Santiago BCS Travel Guide: Hiking, Hot Springs & Waterfalls

This post shares everything you need to know about visiting Santiago Baja California Sur (BCS), a nature lovers’ paradise of waterfalls, hot springs and hiking. We’ll share where to stay, what to eat and all the best things to see in the area.

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About Santiago BCS

A nature-lovers paradise, Santiago is a small town in southern Baja California Sur nestled into the Sierra de la Laguna Biosphere Reserve and mountain range.

The town and surrounding area offer a range of outdoor activities to adventurers seeking a getaway from the busier coastal areas of the state.

Santiago epitomises the phrase ‘life in the desert’.

The landscape is dotted with oases, green palm trees, flowing waterfalls and thermal springs bubbling from canyons.

These waters support a strong agricultural industry, and rows of fruit trees surround the town, in what feels like the middle of the desert.

This area is often overlooked by travellers, who choose to spend their days on the busy beaches of Los Cabos. But Santiago BCS should not be overlooked!

If you’re seeking tranquillity away from the crowds of Cabo San Lucas or San Jose del Cabo, and some time in pristine nature, Santiago is the place.

In this post, I’ll share everything you need to know about Santiago, whether you’re visiting for the day from Cabo, or dedicating a few nights to the area.

Our experience in Santiago BCS

Although most people only devote a day to the Santiago area (many skipping the actual town completely), we spent two nights in this little town.

After a few weeks by the coast, it was a wonderful change of scenery to be in the mountainous interior of Baja.

Staying in Santiago was such a different experience from the busier beachside areas. It gave us a taste of an authentic, Mexican rural town.

I think we were the only tourists in the town, which consisted of a small square and that’s about it, but we loved it!

Over the few days we were there, we were constantly in awe of the landscape. Seeing flowing waterfalls, springs surrounded by green palms, and layers upon layers of mountains in the desert was amazing.

So although you’re likely to be drawn to Baja California Sur for the coastline and beaches, don’t skip the interior.

We were just as impressed by this part of the state, and the beauty around Santiago can give even the most beautiful of Baja’s beaches a run for their money!

It was a highlight of our Baja California Sur road trip.

Getting to Santiago

The closest airport to Santiago is San Jose del Cabo – Los Cabos International Airport. The airport is well connected to cities both within Mexico, and internationally in the USA and Canada.

Like everywhere in Baja California Sur, having your own car is highly recommended, and in Santiago, I would go as far as to say it’s mandatory.

It’s the easiest way to get to Santiago from the airport, although it’s more likely Santiago will be a stop on a broader Baja Sur road trip. Here are some driving distances:

• From Cabo San Lucas – 1.5 hours
• From San José del Cabo – 1 hour
• From the East Cape or Cabo Pulmo – 1 + hours
• From La Paz – 2 hours
• From La Ventana – 1.5 hours
• From Los Barriles – 0.5 hours

🚗 Browse rental cars from Los Cabos Airport here

It is possible to get to Santiago without your own wheels.

You can get an Aguila bus from the north or the south (including the airport), as long as the bus is ‘Via Larga’ (meaning it will take Highway 1).

Do note that the bus will only stop on the side of Highway 1 and not take you all the way into the town centre of Santiago.

It’s about a 2.5km walk into the square. You’re unlikely to find a taxi hanging around, but if you’re lucky a local might stop and pick you up.

If you’re only planning to visit for a day and don’t want to drive, there are a number of day tours from Cabo. I’ll touch on these in more detail below.

Getting around Santiago

Although it’s possible to get to Santiago without a car, it’s nearly impossible to visit the surrounding attractions without a rental car or a tour.

The town itself is easily explored on foot (it’s tiny!), but the hot springs, hikes and waterfalls are all at least a 30-minute drive from the town centre with no public transport or taxis.

We met a couple of travellers staying at our hotel in Santiago who didn’t have a car and managed to hitchhike their way to most of the popular attractions, but it’s unreliable.

If you really want to save on costs, I would suggest taking the Aguila bus to Santiago and then organising a local tour with Baja Sierra Adventures. I’ll share more about this company below, but it would most likely work out to be cheaper than booking a trip from Cabo.

Although it’s not totally necessary to have a 4WD, most of the roads around the area are dusty tracks. And in some places, they were quite soft and sandy. Take it slow if you are not in a 4WD.

We hired a Jeep Wrangler for our road trip around the state, and we’re so glad we did. It gave us the freedom to get off-road without worrying about getting stuck, and Santiago was a great place to do this.

We spent a morning driving around the outskirts of the town on the dusty tracks and sandy arroyos. We couldn’t have done this without a 4WD, so we would definitely encourage you to consider it if you can.

Day tours to Santiago

Although we would encourage you to stay a few nights, if you’ve only got a day to spare and you don’t want to drive, there are a handful of tours from Cabo.

Tours focus primarily on one attraction, rather than the area as a whole.

Depending on your interests, these are our top picks:

• 🌵 Hiking at Fox Canyon: you’ll visit Cañon de la Zorra and the Cascada Sol de Mayo aka Santiago’s famous waterfall. The tour includes transport from your accommodation in Cabo, a local guide to take you to the waterfall and further into the canyon if you desire and a stop for lunch on the way back to Cabo in Miraflores.
• ♨️ Natural Hot Springs Experience: this tour visits the Santa Rita Hot Springs. You’ll get picked up from your accommodation in Cabo and taken to the springs. Your guide can lead you on a more advanced hike upstream if you want to find more hidden pools and waterfalls. You’ll stop for lunch in Miraflores.
• 🥾 Hike the Native Pericu Road: if you’re an avid hiker, this tour offers a guided hike into the Sierra de la Laguna. You’ll have the chance to swim in natural pools and soak in hot springs.

10 Things to Do in Santiago Baja California Sur

The best things to do in Santiago are outside in nature! Hiking, waterfalls, hot springs, canyons… this is a place to get active and enjoy the pristine surroundings.

1. Cañon de la Zorra and Cascada Sol de Mayo

One of the most popular things to do in Santiago is to visit the Sol de Mayo Waterfall, and for good reason.

This stunning canyon and waterfall are located inside Rancho Ecológico Sol de Mayo, a privately owned ranch, 30 minutes drive from Santiago.

If you don’t have your own car and don’t plan to stay overnight in Santiago, this tour from Los Cabos is a great option.

At first, I was a little confused, after reading about both Cañon de la Zorra (Fox Canyon) and Cascada Sol de Mayo (Sol de Mayo Waterfall).

To clear up any confusion, the waterfall is inside the canyon, located inside Rancho Sol de Mayo. You need to pay an entrance fee (200 pesos) to access the trailhead to the waterfall.

It is a short walk to the base of the falls once you have arrived at the ranch. You can swim in the pool, jump in from the top if you’re brave, and hike further upstream above the falls.

🌵 Read our complete guide to Cascada Sol de Mayo & Cañon de la Zorra

2. Santa Rita Hot Springs

There are a couple of hot springs to choose from around the Santiago area. After reading some reviews for each on Google, we decided on Santa Rita Hot Springs and we are so glad we did!

They are most easily accessed with a car, otherwise, this tour from Los Cabos is a great option.

These springs were simply beautiful, and we thoroughly enjoyed a few hours here. The water is actually hot, and we loved rotating between the steamy pools and cooling off in the river.

♨️ Read our complete guide to the Santa Rita Hot Springs

3. El Chorro Hot Springs

We didn’t visit El Chorro Hot Springs, so we can’t provide a personal recount. But they are another option for hot springs in Santiago.

The reviews for El Chorro were not as positive as for Santa Rita, which is why we decided against visiting. Many people said the waters were cold, and the springs were very busy.

I’m sure the same could be said for Santa Rita in peak periods, but we liked the look of them more.

They are in a similar area, and we saw a sign for El Chorro on our way to Santa Rita. If you have the time you could visit both.

If you do visit, please let me know in the comments what you think of El Chorro!

Similarly, the springs are located inside a ranch, and you will also need to pay an entry fee.

4. Rancho Ecológico El Refugio

Something we decided to skip during our time in Santiago, but now regret not doing was visiting Rancho Ecológico El Refugio.

Rancho Ecológico El Refugio is another ranch in the area, offering access to hiking trails, rivers and swimming holes in the San Dionisio Canyon.

It’s a bit further from Santiago than the other main attractions, about an hour by car.

A popular spot for school camps or company retreats, the ranch can provide information about the area and suggest hiking trails to explore, and where to swim.

It’s possible to stay at the ranch, either with your own camping equipment, in tents provided by the ranch, or in one of a few small cabins they have on-site.

I believe they offer breakfast, and for other meals, you can use their communal kitchen.

A few days of staying out in this wild, natural area is at the top of our list for our next trip to Baja! Please do let me know if you go!

5. Explore the small town centre

Santiago is a very small, blink-and-you-miss-it kind of town.

The main area centres around a small square, with a bank, a petrol station, a small supermarket and a few other shops.

There isn’t much to it, but it’s a refreshing change of pace from the busy coastal areas around Los Cabos and we loved the vibe.

There are a few other establishments sprinkled around the small streets surrounding the square, and it’s worth having a wander around.

If you walk out of town along ‘Calz. Maestros Misioneros de 1930‘ you will eventually end up at the Mision de Santiago, a beautiful church.

This is not the original mission that was built by the Jesuits in 1724. As you walk towards the present-day church, some informative signs share the history of the area, the original indigenous inhabitants and the first mission.

6. Mirador Santiago de Yola

Santiago is an agricultural town, and as you explore the (few) streets around the area, you’ll notice plenty of fruit trees, vegetables and other produce growing.

This is an unusual sight after driving through arid mountains and sandy arroyos with the only life being cactus.

This is because Santiago is home to an oasis. This freshwater source allows for the region’s booming agricultural industry.

The oasis is also full of hundreds of palm trees!

We kept driving past all these palms and had no idea why they were growing there.

It wasn’t until we were headed for Rancho Ecológico Sol de Mayo, on a road that inclines above the town that we stumbled on this little mirador (lookout).

The amazing bird’s eye view puts the oasis into perspective.

Put Mirador Santiago de Yola in your maps to find this spot, and enjoy the stunning views of a desert oasis.

7. Guided hikes with Baja Sierra Adventures

If you’re an avid hiker and you’re looking to get deeper into the Sierra de la Laguna, Baja Sierra Adventures is a local tour company that offers guided hikes in the area.

Offering both single and multi-day adventures, they can get you further into the mountains than you could navigate on your own.

We didn’t do this, but looking back we wish we had allocated some time to the area to do an overnight hike.

Baja Sierra Adventures cooperates with the local ranches and you will stop at some of them for your meals. They also have a base camp on a local farm and provide all the camping gear you need.

We really wish we had organised a trip with Baja Sierra Adventures as we think it would have been a unique and special experience to get even further into this stunning area than we could do on our own.

If you don’t have a rental car but want to visit Santiago, organising a tour with Baja Sierra Adventures is your cheapest option. You can take the Aguila bus to town, and then do a single or multi-day tour with them. They will collect you from the bus stop. This works even if you just want to visit the main sites (Santa Rita and Sol de Mayo) and not necessarily go further off the beaten track.

8. Kayak in the oasis

Baja Sierra Adventures operates out of a local rancho Huerta la Palma. This gorgeous mango orchard acts as a basecamp for all their tours but also has a range of activities on its own.

One of these activities is kayaking in the oasis!

When we visited, we couldn’t work out how we could access Santiago’s lagoon. It is mostly private property around the perimeter, but I’m so glad I came across this option with Huerta la Palma and Baja Sierra Adventures.

9. Eat lobster tacos at Los Agaves in Miraflores

Not exactly in Santiago but a valuable detour (in our opinion!).

A short 20-minute drive south down Highway 1 will bring you to a little town called Miraflores.

Miraflores is famous for its langosta (lobster) tacos made at a small local restaurant, Los Agaves.

The tacos aren’t cheap, at 425 pesos for three small tacos, it’s a lot more than you would usually pay for a seafood taco in Baja. But they were worth every cent!

The lobster was fresh and flavourful, coated in butter and cooked to perfection!

While you’re there, treat yourself to a pitaya (dragonfruit) margarita too, it’s another one of their specialities.

And if you’ve got any room left after that, stop by Nieves Charly on the highway to grab an ice cream and check out his rustic, quirky stall (there’s a giant jaguar).

10. See the Tropic of Cancer

Just outside of Santiago on Highway 1 is a small plaza marking the line of the Tropic of Cancer.

There are a couple of monuments that aren’t anything too special, but it breaks up the drive to Santiago, and it’s kind of cool to see I guess.

Sustainable travel in Santiago Baja California Sur

Locals and tourists alike flock to Santiago to get out in nature, hike, and experience pristine wilderness areas.

So the best thing you can do when you visit is to help keep it that way!

Anything you bring with you needs to come out with you. Please don’t leave behind any rubbish, and if you see any rubbish lying around, even if it’s not yours, pick it up and take it with you.

The popular natural attractions around the area are on the land of local ranches, and they shouldn’t be left to deal with mess and rubbish from visitors.

So do your part, and keep these beautiful areas just that – beautiful!

Where to eat in Santiago

I’m going to be upfront – Santiago BCS isn’t winning any awards for its culinary endeavours.

Food options here are extremely limited, and as with many small towns around Baja, opening hours are unreliable.

But we got by, and the food was very affordable which was great in our book!

Restaurante Pericu

Santiago has a new restaurant! As of 2023, Restaurante Pericu has opened in the main square.

This tiny town desperately needed a reliable restaurant option, particularly in the evenings, and from what I can see, this fits the bill!

Run by a lovely local couple, the reviews are sensational. Their birria looks mouthwatering, and the chilaquiles for breakfast are a must-try.

They are open from Thursday – Tuesday (closed Wednesdays) from 8 am – 3 pm for breakfast and lunch, and again from 6 pm – 10 pm for dinner.

I’m so pleased this has opened, as it makes Santiago a more attractive place to spend a few days.

Churros y Elotes

We stayed in Santiago for two nights, and on both nights the only place we found open for dinner was a small street food stall adjacent to the square.

They were selling elotes (corn on the cob served with mayonnaise, cheese and salsa), some chips and other snacky items, and freshly made churros.

Not the healthiest dinner, but the corn was 30 pesos, and a bag of churros 50 pesos – so no complaints here!

We were told the stand is open every day, and it seemed to open from around mid-afternoon until late in the evening (maybe around 10 pm?).

They don’t have a location on Google, but you won’t miss it. It’s adjacent to the main square out the front of Mercadito Miguelin.

Burrito spot

I can’t confirm the exact location or name of this restaurant, but we met a few other travellers in our hotel in Santiago who told us they had eaten burritos for dinner!

Apparently, there is a spot on one of the streets behind the main square area, which was open in the evenings for dinner, serving burritos and hamburgers.

We had already had our corn by this stage, so we didn’t investigate further.

I’m sorry we have no further information to provide on this one, but I wanted to include it so you are aware that there is possibly an alternative option for dinner.

📣 Update 2024 – I have confirmed the name of the restaurant that sells burritos! It is Cenduria La Laguna and apparently, they are open daily from 6 pm – 11 pm.

Palomar

Palomar is located just outside of the main square on the road towards the mission.

I believe this restaurant is the usual lunch spot for day tours visiting the natural attractions around Santiago BCS, and as such is a pretty reliable option.

Serving up a range of Mexican-style dishes, Palomar is open daily from 9:30 am – 4:30 pm, except Sundays.

We didn’t eat here as we were out and about during the day, but reviews from other travellers are great, although prices are quite high.

Taqueria la Cascada

We came across Taqueria la Cascada by chance one morning while hunting for coffee.

We didn’t order any food from here, but they had the usual varieties of tacos, burritos, quesadillas etc. The reviews are good, and the hours printed on their wall list them as being open daily, Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 4:00 pm, and until 6:00 pm on Saturday and Sunday.

Where to stay in Santiago

This section is going to be short and sweet because there aren’t too many accommodation options in Santiago! But the options that do exist are good quality, affordable, and offer a unique lodging experience on functioning Mexican ranches.

Hotel Don Julio

Located right in the centre of town by the square, Hotel Don Julio is where we stayed during our time in Santiago.

It is pretty much the only option in town and is a lovely Mexican-style hotel.

It is small and basic, but we had absolutely everything we needed.

It was perfectly clean, with comfortable beds, hot water in the shower, strong wifi and a small fridge in our room. There was private off-street parking, and the hotel has a terrace that offers a beautiful vantage point for sunset over the mountains, and a view over the square.

The owner Luis was kind and welcoming and built the hotel himself. We paid 800 pesos per night and highly recommend it.

The best way to book is to get in touch via Facebook or via WhatsApp – +52 624 159 1909

Mision 21 Hotel Boutique

It seems that there is a new hotel in Santiago! Located just out of town near the Mirador on the way to Sol de Mayo, Mision 21 Hotel Boutique looks gorgeous.

From what I can see on their Facebook page and Airbnb listing, they are still starting and getting organised. But the rooms look really lovely, and the few reviews they have are positive.

There isn’t a ton of clear info about it online, but if you’re willing to give it a go, I think you’ll be rewarded.

Please let me know if you stay here, I would love to hear about your experience.

The best way to book is to get in touch via Facebook, WhatsApp – +52 612 141 7377, or Airbnb (although I’m not sure the listing is an accurate depiction of the rooms available)

Rancho Ecológico Sol de Mayo

If you’re looking for a unique lodging experience in Santiago, it’s possible to stay on-site at Rancho Ecológico Sol de Mayo.

There are a handful of small cabins for rent, offering you an authentic experience on a functioning Mexican rancho.

We had a peek at the cabins when we visited the waterfall, and they looked basic but very cute. There is no WIFI and limited electricity but it’s the perfect place to unplug and connect with nature.

They have a private bedroom and bathroom, and a shared kitchen for guests. However there is no fridge, so come with non-perishable items.

There is a restaurant at the ranch, but be sure to confirm if they are open in advance so you don’t get stuck without food. Being over 30 minutes from town on a long, bumpy road you wouldn’t want to be driving to and from for meals, especially at night.

The best part of the cabins is their rooftop balconies, which are perfect for stargazing in a completely dark area, without any light pollution!

By staying at the ranch, you’ll likely have the canyon and falls all to yourself if you visit first thing in the morning, or late in the afternoon.

The best way to book is to get in touch via Facebook or via Whatsapp – +52 612 152 1872

Rancho Ecológico El Refugio

Rancho Ecológico El Refugio is around a one-hour drive from Santiago.

Like Rancho Ecológico Sol de Mayo, staying here is an opportunity to experience an authentic Mexican ranch, and you will be right in the heart of the San Dionisio area.

The ranch seems to host a lot of school camps, company retreats etc. and the local residents offer a range of different workshops and information about the flora and fauna of the area.

There are a few cabins available, and the ranch also has camping equipment you can borrow if you don’t have your own.

I’m not 100% sure what the food situation is like, however, I believe the ranch does offer some meals. Confirm in advance what meals you can purchase, and bring along food to prepare your own outside of this. They have a communal kitchen.

The best way to book is to get in touch via Facebook or via Whatsapp – +52 624 155 5975

Tips for your visit to Santiago BCS

If you do decide to stay in Santiago town as we did, or at one of the local ranches, just remember that it is a very small town and remote area!

There are not the same tourist amenities as you will find in the busy and developed Los Cabos area. But that’s part of its charm, and we had everything we needed.

• 📱 Phone service and wifi: We still had wifi and phone service at Hotel Don Julio in Santiago town, but outside of the main area, there was no phone service. Download Google Maps offline.

• 💰 ATMs: There is an ATM in town, but we’re not sure how reliable it is. We always stock up on cash in the busier towns with multiple ATM options, and suggest you come to Santiago with plenty of cash.

• 📍 Google Maps can be very unreliable in this area: Many of the ‘roads’ are no more than sandy tracks that you shouldn’t follow. There are signs on the roads for many of the popular attractions, and we suggest following the signs rather than your map. We used Google Maps to navigate around the area, and it always got us on the right route, then once we started seeing signs for the attraction, we ditched the map and followed those.

• 🌮 There are limited food options: With few restaurants around the area, plan your meals accordingly (especially dinner). Bear in mind that although we try to be as accurate as possible with opening hours, these change frequently and information online can be very unreliable, particularly in a small town such as Santiago. There is a small supermarket in the town centre, which is pretty well stocked, so you don’t need to bring all your food with you. We also found a few different fruit and vegetable stands just walking around the roads behind the town. It was all grown locally and was fresh and delicious!

Final thoughts on Santiago Baja California Sur

Santiago is a must-visit in Baja California Sur!

Although it’s easy to get stuck relaxing on the stunning beaches around the state, experiencing the landscape of the interior is a must-do.

We were in awe of the surroundings, and there was something so special about being in the mountains.

Seeing flowing waterfalls and soaking in thermal springs felt so at odds with the desert landscape we were in, but we absolutely loved it.

It is possible to visit as a day trip and combine a visit to one of the hot springs and the Cascada Sol de Mayo. But we hope you’ll consider staying longer!

It was such a lovely small-town vibe and we had some great chats with the locals in this sleepy little area.

MORE SANTIAGO GUIDES

• How to Visit Cascada Sol de Mayo & Cañon de la Zorra
• How to Visit The Magical Santa Rita Hot Springs

OUR BAJA CALIFORNIA SUR TRAVEL GUIDES