison
| Day Trip | Distance | Transport | Entry/Cost | Time Needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Playa Los Cerritos | 10 km south | Car ~15 min | Free (board rental extra) | Half day |
| El Pescadero | 15 km south | Car ~20 min | Free | Half day |
| Cabo San Lucas | 73 km south | Car ~1 hr | ~MXN $400 boat trip | Full day |
| La Paz | 80 km north | Car ~1 hr | Free (city), tours extra | Full day |
| Espíritu Santo island | 100 km north | Car + boat tour | ~MXN $1,400 pp | Full day |
| Sierra de La Laguna | 25 km east | Car + hike | Free/guide extra | Half–full day |
All costs approximate, as of 2026.
Playa Los Cerritos - 10 km south, 15 minutes
The easiest and most popular beach day trip from Todos Santos. Playa Los Cerritos is a crescent-shaped bay with reliable surf on the main peak - a beach break that works on most Pacific swells - and a calmer protected corner at the north end suitable for beginners and swimmers. The beach has a parking area, a restaurant (Mario’s, known for local fish tacos), and surf equipment rental from several small shops (boards approximately MXN $200/hour, wetsuit rental MXN $100).
Surf schools operate here year-round; lessons run approximately MXN $600–800 per person for a 2-hour session. The beach is good for whale watching from the shore in December–March (grey whale migration corridor along the Pacific coast). Sunsets here are among the best in the Todos Santos area - stay through early evening.
El Pescadero and the agricultural valley - 15 km south, 20 minutes
The coastal village of El Pescadero sits in a small agricultural valley where water from the Sierra de La Laguna foothills irrigates vegetable farms, citrus orchards, and small organic operations. The valley has a different visual character from the surrounding desert - surprisingly green, with date palms and corn amid the desert scrub.
A cluster of independent restaurants and cafes has developed around El Pescadero, serving produce from the valley farms. Jazamango and La Esquina are the most-mentioned spots for breakfast and lunch. The beach at El Pescadero - Playa Las Palmas - is remote and beautiful but has strong rip currents; swimming is for experienced swimmers only.
The foothill trails starting from Cañada Honda (25 km from Todos Santos, rough dirt road east from El Pescadero) offer accessible day hikes into the Sierra de La Laguna’s lower slopes through tropical dry forest - mesquite, palo blanco, cacti, and occasional jaguarundi.
Sierra de La Laguna - 25 km east, 30 minutes to trailhead
The Sierra de La Laguna is a designated UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and Mexico’s southernmost island of biodiversity - the peaks receive enough rainfall to support pine-oak forest in an otherwise desert peninsula, creating a biological island of highland species entirely surrounded by the Sonoran desert.
Day hikes from the western approach (trailhead at the ranch village of Todos Santos side) or from the eastern approach near La Ribera access the lower foothills. A popular short hike leads through tropical dry forest to a natural swimming hole (active only after summer rains, July–October). In dry months, the trails are pleasant through cactus and mesquite.
The full mountain crossing (to the lake on the summit plateau) is a 3-day undertaking. A licensed guide is required for any hike above the first 2 hours - contact local outfitters in Todos Santos (approximately MXN $1,000–1,500 per day for guiding) or ask at your accommodation.
Cabo San Lucas - 73 km south, 1 hour
The resort city at the tip of Baja California. The headline attraction is El Arco - the natural rock arch at Land’s End where the Pacific Ocean and Sea of Cortez meet. Glass-bottom boats from the marina (approximately MXN $300–400 per person) circle the arch, pass a sea lion colony on the rocks, and stop at Playa del Amor (Lover’s Beach) for 30–45 minutes of swimming. The Pacific side of Playa del Amor has significant shore break and rip currents - swim on the Sea of Cortez side (calm water).
The marina strip has restaurants and bars. Médano Beach (the main town beach at the base of the marina) is swimmable with calm water. The Mercado Mexicano near the marina has good taco options and craft stalls. The town is heavily developed and crowded in high season (December–March) - go on a weekday morning.
Getting there: car south on Highway 19 (1 hour), or shared taxi from Todos Santos (approximately MXN $200 per seat, negotiated at the main road).
La Paz - 80 km north, 1 hour
The state capital of Baja California Sur and the most underrated city on the peninsula. La Paz has a 5 km malecon (seaside promenade) facing the protected bay, consistently ranked among Mexico’s most pleasant walking streets. The city has good coffee, excellent seafood, and a working-city atmosphere that Cabo and Los Cabos resorts lack.
The main wildlife draws accessible from La Paz:
- Whale shark tours (November–March): La Paz has the most regulated whale shark snorkelling in Mexico - strict boat limits, no touching, guides certified by SEMARNAT. Approximately MXN $1,200–1,600 per person.
- Espíritu Santo island: a day boat trip to the UNESCO World Heritage island with sea lion snorkelling (California sea lion colony beaches where you swim alongside hundreds of animals), bird watching, and reef snorkelling. Approximately MXN $1,000–1,400 per person.
- Balandra beach: a shallow protected cove 15 km north of La Paz, with extraordinary turquoise water and the famous hongo (mushroom-shaped) rock formation. Day use free; accessible by car or taxi.
Getting there: car north on Highway 19, then the La Paz toll road (approximately MXN $60 toll each way, 1 hour total).
Espíritu Santo Island - 100 km north, day tour from La Paz
The peak wildlife experience of the Todos Santos area requires going through La Paz. Espíritu Santo is a large uninhabited island in the Sea of Cortez (designated UNESCO World Heritage and Biosphere Reserve) with a permanent colony of California sea lions at Los Islotes - the northernmost hauling-out site in Mexico.
Tours (typically 8 hours, departing La Paz at 8 am) include sea lion snorkelling, reef snorkelling in the island’s crystal-clear coves, kayaking in the sea caves, and lunch on a beach. The water clarity in the Sea of Cortez is exceptional - 20–30 m visibility in calm conditions. Jacques Cousteau called the Sea of Cortez “the world’s aquarium”; this is the most convincing evidence.
Cost approximately MXN $1,000–1,400 per person from La Paz including boat, equipment, and lunch. Browse Los Cabos and Baja tours to find Espíritu Santo day trips and whale shark packages that can be booked before you arrive. A car from Todos Santos to La Paz (1 hour) then a full-day island tour makes a very full but rewarding day.
Planning tips
Car rental is essentially required to get the most from Todos Santos’s day trips. The town itself has no rental agencies - arrange pickup in La Paz (airport or malecon agencies) or in San José del Cabo on arrival. Booking car hire in advance is strongly advised in high season, when vehicles in the Los Cabos corridor are frequently sold out. Highway 19 between Todos Santos and both La Paz (north) and Cabo San Lucas (south) is paved, well-maintained, and scenically excellent.
High season (December–April) offers the best weather, whale sightings, and sea conditions. July–October brings heat (35°C+), occasional tropical storms, and the greening of the sierra from summer rains - a different but rewarding experience.
Accommodation in Todos Santos fills early in December and January; book 3–4 months ahead for those months.