Baja California Sur hides one of the best kept secrets of the Mexican territory, a quiet, colorful Magical Town, located in a strategic area. It´s a great place for tourists who dare to discover it. We are talking about Todos Santos, Mexico.
It´s located 80 kilometers from La Paz, Baja California, one hour and a half away on a little traveled and easily accessible road. And 109 kilometers from Los Cabos International Airport, on a one hour journey to Todos Santos.
It´s a quiet town, with a bohemian atmosphere, located in the middle of the desert, contrasting wonderfully with the crystal waters sea. Here you will find picturesque streets, art galleries, sightseeing tours, beaches with gorgeous landscapes, among many other attractions.
If you are planning your vacation to Todos Santos, here are the five must-see places in your itinerary. Lets Start!.
Discover the beaches of Todos Santos
Todos Santos has beautiful beaches on the open sea, such as San Pedrito, La Cachora or Las Palmas and below we will tell you about all the activities you could choose doing.
Los Cerritos Beach
Los Cerritos Beach is the most popular beach in Todos Santos as it is considered one of the safest in the region for surfing. If you don’t know how to surf, you can take classes and rent the board. The sea has gentle waves, its sand is clean, the environment is very calm, and the sunset view is just amazing.
La Cachora Beach
This is one of the most visited beaches in Todos Santos since you can see whales form very close if you go between the months of December to March. You will also be able to watch sea birds such as seagulls and pelicans. The waves are high, so surfing or swimming is not recommended, but the calm and lonely atmosphere makes La Cachora the ideal spot to rest.
San Pedro
It is located 10 minutes from the town, so you can either walk, ride a bicycle or by ATV. It is one of the most beautiful beaches in Todos Santos. Since not many people visit this beach, it´s a very calm place to enjoy nature due to its natural beauty and the tranquility of its surroundings; it even gives the feeling of being on a virgin beach. Here you can go hiking, watch birds and swim among the spectacular views of the sea and the mountains that surround the beach.
On the beach you can enjoy the landscape of rocky mountains, walk along the seashore, practice yoga and visit a freshwater river where an incredible mirror of water forms on the sand, facing the sea. Finally, from the desert trails of this beach you can watch whales from December to April.
Tortuguero Las Playitas
One of the most spectacular attractions is the olive ridley turtle release, which is one of the five species that inhabit the Pacific Ocean. In “Tortuguero Las Playitas” they are dedicated to protecting, caring and releasing them to avoid hunting. This wonderful experience can be enjoyed from November 15 to January 15.
Punta Lobos
Punta Lobos is one of the most famous beaches in Todos Santos. The views are gorgeous since you will find a cliff that you can climb and enjoy the South Californian sunset. You will also find an iconic rocky promontory and the lighthouse, where you will be able to take beautiful photos.
This beach is the traditional one for fishermen, who commend themselves before a small altar when going out fishing. Here you can buy fresh fish at an excellent price.
Puerto Viejo
Going up from Punta Lobos beach, after a 60 minutes’ walk, you will find one of the beaches in Todos Santos with impressive views of the ruins of what was once the port and the ruins of a sugar mill. This place is ideal for hiking and discovering the flora and fauna of the area.
Misión de Nuestra Señora del Pilar (Our Lady of the Pillar Mission)
As in every town in Mexico, the churches cannot be missed, and the “Todos Santos Misión de Nuestra Señora del Pilar” is one of the most spectacular. Built in 1733, it is an architectural complex composed of an old and a modern church. This place was a refuge for missionaries when they fled from the “Pericues Indians”, and although it is a simple construction, it is one of the most important tourist spots in Todos Santos.
Plaza de armas (Main Square)
The “Plaza de Armas” is a meeting point in Todos Santos, a rectangular esplanade surrounded by palm trees, coconut trees and vegetation that contrasts with the representative buildings of this colonial town. In the center of the square stands a circular kiosk, a fountain and cultural centers such as the Manuel Márquez de León General Theater and Cinema.
Parties and Festivals
Although Todos Santos is small, it hosts festivals of great gastronomic and cultural attraction, such as:
- Mango Festival. It takes place on the last weekend of July, from Friday to Sunday. Here you will find a huge gastronomic sample with the various applications of mango in the kitchen, as well as theater, music and dance shows.
- Wine and Gastronomy Festival. Also called Gastrovino, it is celebrated in May to advertise the best wines of the Baja California peninsula. Here you can taste excellent Baja California wines, with the region wine houses, as well as musical, artistic and cultural samples.
- Film Festival. It takes place in March where, for a week, fiction films, documentaries and short films are presented. Its origins are Latin American, Mexican and from Todos Santos.
- Art Festival. The first half of March there are plastic arts and folkloric exhibitions, cinema, floats, culinary art, musical concerts and other artistic shows.
- Music Festival. It takes place in the month of January, where for a week great rock figures meet to raise funds for the town´s social works.
- Traditional festivals. On October 12, “Nuestra Señora del Pilar” the town´s patron saint feast, is celebrated, where religious acts, concerts, dances and a gastronomic fair with local delicacies are held.
Definitely, Todos Santos is a place you can´t miss. Plan your vacation in the best Hotel in Todos Santos and come and enjoy all the secrets that Baja California Sur has for you. At Guaycura Hotel Boutique Todos Santos we will gladly assist you. You should also know that Guaycura is one of the most beautiful Todos Santos wedding venues, if that’s the kind of experience you’re looking for.
