Best things to do in Todos Santos

A small coastal town in Baja California Sur, Todos Santos is considered one of the more ‘undiscovered’ gems of Mexico. Todos Santos has certainly become more popular over the past few years, but still it has managed to keep its authenticity and tranquility. This is partially due to its Pueblo Magico categorization, which protects historical towns in Mexico from being over-developed. The town has an artsy-boho flair and attracts visitors who seek local authenticity instead of big resort towns. Travelers that visit Todos Santos enjoy the laid-back vibe and serenity. Despite its small size, there are lots of things to do in Todos Santos. Here is our list of the top things to do in Todos Santos:

1. Visit the historic center

The tiny historical center is home to colonial architecture, colorful buildings and a local market with numerous vendors. Moreover, the town is home to several craft shops, art galleries, chic boutiques and coffeeshops. To find the iconic street with colorful prayer flags, type “Caffe Todos Santos” into your GPS. If you are looking for a traditional Mexican market experience, we recommend checking out the open-air market right next to Hotel California. This market consists of vendors selling Mexican blankets, clothing, purses, jewelry, and more.

2. Hang at the beach

There are many pristine beaches in and around Todos Santos, and most of them are very secluded. So, if you are spending time in Todos Santos, grab the opportunity to enjoy a private, beach with family and friends. We listed the best beaches in the area in our other blog ‘Best beaches in Todos Santos’. Some beaches are ideal for pristine seclusion, while others are better for vibrancy, beach restaurants and activities. It is one of the great things of the area that everyday you can find a different beach that fits your desire at that moment.

3. Watch the magical Baja sunsets

Baja California is known for its amazing sunsets, and almost every night the sky lights up in an amazing color pallet. Even on cloudy days you will be surprised with a colorful sky, maybe even more impressive than with clear skies. In the summer sunset starts around 7:30 pm and it lasts for more or less 2 hours. Remember that in wintertime (from December onwards) the sunset starts around 5:30 pm. Watching the sunset in Todos Santos is an everyday worthy activity, so make sure not to miss it!

4. Go to a roof top bar

Todos Santos has a unique environment due to its impressive scenery. It surrounded by dessert, ocean, patches of palm trees and it lies at the foot of a mountain range. With such surroundings it’s the perfect place to have a drink on a rooftop bar and enjoy the views. One of the best spots to do this in Todos Santos is on the rooftop of the Guaycura Hotel. The view is amazing!

5. Try out the restaurants in the area.

Todos Santos is a foodie’s dream, there are many wonderful restaurants in the area with inventive dishes, outstanding cocktails, and great ambiance. You can find a variety of organic farm-to-table restaurants, fish restaurants serving fresh fish from the Pacific Ocean, and traditional Mexican cuisine to satisfy your taco- and ceviche cravings. In our blog “Best restaurants in Todos Santos” we listed our favorite restaurants, so check that out to help with your selection.

6. Do a turtle release

If you are in Todos Santos between December and March, don’t miss out on the opportunity of participating in a turtle release. With the organization Tortugueros Las Playitas you can participate in a turtle release almost every day. The organization offers visitors to participate free of charge, you just need to sign up for the program ‘biologist of the day’. The organization operates solely on donations, so please don’t forget to donate if you can.

7. Take a yoga class

Todos Santos is a popular place among yogis. Many people come here to attend yoga retreats. If you don’t get the chance to participate with a retreat you can also take a single yoga class. Cuatro Vientos is a yoga center that offers public yoga classes daily. Make sure to check their schedule to see at what time the classes start. For an incredible yoga retreat in the area, check out Villa Topia which also allows you to book individual stays when there are no active yoga retreats ongoing. For information on their individual stays, reach out to us!

8. Hike up to Punta Lobos

Do you feel like hiking? Punta Lobos is a great 4-mile round trip and is doable for all level hikers. Once you get to the top, you’re rewarded with amazing views of the Pacific Ocean. The picture of this blog is Punta Lobos, so that will give you an idea of what to expect. You can either walk your way down to the beach in the cove, or just enjoy the view from above. You might even spot whales if you’re there in the winter.

9. Go Surfing

For surfing, there is year-round swell at Cerritos beach. Cerritos beach is a beginner friendly wave, but if you have never surfed before beware of the strong currents and riptides. We recommend booking a surf lesson to familiarize yourself with the waves and the break. There are many great surf schools on the beach who you can book a surf lesson with on the spot. In case you already know how to surf by yourself, you can also simply rent a board at one of the surf schools.

10. Day trip to Balandra beach

Playa Balandra is one of the most beautiful beaches in Baja Sur and it is only a 1.5-hour drive from Todos Santos. The water at Playa Balandra has the most stunning tones of blue, and since it is situated on the Sea of Cortez there are no waves. Thus, this is the perfect place for swimming, snorkeling, stand-up paddle boarding, kayaking and more. Playa Balandra does get crowded on Sundays, because that is the only day off for the local Mexicans. For this reason we recommend going there during the week to avoid the crowds.

11. Visit a farmers’ market.

There are several farmers markets in the area. On Wednesdays you can find a local farmers market at Cerritos beach (from 9am – 3 pm), and on Sundays at Baja Beans in Pescadero (from 9am – 1pm). Both markets consist of local produce, artisan products, clothing, and more.

We hope this blog gives you more clarity on several of the awesome things to do in Todos Santos. If you have any questions about this article or vacation rentals in Todos Santos, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us!