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Mexico🇲🇽 | townsTodos SantosPacific desert coast, art galleries, Hotel California, mission church | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Todos Santos
👍 Recommendedtown ranked #7
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 20, 2026

Todos Santos used to be a sleepy sugarcane and mango town where the loudest event was a rooster, and now it has galleries, wood-fired pizza and a surf crowd. It sits in the south of Baja California Sur, in Mexico, on the Pacific side of the peninsula. The old center is small and walkable, but the best beaches are a few miles out, so the smarter move is to rent bikes or share a ride rather than hope for a taxi. Swimming at the surf beaches is risky because of rip currents, so experienced travelers watch from the sand and swim at sheltered spots. Hostels are few, evenings are quiet and friendly, and meeting people happens over coffee. The scent of roasting beans on Calle Juárez is what I link to the town. A first day works well with coffee, a slow wander past the plaza, and sunset tacos near the beach.

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✨ Why go?
Ranked #7 town in Mexico
The unique appeal for travelers

Todos Santos works because it gives you Pacific surf, a pretty colonial core and a calm pace within a few blocks. Most backpackers stay two or three nights, and some linger longer to learn to surf at Cerritos or work remotely from a café. It suits solo travelers, slow travelers and anyone who likes art over nightlife, since the evening scene means a mezcal, live guitar at the Hotel California courtyard and an early night. The Thursday to Saturday art walk in season adds social spark, and farm stands and fish tacos keep eating interesting. Hikers and cyclists get quiet roads and dune-backed beaches. If you want clubs, big hostels or a packed activity calendar, treat it as a short stop on the way between La Paz and Cabo.

💡 HighlightsThe experiences that define the visit

  1. Hotel California: The 1950s hotel on Calle Benito Juárez is the town’s best-known landmark, thanks to a persistent link with the Eagles song. The courtyard bar is pleasant for a drink in the late afternoon. Entering is free, drinks cost roughly US$6 to 12, and 1 hour is plenty.
  2. Plaza Mission and Nuestra Señora del Pilar: The 18th-century mission church and shaded plaza sit at the heart of town. Come in the morning, when light hits the facade and it is quiet. Free, 30 minutes.
  3. Centro Cultural Profesor Néstor Agúndez Martínez: A small museum in a former school, with photos and artifacts on sugar milling, mission history and local life. Entry is roughly US$1 to 2, and 30 to 45 minutes covers it.
  4. Art galleries on Calle Topete and Juárez: Dozens of small galleries show painting, ceramics and photography.
… read more 👉
  1. Hotel California: The 1950s hotel on Calle Benito Juárez is the town’s best-known landmark, thanks to a persistent link with the Eagles song. The courtyard bar is pleasant for a drink in the late afternoon. Entering is free, drinks cost roughly US$6 to 12, and 1 hour is plenty.
  2. Plaza Mission and Nuestra Señora del Pilar: The 18th-century mission church and shaded plaza sit at the heart of town. Come in the morning, when light hits the facade and it is quiet. Free, 30 minutes.
  3. Centro Cultural Profesor Néstor Agúndez Martínez: A small museum in a former school, with photos and artifacts on sugar milling, mission history and local life. Entry is roughly US$1 to 2, and 30 to 45 minutes covers it.
  4. Art galleries on Calle Topete and Juárez: Dozens of small galleries show painting, ceramics and photography. Mid-morning or the weekly art walk in high season are best. Browsing is free, and 1 to 2 hours is a good allowance.
  5. Playa Los Cerritos: A wide Pacific beach with a beginner-friendly surf break, a beach bar and a long walk along the sand. Visit mornings for gentler conditions. Parking is about US$2 to 3, a surf lesson roughly US$40 to 60, and a half day passes easily.
Day trips from Todos Santos include the Sierra de la Laguna foothills, the surf beach of Playa Pescadero, the fishing town of Cabo Pulmo and the cafés of Pescadero. No item needs a ticket or advance booking, though surf lessons are easier to secure when reserved a day ahead.
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Things to do around Todos Santos

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🏘️ NeighborhoodsNeighborhood guide to Todos Santos

Todos Santos is small enough that you can learn all of it in an afternoon, though the real trick is knowing which part suits which mood.
  • Centro Histórico: The grid around the plaza and the old Hotel California is where the galleries, the mission church and the taco stands cluster. It's flat and fully walkable, and everything closes earlier than you expect, so eat before 9 pm and save the gallery wandering for the golden hour. The Thursday evening art walk in high season is the exception.
  • Barrio Pescadero side (Pescadero): A few kilometers south, this is organic farms, the Mercado Orgánico on Saturdays and cafes with laptops. It is spread out along the highway, so walking is a poor plan. Rent a bike or share a taxi instead of arguing with the sun.
  • Playa Las Playitas and the Pacific side: West
… read more 👉
Todos Santos is small enough that you can learn all of it in an afternoon, though the real trick is knowing which part suits which mood.
  • Centro Histórico: The grid around the plaza and the old Hotel California is where the galleries, the mission church and the taco stands cluster. It's flat and fully walkable, and everything closes earlier than you expect, so eat before 9 pm and save the gallery wandering for the golden hour. The Thursday evening art walk in high season is the exception.
  • Barrio Pescadero side (Pescadero): A few kilometers south, this is organic farms, the Mercado Orgánico on Saturdays and cafes with laptops. It is spread out along the highway, so walking is a poor plan. Rent a bike or share a taxi instead of arguing with the sun.
  • Playa Las Playitas and the Pacific side: West of the center, a dirt-road stretch of beach with big surf and strong currents. People come to stare at the waves, not swim. The beach at Cerritos is the one with surf lessons and a beach bar, and it is a short ride away.
  • Punta Lobos: A fishing beach to the south where the boats launch at dawn and sell fish when they return. Go in the morning, when whale watching is possible in season, and buy a few fillets for a hostel kitchen.

⌛️ 1 dayA smart one-day plan

7:30 AM, Plaza Mission: Start here because the mission church and plaza are empty and cool before tour groups arrive. Walk five minutes to coffee on Calle Juárez.
9:00 AM, Gallery walk: Browse Calle Topete and Juárez, where artists open early. Stop at the cultural center for a quick local-history lesson.
11:00 AM, Mercado and orchards: Head to the small farm stands on the edge of town for mango or fresh juice, and see the old sugar-era brick chimneys. Few tourists wander here.
1:00 PM, Lunch: Fish tacos at a taquería near the plaza, then return to your hostel for a siesta.
3:00 PM, Playa Los Cerritos: Ride or share a taxi to the beach, then surf, swim in calmer parts or walk the sand.
6:00 PM, Sunset on the sand: Stay for the colors, then head back to town.
8:00 PM, Hotel California courtyard: Finish … read more 👉
7:30 AM, Plaza Mission: Start here because the mission church and plaza are empty and cool before tour groups arrive. Walk five minutes to coffee on Calle Juárez.
9:00 AM, Gallery walk: Browse Calle Topete and Juárez, where artists open early. Stop at the cultural center for a quick local-history lesson.
11:00 AM, Mercado and orchards: Head to the small farm stands on the edge of town for mango or fresh juice, and see the old sugar-era brick chimneys. Few tourists wander here.
1:00 PM, Lunch: Fish tacos at a taquería near the plaza, then return to your hostel for a siesta.
3:00 PM, Playa Los Cerritos: Ride or share a taxi to the beach, then surf, swim in calmer parts or walk the sand.
6:00 PM, Sunset on the sand: Stay for the colors, then head back to town.
8:00 PM, Hotel California courtyard: Finish with a drink and live guitar, a gentle close to the day.

🌤️ When to go?When to go for the best experience

Late November to April is the easiest window, with sunny days and cooler nights.
  • Winter (Dec to Mar): Highs of 24 to 27°C (75 to 81°F), nights near 13 to 15°C (55 to 59°F). Whale season on the coast runs roughly January to March, and the art walks run weekly. Beds fill and prices rise around the holidays.
  • Spring (Apr to May): Warm, dry, 27 to 32°C (81 to 90°F), with quieter streets and the best surf-and-sun balance.
  • Summer (Jun to Sep): Hot, 32 to 38°C (90 to 100°F) and humid. Many places close or discount heavily. Hurricane risk peaks from late August through October, and short, heavy rain storms can flood the arroyos.
  • Fall (Oct to Nov): Heat eases and the town reopens by November, with cheaper rooms before the winter rush.
Book winter beds a month ahead if you are traveling around Christmas or New Year.

source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: highly recommended for travelingFEBFebruary: highly recommended for travelingMARMarch: highly recommended for travelingAPRApril: highly recommended for travelingMAYMay: highly recommended for travelingJUNJune: fair for travelingJULJuly: fair for travelingAUGAugust: fair for travelingSEPSeptember: fair for travelingOCTOctober: fair for travelingNOVNovember: excellent for travelingDECDecember: highly recommended for traveling
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🛏️ Where to stay?Choosing the right base

The historic center is the best place to sleep on a budget, with most of the hostels and cheap guesthouses within a few blocks of the plaza. Dorm beds run roughly US$15 to 30 and fill up quickly in the winter, so booking ahead is sensible. The center is quiet and safe to walk at night, and you can reach the bus stop, markets and restaurants on foot, which saves on taxis. Noise is mild, with most nights ending early, though a bar or two may carry music on weekends.

The second option is the beach side near Cerritos or Pescadero, where you will find a handful of surf-oriented budget stays and campsites. … read more 👉
The historic center is the best place to sleep on a budget, with most of the hostels and cheap guesthouses within a few blocks of the plaza. Dorm beds run roughly US$15 to 30 and fill up quickly in the winter, so booking ahead is sensible. The center is quiet and safe to walk at night, and you can reach the bus stop, markets and restaurants on foot, which saves on taxis. Noise is mild, with most nights ending early, though a bar or two may carry music on weekends.

The second option is the beach side near Cerritos or Pescadero, where you will find a handful of surf-oriented budget stays and campsites. Beds are fewer and farther apart, and without a car you rely on taxis or a rental bike for food and groceries. Nights are darker and the roads unlit, so it suits those who value sound sleep and a short walk to the surf over evening choice.

🚌 Getting aroundGetting around like a local

Todos Santos center is flat and compact, so you can walk from the plaza to any gallery, taco stand or market in 10 minutes, but the beaches and Pescadero are spread out along the highway and walking there in the midday heat is a poor life choice.
  • Walking: Free and the best way to see the center. Sidewalks are patchy and the old streets are cobbled or dusty, so bring sturdy sandals and skip flip-flops after dark.
  • Taxis: There is no ride-hailing to count on, so use the local taxis. Expect US$3 to 6 within town and US$8 to 15 to the beaches or Cerritos. Agree on the price first, because there are no meters, and an experienced traveler asks the hostel to call a driver.
  • Colectivos and local buses: The Aguila buses along Highway 19 link Todos Santos to La Paz (about 1.5 hours, US$7 to 10) and Cabo
… read more 👉
Todos Santos center is flat and compact, so you can walk from the plaza to any gallery, taco stand or market in 10 minutes, but the beaches and Pescadero are spread out along the highway and walking there in the midday heat is a poor life choice.
  • Walking: Free and the best way to see the center. Sidewalks are patchy and the old streets are cobbled or dusty, so bring sturdy sandals and skip flip-flops after dark.
  • Taxis: There is no ride-hailing to count on, so use the local taxis. Expect US$3 to 6 within town and US$8 to 15 to the beaches or Cerritos. Agree on the price first, because there are no meters, and an experienced traveler asks the hostel to call a driver.
  • Colectivos and local buses: The Aguila buses along Highway 19 link Todos Santos to La Paz (about 1.5 hours, US$7 to 10) and Cabo San Lucas (about 1.5 hours, US$7 to 10). Services run from early morning until roughly early evening, so check the last departure before you commit to a day out.
  • Bike or scooter rental: Bikes cost around US$10 to 15 a day and make sense for Pescadero and the orchard roads. The highway shoulder is narrow and trucks do not slow down, so ride in the morning.
  • Rental car: From about US$35 to 60 a day. It is the clear choice for Cerritos, Punta Lobos and the dirt roads, but split the cost with other travelers and fill up before leaving the highway, because gas stations are sparse.

👛 Costs (as of 20 October 2026)Typical daily expenses

Todos Santos costs a backpacker about US$63 to 102 a day, and the figure below puts it at US$82 with a dorm bed at high-season rates.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Dorm accommodationUS$20 to 30Winter beds sit near US$25 to 30 and fill quickly; summer is cheaper.
MealsUS$20 to 30Tacos run US$2 to 4 each, and a cafe breakfast about US$8 to 12. Cooking cuts the bill.
Local transportUS$8 to 12Taxis within town are US$3 to 6, and beaches cost more.
Basic activities/entry feesUS$10 to 20Most sights are free; a surf lesson or whale trip costs more.
MiscellaneousUS$5 to 10Water, snacks, a beer at about US$3 to 4, and sunscreen.
Total Daily BudgetUS$63 to 102About US$82 using the mid-range of each row.
Buy fish at Punta Lobos or produce at the Saturday organic market and cook at your hostel to save on … read more 👉
Todos Santos costs a backpacker about US$63 to 102 a day, and the figure below puts it at US$82 with a dorm bed at high-season rates.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Dorm accommodationUS$20 to 30Winter beds sit near US$25 to 30 and fill quickly; summer is cheaper.
MealsUS$20 to 30Tacos run US$2 to 4 each, and a cafe breakfast about US$8 to 12. Cooking cuts the bill.
Local transportUS$8 to 12Taxis within town are US$3 to 6, and beaches cost more.
Basic activities/entry feesUS$10 to 20Most sights are free; a surf lesson or whale trip costs more.
MiscellaneousUS$5 to 10Water, snacks, a beer at about US$3 to 4, and sunscreen.
Total Daily BudgetUS$63 to 102About US$82 using the mid-range of each row.
Buy fish at Punta Lobos or produce at the Saturday organic market and cook at your hostel to save on meals. Pay in pesos, since dollar prices at restaurants are usually rounded up.
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

🚌 Day tripsEasy escapes and nearby places

Todos Santos works well as a base because Highway 19 puts La Paz and Cabo San Lucas within about 90 minutes, and most trips can be done with public buses or a shared rental car.Cerritos Beach: Only 15 to 20 minutes south by taxi or car (US$8 to 15 each way), Cerritos offers a long surf beach with lessons from about US$40 to 60 and a laid-back beach bar. Swimming is risky when the surf is strong, which is the common first-timer mistake. Winter and spring give the best conditions.
La Paz: About 90 minutes by bus (US$7 to 10 each way), La Paz is a pleasant waterfront city with a malecón, seafood stalls and trips to Balandra Beach. Allow a full day and check the last bus back, because it leaves earlier than most people assume. Budget US$30 to 50 including food and entry costs.
👉 Explore La PazCabo … read more 👉
Todos Santos works well as a base because Highway 19 puts La Paz and Cabo San Lucas within about 90 minutes, and most trips can be done with public buses or a shared rental car.Cerritos Beach: Only 15 to 20 minutes south by taxi or car (US$8 to 15 each way), Cerritos offers a long surf beach with lessons from about US$40 to 60 and a laid-back beach bar. Swimming is risky when the surf is strong, which is the common first-timer mistake. Winter and spring give the best conditions.
La Paz: About 90 minutes by bus (US$7 to 10 each way), La Paz is a pleasant waterfront city with a malecón, seafood stalls and trips to Balandra Beach. Allow a full day and check the last bus back, because it leaves earlier than most people assume. Budget US$30 to 50 including food and entry costs.
👉 Explore La PazCabo Pulmo is too far; Cabo San Lucas: Also around 90 minutes by bus (US$7 to 10), Cabo San Lucas pairs the marina and El Arco water taxi (about US$15 to 20) with Medano Beach. It is pricey and crowded, so go early and keep it to a few hours. November to May is the most comfortable time.
Punta Lobos: A 10 to 15 minute ride from town (US$5 to 10), this fishing beach is best at dawn, when the boats go out and the catch is sold on the sand. Whale watching tours operate in winter, around US$60 to 90.

🛡️ SafetySafety Tips and Common Scams in Todos Santos

Todos Santos is a calm, small town where most problems are minor. Walking the center at night is comfortable, though some side streets are poorly lit, so stick to the main blocks after dark and carry a small flashlight. Solo travelers, including women, report few issues, but the usual habits apply: do not leave valuables visible in a parked car at the beaches and keep your phone out of sight on quiet roads. The biggest real hazards are natural. The Pacific beaches have strong rip currents and big surf, so swim only where locals do or where lifeguards are posted. Highway 19 sees fast trucks and little shoulder, so avoid driving it at night. Taxi fares are not metered, so agree on the price beforehand.

FAQFrequently asked questions about Todos Santos

Todos Santos is worth visiting for at least a couple of nights rather than treating it as a stopover. You get galleries and taco stands in the walkable center, surf at Cerritos and the Saturday organic market in Pescadero. Many people arrive intending to stay one night and extend, especially from January to March when whales pass the coast.
Todos Santos suits two to three days: one for the center and Hotel California, one for Cerritos or Punta Lobos, and a third for Pescadero or a slow beach day. Surfers or remote workers often stay a week or more. Buses to La Paz and Cabo take about 90 minutes, so you can add day trips on a longer stay.
Todos Santos can be visited as a day trip from La Paz or Cabo San Lucas, since both are about 90 minutes away by bus (US$7 to 10 each way) or car. That leaves roughly four to five hours on the ground, enough for the plaza, lunch and a short beach stop. Check the last bus back, and note that a night stay lets you catch the art walk and the dawn at Punta Lobos.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Mexican towns near Todos Santos

Explore more nearby:

  • Loreto—Jesuit mission, Sea of Cortez, panga fleet, fish tacos| 307 km away
  • Tequila—Agave fields, La Rojeña, tequila museum, old train station| 717 km away
  • Comala—Whitewashed lanes, Colima sweets, Pedro Páramo house, volcano views| 812 km away

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We 💚 feedbackSumming up the experience

Todos Santos is best in the early morning, when the plaza is silent, the surf is cleaner and galleries open their doors. I would plan around the cooler months for walking and cycling, and bring a light layer for breezy Pacific evenings. Skip rushing; two slow nights beat one long day.

✈️ When did I visit Mexico?
As part of my 1.5 year travel around the world trip, I visited Mexico in February and March 2016. Had to hurry a bit as I didn’t want to miss the free performance of the Rolling Stones in Cuba.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in Mexico, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



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Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

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