Not too long ago Todos Santos was a sleepy little town and the only westerners who had the destination in their sights were surfers who knew the beaches here had some of the best waves in the country.

These days, the sleepy little town has slowly been getting more commercialized and is beginning to attract a more bohemian-chic clientele with hotels and businesses popping up to cater to the new tourist types.

While the surfers still flock here, now you’ve got a few five star resorts in town and some pretty epic rental homes on Airbnb to choose from in addition to the basic surf lodging. It’s a place you may want to bring some extra cash to splurge as prices tend to go up when more affluent type of travelers begin to put a destination on their radar.

Because the growth of Todos Santos is fairly new, there isn’t enough accommodation to keep up with demand and rooms and vacation homes on Airbnb book out well in advance. Therefore, whether you plan on staying only for a few nights in Todos or want to stay for the entire length of your vacation, it is best you make reservations early to minimize the risk of disappointment when you find out all lodging is booked.

If you do miss out on finding a place to stay, it’s not too big of a deal however as the town of Todos Santos is easy enough to visit on a day trip from Cabo San Lucas. You can either rent a car in Cabo or there is public transport options that can bring you here.

Todos Santos is a village located on the Pacific side of Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula, an hour away from Cabo San Lucas. The village is considered a “Pueblo Magico’’ (a magic town) filled with wonderful colonial buildings, Mexican art and crafts, and delicious regional food mostly sourced from local produce.

Whether you’re into art, history, culture, or the outdoors, there is plenty for you to do in Todos Santos!

Best Things To Do In Todos Santos

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Hang Out On The Beach

I think it’s pretty safe to say that the beach is the main drawcard for visitors to Todos Santos. The beaches in and near Todos Santos would probably have to be some of the best and most beautiful on the Baja peninsula (although the beaches in La Paz do rival the Pacific coast).

The favorite beach among visitors to Todos Santos is Los Cerritos beach. This beach is one of only a few with a lifeguard on duty and even an ambulance standing by for any unforeseen events. There are many good restaurants located nearby and hotels too if you wanted to stay close to this beach.

One of the reasons Cerritos beach is a favorite with families is that the surf isn’t quite as big and rough as some of the other beaches in the area, although the surf can still get big here depending on conditions. Cerritos is located fifteen minutes drive away from Todos Santos so you will need a vehicle to visit.

Another good beach for swimming is Punta Lobos beach. This beach is protected by a headland so the surf does not get as large or rough like elsewhere along the coast in this area.

Please know that the beaches around Todos Santos are known for big surf and dangerous currents so if you are not a strong swimmer, only swim at beaches where you see others swimming.

Learn To Surf

Surfing is one of the most popular activities in Todos Santos and surfers come from all over the world to surf the waves of El Pescadero and Cerritos Beach.

If you haven’t tried your hand at this watersport before now is your chance! The best spot to learn how to surf in Todos Santos would have to be Cerritos. You can find surfboard rentals along Playa Los Cerritos and even book a lesson here. Surfboard rentals run at $25 an hour.

Another option is to book your surf lesson in advance for the whole day where you can receive plenty of individual attention that will help you pick up techniques a lot quicker and have you progressing much faster.

Go Horse Riding

For a unique and memorable experience in Todos Santos, organize to go horse back riding along the beach. This is a great way to see the beautiful Baja coastline, local plant life, and you may even spot a whale or two in the ocean.

The guided horse trips are run every day of the week and it is possible to ask for a sunset ride if you’re looking for a more romantic excursion. The horses are extremely calm and first-time riders will feel comfortable during the trip which are led by knowledgeable guides.

Organize your horse riding trip here

Take A Hike

Todos Santos offers quite a few coastal hikes that lead to spectacular ocean views where you have a good chance of spotting whales during their migration. The one hike that is a must if you are short on time is the Todos Santos Sugar Port Trail.

This trail is a 4.3 mile out and back hike that begins near Hotel San Christobal. The trail is well maintained and leads to incredible ocean views. The trail is suitable for all levels of hikers but just be careful at the top and near the edge because some areas of the cliff aren’t stable. Once you reach the top, you can choose to descend into the bay on the other side and enjoy the turquoise waters that shimmer below.

Enjoy A Drink At Hacienda Cerritos

Hacienda Cerritos is a sprawling Spanish estate that sits atop a rocky bluff on the north end of Cerritos beach. This stunning property has beautiful arched ceilings, giant chandeliers, and a gorgeous infinity pool that overlooks the Pacific ocean.

There is a swim up bar that guests can enjoy during the heat of the day but the best time to visit is during sunset. Not only is it a great spot to grab yourself a sunset drink, but it’s also the perfect location to whale watch during whale migration season. Be sure to get here early to grab a good table on the terrace if you’re planning on taking in a sunset.

Visit Hotel California

Many a tourist flock to the Hotel California in the belief that the famous Eagles song, ‘Hotel California’ was inspired by this hotel, but alas this is not true. There is absolutely no connection between this establishment and the band, however, this should not deter you from stopping by.

The Hotel California has actually had quite an interesting and colorful history beginning with its founder Mr Wong who was a Chinese immigrant. He founded the hotel in 1947 and after years of construction the venue opened in February of 1950. Wanting the locals to believe he was Mexican, Mr. Wong changed his name to Don Antonio Tabasco which didn’t work as well as he had planned since he soon became known as “El Chino,” meaning “The Chinese Man” Nevertheless, his hotel became a jewel in the desert, being the only place to serve cold beer and ice cream in town.

These days, the hotel is most known for its colorful colonial architecture and the quintessential place in Todos Santos. There is a nice restaurant inside offering decent food and strong drinks. While the place is admittedly quite touristy, it is still a fun little stop.

Wander Downtown Todos Santos

Todos Santos is an artists town where you will find a concentration of art galleries, artisan shops, and a handful of restaurants. In fact, the whole town seems to be like a work of art from the colorful colonial buildings to the amazing murals and sculptures found throughout the downtown area.

The town of Todos Santos is fairly small therefore it won’t take you too long to see most of it, however do allow time for shopping and trying the food from local vendors. The shopping here is actually pretty cool with lots of bohemian style clothing and there is amazing food at incredible prices!

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Where To Stay In Todos Santos

If you prefer to stay in hotel style accommodations over an Airbnb, we suggest that you book your room well in advance. While there are quite a few hotels in town, it is not enough to keep up with the growing demand of visitors choosing to spend their time in Todos Santos over other destinations in Baja.

Hotel San Cristobal

Hotel San Christobal is the trendiest and most popular hotel in Todos Santos, and rightly so. This stunning hotel sits right on the beach and is perfectly framed by the Sierra de la Laguna mountains and Pacific Ocean.

The hotel offers 32 rooms and suites that are situated around a central pool and lounge area where guests can relax and take in beautiful sunsets. Other amenities include an onsite restaurant, bar, and small retail shop.

Check rates at Hotel San Christobal

Hacienda Todos Los Santos

The Hacienda Los Santos offers spacious apartment style rooms that come with a full kitchen, living room area, and balcony. This hotel is set among a lush park like setting and is the perfect place to stay if you’re looking for a romantic or relaxing getaway.

The hotel is only a couple of blocks away from the center of town which means you can walk instead of organizing transport. The ocean is close by and in fact you can hear the sounds of the crashing ocean while you sleep here.

Check rates at Hacienda Todos Los Santos

Hotel Casa Tota

Hotel Casa Tota’s selling point is its great location in the historic downtown area Todos Santos. Starting from your hotel, you can easily wander the streets of Todos and take in some of that laid back vibe.

This hotels offers 15 boutique rooms that are designed with a minimal theme and cool colors that makes for a relaxing stay. There is a restaurant onsite (La Santena) and cantina that is popular for handcrafted specialty cocktails.

Check rates at Hotel Casa Tota

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