9 Best Things to Do in Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula

The Beaches

With all of that coastline, you know there are going to be some great beaches, and those gorgeous stretches of sand are arguably the primary reason so many come to vacation in Baja. No matter what type of beach activity draws you to the surf and sand, you won’t have any problem finding your ideal spot. Collectively known as Los Cabos, this area which includes San Jose del Cabo to Cabo San Lucas, tends to be more crowded, but it does offer some world-class beaches like Playa Santa Maria, which lies on a sheltered cove with a reef that teems with marine life, making it popular for snorkeling and swimming. Up north, about an hour south of Tijuana and Mexicali, the port city of Ensenada offers a number of excellent beaches that are a fairly short drive from the U.S. border. In between, in places like Todos Santos, you can find stunning golden stretches of sand that can often be enjoyed all to yourself, even in the middle of the busy winter season, like Playa Las Palmas. Just up the road at Playa Cerritos is a surfer’s paradise. And the sunsets? Absolutely jaw-dropping.

Diving and Snorkeling + Swimming with Whale Sharks and Sea Lions

On Baja, you can check off a number of travel bucket list experiences like swimming with whale sharks or sea lions, as well as outstanding diving and snorkeling. The options are practically endless for snorkelers and divers, who can enjoy spots like Cabo Pulmo Underwater National Park, located 60 miles north of Los Cabos. The “jewel of the East Cape region” as it’s often called, spans five miles from Pulmo Point to Los Frailes and is surrounded by undeveloped desert and magnificent mountains. Here, the pristine beaches give way to a calm, shallow bay that houses one of just three living reefs on the entire continent.

If swimming with whale sharks or splashing around with sea lions sounds like your kind of fun, head to La Paz. This city is a popular jumping off point for a variety of excursions. Alonso Tours offers swimming with whale shark tours as well as trips to Espirito Santo Island where you can snorkel or swim among the 300 or so sea lions that live there. When you’re out on the water, you might see a host of other marine life here in the Sea of Cortez, which was called the “Aquarium of the World,” by Jacques Cousteau. Blue whales, humpback whales, California gray whales, orcas, manta ray, dolphins and leatherback sea turtles are just a few of the many creatures that live here or pass through during migration.

Baby Sea Turtle Release in Todos Santos

Because turtle eggs are considered a delicacy, and even an aphrodisiac by some, while adult turtles are often victimized by commercial fishermen who use long-line and gill nets that entangle and kill the animals, efforts are being made to save them. Hundreds of baby sea turtles are being released from sanctuaries located on the local beaches in Todos Santos as well as nearby El Pescadero. In nature, not even half of the eggs typically hatch, but through the effort of volunteers, about 80 percent will hatch. And, every day, just before sunset (typically around 5 p.m.) the baby Pacific leatherbacks that come into the world are released as part of the process to save these endangered animals. It allows them to crawl on the beach to the ocean, helping experts assess their readiness, making sure they can move, crawl, get oriented to the water, swim, and come up for air as they swim away.

Visitors and locals of all ages can watch or even participate – provided your little one can refrain from actually touching the turtle, which can harm them. Watching them slowly and painfully make their way to the water is something you won’t soon forget.

Hiking

You’d think that this mostly desert landscape would be an unlikely place for hiking, but surprisingly, Baja really does offer it all, including soaring mountains filled with lush greenery. The mountains serve as an oasis, complete with waterfalls and even hot springs to hike to. The Sierra de la Laguna mountain range offers established trails and water for some of the best hiking on the peninsula, including Agua Caliente, an easily accessible canyon just a short drive from Cabo near the town of Santiago popular for its springs and pools. Climbing across the large boulders that are perfect for sunning like a lizard and then jumping in for a refreshing swim can easily make for a fun, all day event.

Meeting gray whales and their calves

Three major lagoons in Baja are the primary destination of southbound gray whales: Scammon’s Lagoon near Guerrero Negro, San Ignacio Lagoon near San Ignacio, and Magdalena Bay near Puerto San Carlos. The government strictly regulates access to the lagoons to ensure that any human activities do not affect the whales while they are in the quiet, protected bodies of water that the gray whale has used for centuries for mating and birthing. They can be seen here between mid-January and mid-April, before embarking on their annual migration to Alaska and back. Referred to as “friendlies” by tourists, many of the whales actually seek out human contact in the lagoons, coming alongside and surfing near boats so that visitors can touch them. Some of the mother whales even allow their curious babies to spend time with tourists – and, occasionally, a mom will even encourage the behavior by lifting her calf up for humans to touch. Baja Ecotours is one of the operators offering this extraordinary experience.

Charming Towns like Todos Santos

With a number of smaller, charming towns on Baja, you can choose to base your stay in a more tranquil spot without worry of spring break crowds, like Todos Santos, situated a little over a hour north of Cabo along the Pacific Coast. Officially designated a Pueblo Magico, or Magic Town, in 2006 by the Mexican Tourism Secretary, magical is truly the word that describes it best. This beautifully restored colonial town and artists’ colony boasts an impressive culinary scene with an endless array of outstanding eateries – and, thanks to the many organic farms that surround it, meals are often based on fresh, organic local ingredients. It’s also known for offering some of the hottest spots for surfing along the coast. Enjoy browsing the many art galleries, mingling with locals and travelers at welcoming cafes, visiting the beautiful mission, Nuestra Señora del Pilar de Todos Santos, and convenient access to uncrowded beaches.

You’ll find a host of accommodation options to choose from, including everything from guesthouses and beach home rentals to famous hotels, like Hotel California Todos Santos.

Beautiful Cities

For those that want to experience more of the city life without hordes of tourists, the elegant seafront city of La Paz, nestled between coconut palms, date palms and old laurel trees, is ideal. This port city isn’t really into catering to tourists, which means vacationers who want more of a resort type of escape will be much better off down in Cabo. Here, you’ll find a more authentic Mexican experience that offers plenty of outstanding dining, nightlife, world-class fishing, diving and a host of other adventures. There are lively squares, beautiful beaches, and alluring streets. Enjoy strolling the 3-mile-long boardwalk to take in the striking natural landscapes, and stop off at the pier, where a number of boat tours embark.

Amazing Cuisine

Though we briefly touched on the incredible cuisine on offer in Todos Santos (the dish pictured here is from Fonda El Zaguan), just about anywhere you go you’ll find a delicious feast that often includes meals based on fresh ingredients like seafood and locally sourced fruits and veggies – paired with a cold cerveza or margarita, of course. Just some of the seafood available includes shrimp marlin, tuna, rock oysters, clams, abalone and lobster. Many of the meals are seasoned with a wild herb known as damiana, which is not only renowned for its medicinal benefits, but it’s said to be an aphrodisiac. If you’re interested in taking some home, it’s available in the form of a liqueur, which comes in a uniquely shaped bottle modeled after an Incan goddess.

Welcoming Cafes

Many Baja cafes aren’t just for eating. Although La Esquina Cafe in Todos Santos offers some of the tastiest, and most nutritious breakfasts around, including fresh-squeezed juices and even gluten-free options (try the gluten-free flaxseed banana pancakes!), it also serves as a popular gathering place for locals and tourists alike. Even if you’re there on your own, it won’t be long before someone comes up for chat. No matter where you are in Baja, especially outside of major tourist centers, you’re sure to find a cafe that offers a similar welcoming experience.