Things to Do in Baja California

The Sea of Cortez (also known as the Gulf of California), lies between the Baja California Peninsula and mainland Mexico. This stretch of the Pacific, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the most diverse seas in the world and home to more than 3,000 marine species, including hammerhead sharks, sea lions, and sea turtles. 

While the Sea of Cortez stretches along roughly 2,500 miles (4,000 kilometers) of Mexico’s coastline, the Los Cabos region in Baja California Sur is a popular jumping off point for tours. Many Sea of Cortez excursions leave from Cabos San Lucas, Todos Santos, San José del Cabo, and other nearby towns. 

There’s no shortage of things to do, whether you want to fish, snorkel, scuba dive, or horseback ride on the beach. You can also swim with massive whale sharks or relax on a sunset cruise. Whale-watching tours are another popular activity; humpback whales, blue whales, and grey whales migrate through the region during fall and winter. 

The Los Cabos region, where many tours depart from, is located at the southern tip of Mexico’s Baja Peninsula. Los Cabos International Airport lies roughly 45 minutes by road from Cabo San Lucas and Todos Santos, and 15 minutes by road from San José del Cabo. Rental cars and taxis are good ways to get around in this region. 

Although it doesn’t get hit with very many big storms, the Sea of Cortez is subject to the same hurricane season as the Atlantic—the months of June through November may see an increase in rain and storm activity. Winter (December through April) is the busiest season and the best time for whale watching. 

The Sea of Cortez is an excellent spot for snorkeling and diving, with a rich array of marine life and an underwater world of hard coral reefs. A variety of tropical fish species, including pufferfish, yellow snapper, manta rays, and sharks, can be found here, plus large marine mammals such as whales, whale sharks, and dolphins. 

Cabo San Lucas’ famous landscape is easily recognized by anyone who’s gotten a chance to visit this majestic beachfront. Rugged, windswept arches dot the coastline, but these beautiful testaments to what Mother Nature can do are more than just pretty rocks – they mark the spot for some of the best diving in Cabo. Just look to the arch that stands by the head of the harbor and you’re well on your way to some beautiful underwater exploration. This spot is known as Sand Falls.

Discovered by famed underwater explorer Jacques Cousteau, Sand Falls is one of the beautiful phenomena of nature where forces conspire to make for a remarkable, one-of-a-kind spot. Where the steep rocky shoreline meets the continual runoff of sand, divers at Sand Falls enjoy a peaceful scene of time’s relentless ebb and flow. While literally floating in the warm water, you’ll watch the continual runoff of sand into the deep and bountiful sea. 

Close to other dive spots including three different shipwrecks, Sand Falls is oftentimes a jumping off point for more snorkel and dive trips in the Cabo San Lucas Harbor.

Stretching around a secluded cove, Santa Maria Beach is a protected marine sanctuary and an excellent spot for snorkeling or sunbathing. Santa Maria’s serene setting offers a nice alternative to the noise and excitement of Cabo San Lucas’ beaches, and snorkeling with a variety of colorful fish is just a short swim from shore.

Santa Maria’s wide strip of golden sand and horseshoe-shaped bay tucked between two bluffs make it one of the nicest beaches in Los Cabos.

Most visitors arrive as part of a snorkeling cruise that includes hotel or port pickup and drop-off. There’s also a popular snorkel and kayak combo tour to consider. Excursions typically include free time to enjoy the beach. If you want to spend more time soaking up the Baja tranquility, plan to visit independently.

 

The easiest way to visit Santa Maria Beach is on a boat tour from Los Cabos. Or, if you’re driving, take Highway 1. The beach is accessible via a well-marked stop off the road, about 8 miles (13 kilometers) east of Cabo San Lucas and 12 miles (19 kilometers) west of San Jose del Cabo.

Santa Maria Beach can be visited year-round. Winter sees large numbers of tourists, whereas other times of year are less crowded. The middle of the week has fewer crowds, and mornings offer better conditions and calmer waters for swimming and snorkeling.

Santa Maria’s horseshoe-shaped bay is a popular destination for snorkeling cruises that ply the Los Cabos coast. Santa Maria Cove is one of the best spots to snorkel and see colorful coral formations, troves of tropical fish, and maybe sea turtles or manta rays. Its calm, shallow waters and ease of snorkeling from shore make it an ideal snorkeling spot for families.

Cabo San Lucas may be known for its beaches, but the seaside town also offers adventure options that involve more land than sea. The Sierra de la Laguna mountain range, with its abundant oak and pine forests, is a rugged escape for those looking to explore the great outdoors. The Tropic of Cancer dissects the range; in other words, the area is tropical, but its elevation helps keep it relatively cool.

This Baja California mountain range offers a wealth of hiking, backpacking, canyoneering, climbing, and bouldering activities to satisfy even the most ardent outdoors enthusiast. Picacho de la Laguna is considered the range’s highest peak at 7,090 feet (2,161 meters), and many travelers come to hike its slopes. Guided hikes through the Sierra de La Laguna Biosphere Reserve are considered challenging by some; if you can swing it, you’ll enjoy an up-close look at the region’s flora and fauna.

Located just north of Cabo San Lucas on the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula, the Sierra de la Laguna mountain range is accessible by car; simply head north on Highway 1, which encircles the mountain range, to reach the trailheads. Picacho de la Laguna is where most day trips and multi-day treks take place. Tours typically offer round-trip transportation from Todos Santos and San Jose del Cabo.

The most popular months to hike the mountain range are between November and early spring. Hurricane season can hit in August and continue into November, which is when the mountains experience heavy rains, so plan accordingly. Also, temperatures can drop below freezing at night in winter. Overall, in order to beat the heat, arrive early in the morning for the most enjoyable hiking conditions.

Located on the Pacific coast of the peninsula, about 45 miles (73 kilometers) north of Cabo San Lucas, Todos Santos serves as a starting point for many tours of the Sierra de La Laguna mountain range. The beach village is known as a hotspot for artists, craftsmen, surfers, and travelers looking for a little magic, as it’s the only “Pueblo Magíco” in Baja.