25 Best Sights in Los Cabos Side Trips, Los Cabos and the Baja Peninsula

Ask anyone living in La Paz for their favorite place or top recommendation and they're bound to reply with a passionate sigh, "La Isla." It's no wonder, as Espíritu Santo, an uninhabited island about an hour's boat ride into the ocean, is unbelievably special. It's a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site as well as a national park, and a number of tour operators will take you out for the day to snorkel or scuba dive at Los Islotes, a bustling sea lion colony, kayak across the still waters, or relax on a completely vacant beach. With a few, you can even camp overnight.

At this 27 3/4-square-mile national park, a 20,000-year-old coral reef has been legally protected since 1995 and is home to more than 2,000 different kinds of marine invertebrates—as well as more than 800 species of marine life, from mantas and giant sea turtles to dolphins and sea lions, and most famously, bull sharks, who divers can get face-to-face with year-round. The park comprises both land and sea, and is renowned among diving aficionados for its eight fingers of hard coral reef, plus its immense abundance of colorful tropical fish. The best months to visit are August, September, and October, when visibility is highest. The park isn't difficult to access. Head southwest from La Ribera and it's just 8 km (5 miles) from the end of the paved road; it's bordered by Playa Las Barracas in the north and Bahía Los Frailes to the south. It can also be reached by the dirt road running along the coast from San José del Cabo. It'll take you two hours or more this way, but the coast along this route is unmatched. (Though, if it's raining, stick to the paved route.) Dive centers line Cabo Pulmo's main street, leading to the beach, all of whom offer dive trips and snorkeling tours, full gear rentals, and more.

It might not be an obvious bet to seek out natural hot springs in a warm weather destination, but the Aguas Termales Santa Rita are truly special. This divinely sculpted Jacuzzi is an enchanting place to soak and relax, and there's a refreshing, cool-water river bend just a few steps away, ideal for moving back and forth between the two. The smell of sulfur is strong, but you get used to it, and it does wonders for your skin and any body aches. Assuming you bring your own provisions, there are areas to sit and eat (complete with picnic tables and basic grills) and even overnight campsites. It's a long drive down a dirt road to get here, but it adds to the charm and adventure of the experience. You will not have cell reception, so downloading Maps in advance is a must. You'll need cash to pay the entry fee, collected presumably by the family who lives on the land.

Note: there are two hot springs compounds right next to each other, with separate entrances and fees. The first, Los Encinos, is not as nice as Santa Rita, but could be ideal for families with young children as the water is more shallow and space more confined, making it easier to supervise your brood. Everyone else should continue driving just another hundred yards more to reach Santa Rita.

A (usually) dry riverbed called an arroyo runs through the center of Los Barriles, and it is a wild landscape to rip through on an ATV. About 20 km (12½ miles) in is a waterfall whose size changes by the month; sometimes its pool is only deep enough for a splash, but it's still miraculous to see freshwater rapidly gushing out of rocks in the middle of an otherwise barren desert.

If you've heard whispers of a waterfall, it was likely this: Cascada Sol del Mayo, located at the base of a canyon within the Rancho Ecológico Sol de Mayo, just outside of the town of Santiago. It's a bit of a journey to reach, but it's a fun adventure for active travelers. First, head down a long dirt road from the Mirador Santiago de Yola, a small observation platform overlooking Santiago's lagoons and palm groves; you'll likely lose cell reception, but it's hard to get lost (download the route on Google Maps ahead of time if you'd like the reassurance). Once you reach the ranch, you'll need to pay an entrance fee, and it's a short but steep hike down into the canyon. You'll be rewarded halfway with a view of the twinkling green swimming hole and dainty but powerful cascade. The crystal clear, freshwater pool is incredibly refreshing (especially after that descent on a warm day) and has pockets both deep (nice for jumping) and shallow (nice for standing or floating).

The downtown church, Catedral de Nuestra Señora de la Paz, is a simple, unassuming building near the site of La Paz's first mission, which no longer exists. Built in 1861, it's one of La Paz's oldest buildings, and so no changes can be made, even for restoration. It was built with volcanic stone, the primary available material at the time; inside you can find a modest gilded altar but beautiful stained-glass windows.

This small but sweet town square sits between the cathedral and the former government palace, which now houses El Museo de Arte de Baja California Sur (MUABCS). Admission to the museum is free, so stop in to see a collection of work by local and national artists. Concerts are held in the garden's gazebo and locals gather here for art fairs and farmers markets.

Todos Santos is an oasis, meaning fresh water naturally runs through the desert into the ocean. Greenery blooms alongside cracking stretches of hardened sand, with palm trees and cacti living as neighbors. Within the heart of the oasis sits Playa Las Palmas, one of the only swimmable beaches in Todos Santos. You need to walk through a corridor of lush plant life (and potentially an ankle-deep stream) to reach the ocean, which feels so surprisingly out of place, you'd think it was planted by a gardener. It's a quiet, beautiful place to spend some time, although beware of horse droppings and sand fleas. There are no amenities, so bring your own umbrellas and snacks. Amenities: none. Best for: swimming.

This seaside promenade is La Paz's seawall, tourist zone, and social center all rolled into one. It runs for 5 km (3 miles) along Paseo Álvaro Obregón and has a broad palm-lined walkway, statues of whale sharks, dolphins, sharks, and other local denizens of the deep, as well as several park areas in the directly adjacent sand. You can swim here, but the beaches outside town are of significantly better quality. The center point is Malecón Plaza, which features a white gazebo and small concrete square where musicians sometimes appear on weekend evenings. Paceños are fond of strolling the malecón at sunset when the heat of the day finally begins to subside.

Commonly referred to by English speakers as The Whale Museum, this popular malecón-adjacent attraction actually celebrates myriad forms of marine life, from dolphins and sharks to sea lions and endangered sea turtles. The enormous whale skeletons, built from bones sourced from specimens that washed up on nearby shores, are undoubtedly the most spectacular items on display, however. Sperm, humpback, and other whale re-creations hang suspended from the high ceilings, with brains and other organs preserved in accompanying exhibits. Guided tours provide a wonderful introduction to the region’s aquatic abundance, and are available in several languages, including English. The gift shop next door, meanwhile, offers souvenir T-shirts and other cetacean-theme memorabilia.

La Paz's culture and heritage are well represented at the Museo de Antropología, which has re-creations of indigenous Comondu and Las Palmas villages, photos of cave paintings found in Baja, and copies of Cortéz's writings on first sighting La Paz. All exhibit descriptions are labeled in both English and Spanish. If you're a true Baja aficionado and want to delve into the region's history, this museum is a must; otherwise, a quick visit is all you need.

There are more than nine palms here, but who’s counting? People who brave the dirt road to this off-the-beaten-track beach are here to surf the rippable right-hand point break. It's about an hour drive northeast from San José del Cabo, along with two other great surf spots, Shipwrecks and Punta Perfecta, which are clustered around La Fortuna and Boca de la Vinorama. The best time to surf is during the summer months, when southwesterly swells provide optimal conditions. But for those seeking only sun, sand, and breathtakingly beautiful views, Nine Palms is a year-round pleasure. Amenities: none. Best for: surfing; swimming; walking.

Todos Santos was the second-farthest south of Baja California's 30 mission churches, a system the Spanish instituted to convert (and subdue) the peninsula's indigenous peoples. Jesuit priests established an outpost here in 1723 as a visita (circuit branch) of the mission in La Paz, a day's journey away on horseback. The original church north of town was sacked and pillaged twice during its existence, before being relocated in 1825 to this site in the center of town. Additions in the past two centuries have resulted in a hodgepodge of architectural styles, but the overall effect is still pleasing, and the structure serves to this day as the community's bustling parish church.

Once a vital maritime hub, the Old Port of Todos Santos has been reduced to (literal) ruins, but remains an awe-inspiring viewpoint. Reachable only by a hiking trail or with an ATV, the striking vistas from the top of the trail are easily worth the sweat and dust you'll be covered in upon arrival. If you have it in you, you can take a steep 2½-mile trek down to a stunning, secluded beach to cool off. The trail, also called the Sugar Port, starts at Punta Lobos.

A rocky point shelters a clear, warm bay at Playa Balandra, 21 km (13 miles) north of La Paz. Several small coves and pristine beaches appear and disappear with the tides, but the water is calm and shallow enough that you can wade between them. This is Mexico's most famous beach, so the most popular way to visit is with a boat tour, whose guide typically provides beach chairs, snorkeling gear, and lunch. If you go independently, there are some restrictions, as Balandra was named an ecological conservation site by UNESCO. There is an entrance fee of about $3 per person, and you can stay for up to a maximum of four hours during either a morning (8--noon) or afternoon (1--5) time slot. A maximum of 450 people are allowed to enter during each time slot, so if you're traveling during peak season (or even on a weekend), you may want to arrive and line up early to guarantee admission. You will be made to leave once your time slot closes, regardless of when you arrived. The most iconic site at Balandra is "El Hongo," a rock formation that looks like a mushroom. It's a photo op, for sure, but climbing on it is forbidden. There's also a 30-minute hike from the parking lot up to a panoramic viewpoint overlooking the bay. When walking in the shallow waters, you're advised to shuffle your feet, kicking up sand to disturb any potentially sleeping sting rays. Sand flies can be a nuisance on the beach, particularly between July and October. Amenities: parking (fee). Best for: snorkeling; swimming.

Situated 5 km (3 miles) north of La Paz, half of Caimancito "belongs" to the locals (though anyone is welcome), with sun-shading palapas and some government signage. It's a good beach for families with young children, as the calm, shallow waters feel more like a large natural pool than ocean. The second half houses El Caimancito Restaurant & Beach Club, which is owned by the boutique hotel, Orchid House Baja. There are very cute day beds and wooden swings, plus a DJ and fan to keep cool in the heat. A $500 MXN ($25) consumption minimum is required for nonguests of the hotel. Amenities: food and drink; parking (free). Best for: partiers; swimming.

On a calm, sunny day, Playa El Tecolote could pass for being in the Caribbean. It's extremely gorgeous, and extremely fun, with the total vibe of a true Mexican beach. Restaurants and bars serve all sorts of seafood, though some will try to charge you a minimum spend ($400 MXN [$20])or flat rate($100 MXN [$5]) to dine on the sand versus inside their open-air establishment. Vendors rent out beach chairs, umbrellas, and kayaks, and will give banana boat rides. To the right of the restaurants is where the locals station up, often setting up tailgates from the backs of their cars and/or under large awnings. Camping is permitted (no hookups), and you'll see vans and RVs parked right on the sand, facing the beautiful surf. To the left is a hidden, quiet beach, accessible only by hiking or by boat, called El Tecolotito. Visit during the summer (May through November) for the best conditions. From January through March, it can be windy and the waves rough. Amenities: food and drink; parking (free); toilets; water sports. Best for: partiers; swimming; walking.

White sand lines this quiet public beach in La Ribera, a sleepy town just north of Cabo Pulmo National Park. The beach feels almost untouched, with calm water that's great for sportfishing, kayaking, paddleboarding, swimming, and snorkeling. Costa Palmas is just down the beach. Amenities: toilets. Best for: solitude; snorkeling; swimming.

Playa Los Barriles runs the entire length of town, curving gently toward Bahía de las Palmas. Amazingly, it is almost completely free of people, except from November to March, when wind-sports companies offer rentals during the gusty season and it becomes a jumping-off point for activities including kiteboarding, kitesurfing, windsurfing, and foilboarding. Those seeking sun and sea views recline on chaise lounges at beachfront resorts, and those seeking a congenial atmosphere hang out at restaurants or beach bars set just off the main shoreline. You can drive your ATV or truck onto the beach, and many locals do. Beware of jellyfish in the water. Amenities: none. Best for: walking; swimming; fishing; wind sports.

This long, expansive beach on the Pacific Ocean, about 64 km (40 miles) north of Cabo San Lucas and on the way to the town of Todos Santos, is famous among surfers for its wonderful breaking waves in winter. Great for beginners, the waves here are consistent, accessible, and not overly powerful. Boards and lessons are available via multiple surf shops right on shore. This beach works best on northwest swells. Even if you don't ride the waves, you can watch them crash along the shore. The sandy beach is wide, flat, and ideal for wading and swimming close to shore. Swimming farther out is not recommended because of the strong currents.

There are a small but lively number of beach bars and restaurants, including Barracuda Cantina, which was featured on Netflix's Taco Chronicles, plus a couple of modest beachfront hotels. Several condo and hotel developments are in progress, with locals predicting that Cerritos will be the "next Médano" (the mega-popular beach in Cabo San Lucas) in a decade or so. You can still camp or stay in RVs near the beach, although there are no organized campsites or RV parks in the area. The beach is quite dog-friendly, and you'll no doubt cross paths with a few four-legged friends (and their owners) on any given day. It's also a nice place to get an affordable massage, with a number of massage beds set up right in the sand.

Access to the beach is marked on Highway 19 (which connects Cabo San Lucas and Todos Santos) by a sign for Playa Los Cerritos at Km 64 (13 km [8 miles] south of Todos Santos). The graded dirt road to the beach is 2½ km (1½ miles) from Highway 19. Amenities: food and drink; parking (free); showers (for restaurant patrons); toilets. Best for: surfing; swimming; walking.

Playa Pichilingue is a good back-up beach for when El Tecolote and Balandra are too crowded. The water is pretty, and a local BYOB beach club, A Plein Soleil, will rent you cushioned chaise loungers for $150 MXN ($8) for the day. Points could be docked for the nearby ferry terminal, number of fishing boats, and sound of traffic, but those are rather surface-level complaints. The clear, shallow ocean water is great to sit—or even lay down—in and watch tiny fish swim by. There are a couple of restaurants to patron for lunch and drinks. Amenities: food and drink; parking (free); toilets. Best for: swimming.

The closest beach to downtown Todos Santos, Punta Lobos is where fishermen launch their boats in the early morning. It's fascinating to watch them go out, as well as return in the afternoon, boats barreling onto the sand at high speed. You may see the occasional swimmer, but it generally isn't advised due to strong currents. Strolling along the sand and enjoying the scenery, however, is highly recommended. Punta Lobos, named after the sea lions native to the area, is also the starting point of some of the town's most beloved hikes. Amenities: parking (free). Best for: sunrise; walking.

Better that you encounter all the creatures that slip and slither here in the safety of Mexico’s largest serpentarium than out in the wilds of Baja. More than 100 species are on display in indoor and outdoor exhibits, including turtles, pythons, rattlesnakes, and a rather large iguana. A majority are rescued from precarious situations in the wild (like being abandoned at birth or seriously injured) and are either rehabilitated and released, or if not possible, continuously cared for. Labeling is entirely in Spanish, but the staff offers guided tours in English with advance notice. A gift shop sells reptile-theme souvenirs.

The mouthful of a name denotes Todos Santos's 1944 movie theater, which was quite a grand movie palace back in the day for remote, small-town Mexico. A few cultural events take place here, including the annual Todos Santos Film Festival each March.

A globe-shape monument marks the spot where the Tropic of Cancer line (the northernmost circle of latitude at which the sun can be seen directly overhead on the summer solstice) crosses Baja California Sur. The line separates Earth’s temperate zone and the tropics. Of course, Baja is Baja, and you won’t detect any difference in climate no matter which side of the line you are on. The geographical milepost is easily seen from the highway, but it's worth getting out of the car to pop into the shops surrounding it, which offer arts and crafts from local communities. There are restrooms available (but bring your own toilet paper) and a nice ice-cream shop next door. Also, here is a beautiful shrine to the Virgin of Guadalupe, where Catholics will visit to light candles and pray. It is a stop on a local pilgrimage that takes place each year on the Dia de la Virgen (December 12) and ends in nearby Miraflores.