This post shares everything you need to know about visiting Mulege, Mexico in the state of Baja California Sur. We’ll share the best things to do, where to stay, what to eat and essential travel information for Mulege.
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About Mulege Mexico
Pronounced moo-leh-hey, Mulege is a small town in the north of the state of Baja California Sur, Mexico.
Best known as ‘the oasis town’, it is one of the few places in the arid Baja desert where there is a freshwater source.
The Rio Mulege (Mulege River) provides life to lush palm groves, mangroves and swathes of green in an otherwise dry land.
Throw in a beautifully preserved Jesuit mission, a charming centro, and easy access to some of the state’s most impressive beaches, and Mulege Mexico is one place you can’t miss in Baja California Sur!
Grab a copy of my Baja California Sur Travel Guide!
After falling absolutely in love with Baja, I decided to put together a Baja California Sur Travel Guide Ebook to help anyone planning a trip to Baja California Sur.
This ebook is designed to be a go-to quick reference guide for the best places to visit around the state, allowing you to be confident you’re hitting all the highlights without needing to do hours of research.
This 125-page ebook covers 13 top destinations across the state, with recommendations for where to eat, stay and play, as well as regional information about climate, transport, and tour recommendations.
It’s filled with all our best tips and advice, and beautiful photos to excite and inspire you ahead of your trip to this incredible part of Mexico!
There is also the option to add a customised Google Map that has over 200 locations pinned by category, allowing you to easily visualise our recommendations across the state.
Find out more about the guide here.
History of Mulege
Mulege was the location of the second Jesuit mission in Baja. Following the first mission in Loreto, which was established in 1697.
The Jesuits first arrived in the area around 1705, but the mission, Misión Santa Rosalía de Mulegé, wasn’t built until 1766.
The mission was only active for 100 years, changing hands multiple times in its short history. From the Jesuits to the Franciscans to the Dominicans. Eventually, it was abandoned in 1866.
Throughout this period, the town of Mulege got its official name ‘Heroica Mulege’ in honour of the locals who fought the American army trying to take over the town in 1847, during the American War of Intervention.
Where is Mulege Mexico
Mulege is located in the northeast corner of the Mexican state of Baja California Sur.
It sits on the east coast of the Baja Peninsula, on the shores of the Sea of Cortez (Gulf of California).
Mulege is 136 km / 81 mi north of Loreto, which has the closest international airport.
To put the location in context in comparison to other more popular destinations in Baja:
- Tijuana: 13 hours
- Loreto: 2 hours
- La Paz: 6 hours
- Todos Santos: 7 hours
- Los Cabos: 8 hours
How to get to Mulege Mexico
Mulege is a very small and isolated town. It doesn’t have its own airport and it is over two hours away from the nearest city of Loreto.
There is an international airport in Loreto, LTO – Loreto International Airport, which has limited flights from within Mexico, the USA and Canada.
To get to Mulege, we highly recommend having your own car.
The best place to pick up a rental car would be from the airport in Loreto, and you can browse and compare prices here.
If you’re doing a broader Baja California Sur road trip, you could also drive from LAP – La Paz International Airport (6 hours) or SJD – Los Cabos International Airport (8 hours).
However, it is possible to get to Mulege from Loreto or other parts of the state via the Aguila bus.
These buses are new and comfortable long-distance buses and can be booked online.
LORETO TO MULEGE / MULEGE TO LORETO
There are two options to travel from Loreto to Mulege (and Mulege to Loreto):
- Drive, your own or a rental car. The trip is about 2 hours, on the very scenic Highway 1.
- Take the Aguila bus. The bus departs from the bus station outside of town in Loreto and arrives at the bus station at the entrance to the town in Mulege. There are multiple departures per day.
Getting around in Mulege
To put it simply, you have to have a car to explore the best of Mulege.
It is possible to explore the town centre on foot, and you could also make it to the mission without a car.
Beyond that, you’d be pretty stuck.
There are a handful of taxis that hang around the main square, but you wouldn’t want to rely on them. There isn’t any public transport in or around the town.
With Mulege being quite isolated from other popular parts of the state, visiting it as part of a broader Baja California Sur road trip is going to give you the best experience.
There are no car rental companies in Mulege. The closest point would be Loreto.
Weather in Mulege
The weather in Mulege is the typical Baja desert climate, mostly dry, with mild winters and scorching summers.
November – March is the cooler part of the year, with dry sunny days and temperatures ranging from 62°F – 71°F (17°C – 22°C).
This is the best time to explore the town and go hiking without the oppressive heat.
The beaches can be a little cool at this time, with strong winter winds making laying on the sand not so pleasant.
The sweet spot between April – June is the best time to visit for water and beach activities. The average temperature is around 73°F – 86°F (23°C – 30°C).
Avoid the months of July – October, when the mercury can rise over 95°F (35°C). Mulege doesn’t get heavy rain or hurricanes every season. If they do hit, it is most common during this time.
Sustainable travel in Mulege Baja California Sur
Mulege is home to some of Baja California Sur’s most spectacular nature. Mind-blowing beaches, layers of desert mountains, stunning canyons and of course the iconic Rio Mulege and surrounding palm groves.
Please do your part to keep these areas clean and beautiful for locals and visitors alike. Always leave a natural area the same or better than how you find it.
Don’t litter, if you’re camping at one of the many beach campgrounds follow correct waste management principles, and never feed or disturb wildlife, in the water or on land.
6 Best things to do in Mulege
Mulege Mexico offers the perfect mix of history, culture and nature. Despite being a quiet and peaceful place, there are plenty of things to see and do.
1. Visit the Misión Santa Rosalía de Mulegé
If you’ve ever seen photos of Mulege, I can almost guarantee it was taken from the town’s historic mission.
The iconic photo of the river snaking through the palms with the desert mountains in the background? Yep, that’s here!
The iconic view of Mulege Baja California Sur
The Misión Santa Rosalía de Mulegé is another of Baja’s Jesuit missions, built in 1766 and abandoned just 100 years later in 1866.
Set on a hill above the town, the well-preserved mission is the best place in Mulege to get an aerial view of the beautiful Rio Mulege, and the lush palm grove that surrounds the banks.
Like most missions, the interior is simple and was actually closed when we visited. But the architecture and the setting are breathtaking.
It is free to visit and the location is here.
The stunning architecture of the Misión Santa Rosalía de Mulegé
2. Hit the beach at Bahia Concepcion
Just south of Mulege is the stunning Bahia Concepcion.
This enclosed bay is sheltered on either side by desert mountains and connects with the Sea of Cortez through a very small opening.
A number of small islands fill the bay, and large sandbanks connect them with the mainland at low tide, making for some absolutely epic views.
The beaches here are out-of-this-world, and in our opinion give Baja’s world-famous Playa Balandra a run for its money!
With over a dozen beaches, this is a very popular spot for Canadian and North American RV’ers, as it’s possible to park right up on the waterfront.
Camping or not, these beaches are incredible for a day, a week or a month!
No matter which beach you choose to visit, you will enjoy beautiful blue waters and stunning desert landscapes.
Some charge a flat entry fee, whether you are camping overnight or just visiting for the day. Some are free.
Some beaches are more built-up than others, with beach houses built right on the water, and small local restaurants. And some are empty, with nothing more than parking spots for RVs and a few camping facilities.
From the north (closest to Mulege) to the south (closest to Loreto), here are the most popular beaches:
- Playa Santispac
- Playa La Escondida
- Playa El Burro
- Playa El Coyote
- Playa Buenaventura
- Playa El Requeson
Unfortunately, when we visited the weather was freezing!
We had a beautiful sunny winter day, so the bay looked incredible, but the wind was howling so we couldn’t get out of the car and sit on the beach, as much as I wanted to.
We had a meal at one of the restaurants on the beach at Playa El Burro. The restaurant has since changed hands but the new spot, Nomadico, looks fantastic. We also popped into Playa El Requeson for a look.
Both beaches were beautiful, but honestly, they all were so I think you could choose any to visit and have a wonderful day at the beach!
Playa El Burro
If you’re eager to get out on Bahia Concepcion and see more of the bay than you can from land, organise a tour with El Burro Baja Tours. They can customise a day on the water for you, exploring islands, fishing, snorkelling – or whatever you want to do!
3. Take a trajinera ride on the river
This brand new experience has just opened in Mulege in March 2024!
If you’ve been to Mexico City before, you’ve probably heard of the Canals of Xochimilco. These ancient Aztec waterways are considered the ‘Venice of Mexico City’.
You can go for a cruise on a gondola-style boat, trajinera. These traditional colourful wooden boats have become an icon of the area, and have now found their way to Mulege!
This new operation, Trajineras Mulege offers cruises down the beautiful Rio Mulege. It looks like an amazing way to experience the town’s beautiful oasis in the desert.
The cruises last around 1 hour and currently cost 250 pesos per person. They depart under the bridge near town. We can’t wait to come back and try it out! You can contact them via their Facebook page or WhatsApp to book.
Trajineras in Xochimilco in Mexico City
4. Wander around the town of Mulege
The town of Mulege is small and compact, with just a handful of very tight one-way streets. (If you’ve got a big rig, avoid driving into the centre of town).
It is easy to explore on foot in under an hour.
It’s worth starting outside of town on the other side of the river at the Mulege letters.
Fun fact, the official name of the town is Heroica Mulege, and you will see ‘H Mulege’ on the letters.
From there, cross the bridge over the river and wander around the centro.
Be sure to pass Jardin Corona, which is the town’s small plaza. And the green Iglesia Inmaculada Concepcion de Maria (church).
The Museo de Mulege (Mulege Museum) sits on a hill above the town and is worth popping your head into.
The museum itself doesn’t provide a lot of information, but it was formerly the site of a prison.
Not a prison as we know these days, this prison had no bars and prisoners were able to leave for the day to work and be with their families.
This freedom was only possible because Mulege was so isolated, with just an arid desert in either direction.
Basically, you would be crazy to try and leave so prisoners freely returned each evening.
We thought that was a pretty interesting piece of history!
From here, make your way towards the coast to check out the Faro de Mulege (Mulege Lighthouse).
It’s possible to cover the 3 or so kilometres by foot. There is a Malecon (waterfront boardwalk), but it can be a bit confusing to follow.
It’s part road, part sidewalk and it curves away from the river in sections. But eventually, it reconnects and you can stroll alongside the water with a beautiful view.
When you leave town, exit via the other access road and keep your eye out for the grand archway marking the entry to town with a large ‘Heroica Mulege’ inscription.
Scenes from Mulege Baja California Sur
5. Explore the La Trinidad cave paintings
If you’re a history buff, you won’t want to miss a visit to the La Trinidad cave paintings hidden in the desert outside of Mulege.
These rock paintings are thousands of years old and were created by Indigenous groups, depicting everyday life in the region.
Set in a stunning desert canyon, you can enjoy the scenery as you complete the short hike to and from the caves.
The best way to experience these paintings is on a guided tour.
It is difficult to reach the caves without a 4WD vehicle, and when you arrive you must be with a guide to enter, so it’s best to organise a tour from Mulege.
There is a small local tour company in Mulege, Mulege Tours, run by local Salvador Castro Drew. Salvador has a wealth of knowledge of the region and is the best person to share the history of the caves with you.
You can get in touch with him via email – mulegetours@hotmail.com, or via WhatsApp – +52 615 161 4985.
6. Sample some vino at a winery
Vinedo Heroica Mulege is a small winery located just outside the centre of Mulege.
A beautiful vineyard producing both red and white wines, there is a tasting room on-site where you can sample the wines and buy bottles.
The winery also houses a three-room hotelito available to rent. Built in a beautiful ranch style with a rooftop outdoor kitchen, pool and incredible mountain views.
Be sure to contact the winery before you want to visit. Their hours are seasonal and inconsistent. I wanted to include it here because the property is beautiful, and the drive there through lush agricultural land was stunning. But unfortunately, when we visited they weren’t open. Check their Facebook page or website to confirm hours.
Where to eat in Mulege
Mulege might be a small town, but there are still plenty of great spots to eat, no matter what type of food you’re looking for, at whatever time of day.
Mulege Brewing Company
In a town as small as Mulege, a craft beer brewery is not what you would expect to find! But Mulege Brewing Company is just that, with a range of beers on tap. They also serve pizzas, pasta, burgers and a range of other pub-style food.
*Note that the brewery has recently relocated from the centre of town to a larger venue south of town on Highway 1
Food stalls in Jardin Corona
This small garden/square acts as Mulege’s central plaza, and there are a number of food stalls serving up cheap, local food throughout the day.
We visited in the morning for coffee and burritos, and if you come back later in the day for lunch or dinner you can pick up some affordable and delicious tacos!
📍 See the location here (various stalls usually open daily from morning – late night)
Restaurant Bar Los Equipales
An iconic restaurant in Mulege serving up authentic Mexican dishes from morning to night! Chilaquiles, huevos rancheros and machaca are some of the delicious options for breakfast. And throughout the day you can choose from seafood, steak, tacos and more.
Where to stay in Mulege
If you’re looking for luxury, you’re probably not going to find it in Mulege.
But if you’re content with colourful and cute Mexican-style accommodations in a charming town, Mulege can definitely deliver.
Historico Las Casitas
Perfectly located right in the centre of Mulege, Historico Las Casitas feels like stepping into a lush rainbow garden!
Potted plants of all shapes and sizes line walkways, colourful flags hang overhead and an on-site restaurant serves up good quality Mexican food and drinks.
Rooms are simple, but clean and great value for the price.
Indie Park Mulege
If you’re looking for somewhere unique to stay in Mulege, check out Indie Park!
Located a short drive from town (you would probably want to have your own car) this trailer park-style spot has really funky accommodations available.
A-frame cabins and retro caravans share a communal kitchen and plenty of spaces to hang out.
Clementine’s
Given that Mulege is set on the beautiful Mulege River, there aren’t too many accommodations that offer waterfront views. But Clementine’s is one!
With both stand-alone casita rooms and four bed-and-breakfast style rooms that share a communal kitchen, Clementine’s is a great spot for self-caterers.
The laid-back vibe will keep you here longer than you planned.
Final thoughts on Mulege Mexico
Whether you head to Mulege for a day trip or stay for a few days, this tiny little oasis town shouldn’t be left off your Baja Sur itinerary!
Seeing that stunning vista of the palms in the desert is worth the trip alone. But the town of Mulege is very charming, and the beaches are world-class.
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