Todos Santos is the ultimate bohemian surf town on Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula. We’ve visited a few times now and it’s easy to see why Todos Santos is quickly heading to the top of people’s Mexico bucket list. Make sure to give yourself enough time to experience the magical energy of this region. And check out our list below of the Top Things to Do in Todos Santos.
If you want more information on the wider area, check out Best Places to Visit in Baja California Blog here.
Wander the streets of Todos Santos town
Todos Santos has such a chill artistic vibe. The town itself has stunning colonial architecture, with plenty of galleries, boutique shops and market stalls to explore. You can easily spend a day wandering the streets of this eclectic town. Do some shopping and take plenty of photos before stopping for an ice cream at the famous Nevería Rocco ice cream shop.
Explore the cactus landscapes
The Todos Santos region is a cactus-filled desert landscape set against the Sierra de la Laguna mountains. The endless cactus views and desert pastels is part of the charm of the place and was one of the attractions to visit Todos Santos.
Taking a hike is one great way to enjoy the landscapes. We took one of the trailheads from the San Christobal Hotel. This takes you up a small mountain for views overlooking the desert and ocean. The contrast of the deep blue ocean with the dry desert is beautiful. Otherwise, you can stop off at several of the dirt roads between Todos Santos and Cerritos Beach to be surrounded by cactus on white sandy roads. We recommend doing any exploring of this kind in the early morning when the lighting is soft and temperatures are cooler.
Luxury Hotel Stay at Paradero
There are just a few luxury hotels in Todos Santos and we chose Paradero Hotel as our splurge stay. Set between farmland and cactus fields, Paradero is an eco-friendly luxury retreat aimed at experiencing this region with all of your senses. Most notably, this hotel boasts stunning raw concrete architecture, with simple yet truly aesthetic elements that pull your attention to the natural elements.
Enjoy a spicy mezcalita by the pool, sign up for yoga or surf trips, and enjoy sunset over the mountains by your private rooftop hammock. This is well worth a stay while in Todos Santos, or even stop by for a dinner.
Taco Tour
Booking a Taco Tour might just be the biggest vibe when visiting Todos Santos. Of course you can skip breakfast and head into town on your own with an empty stomach. However we booked a private tour with Paradero Hotel to make sure we were sampling the best tacos in town.
We stopped at institution taco spots for the perfect fish taco, dined from roadside taco stands, and even finished with a chocolate dessert taco back at the hotel. Speaking with our local guide we gained a new appreciation for different taco recipes and the cultural importance of many Mexican dishes.
Eat Local Food
Todos Santos is an epicentre for street tacos, trendy cafes and fine dining. Also the Margaritas did not disappoint.
Some of our favourite spots to eat in Todos Santos were Fish Taco Santo Chilote, Jazamango Cafe, La Esquina, La Taqueria and 5 Tacos & A Beer.
Go Surfing
There is a strong surfing scene in Todos Santos. You’ll witness this in the laidback vibes of the travellers and expats, and in the souvenirs shops in town. This surfing vibe is thanks to an abundance of surf breaks along the coastline in this region. There’s a few quality surf spots for the more advanced, as well as a few more chill spots like Cerritos Beach. So rent a board and get out there for a day in the ocean. The views back to shore are epic and you might even see whales depending on the time of year!
Stay at Cerritos Beach
Cerritos Beach is just out of the main town of Todos Santos. It’s a small enclave of surfers and relaxed holiday makers. Dusty roads, surf lodges and boutique hotels punctuate the otherwise empty hillside that leads to the beach. There’s great surfing here and epic sunsets from the beach too. Make sure to visit even if you don’t stay.
We spent a few nights here to soak up the hippie vibe and connect with the ocean and landscape. We stayed at So Far So Good boutique hotel. This was in a great spot and had a great vibe and very cute resident doggos. It’s also located very close to some of the best tacos we had in Mexico – Barracuda restaurant. The battered shrimp tacos and quesadilla are phenomenal!
Visit San Christobal for Sunset
If you are looking for a sunset spot, make sure you book in for late lunch, drinks or dinner at San Christobal Hotel. The hotel has amazing style and is a photographers dream. Set right on the ocean this hotel is the best spot for sundowners. Watch the waves roll in and fishing boats beaching up on the sand after the day at sea.
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