Wandering, Eating, and Not Getting Lost: Essential Things to do in Todos Santos

Essential Things To Do In Todos Santos For The Artistically Inclined (And Regular Humans Too)

Visitors who arrive in Todos Santos with visions of just beaches and tacos will find themselves pleasantly ambushed by art galleries, historical sites, and wildlife encounters that weren’t mentioned in the brochure. The diversity of things to do in Todos Santos belies its small-town footprint, proving that cultural depth doesn’t require city-sized sprawl or theme park lines.

Gallery-Hopping Without The Pretentious Side Effects

Calle Benito Juárez serves as the town’s unofficial art corridor, where galleries line the street like pearls on a particularly tasteful necklace. Galería Logan showcases contemporary Mexican artists whose work would look perfectly at home in Mexico City’s most sophisticated spaces. Meanwhile, Galería de Todos Santos offers everything from traditional landscapes to more experimental pieces that might have you tilting your head like a confused Labrador.

February brings the annual Todos Santos Open Studio Tour, where for $25, visitors can peek behind the artistic curtain as local creators open their workspaces. It’s like a backstage pass to creativity without having to know somebody who knows somebody. The experience offers insight into processes that usually happen away from public view, though be warned that watching artists in their natural habitat may cause spontaneous purchases of artwork that won’t fit in your carry-on.

The restored Teatro Márquez de León hosts performances ranging from classical music to avant-garde theater, while the Cultural Center (housed in the old schoolhouse) displays murals chronicling local history with considerably more accuracy than your high school textbooks. Art lovers seeking another culturally rich Mexican destination should consider a San Miguel de Allende itinerary for its UNESCO World Heritage colonial architecture and thriving arts scene. The artistic atmosphere here is essentially Carmel-by-the-Sea but with better tacos and fewer tourists crafting the perfect selfie.

Beach Excursions That Won’t Appear On Postcards (Though They Should)

Los Cerritos Beach offers the rare combination of consistent waves and forgiving breaks that make it ideal for surfing beginners. Board rentals run $20-30 per day, while lessons start at $60 for those who’d prefer not to figure out which end of the surfboard goes forward through trial and error. Morning sessions provide the calmest conditions before the wind picks up its afternoon attitude.

For those who prefer their beach activities horizontal, Playa La Cachora offers miles of walkable shoreline and, during turtle hatching season, the chance to witness baby turtles making their determined dash to the sea. Nature’s version of an Olympic event, but with significantly higher stakes and cuter competitors.

More experienced surfers head to San Pedrito Beach for waves that mean business, particularly from November through March when north swells create conditions that would make Duke Kahanamoku nod in approval. Meanwhile, Punta Lobos offers a glimpse into working beach life as local fishermen launch their boats each morning. Arrive by 8 AM to catch the action, which hasn’t changed much in generations and doesn’t involve a single jet ski.

Beach safety deserves more than a casual mention—several Todos Santos beaches feature undertows that would qualify for Olympic swimming medals if currents competed. Look for beaches where locals swim, or ask at your accommodation about current conditions. The Pacific isn’t playing games here, and those “Swim At Your Own Risk” signs aren’t just legal department suggestions.

Wildlife Encounters Without The Zoo Admission

From January through March, the waters off Todos Santos become the winter retreat for gray whales who apparently prefer Mexican waters to Alaska during the colder months (who doesn’t?). Whale watching tours ($50-100) offer close encounters without crossing into harassment territory. These majestic creatures often approach boats with curiosity, leading to the unique experience of making eye contact with something whose brain is larger than your carry-on luggage.

The Las Palmas Turtle Protection Program invites visitors to participate in turtle releases, typically occurring August through December. There’s something profoundly moving about watching a creature the size of your palm begin a journey that might span decades and thousands of miles, all while looking tremendously determined about the whole affair.

Hiking options in the Sierra Laguna mountains range from gentle strolls to more ambitious treks that will have your fitness tracker sending you congratulatory notifications. The Las Palmas estuary hosts over 150 bird species, including frigatebirds and herons that pose obligingly for nature photographers. The stark contrast between desert cacti and unexpected palm oases creates photographic opportunities that will make your friends suspect you’ve been digitally inserting yourself into National Geographic backgrounds.

Historic Buildings Without The Velvet Ropes

The Hotel California stands as Todos Santos’ most photographed building, though it has absolutely nothing to do with the Eagles song of the same name. Yes, the hotel’s gift shop leans heavily into this misconception, selling T-shirts that would make Don Henley’s lawyers twitch. The building itself, however, remains a beautiful example of colonial architecture regardless of its musical non-connection.

The Misión de Nuestra Señora del Pilar, established in 1723, features a still-functioning bell tower and interior details that have survived nearly three centuries of history, including several periods when the mission was abandoned entirely. It’s open daily to visitors, though respectful behavior is expected since it remains an active place of worship rather than just another tourist photo op.

Around the main plaza, colorful colonial buildings provide a visual feast worth several memory card’s worth of photos. The restored sugar mill machinery displayed along Calle Centenario serves as industrial sculpture while telling the story of the town’s former economic engine. Walking tours, either self-guided or with local experts ($30-50), offer structural context you might otherwise miss, like architectural details that reveal the town’s evolution from sugar production to artistic haven.

Culinary Adventures Beyond Fish Tacos (Though Those Are Excellent Too)

Farm-to-table isn’t a trendy concept in Todos Santos—it’s simply how things have always been done. Restaurants like Hierbabuena and Jazamango serve dishes where the vegetables were likely still in the ground that morning. Entrées generally range from $20-40, and reservations are essential during high season when every visitor suddenly develops sophisticated palate priorities.

Street food provides the most authentic culinary experience, with taco stands charging $1-2 per perfect creation. The Thursday farmers market (8 AM-1 PM) features organic produce alongside artisanal cheeses, bread, and crafts that will have you contemplating how to fit an entire wheel of cheese into your luggage allowance.

Coffee culture thrives at Baja Beans and DoceCuarenta, which serve brews that would make Portland baristas nervously adjust their suspenders while questioning their life choices. Traditional Mexican cooking classes ($75-120 for half-day sessions) teach techniques that go far beyond adding more cheese to everything, though that remains a valid culinary strategy in certain circumstances.

Shopping That Won’t Fill Your Suitcase With Regrets

Handmade textiles at Étnica showcase the difference between authentic local crafts and the mass-produced souvenirs that proliferate in more touristy areas. The Blanket Gallery at Desert and Dogs focuses on ethically sourced indigenous crafts, ensuring your purchase supports actual artisans rather than faceless corporations with a sudden interest in “traditional” designs.

Local ceramics studios offer pieces that somehow manage to survive the journey home despite baggage handlers’ apparent mission to test the structural integrity of everything packed. And unlike many tourist destinations where souvenir shops seem to stock identical inventory, Todos Santos specializes in one-of-a-kind items that won’t leave you wondering why you bought that ceramic sun with the suspicious “Made in China” sticker on the bottom.

Accommodations For Every Budget (And Tolerance For Roosters)

Luxury seekers gravitate toward boutique hotels like Hotel San Cristóbal and Guaycura, where $200-400 per night buys impeccable design and service that anticipates needs you didn’t know you had. For a comprehensive guide to all accommodation options, check out where to stay in Todos Santos for every budget and preference. Mid-range accommodations such as Todos Santos Inn and Posada La Poza ($100-200/night) offer character-filled spaces with historical details and garden settings that invite lingering rather than just sleeping.

Budget-friendly casitas and vacation rentals ($50-100/night) provide authentic experiences along with occasional visits from neighborhood roosters who haven’t mastered the concept of weekends. Booking during high season (November-April) requires planning several months in advance, while shoulder seasons offer reduced rates and the luxury of spontaneity.

Unique accommodations include glamping options and eco-resorts that let you feel environmentally virtuous while still enjoying hot showers and proper beds. Some artist residencies occasionally rent rooms to travelers, offering accommodations with creative energy included at no additional charge.

Practical Information That Might Prevent Vacation Mishaps

Getting to Todos Santos requires approximately 90 minutes of driving from Los Cabos Airport, either in a rental car (recommended for exploration) or via shuttle services ($80-120). Many visitors combine their Todos Santos experience with planning a trip to Cabo San Lucas to maximize their Baja Peninsula adventure. Local transportation options include bike rentals ($15-20/day), infrequent but charming local buses, and taxis with pricing that occasionally seems based on the driver’s assessment of your negotiation skills.

ATMs exist but function with the reliability of a weather forecast. Current exchange rates hover around 17-18 pesos to the dollar, though having small denomination bills proves helpful for markets and small shops. Internet reliability and cell service vary dramatically, with T-Mobile and ATandT generally providing the best coverage for American visitors.

Safety considerations remain straightforward: Todos Santos experiences minimal crime, though common sense precautions about flashing expensive items or walking alone at night apply here as they would anywhere. The most significant danger typically involves underestimating the power of the sun, the strength of mezcal, or the spiciness of seemingly innocent-looking salsas.

Day Trips For When You’ve Temporarily Exhausted Things To Do In Todos Santos

Cerritos Beach Club, just a short drive away, offers facilities, restaurants, and rental palapas for $10 entrance fee that makes a day at the beach significantly more comfortable. La Paz, about an hour’s drive north, provides the opportunity to swim with whale sharks (seasonal, $125) alongside its beautiful Malecón waterfront that comes alive in the evenings. Consider planning a trip to Los Cabos Corridor as well, which offers luxury resorts and championship golf courses between Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo.

Todos Santos Island tours venture offshore for approximately $75-100, offering perspectives of the coastline impossible to achieve from land. Neighboring Pescadero, just 10 minutes south, offers additional beach options and small-town charm with an even more relaxed vibe, if such a thing seems possible. For the adventurous, guided treks into the Sierra Laguna Biosphere Reserve lead to hidden waterfalls and swimming holes that feel like personal discoveries even though locals have known about them for generations. Those seeking more traditional resort activities and nightlife should explore a comprehensive Cabo San Lucas itinerary for the complete Baja experience.