The Quintessential Baja California Sur Road Trip Itinerary

This post shares our quintessential Baja California Sur road trip itinerary, including 13 amazing destinations across the state, and where to eat, stay and play in each of them.

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Baja California Sur road trip

If there’s one Mexican state that’s good for a road trip, it’s Baja California Sur.

Limited public transport and some remote, hidden gems make renting a car the best option to get around the region. The distances are relatively short by Mexico standards, and the driving is straightforward (with some fun dirt roads thrown in to complete the Baja vibe!).

Home to some of the most beautiful scenery in the whole country, from dramatic mountain ranges, crystal-clear waters and dusty desert towns, Baja Sur is magic.

We were completely captivated by this incredible state, and it is without a doubt our favourite place in Mexico, after six months of travelling around the country.

In this post, we are going to share our ultimate Baja California Sur road trip itinerary.

We hit all the highlights but also hunted out some lesser-known places and small towns hidden down dusty roads.

Although we could have easily spent more time in Baja California Sur, we felt the route we covered did the state justice, and we got a really good feel for this beautiful part of Mexico.

Driving in Baja California Sur

If you’re not driving into Baja from the USA or Canada, you will need to rent a car once you arrive.

The best places to rent a car are from three airports around the state, as you won’t be able to get one in many of the smaller towns.

• 🚙 Check prices and browse for rentals from Los Cabos International Airport here
• 🚙 Check prices and browse for rentals from La Paz International Airport here
• 🚙 Check prices and browse for rentals from Loreto International Airport here

Check out our guide to driving in Baja, with information about the process of renting a car and insurance, and handy tips to make your road trip as smooth as possible.

Baja California Sur itinerary timings

Most Baja road trip itineraries list specific time frames for the trip, usually ranging anywhere from 7 – 14 days.

In this itinerary, I won’t be including any time frames or lengths of stay in each place. Everyone travels very differently, and some people are happy to be moving every day and staying single nights in destinations.

We prefer to travel slower and spent 6 weeks completing our Baja road trip. We don’t like to stay anywhere for less than 2-3 nights at a minimum and are not fans of moving every single day.

This Baja California Sur road trip itinerary is going to focus on the destinations you should visit and the route you should take. How long you spend is totally up to you!

Baja California Sur road trip itinerary

We started our road trip in the south of the state, at the Los Cabos International Airport.

This is the most common entry point for international travellers, so there’s a good chance you will be flying in here. We headed as far north as Mulege before looping back south, returning the car to the same place we collected it.

Our Baja California Sur road trip stops, in order, included:

• San Jose del Cabo
• East Cape
• Cabo Pulmo
• Santiago
• Los Barriles
• La Ventana
• La Paz
• Magdalena Bay
• Loreto
• Mulege
• Todos Santos
• Cerritos Beach
• Cabo San Lucas

San Jose del Cabo

😴 How long we spent there: 4 nights

Welcome to the cuter Cabo. Part of the famous Los Cabos resort area, San Jose del Cabo is the quieter, more sophisticated sibling of wild Cabo San Lucas. This colourful colonial town is divided into the inland Art District, where colourful flags flap above cobblestone streets, and the Zona Hotelera, where resorts line miles of golden, undisturbed beaches.

East Cape

😴 How long we spent there: 2 nights

The isolated and remote stretch of coastline between San Jose del Cabo in the west and Cabo Pulmo in the east is known as Cabo Este or East Cape. Only accessible to those with a car and an adventurous spirit, this sparse and untouched area offers an insight into old-school Baja. The most remote stop on our Baja road trip, the East Cape is a truly special part of the state and the scenery is mind-blowing. With just a handful of holiday rentals and small hotels, a few restaurants, and miles of undisturbed surf beach backed by layers of desert mountains, the East Cape is an off-grid experience. Unplug, relax and soak up the best of Baja’s nature.

Cabo Pulmo

😴 How long we spent there: 2 nights*

*I wish we stayed another night here!

Cabo Pulmo is a dusty little town hidden down the end of a long, bumpy road in the southeast corner of Baja California Sur. Best known as a scuba diving town, divers come here from all over the world to dive in one of the only coral reefs in North America. The Cabo Pulmo National Marine Park is a large protected area, and getting underwater is a must, whether you’re a scuba diver or snorkelled.

Santiago

😴 How long we spent there: 2 nights

Nestled in the foothills of the Sierra de la Laguna mountains, Santiago is an outdoor lovers’ paradise. This was one of our favourite stops on our Baja California Sur road trip, and it would be virtually impossible to visit without your own car. Santiago epitomises the phrase ‘life in the desert’, and the landscape is dotted with oases, green palm trees, flowing waterfalls and thermal springs bubbling from canyons. This tiny town offers the perfect escape from the busy beaches of Los Cabos.

Los Barriles

😴 How long we spent there: 2 nights*

*Los Barriles is the only place I would happily skip, La Ventana is better in our opinion

Los Barriles is a small beach town on the east coast of the state. Best known as a kite surfing destination, the population of the town swells each November – March with kitesurfers from around the world. With a distinct holiday feel, the small town centre is jammed with restaurants, bars and souvenir shops catering to the seasonal influx of tourists, most from the USA and Canada. If you have to cut out one stop on your Baja California Sur itinerary, we would suggest Los Barriles (in our own personal opinion!).

• 🌞 Top five things to do in Los Barriles:
  • Try kitesurfing, there are gear rentals and schools all over town
  • Organise a fishing charter, for some of Mexico’s best sportfishing
  • Catch a sunrise from the beach
  • Rent an ATV or join a guided tour to cruise along the sand and into the desert
  • Play pickleball at Los Barriles’ very own pickleball resort

• 🌮 Our favourite places to eat in Los Barriles:
  • Taqueria El Viejo: All types of seafood tacos with an epic salad bar, a must try
  • Taqueria la Gaviota: Great little taco spot set up in someone’s front yard, range of seafood tacos as well as ceviche and sashimi
  • Taqueria Pelapapitas: Huge super burros and a range of good quality Mexican food
  • La Playa: Great but pricey spot right on the beach, for cocktails and fresh seafood
  • Maxico: A nice option for coffee, juices, smoothie bowls, avo toast etc.

• 🛏️ Where to stay in Los Barriles:
  • Hostel/Budget: GALT Habitaciones
  • Affordable Mid-Range: Hotel Hondo
  • Boutique/Sustainable: Hotel Playa del Sol

Driving time from Los Barriles to La Ventana: 1 hour

La Ventana

😴 How long we spent there: 2 nights*

*I wish we stayed another few nights here!

La Ventana is a small coastal town on the east coast of Baja California Sur, less than an hour south of the state’s capital La Paz. Although you’ll usually only hear the name La Ventana, there are actually two separate towns, located very close to each other – La Ventana and El Sargento. Attracting kite surfers from all over the world with its winter winds, La Ventana is still a great place to visit even if you don’t kite. The desert-meets-ocean landscape has plenty of trails and beaches to explore. We think this is a better choice than Los Barriles, with much more attractive surroundings, and more activities for non-kiters.

La Paz

😴 How long we spent there: 7 nights

The capital city of Baja California Sur, La Paz is located on the east coast of the Baja Peninsula overlooking the Sea of Cortez. A colourful city centre and waterfront boardwalk area lead to some of the state’s most exceptional natural experiences. World-famous beaches, rich oceans and a stunning desert landscape make La Paz a nature lovers’ dream. City and nature – La Paz is the perfect combination of both! There are so many things to do in and around La Paz, it should be one of the longest stops on your Baja California Sur to squeeze in all the amazing activities.

Magdalena Bay

😴 How long we spent there: 3 nights

Magdalena Bay is less of a destination in itself and more of a jumping point for one of the most incredible travel experiences you will ever have.

Each year in the wintertime, grey whales migrate south from the Artic, to the warm, protected waters of Magdalena Bay. Located on the west coast of Baja California Sur, this sheltered bay in the Pacific Ocean provides a haven for grey whales to mate, give birth and escape the cold winter Arctic waters.

But this is no ordinary whale watching experience. For reasons unexplainable by scientists, the grey whales of Baja are friendly and curious and seek out physical interactions with humans and boats. The whales willingly approach the boats, roll around, give themselves a scratch against the boat and ‘spy hop’ (stick their head vertically out of the water) to get a better look at the humans on board. The whales are expecting attention and affection, and if you don’t lean down to give them a scratch or a smooch, they will be disappointed and swim to another boat looking for love.

Loreto

😴 How long we spent there: 5 nights

Thought to be the oldest human settlement on the Baja Peninsula, Loreto is home to the first successful Jesuit mission. But it’s not just history. Loreto is surrounded by some of the most outstanding nature in the entire state, and there are so many things to do here. The Sierra de la Giganta mountain range looms over the town and is bordered by the dazzling Sea of Cortez. Just one of two pueblo magicos, or magic towns, in Baja California Sur, Loreto has earned its title and is well worth the extra drive up north!

Mulege

😴 How long we spent there: 0 nights*

*We visited Mulege as a day trip from Loreto, but a big regret for us was not staying a few nights at the nearby Bahia Concepcion on one of Baja’s most spectacular beaches

Pronounced moo-leh-hey, Mulege is a small town in the northeastern part of the state. Best known for its oasis, it is one of the few places in the arid Baja desert where there is a freshwater source. Throw in a beautifully preserved Jesuit mission, a charming centro, and easy access to some of the state’s most impressive beaches, and Mulege is one stop you can’t miss on your Baja California Sur road trip.

Todos Santos

😴 How long we spent there: 3 nights

The small town of Todos Santos is a magnet for artists, creatives, surfers and hippy types. Located in southwest Baja California Sur, on the shores of the Pacific Ocean, it is just over an hour from the wild resort cities of Los Cabos but couldn’t be more different. It has managed to retain its small-town, laid-back feel, and the gorgeous centro is oozing with cool. Don’t forget the miles of golden Pacific beaches, fantastic hiking opportunities, top-class surfing and the chance to see marine life like baby turtles and whales.

Cerritos Beach/El Pescadero

😴 How long we spent there: 3 nights*

*Many people just visit Cerritos Beach from Todos Santos or vice versa, but we loved splitting our time and staying in both towns, they are a completely different vibe

Technically part of the small agricultural town El Pescadero, Cerritos Beach is an up-and-coming destination just outside of Todos Santos. One of Mexico’s best surf destinations, Cerritos Beach has exploded in popularity in recent years. Surrounded by farmland and stunning desert mountains, this dusty little town offers a laidback atmosphere, a great food scene and of course one of the best beaches in this part of Baja.

Cabo San Lucas

😴 How long we spent there: 4 nights

Cabo San Lucas is the wild part of the Los Cabos region, a raucous resort city in the south of the state. Best known as an American party destination, or a hideaway for Hollywood high rollers, Cabo San Lucas is the tourist destination in Baja. With the tacky tourist shops, persistent touts and heaving nightclubs to prove it. But even if you’re not into tequila shots or all-inclusive resorts, there is some stunning scenery here. Experiencing crazy Cabo for at least a few days on your Baja California Sur road trip is a rite of passage, even if it doesn’t sound like your scene!

Road trip Baja California Sur: Final thoughts

This marks the end of your epic Baja California Sur road trip! Head to the airport in San Jose del Cabo to return your car, and say goodbye to one of the most beautiful places on the planet.