Get outside in Baja — Casa Suerte

One of the great things about Baja is that you will spend a lot of time outdoors. The climate is temperate and predictable… and unless you’re in late summer hurricane season, chances are you can get outside at some point almost every single day. When you get active, there are many outdoor adventures to choose from. I’ll just cover a few of them here.

Beach Time

The beaches around Todos are incredible and likely where you’ll spend a good amount of time. The beach behind Casa Suerte — Playa Los Mangos — is ideal for long walks and runs. This beach is never crowded, in fact, you might be the only one there. It’s a 12 minute walk down to the sand. Note: Due to strong currents and crashing waves, do not swim here.

The beach with the most options is Playa Los Cerritos, a 15 minute drive south from Casa Suerte. It’s entirely swimmable year round, and is home to GREAT SURFING for both experts and beginners alike. You can rent boards and wetsuits and take surfing lessons or get a massage and a drink.

Playa San Pedrito in Pescadero is an advanced surfing beach on the north end of Pescadero at Km 59. There is camping for RVs and Vans and even a chill Beach Bar.

The most legendary surf spot near Todos is Playa La Pastora where large winter northwest swells get things really cranking. It’s north of Casa Suerte off Las Playitas road just before you get to the Green Room restaurant.

The busiest beach in Todos Santos among locals is Punta Lobos — named after sea wolves (aka sea lions). Here you can swim near the Hotel San Cristobol and the rocks. Stay clear of the fishing boats.

Playa Las Palmas is the hidden beach of the Todos — take the highway south from Todos Santos and turn right at the Km 58 marker. Drive a mile on dirt roads to a basic parking area where the trail begins. If the gate is closed, just open it and close it behind you. Walk through an amazing palm grove and emerge at a stunning, secluded beach. You’ll likely see wild horses! Just try to give them a wide berth and make loud noises if they get too close.

Across the peninsula and through the city of La Paz, you reach Playa Balandra and Playa Tecolote. Balandra was recently named the best beach in Mexico where turquoise, still waters await swimmers, kayaks, and SUPs. Get there super early as it fills up to capacity and they close off the entrance. Just past Balandra is Playa Tecolote which we like even better. You can park right on the beach and there are some restaurants as well.

Hiking

If you enjoy hiking, you’ll love hiking in Baja. The combination of desert, mountains, and ocean is unique and spectacular. We find that hiking in our outdoor sandals (Keenes, Tevas, Chacos, etc.) works just fine so don’t bother with heavy boots. Bring a hat, sunscreen, and lots of water. The two best hikes we’d recommend are the following.

Punta Lobos

Distance: 2.5 - 4 miles
Elevation: 450 - 850 Feet
Type: Out and Back Trail
Length: 1-3 hours total (depending on your pace and breaks)
Difficulty: Moderate (steep at points with some optional rock climbing)

This trail is a 15 minute drive from Todos Santos. Search for and follow signs to the Hotel San Cristobol though you should park in the lot closer to the fishing boats. All Trails calls it the “Old Port of Todos Santos” as there was an actual port here servicing the sugar industry.

There are multiple trails heading up the hill: Easiest: Walk through the stone building ruins and you will see the trail. Harder: Walk to the yellow shrine and the trail is on the left. Hardest: Hike up the switchbacks from the beach near the rocks. All three go up onto the “main” portion of the mountain. Here you go up, up, up until you find the two summits. You can also walk around them (if starting at the ruins), and then work your way down to a secluded cove. Here you’ll see remnants of the Old Port and watch the waves roll in. As referenced above, there is a lovely beach here by the hotel to take a swim after your hike.

The Old Port of Todos Santos is only reachable from land on a hike.

Cañon De La Zorra

Distance: 2.1 miles
Elevation: 396 Feet
Type: Out and Back Trail
Length: 50 minutes
Difficulty: Moderate (steep at points)

This trail is a 2 hour and 15 minute drive from Todos Santos but is totally worth it! You can take the northern route through El Triunfo and Los Barriles, or the southern route through San Jose del Cabo, stopping at other wonderful attractions along the way. Once you turn off Highway 1, go through the town Santiago and follow signs to the Cañon and Sol de Mayo Ecological Ranch. There is a small fee to enter. Follow the trail downhill and you spot this incredible waterfall from a distance. The water is always cold and is very refreshing on a warm day. You can jump from the sides and even from the top of the waterfall (but no diving please!). Don’t freak out, but there are water snakes in the grassy areas. They are quite timid, not poisonous, and will leave you alone if you leave them alone. Scramble down boulders and the trail headed downstream for more secluded areas with still pools. After you’re done here, drive back through Santiago and head over to Santa Rita Hot Springs! This is about 20 minutes away. The hours are 8:00 - 5:00 and there is an entrance fee of around $10 USD. Here you can hop between warm water pools and a cool river nearby.

The amazing Sol de Mayo waterfall creates the ultimate swimming hole in the desert.

Adventure Tours

There are no shortage of tour companies around Baja do all kinds of tours: Whale watching, fishing, sailing, parasailing, jet skiing, snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, 4x4ing, hiking, and more. That said, these are the three tours we hear good things about.

Diving with Whale Sharks: Imagine being in water next to the world’s largest fish! People who swim with these gentle giants say it’s a once in a lifetime experience. Several tours go out of La Paz (about an hour from Todos Santos) several times a day. Available year round but best November through April. Check out eco-toursism company Baco and book in advance. Around $160 USD per person.

Cruise/Snorkel/Hike/Kayak Isla del Espíritu Santo: This UNESCO world heritage site is a protected, uninhabited island serviced by several tour companies (tours/permits are required to go ashore). You will see serious wildlife here including fish, birds, sea lions, and maybe even dolphins and whale sharks. Tours are available from 1 day (around $200 USD) to 1 week. Check out Explora Baja for details.

Offroading the Desert: Since 1967, Baja has been home to the famous Baja 1000 race so the offroading heritage here runs deep. A great offroad outfit called Baja Backcountry Baja Adventures is located just off the highway to the right as you approach Todos Santos from the south (you can’t miss their big sign). They have tours ranging from 2-3 hours to 2 days that will take you over bumpy dirt roads with amazing views of the desert, mountains, and ocean. Dune buggies are top of the line Polaris vehicles. They offer custom tours and even a sunset ride near Punta Lobos. Prices start at around $160 per person.