Is Todos Santos Worth Visiting On a Budget?

On the southern tip of the Baja Peninsula lies the popular party town of Cabo San Lucas. But, just an hour north, the real Baja adventure begins in a little town called Todos Santos. Quieter, but with the same bohemian and hippy vibes as Tulum on the opposite coast. 

 

Although Todos Santos is full of lavish hotels and boutique shops, it can actually be a safe and fun place to visit even if you’re on a budget vacation. You can find affordable surf lessons, nature encounters, and artisan crafts in and around Todos Santos.

 

Personally, I like a little party. However, when I want an authentic Mexican experience, Todos Santos has everything I’m looking for. Plus, I experienced the most beautiful sunsets over the ocean that I’ve ever seen in my life. For real. 

 

How to get there

 

Fly into San Jose del Cabo Airport (SJD), and take a bus from the airport to Todos Santos. The ride takes about an hour and a half. Alternatively, if you’re just going for the day from Cabo San Lucas, Todos Santos is a little over an hour away. There’s a paved road that takes you straight there, or you can also catch the bus from the main bus station. 

 

Something to note: San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas are two separate cities about 30 minutes apart.

 

Either way, you’ll arrive at the bus station in Todos Santos, conveniently located right in the center of town. From the same bus stop, you can get regular buses that travel between all the little towns in Baja California Sur. 

 

The town is pretty small, so it only takes about a half an hour to walk around the entire center. Of course, you’ll need more time to really explore all the little shops and restaurants.

 

Renting a car is a great option, and I recommend getting one to explore this area if you can swing it in your budget. Reportedly, it’s not even too expensive to rent a car for a few days – as low as $60 for several days. With a car, you can get to the beach much easier from wherever you stay in town.

 

Where to stay in Todos Santos

 

Since Todos Santos is a popular tourist destination and has a substantial expat population, there’s plenty of airbnb’s available. Vrbo is also becoming more and more popular these days for short-term rentals. 

 

I stayed in a little studio airbnb right outside of the center of town, and my host was kind enough to give me a ride to and from town when I didn’t want to walk all the way. The airbnb was perfect for me with a kitchen and a gorgeous balcony that gave me a great view of the sunset. 

 

 

On the other hand, if you enjoy staying in a hostel community or are traveling on a budget, book a spot at the most popular hostel in town: Todos Santos Hostel. Stay in the dorm and make friends in the communal kitchen, or opt for one of their canvas tents to feel closer to nature.

 

Looking for something more luxurious? Check out the lavish “adobe teepees” at Pachamama or get pampered during your stay at Hotel San Cristobal. 

Where to eat in Todos Santos

 

This little pueblito of Todos Santos is full of unique restaurants. You can find something new for every meal whether you’re craving a margarita, homemade pasta, or vegan Mexican food.

 

To start, Caffe Todos Santos serves great sandwiches, coffee, and pastries. Right in front of this restaurant is where you will find the most photographed street in town. Calle Centenario is a tunnel of colorful flags, called papel picado. Make sure you walk all the way to the back of Caffe Todos Santos to enjoy the tranquil, secret garden space – it will feel like you are going through the kitchen. 

 

 

At 3pm, Caffe Todos Santos transforms into an Italian restaurant good enough to make you believe you’re in Italy. Sharing the same space and tables as the caffe, Ristorante Tre Galline has plates of incredible housemade pasta that are the talk of the expats.

 

For a gourmet coffee, check out Taller 17. It’s a small space with delicious pastries. There’s a table outside if you want to sit, or take your coffee to go as you pueblear – roam around town.

 

Next, try Restaurante La Generala for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Enjoy their buffet of authentic Mexican food, and fill your plate with chilaquiles, enchiladas, mole, and housemade tortillas.

 

Make sure to embrace the hippy, bohemian side of Todos Santos one day, and go for a vegan meal at Pura Vida. Or, enjoy a farm-to-table dinner at the infamous Hierbabuena.

 

Last but not least, top it all off with some ice cream or a paleta – a popsicle. As you’re wandering around, you will notice the abundance of ice cream shops, so be sure to try a few. Several places offer some unique and interesting flavors.

Things to do in Todos Santos

 

Todos Santos is full of hidden art galleries and artisan shops. As you walk through the center of town, admire the unique artwork and support the local artists. One of my favorite souvenirs to get in Mexico is an alebrije – handmade figurines depicting animals or mythical creatures. You might recognize them as spirit guides from the Disney movie, Coco. 

 

The main market in town is packed full of these alebrijes, muñecas (handmade dolls), sombreros, and souvenir t-shirts. The market is on the main street in town, so you can’t miss it.

 

Next, take a left just after the market and visit the church to take a photo with the Todos Santos letters. It’s a must do in every Pueblo Magico, or magic town, in Mexico. 

 

 

Finally, it’s impossible to miss the Hotel California right on the main street of Todos Santos, just down the hill from the market. The Eagles claim there’s no relation, but tourists take photos with it as if it were actually the hotel that inspired the famous song. 

Yoga classes and retreats in Todos Santos

 

If you’re a yogi, you’ll love discovering the different yoga studios and retreats in Todos Santos. Try a class at Cuatro Vientos right outside the center of town. For a longer retreat, check out the retreat schedule at Yandara. I spent 16 days there doing my 200 hour yoga teacher training, and it is a magical place. I definitely recommend it, even for a short stay or retreat.  

Whale watching and baby sea turtle hatches

 

In the winter months, Baja California Sur is famous for whale watching and releasing baby sea turtles as they hatch. The gray whales show up between January and March, and the humpback whales make an appearance from October to January, and sometimes again in April. 

 

If you want to watch the baby sea turtles hatch, be sure to visit between December and May. Keep in mind that December to February is when most of the babies hatch. You can see them every single day during these months! During February to May, they pop out every other day or so. 

 

To watch the sea turtle babies find their way to the ocean, drive or take a taxi 15 minutes to the beach, Tortugueros Las Playitas. They usually hatch around sunset.

Beaches and Surfing

 

I spent most of my days in Todos Santos visiting Playa Los Cerritos for surfing lessons, swimming, and sunbathing. The beach is miles long so it’s easy to find a spot to camp for the day. The sun can be brutal, so wear sunblock, a hat, and even a sunshirt. 

 

The waves can be bigger or smaller depending on where you are on the beach. If you have kids, there’s shallow areas with smaller waves, but if you are surfing, you can find deeper areas with more intense surf. 

 

How to get to Playa Los Cerritos from Todos Santos

 

Playa Los Cerritos is actually in a town called El Pescadero, just ten minutes from Todos Santos. To get there, driving is your best bet. There are taxis in Todos Santos, but they aren’t the safest. You should get the number for a driver from your hotel or airbnb host instead of flagging down a random taxi on the street. 

 

In addition, public buses run from the bus station in the center of town to Playa Los Cerritos, but it drops you off at the highway. There is about a two-mile dirt road to get to the beach from there.

 

Since it is a one-way road that ends at the beach, it’s actually pretty safe to hitchhike from the highway – just use common sense. Walking is an option, and you can even stop at the coffee house that’s about a third of the way there for a caffeine boost. If you are walking, odds are someone will stop and offer you a ride. 

 

Once you arrive, you’ll notice Hacienda Cerritos – the big hotel on top of the hill. For one day at the hotel to use the pool, you only need to spend $50 in food and drink. Not a bad deal for two people.

How to get surf lessons 

 

There’s several tents set up all along the beach offering surfing lessons. You will see the name of the school on the tent, including Mario Surf School and a local school called Pescadero Locales Surf School.

 

The waves here are the perfect size for beginners to try surfing for the first time. For lessons from Pescadero Locales, I paid 800 pesos or about $40 for a one hour surf lesson. They included a rash guard shirt, a chair and umbrella for the day, and I got to keep the board all day to keep practicing.

 

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Above all, there’s so much more to this area of Baja California Sur than the party scene. Discover the authentic desert experience and get close to nature and wildlife. Admire the beautiful, handmade alebrijes, and get out of your comfort zone by taking surfing lessons. Without a doubt, this quaint town is not just for those who can afford the lavish hotels and spas. Visit Todos Santos on a budget, and enjoy the adventure.