20 Best Things To Do in Baja California Sur [2024 Guide]

Los Cabos has long been one of the most popular destinations in Mexico for travelers – but the rest of the region is even better. Poised to be one of the next trending destinations for foodies, adventure travelers, and wellness gurus alike, Baja California Sur is well worth your time.

I’ve had the pleasure of exploring areas of Baja California Sur that are the uncrowded and pristine gems that Los Cabos was decades ago, along with some of the coolest new luxury destinations in the region’s burgeoning travel industry. Read on for top tips – from my own experiences and from the locals – for the best things to do in Baja California Sur.

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Best Things To Do in Baja California Sur

Baja California Sur will surprise you with all it has to offer, that’s for sure! Looking for our top recommendations for the most unmissable things to do in Baja California Sur? Here are our top picks to add to your itinerary, whether you have a day or a month:

• Go Whale Watching
• Stay at a Resort in Los Cabos
• Take a Wellness Retreat
• Enjoy Farm-to-Table Cuisine
• Go Diving in Cabo Pulmo

These are just a few of the highlights of a trip to the region that travelers won’t want to miss out on – but there’s so much more. Read on for all the best things to do in Baja California Sur, including the experiences we keep coming back for, trip after trip.

1. Go Whale Watching

Baja California Sur is one of the most impressive and reliable places in North America for whale watching. Plan to visit from late November or December through April for the best chance of spotting whales!

Whale-watching tours in Baja California Sur are quite strictly regulated but allow travelers to get remarkably close to the gentle giants. The islands of Loreto, particularly, offer highly protective conditions for whales and their babies, making them a great destination for encountering whales.

Even if you can’t find space for a whale-watching excursion in your budget, don’t worry. You’ll be blown away by the whales breaching and waving their tales, visible from any of the beachfront resorts in Los Cabos during the height of whale season.

2. Take a Wellness Retreat

Los Cabos is a veritable wellness hotspot, with world-class resorts boasting legendary spas and buzzy new outposts of major international wellness brands like The WELL. However, there are so many ways to enjoy a wellness-focused getaway in Baja California Sur that are far from expensive Los Cabos.

The region’s smaller coastal cities, like La Paz, Loreto, and Todos Santos, increasingly offer everything from adventure sports and yoga classes to spa treatments and holistic healing ceremonies at a fraction of the cost of Los Cabos.

A favorite wellness destination is the stunning desert landscape outside of Todos Santos. It is home to Paradero Todos Santos, a one-of-a-kind, design-forward hotel known for its incredible wellness offerings. Everything from sound baths and yoga classes to temazcal ceremonies and adventurous excursions nurtures next-level relaxation.

3. Stay at a Resort in Los Cabos

Most visitors to Baja California Sur don’t get further than the resorts in Los Cabos. There’s so much more to do here, but it’s an easy, stress-free retreat for those looking for nothing more.

If you’re looking for a memorable stay, consider staying at any of the best resorts in Mexico that call Los Cabos home; you won’t regret it!

4. Enjoy Farm-to-Table Cuisine

Baja California Sur is famous for its desert landscapes, but its surprisingly rich farm-to-table cuisine is one of the biggest trends in the area right now. So strong is the growing culinary scene in Baja California Sur that it draws foodies in search of a taste-driven vacation. Los Cabos started the trend with well-established Acre, Tamarindos, and Flora Farms.

New farm-to-table culinary destinations continue to sprout up beyond Los Cabos, too. Outside of Loreto, San Javier Farm sits the shadow of the historic San Javier Mission and an oasis that makes the drive from the coast even more tempting. The farm-to-table kitchen at Jazamango, led by renowned Baja chef Javier Plascencia, is a highlight in the town of Todos Santos.

5. Go Diving at Cabo Pulmo

Once called “The World’s Aquarium” by oceanographer Jacques Costeau, the Sea of Cortez is impossibly rich with marine life and offers much more than just impressive seasonal whale migrations.

Cabo Pulmo National Park, just north of Los Cabos, is the region’s most well-known destination for diving. The area is home to larger marine life like sea lions and rays, colorful fish and corals, and even whale sharks. Snorkeling excursions in Cabo Pulmo and dive trips to Cabo Pulmo are among some of the most popular day trips from Los Cabos. However, destinations further up the peninsula like the protected islands of Loreto, are also well worth a visit in a wetsuit.

Reviews and Bookings: Diving Excursion in Cabo Pulmo from Los Cabos

6. Visit Baja California Sur’s Historic Missions

Visiting one of the historic Spanish colonial mission churches that dot the region is one of the best things to do in Baja California Sur for history buffs—hands down! Base yourself in the beach town of Loreto for the experience; it’s home to the oldest mission in the region and is within day-trip distance of many other missions.

After touring the mission and enjoying all the incredible things to do in Loreto, head 45 minutes into the arid mountains to the tiny oasis town of San Javier. Amidst age-old olive groves is the Misión San Francisco Javier de Viggé-Biaundó, dating back to the mid-1700s and still just as impressive today.

For a somewhat different experience, head north to the desert oasis of La Purisima. The mission here is left in ruins, but it’s a cool spot to visit none the less among a brilliant oasis. Make sure to stop at the beaches along Bahia de la Concepcion before returning to Loreto.

7. Taking a Cooking Class

If simply digging into world-class Mexican food and Baja California Sur regional favorites isn’t enough for you, consider taking a cooking class to take some of your favorite dishes how with you. These are some of the most highly-rated cooking classes in the region’s most popular towns and cities:

• San José del Cabo: Best Cooking Classes
• Cabo San Lucas: Best Cooking Classes
• Todos Santos: Best Cooking Classes
• Loreto: Best Cooking Classes

8. Explore Historic Todos Santos

Its undeniable: the transformation of Todos Santos is one of the biggest stories in Baja California Sur right now. What was once just a tiny, historic town on the Pacific Coast has now become the coolest place to be, with burgeoning wellness offerings, hip boutique hotels, and increasingly incredible cuisine.

Some of the best things to do in Todos Santos have long included hitting the beach and visiting the historic buildings in the heart of town, but the town’s real gems are what’s new. Todos Santos’ growing shopping areas offer everything from designer duds to handcrafted artisan goods, while an array of dining options includes everything from fine dining and fine cocktails to fresh farm-to-table cuisine.

Increasingly expensive and luxurious, Todos Santos can be a pricey destination, though there are pockets of affordability if you’re traveling on a budget.

9. Go Off-Roading in the Desert

Baja California Sur is famous for the annual Baja 1000 off-road race. However, even beginners can enjoy off-roading adventures in Baja, which is one of the best ways to see the peninsula’s dramatic desert landscapes. No matter where your Baja California Sur itinerary takes you, you’ll have no trouble finding a local tour guide to take you on an adventure through the desert.

Looking for a particularly memorable destination for off-roading in Baja California Sur? Migrino Beach and the surrounding desert on the outskirts of Los Cabos are quite popular, though more removed locations outside of Loreto and La Paz offer the added benefit of allowing drivers to trace a part of the actual route of the famous Baja 1000.

10. Visit the Islands of Loreto

A group of five pristine, protected islands just off the coast of the town of Loreto are among Baja California Sur’s most beloved destinations. Known for its beautiful beaches, world-class dive sites, stunning desert landscapes, and impressive wildlife, the islands of Loreto are one of the best destinations for travelers in the region looking for a memorable day on the water.

Visiting the islands of Loreto is easiest when departing from Loreto – of course! – but you’ll also find longer multi-day sails that depart from La Paz. Travelers staying at the popular Villa del Palmar at the Islands of Loreto, located about a 45-minute drive south of Loreto, can participate in small group and private sailing excursions departing directly from the resort.

11. Try a Mexican Spirits Tasting

Mexico’s beloved spirits like tequila and mezcal aren’t crafted in Baja California Sur, but that doesn’t mean that a trip to the region is complete without trying them. If you’re looking for a little more informative introduction to Mexican spirits, skip the hotel bar and try one of the increasingly impressive spirits tasting experiences across the region.

Los Cabos has by far the most variety when it comes to options for Mexican spirits tastings. The cliffside Agave Study experience at Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal is legendary, and the dedicated spirits tasting room at the brand-new Grand Velas Boutique Los Cabos is next level. However, you’ll find spirits-tasting classes and experiences in most major cities and towns across Baja California Sur.

12. Stay in a Treehouse

If over-the-top resorts or beachfront bungalows aren’t your style, fear not – there are plenty of unique places to stay in Baja California Sur. One of the buzziest spots in the region is Acre, known and loved for its one-of-a-kind freestanding treehouse accommodations and farm-to-table cuisine on its 25-acre property in San José del Cabo.

Cooler still, Acre just debuted ten new stand-alone villas for travelers looking for even more space for their stay. While they’re not treehouses, these two-bedroom and three-bedroom villa accommodations offer plenty of private indoor and outdoor space including private pools, and the hotel’s same impossibly hip aesthetic that had made it such a hit among boutique hotels in Los Cabos.

Reviews and Bookings: Acre

13. Eat Traditional Mexican Food at La Garita

There’s no lack of opportunities to enjoy the freshest and most authentic Mexican cuisine while exploring Baja California Sur, that’s for sure. However, if you’re looking for one specific spot to try some of the area’s best and most authentic dishes, locals recommend La Garita.

Little more than a roadside spot outside of Todos Santos, La Garita has a thatched roof and dirt floors with simple, rustic tables… and some of the best food in the region. After hearing rave reviews from too many locals to count, I had to give it a try on my way out of town. Everything from the fresh, handmade tortillas to rich regional main course dishes are spectacular.

14. Visit Balandra Beach

Baja California Sur is dotted with stunning beaches, but it’s hard to imagine a spot more beautiful than Balandra Beach, located just north of La Paz. Balandra Beach is hidden in a protected bay with ultra-clear, tranquil waters that lap onto fine white sands, creating a magical effect with ribbons of white, blue, turquoise, and aquamarine hues that looks straight out of a painting.

Make sure to climb the nearby hillsides for panoramic views of one of the most beautiful beaches in Mexico. Balandra Beach is a must-visit destination for travelers staying in La Paz, though it is worth the day trip drive even from Los Cabos, which has few swimmable beaches of its own.

15. Enjoy Sport Fishing

Big-time anglers and casual weekend fishermen alike know that Baja California Sur is world-famous for its sport fishing. Famously, Los Cabos is home to the annual Bisbee’s Black and Blue Marlin Tournament, now running for more than 35 years and paying out well over a million dollars in prizes.

Whether you’re out for the prize or just looking for a casual day on the water, sport fishing is one of the best things to do in Baja California Sur. You’ll find sport fishing charters available up and down the peninsula in Baja California Sur, from ultra-luxury private charters in Los Cabos to simple but memorable excursions departing from some of the region’s more laid-back beach towns like Loreto.

These are some of the most popular sport fishing excursions to consider:

• Sportfishing Charters in Cabo San Lucas with Kellyfish Cabo Sportfishing
• Fishing Day with Local Fishermen in Loreto

16. Spot the Arch at the End of the World

One of the most popular things to do in Los Cabos is to sail to El Arco – the Arch – located at Land’s End at the tip of the Baja California peninsula. Framed by deep blue waters and the golden sands of the twin Playa de los Amantes and Playa del Divorcio, this 200-foot natural arch is the product of centuries of waves.

It’s just as impressive as it appears in pictures, and certainly warrants a visit, whether on a day trip to the nearby beaches or by taking a quick sail from the nearby Cabo San Lucas marina. A number of kayaking excursions and glass-bottom boat tours allow visitors to enjoy the area in every way imaginable.

17. Surf at Los Cerritos Beach

The surf is legendary in Baja California Sur, but few beaches are as famous for their waves as Playa Los Cerritos—Los Cerritos Beach—on the peninsula’s Pacific Coast. Despite its growing popularity with locals and visitors alike, it’s a perfectly laid-back spot for a day catching waves.

Easily accessible from Todos Santos (20 minutes north) and Los Cabos (45 minutes south), Los Cerritos Beach can be an easy day trip destination for beginner surfers seeking lessons and experts alike. The beach has three different surfing areas with different size breaks and a few small but helpful surf shops that can get you set up with board rentals and plenty of local advice.

18. Sail to Isla Espiritu Santo

Located just a stone’s throw from the sands of the famous Balandra Beach in La Paz, Isla Espiritu Santo is a small but stunning island that makes for an incredible day trip from Los Cabos or La Paz. Hiding white sand beaches, wild sea lion colonies, and incredible coves for snorkeling and diving, the island is one of the region’s ultimate gems.

Here are some of the most popular day trip options that visit Isla Espiritu Santo from nearby cities and towns in Baja California Sur. Just getting out on the water is a pleasure here, but these trips provide the best experience possible at Isla Espiritu Santo:

• From La Paz: Espiritu Santo Island Snorkel & Sea Lion Adventure
• From Los Cabos: Sea of Cortez Snorkeling & Sea Lion Catamaran Adventure

19. Hike Desert Canyons

Baja is much more than beautiful coastlines. Its rich, rugged desert landscapes hide some incredible destinations and adventures that are among the best things to do in Baja California Sur.

One of the most popular day trips from Los Cabos is to the arid Sierra de la Laguna mountain range. This harsh but stunning landscape hides treasures like the Cañon de la Zorra (Fox Canyon) and Sol de Mayo waterfall with its stunning natural swimming hole below. It’s a real treat if you’re looking for a break from a typical resort vacation.

A popular hiking spot on the eastern coast of the peninsula is Tabor Canyon, a dramatic red rock canyon that cuts through the mountains just south of Loreto. Hiking Tabor Canyon is one of the best things to do in Loreto, but make sure to plan ahead to find a local guide to help navigate the somewhat hidden trail – my guide from Wild Loreto did a fantastic job.

20. Enjoy the San José del Cabo Art Walk

Los Cabos is much more than crazy parties and over-the-top luxury. Particularly in the more laid-back town of San José del Cabo, there is an impressive array of cultural and historical attractions that I consider to be some of the best uses of your time in Baja California Sur.

The weekly Thursday night art walk through the heart of town is one of the most popular things to do in San José del Cabo. Starting around 5 PM every Thursday, local gallery and shop owners open their doors and welcome the area’s best artists and art aficionados alike to share wine, cheese, and local bites while exploring the cobblestone streets of the gallery district.

Not only is the San José del Cabo Art Walk a great way to explore the area’s art scene, but it’s also the perfect way to meet the locals and enjoy the vibrancy of the region.