Todos Santos is a colonial pueblo mágico on the Pacific side of the Baja California Sur peninsula, 80 km north of Cabo San Lucas. The town became a bohemian art enclave in the 1980s and 1990s as American and Mexican artists settled in its restored colonial buildings, turning former sugar cane haciendas into galleries, restaurants, and boutique hotels. The Pacific coast here is dramatically different from Los Cabos — bigger waves, darker sand, strong offshore winds, and a different marine wildlife pattern with humpback whales, grey whales, and sea turtles all using the coastline.
For the full guide, see our Todos Santos travel guide.
Top Todos Santos Tours at a Glance
| Tour | Duration | Price (approx.) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whale Watching — Pacific (Dec–Apr) | 3–4 hrs | from $75 USD | Wildlife seekers |
| Surf Lesson at Cerritos Beach | 2 hrs | from $40 USD | Beginners, surfers |
| Art Gallery Walk & Studio Visit Tour | 2.5 hrs | from $30 USD | Art lovers, culture |
| Organic Farm & Food Tour | 3 hrs | from $45 USD | Food, sustainability |
| ATV Desert & Pacific Dunes Tour | 3 hrs | from $60 USD | Adventure, families |
| Sea Turtle Release (seasonal) | 1.5 hrs | from $25 USD | Wildlife, families |
| Todos Santos to La Paz Day Trip | 8 hrs | from $85 USD | Multi-city exploration |
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For Wildlife Encounters
Grey Whale Watching (January–April)
Grey whales (Eschrichtius robustus) migrate from Alaska to the lagoons of Baja California Sur to calve between December and April — the Laguna San Ignacio and Ojo de Liebre lagoons to the north are the primary calving sites. However, grey whales are also sighted along the Pacific coast near Todos Santos during their migration.
From Todos Santos, offshore whale watching tours target both grey whales and humpback whales in the same trip. Humpbacks use Banderas Bay (to the north near Puerto Vallarta) as well as the open Pacific. Combined tours from Todos Santos cost approximately $70–90 USD per person as of 2025 for 3–4 hours offshore.
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Sea Turtle Nesting & Release (June–November)
Todos Santos sits within the nesting range of the olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea) and leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea) sea turtles. The Campamento Tortuguero Todos Santos, a local conservation station near the southern edge of town, collects and incubates eggs from the beach during nesting season and releases hatchlings after the 50–60 day incubation period.
Guided visits to the campamento for a turtle release cost approximately $20–30 USD per person as of 2025. These are conducted with minimal lighting to avoid disorientating hatchlings — participants should bring their own torchlight (red filter recommended to preserve night vision). This is a community-run conservation operation, not a commercial attraction; donations are welcomed.
For Surf and Beach
Surf Lessons at Cerritos Beach
Cerritos, 12 km south of Todos Santos, is the primary learner surf beach on the Pacific side of Baja Sur — a wide, gently shelving beach break with enough consistency for beginners and enough variety for experienced surfers at different breaks along the bay.
Surf schools at Cerritos offer 2-hour group lessons from approximately $35–50 USD per person as of 2025. Private lessons (1:1 or 1:2) cost $60–90 USD. Several operators also rent boards and bodyboards independently. Mario Surf School and Cerritos Surf Colony are long-established operators on the beach.
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The Pescadero and Gasparino Surf Points
More experienced surfers will find better waves north of Cerritos at Pescadero and Gasparino — consistent beach and point breaks that can produce powerful Pacific surf in October through January. Local surf guides who can read conditions and take experienced surfers to the best spots on a given day charge approximately $40–60 USD per half-day as of 2025.
For Culture and Art
Art Gallery Walk & Studio Visit
Todos Santos has been named a Pueblo Mágico specifically for its concentration of arts — galleries selling Mexican folk art, contemporary painting, photography, and silver jewellery are found on nearly every block of the small historic centre. The town’s gallery walk covers the Galería de Todos Santos, the Charles Stewart Gallery, and several studio-galleries where artists work on-site.
Self-guided gallery walks are free. Organised tours that include an artist studio visit and background on the arts movement here cost approximately $25–35 USD per person as of 2025 for 2–2.5 hours. The Hotel California (the real one — nothing to do with the Eagles song) is a frequent feature on these tours as a historic landmark.
The Teatro Márquez de León
The town’s 19th-century theatre hosts concerts, film screenings, and cultural events year-round. The Todos Santos Eco Adventures office near the plaza maintains an updated events calendar. Entry to most events is $10–20 USD.
For Food and Sustainability
Organic Farm & Food Tour
The fertile valley immediately east of Todos Santos has been farmed since the mission period, and a number of organic producers have established operations growing mangoes, avocados, papayas, herbs, and vegetables for the local restaurant scene. Farm tours include a walking visit to fields, a cooking demonstration using local produce, and a meal.
Operators including Todos Santos Eco Adventures offer farm-to-table experiences at approximately $40–60 USD per person as of 2025. Several of the town’s best restaurants — Hierbabuena, Jazamango, and Tre Galline — source from these same producers.
For Adventure Activities
ATV Desert and Pacific Dunes
The Baja desert-Pacific interface near Todos Santos produces dramatic dune terrain accessible by ATV. Tours run north from the town toward Punta Lobos and the desert arroyos, then back along the beach at low tide. Half-day ATV tours cost approximately $55–80 USD per person as of 2025, including guide and safety equipment.
Practical Tips for Booking Todos Santos Tours
Getting there: Todos Santos is 80 km north of Cabo San Lucas (approximately 1 hour) and 100 km south of La Paz (approximately 1.5 hours). Taxis from Los Cabos airport cost approximately $50–80 USD. There is no regular public bus service — a rental car gives the most flexibility.
Art season: The Todos Santos Music Festival and main gallery season runs January through March, when most permanent residents are present and studios are open. June through September is quieter with some galleries closed.
Surf hazards: The Pacific coast here has powerful shore break and no lifeguards. Cerritos is the safest beach for swimming; the other Pacific beaches have strong shore break and rip currents. Check conditions before entering the water at unfamiliar spots.
Whale season timing: Humpbacks are in the Pacific January through March; grey whales peak in February and March (older on their northward migration, calves more visible then). Early February typically offers the best chance of seeing both species.