In between the Gulf of California and the Pacific Ocean, Cabo’s twin resort towns of Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo are near-synonymous with Mexico’s Baja California Sur. The beach-and-club scenes are fun, but this lower portion of earth’s second-longest peninsula is home to some great natural marvels. Things to do in Baja California Sur range from the biodiverse Sea of Cortez and Isla Espiritu Santo (hello, snorkeling and diving) to gray whale sanctuaries and pre-Hispanic cave drawings in the UNESCO-recognized El Vizcaíno Biosphere Reserve. In consistently good weather, travelers hop beaches from Cabo to the low-key capital of La Paz and surfer- and artist-heavy Todos Santos.
Baja has two seasons: a long, hot summer and a mild winter from November to May. It’s a year-round destination with sunny days, clear skies, and eternal beach weather. The dry, cool winters are a great time to visit if you want to avoid the tourist crush and the long, hot summer. Whale watching happens year-round, but whale migration season peaks in winter from January through March.
Public transportation is limited. Aguila buses serve much of Baja from Calle Miguel Hidalgo in Cabo San Lucas but can be slow and unreliable. Taxis, rental cars, and hired shuttles make more sense for getting around. However, drivers often hound airport arrivals with ride offers for inflated prices. Before shelling out the cash for a taxi from the airport, check to see if the local shuttle bus service will work or if your hotel offers rides from the airport.
Though it’s on the travel map and increasingly developed, Todos Santos on the Pacific Coast is still Baja Sur’s loveliest low-key beach town. Travelers interested in good surf spots and beach-bohemian vibes should visit for a day or two—enough time to stroll the charming cobblestone streets, visit the galleries and shops in the center of town, and catch wild surf breaks at Cerritos or San Pedrito beaches.
