Written by Andreas Keller, Marika Maslanka, Miguel Lopez
02/08/2025
FLORENCIA CLAUSELL, Pexels
Todos Santos, a designated "Pueblo Mágico" on Mexico's Baja California Sur peninsula, offers a blend of historic charm, artistic expression, and natural beauty. It is a relaxed coastal town known for its vibrant art scene, farm-to-table dining, and beautiful beaches with excellent surfing conditions.
For socializing, the downtown area of Todos Santos is filled with shops, art galleries, and cafes, perfect for leisurely exploration. Options for drinks and evening socializing include The Green Room for sunset views and mezcalitas, Esquina, Shaka's, Violeta, Tiki Santos Bar, Freesouls Cerritos, and Teatro 6. The Todos Santos Hostel provides a communal atmosphere with shared spaces, a large kitchen, a patio, and a bar, attracting travelers, including digital nomads and backpackers.
Top 7 Things to do in Todos Santos
Visitors to Todos Santos can immerse themselves in art, enjoy surfing on diverse beaches, discover local cuisine, explore historical sites, and experience the natural beauty through wildlife viewing and coastal hikes.
1. Surf at Playa Los Cerritos or Playa San Pedrito
Playa Los Cerritos is well-known for its consistent waves, making it ideal for surfers of all levels, from beginners to advanced. Playa San Pedrito also offers consistent waves and is less crowded, often preferred by more experienced surfers due to its cobblestone break. Both beaches provide a laid-back atmosphere for enjoying the waves or relaxing by the ocean, with surfboard rentals and lessons readily available.
Cost: Surf lessons and board rentals vary; a basic board rental might start around $20-$30 USD per day, while lessons can range from $50-$100 USD or more, depending on duration and group size. Self-serving by renting a board and finding a less crowded spot is an option.
Transport: Playa Los Cerritos is approximately 10-15 minutes south of Todos Santos. A taxi from Todos Santos to Playa Cerritos costs around MXN 750-950 (approximately $40-50 USD) and takes about 17 minutes. Public buses are available from Todos Santos to Pescadero (near Cerritos) for MXN 200-400 (approximately $11-22 USD), taking 20-25 minutes. Renting a car provides the most flexibility for exploring surf spots.
2. Explore Todos Santos Art Galleries
Todos Santos has flourished as an artists' enclave, boasting numerous art galleries throughout its walkable downtown area. Visitors can dedicate an afternoon to leisurely browsing a wide range of artwork, including paintings, sculptures, and various crafts by local and international artists. Notable galleries include Galería de Todos Santos, which has been representing artists since 1994, and AR Galería.
Cost: Browsing galleries is free of charge. The cost of purchasing artwork varies widely.
Transport: The majority of art galleries are concentrated in the historic downtown area of Todos Santos, which is easily explored on foot.
3. Go Whale Watching (Seasonal)
During the migration season, typically from late October to May, Todos Santos offers incredible opportunities to witness Humpback and Gray whales in their natural habitat. Tours often depart from nearby locations like Magdalena Bay or Puerto Chale, allowing visitors to observe these magnificent marine mammals breaching, tail-slapping, and spy-hopping in the Pacific waters.
Cost: Whale watching tours vary in price depending on the duration and group size. A full-day trip with a reputable operator can range from $300 to $600 USD per person for a group of 2-6 guests, plus a 16% IVA tax. Some shorter tours are available, with prices around MXN 6343-7324 (approximately $340-395 USD) per person for a 3-hour excursion. Most tours include roundtrip transportation, a boat, and a bilingual naturalist guide.
Transport: Many whale watching tours include roundtrip private transportation from Todos Santos, as the departure points like Magdalena Bay can be a 2.5-3 hour drive away.
4. Stroll Through Historic Downtown and Visit Nuestra Señora del Pilar Church
Immerse yourself in the rich history of Todos Santos by wandering its charming cobblestone streets, which are lined with beautifully preserved colonial buildings. The town's 18th-century mission church, Nuestra Señora del Pilar, stands as a significant historical landmark and is central to the town's heritage. Todos Santos's designation as a 'Pueblo Mágico' highlights its commitment to preserving its local culture and history.
Cost: Exploring the streets and visiting the church are free. Guided historical tours are available for approximately $75 USD per person for groups of 2-6, plus a 16% IVA tax.
Transport: The historic downtown area of Todos Santos is compact and best explored on foot.
5. Indulge in Farm-to-Table Dining
Todos Santos has gained recognition as a culinary destination, particularly for its vibrant farm-to-table dining scene. Restaurants here prioritize fresh, locally sourced ingredients, often utilizing organic produce from nearby farms and freshly caught seafood from the Pacific Ocean. Jazamango is a highly recommended fine dining establishment known for its innovative dishes and on-site garden.
Cost: Dining costs vary significantly depending on the restaurant and meal. While street food and casual eateries offer affordable options, farm-to-table restaurants typically fall into a mid-to-high price range.
Transport: Many farm-to-table restaurants are located within the town of Todos Santos itself, accessible by walking. Others may be a short drive or taxi ride away in the surrounding areas.
6. Horseback Ride on the Beach
Experience the picturesque Todos Santos coastline from a unique perspective by taking a guided horseback ride along the beach. This activity offers an idyllic way to explore sandy stretches like Playa La Cachora, providing memorable moments, especially during sunset.
Cost: Prices for horseback riding tours vary by operator and duration.
Transport: Transportation to the stables or beach starting point will depend on the tour provider; some may offer pick-up services, or a short taxi ride may be necessary. Playa La Cachora is accessible via a dirt road.
7. Hike Punta Lobos
For those seeking an active outdoor experience with rewarding views, a hike to Punta Lobos is recommended. This trail offers expansive panoramic vistas of the Pacific Ocean, set against the backdrop of the Sierra de la Laguna mountain range and dotted with the area's distinctive cardón cacti. During the whale migration season, it also provides a vantage point for spotting whales offshore.
Cost: Hiking Punta Lobos is free.
Transport: Punta Lobos is located near Hotel San Cristobal. A short drive or taxi ride from the main town center may be needed to reach the trailhead.
At TFA Travel we believe in travel for all. Our mission is to enable people to explore the world as easily as possible without having to pay a travel agent a huge commission.
Our typical audience are those that want to see something new and get involved with authentic experiences of a country. Whether you are a backpacker, solo traveller, solo female traveller, straight or LGBTQ+ couple, family, you will find local and authentic experiences here.
