Why Todos Santos, Mexico, Was One of Our Best, Blissful Vacations

Sometimes, you plan a trip, and you don’t realize the magic that awaits you until you arrive. That is exactly the blissful experience my husband and I had when we recently visited Todos Santos in Baja California Sur, Mexico.

We had never traveled to this part of Mexico before, even though the very popular tourist destination, Cabo is also on the Baja peninsula. My husband and I prefer to travel to places off the beaten path mostly, so the idea of Cabo, with its row of shiny hotels on a coastline where you can’t even swim, didn’t appeal to us. But the laidback surfer and artist vibe in Todos Santos was exactly what we were looking for.

Related: Check out My posts about Bali and Santorini to find out how we felt about two other very popular travel destinations.

What is Todos Santos Like? 

The first thing about Todos Santos that draws you in is the scenery. The Mexican landscape is saturated in an array of desert hues, with dusty fields dotted with Cardon Cacti. As you look to the horizon, you see the spectacular backdrop of the Sierra de la Laguna mountain range. But perhaps even more astonishing are the oases that literally pop up out of nowhere, with towering palm trees and verdant greenery.

Though on the surface it might not look like it, Todos Santos, Mexico, is actually home to five different ecosystems. There’s the desert, the Sierra de la Laguna mountain range, the white sand beaches along the Pacific coastline, farmland, and oases. And it’s easy to experience all of it when you visit.

But there is so much more to explore in Todos Santos beyond its natural wonders. There is the colorful colonial architecture of downtown, the art galleries, the beaches full of surfers, and most recently, a very impressive food scene.

So, are you ready to learn more about Todos Santos, Mexico? If so, keep reading because I’m going to share all the reasons why Todos Santos is the perfect spot for your next blissful vacation.

Where is Todos Santos?

Todos Santos is located on the west coast of Mexico, on the Baja peninsula. It’s in the state of Baja California Sur. (For clarification, the Baja peninsula is split into two Mexican states, Baja California in the north, where Tiajuana is, and Baja California Sur in the south, where Cabo is.) It’s approximately an hour’s drive from the popular tourist destination Cabo San Lucas.

The best airport to fly to from the States is Los Cabos International Airport. While some of the hotels in Todos Santos will offer an airport transfer for an additional cost, I highly recommend renting a car so you can more easily explore the area.

While the downtown area of Todos Santos is pretty compact and easily walkable, you will need a car to get to some of the popular beaches and restaurants. A car is also useful if you want to spend a day in La Paz, a very popular city on the Sea of Cortez an hour northeast of Todos Santos.

One more tip regarding a rental car: Get a four-wheel-drive SUV or jeep. My husband and I made the mistake of renting a regular car, which made it challenging to navigate the many dirt and unpaved roads that you’ll find in Todos Santos. Trust me on this, and thank me later!

The Best places to stay in Todos Santos, Mexico

Now that I’ve told you about the best things to do in Todos Santos, Mexico, I want to share with you the best places to stay in the area. I’m keeping this list small because I’m focusing on the more luxury-filled properties in the area.

1. The Paradero Hotel

I might be biased since this is where we stayed, but the Paradero Hotel is outstanding and one of the best hotels I’ve stayed at, period. The Paradero is a small boutique, adults-only hotel with 30 rooms. The resort’s focus on hospitality and sustainability are just some things that stood out for us. We also loved how attentive the staff was, helping us book various activities and restaurant reservations to ensure we had an incredible stay.

Read my full review about the Paradero Hotel, plus why I thought this place was worth the price.

2. Hotel San Cristobal

If you’re into chic boutique hotels designed for the Instagram age, you will love Hotel San Cristobal. The property was designed by Bunkhouse hotelier Liz Lambert and boasts ocean views. The rooms are also cheaper than the Paradero, and you’ll be closer to the town center if you stay here. While I can’t personally vouch for this hotel since we didn’t stay here, the property has received great reviews across the board.

3. Todos Santos Inn

If you want something more affordable and closer to town, I recommend the Todos Santos Inn. It’s the only historic hacienda hotel in the heart of town, within walking distance of all of the restaurants, boutiques, and galleries.

4. Hotel Casa Tota

Also located in the historic downtown of Todos Santos, Hotel Casa Tota is a charming, full-service boutique hotel. There’s a pool in the central courtyard and an on-site restaurant, La Santena.

The Best Things to Do in Todos Santos:

We had such a great time exploring Todos Santos, which extends well beyond the walkable downtown area. In fact, this town is so charming that in 2006, the Mexican government named it Pueblo Magico, one of about 100 small towns in Mexico recognized for its natural beauty, history, and culture.

Below is a list of my top things to do in Todos Santos, Mexico.

1. Go for a hike to the top of Punta Lobos or Playa Las Palmas to catch the sunset and epic views. (Make sure to have a flashlight for your descent.)
2. Learn how to surf with a lesson at Cerritos Beach.
3. Take a stroll to see all the colorful, colonial architecture in downtown Todos Santos.
4. Stop by the Hotel California for a cocktail or a photo op. While it is NOT the Hotel California immortalized in the Eagles’ song, despite what locals might tell you, it’s still fun to check out.
5. Release baby turtles into the sea. (This happens seasonally, December – April.)
6. Spend the day lounging on the beach at El Faro Beach Club.
7. Take a Tour of all the art galleries in downtown Todos Santos.

One thing I want to note here is that if you stay at the Hotel Paradero, as we did, the hotel offers a wide array of activities. These include everything from yoga, meditation, and sound healing to bike riding and farming and cooking classes.

The Best Shopping in Todos Santos:

Plenty of souvenir shops sell the local tchotchkes, but Todos Santos is also home to a few super-cool clothing and home-decor boutiques. Many of these places have a chic, boho vibe which I absolutely loved. Here’s a list of my favorites!

1. Ulula – for crystals, mystical books, and women’s clothing
2. Nomad Chic – for home décor, clothing, and furniture
3. Saguaro – for chic women’s clothing, jewelry, and accessories
4. Etnica – locally made clothing and accessories.
5. El Granero Shop – a gorgeous clothing and accessory shop in a barn next to Dum Restaurant

Where to Eat & Drink in Todos Santos:

1. Jazamango – You won’t be disappointed with a kitchen run by renowned Mexican chef Javier Plascencia.
2. Paradero Restaurant – The restaurant at the Paradero Hotel has an adventurous menu relying mostly on local food, including chocolata clam ceviche and soft shell crab tacos.
3. Dum – a beautiful restaurant in a natural Palm Grove that gave us full-on Bali vibes. They offer a 5-course tasting menu, and I love that they can accommodate food allergies.`
4. Barracuda – Head to Barracuda for some of the best tacos in Todos Santos. They have two locations, one at Cerritos Beach and the other in downtown Todos Santos.
5. Oystera -A beautiful spot that felt more like New Orleans than Todos Santos.
6. Paleta – Another local spot downtown for great tacos at a very cheap price! It’s a good spot for lunch.
7. Hierbabuena –We did not have a chance to eat here, but everyone we met said it was fantastic, and it’s on our list for the next time we visit.
8. El Mirador – Not so much for the food, but for the epic sunset views.
9. Neveria Rocco – One of the best ice cream spots in town.
10. La Paloma Heladeria y Paleteria – Another great place for ice cream.

Are You Ready to Visit Todos Santos, Mexico?

So what do you think? Are you ready to visit Todos Santos for a blissful vacation?

It’s not often that I visit somewhere and can’t wait to go back, but Todos Santos is on that list. For sure, a big part of the reason we loved it so much was because of our stay at the Hotel Paradero. (Stay tuned for my full hotel review of the Paradero soon!)

We had such a great trip to Todos Santos that I’m already dreaming of our next one!

I hope you found this travel guide for Todos Santos, Mexico, helpful. If you’re interested in traveling to Baja California Sur and the surrounding region, don’t forget to check out my post about the Paradero Hotel in Todos Santos. Please comment below with any questions you have.

Happy travels!