Experience Todos Santos

Discover Todos Santos

Todos Santos is one five main locations in Baja California Sur which include Cabo San Lucas, La Paz, San Jose del Cabo and Loreto. All of these places can be discovered with Mexperience.

Todos Santos is on Mexico’s Baja Peninsula, the land immediately south of the United States and cut-off from mainland Mexico by the Sea of Cortes, also known as the Gulf of California.

This region of Mexico is a true natural paradise where vast deserts and high mountain ranges are flanked by the shimmering Sea of Cortez on one side and the Pacific Ocean on the other. The Baja peninsula is home to several unique ecosystems that are unlike anything else in the world. Several species of whales migrate through its waters each year.

Todos Santos, meaning “All Saints”, is just off the Pacific coast about 50 miles north of Cabo San Lucas. As you enter Todos Santos, the arid desert turns into an oasis of palms and lush fruit trees producing delicious mangos, papayas, avocados and more. The town is next to 70 miles of pristine, unspoiled beaches.

Todos Santos and the surrounding area is a favorite with nature lovers of all types including hikers, wild-life enthusiasts, kayakers, snorkelers, scuba-divers, sailors, golfers, surfers and fishermen.

The town has a rich and varied history: from the early missionaries, through the booming sugar years, to its current incarnation as an artists’ colony, agricultural center and surfing hotspot. The town features a number of terrific restaurants, beautiful inns and delightful shops. Those who have become disillusioned with the ever-increasing commercialization of Los Cabos find Todos Santos a refreshing alternative.

Designated by the Mexican government as a “pueblo magico” (“magic village”) Todos Santos is experiencing a flood of investment that will fuel the town’s growth and attract more visitors each year.

Those searching for a truly Mexican town in the midst of a stunning natural oasis will find Todos Santos a good place to relax, enjoy, and be inspired.

Key Attractions

Culture, Art, Crafts & History in Todos Santos

This is a bohemian Mexican beach town with an array of artists galleries, delightful craft and jewelers shops, terrific restaurants, and charming inns and hotels.If you’re looking for the bar scene and fancy resorts, it’s better to stay in Los Cabos.

If you’re looking for a lovely hideaway, a discussion with a local artist, an adventure in nature, or a delicious meal in a beautiful setting, Todos Santos is the town for you.

Nature and Adventure Experiences in Todos Santos

Todos Santos is the perfect base from which to enjoy Mexico’s great outdoors and take part in a variety of nature and adventure experiences in Mexico.

The local ecology, the landscape, the climate and the proximity to the sea make Todos Santos a natural paradise for those who love being in nature. What’s more, you can find experienced and well-equipped organizations in Todos Santos who are ready to help you enjoy the best of what this region offers.

Fishing, surfing, horseback riding, nature walks, fabulous bird watching, cliff hikes, historical tours, waterfalls, watching the amazing whales and sea lions are just some of the activities you can enjoy in the area. See Also: Nature and Adventure Experiences in Mexico.

Sports Fishing Experiences

Los Cabos is one of Mexico’s top destinations for sports fishing. Read our Guide to Sports Fishing in Mexico and discover just what a fantastic day out a sports fishing experience can be on your next visit to Mexico.

Todos Santos Cafe

One of the region’s most famous coffee shops, Todos Santos Cafe serves flavorful coffee, and their home-made cinnamon rolls are large and quite delicious. Prices are a bit steep, but this is one of Todos Santos’ main meeting and socializing spots, along with Hotel California.

Getting There & Around

By Air – You can get to Todos Santos by taking a plane to the Airport at La Paz or San Jose del Cabo (Los Cabos), and driving either south or north, respectively, on Highway 19. For detailed information about flights and flying, see the Mexperience guide to Air Travel in Mexico.

By Bus – To get to Baja California Sur, your best bet is to fly there (see above); the bus journey from Tijuana to La Paz is about 27 hours; then a further 2 hours from there to Todos Santos. For detailed information about bus transportation read the Mexperience guide to Bus Travel in Mexico.

By Car – Driving to Todos Santos from the southern border of the United States will take you about 20-24 hours on Highway 1 and then a further hour on Highway 19. See additional information about Driving in Mexico and Mexico’s Toll Roads on Mexperience.

Car Rental – To properly explore Mexico’s Baja Peninsula consider renting a car for your visit. Having your own car will give you more flexibility than using public transport options and, in some cases, offer you access to places which are otherwise difficult to visit without the use of a car. Read our guide to Car Rental in Mexico to learn what you need to know about car rental in Mexico and connect to the Mexperience Travel Center to reserve your Rental Car.

By Ferry – If you are on Mexico’s mainland, or want to get to it from the baja peninsula, there is a ferry that crosses the Sea of Cortes (also known as the Gulf of California) to and from La Paz to the port cities of Mazatlan and Los Mochis (to Topolobambo). Ferry times vary from 3-18 hours, depending on which service is used. A catamaran service has been introduced that cuts down sailing times considerably on some routes/services. Check the Ferry’s web site at: http://www.ferrytmc.com/ for details of routes, schedules, ferry types, prices and contact details.

Taxis – Taxis in most of Mexico’s beachside towns and cities are not metered, so agree your price before you get in. Taxi travel is very affordable in Mexico, in comparison to the USA, Canada and Europe, and so provides a viable means of public transportation in Mexico. Your hotel can arrange taxis for you; some post their rates on a board in the lobby; taxi hotel rates are usually higher than cabs you hail off the street. If you speak Spanish, you will have a distinct advantage and be able to negotiate a price with the driver. For detailed information, read the Mexperience guide to Taxi Travel in Mexico.

Local Bus – If your budget is tight or if you want to see more of local life, local bus service are available which connect La Paz, Los Cabos and Todos Santos as well as other destinations further north such as Loreto, San Felipe and other destinations in Baja California. However, the services are limited and infrequent in comparison to buses on Mexico’s mainland. If you want to see all of the amazing beaches and scenery which surround you as you travel to and from Todos Santos, then rent a car locally.

Todos Santos Essentials

Telephone: Connect to the Communications in Mexico page on Mexperience for detailed information about keeping in touch and the latest table of national dialing codes. Also see “Getting Online” in this section.

Exchanging Currency: Todos Santos has ATMs which dispense both pesos and US dollars. Many of the restaurants, hotels and shops in Todos Santos accept credit cards. During business hours, banks and the Casas de Cambio in these places will buy traveler’s checks and foreign cash from you as well, although it does take time and some hassle to change traveler’s checks at banks, so you’re better off using ATMs. For detailed information about exchanging and managing your money, read the Mexperience guide to Money in Mexico.

Travel Insurance: We recommend that you are adequately covered with travel medical insurance and/or travel assistance insurance when you are visiting Mexico. Note that your US Automobile Insurance will not cover you in Mexico — you must get a top-up policy to be properly covered. Read the Mexperience guide to Travel Insurance in Mexico for full details and links to specialist insurance suppliers.

What to Buy in Todos Santos

As a local hub for art and artists, you’ll be sure to find something special to take home with you in Todos Santos. The town has a rich assortment of artists’ galleries and delightful craft and jewelers’ shops offering hand-made, high-quality arts, crafts and jewelry.

Local Climate

The weather during the summer months will be extremely hot; cooler near the coasts. In the winter it can get cool and windy, so if you’re traveling in the winter, take some warmer clothes just in case the weather turns chilly (especially in the evenings). The rainy season is September (the one month when the weather can be changeable), otherwise this part of Mexico enjoys sunshine most days of the year.

Weather & Climates in Mexico

Learn more about the weather and climates through the seasons and regions by connecting to the Mexperience guide about Weather and Climates in Mexico