Home to the ever-popular touristic city of Cabo San Lucas, there’s much more going for the Mexican region of Baja California Sur than you might initially think.
Here we can explore some of Mexico’s most beautiful beaches, visit uncrowded national parks with crystal-clear waters and even head on a deep-sea fishing tour for the iconic Blue Marlin. That’s also without mentioning the less-touristy hiking paths and museums around Cabo too, which are a perfect way of keeping things fresh and authentic during your trip.
In this guide we’ll explore 10 of the very best things to see and do in the region of Baja California Sur in Mexico. As well as including important details about how you can have these experiences, we’ll also cover the best time to do each of them and other local tips.
10 Best Things To Do In Baja California Sur
In no particular order let’s now take a look at 10 of the very best things to see and do in Baja California Sur, and how to plan each one into your trip.
Go Deep-Sea Fishing In The Mexican Pacific
If you love novel activities when travelling then this is an absolute must – regardless if it’s your first time or if you are a seasoned pro. The waters around Cabo San Lucas are famous for their abundance of exotic fish species, and is renowned as one of the very best fishing destinations in all of North America. Here we can catch everything from Blue Marlin and Dorado to Yellowfin Tuna. We suggest heading on a day trip with leading Cabo fishing charter Boats Baja, who offer a range of tours for different types of experiences.
Enjoy The Tasty Baja California Cuisine
A region with a long cultural history, Baja California is also well-known for its rich cuisine rather than just its beaches. Seafood plays a huge role in typical dishes given the region is sandwiched between the Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific Ocean, with classics including Shrimp Tacos and Fish Tacos. When in Cabo San Lucas you can also head on a street food tour with JuanMoreTaco for an unforgettable and authentic tasting experience.
Go Snorkelling In The Cabo Pulmo National Park
Cabo San Lucas is already a prime snorkelling spot, with beaches like Playa El Chileno and Playa El Divorcio filled with tourists looking to enjoy the clear underwater conditions. However a much better option is the Cabo Pulmo National Park, which is located some two hours away. Situated on the calmer east coast which meets the Gulf of Mexico, the waters are much calmer here and with better visibility, where we can spot all kinds of exotic marine species – without the crowds around.
Swim With Sea Lions In The Isla Espíritu Santo
Located some 200km off the coast of La Paz, the Isla Espíritu Santo is one of the most stunning islands you can visit in all of the Mexican Pacific. Home to bright blue and turquoise waters, it’s become a bucket-list destination for those looking to enjoy world-class beaches and snorkelling conditions. It’s also here where we can find colonies of Sea Lions, and during a tour from La Paz you can swim with them whilst having all boat transportation included from the mainland.
Hike Up The Cerro De La Zeta Mountain
Getting in touch with nature and away from settlements is a refreshing experience wherever you go, and in the Baja California Sur region this means seeing picturesque desert landscapes. One of the best hikes is within the city of Cabo San Lucas – where in 45 minutes we can reach the peak of the Cerro de la Zeta Mountain. We highly recommend heading up here in the early morning or late afternoon to enjoy the famous red sunrises or sunsets.
Lounge On One Of Mexico’s Most Beautiful Beaches (Playa Balandra)
Mexico is already famous for its fair share of incredible beaches, most of which are located in the white-sand Caribbean regions. However Baja California Sur is also home to a mighty contender which is Playa Balandra. Here turquoise waves lap from the shores, where the shallow waters also make it a perfect place to go snorkelling. Playa Balandra is located roughly 30 km north of La Paz, and can easily be reached with a taxi or the hourly bus that departs from the city.
Visit The Natural History Museum
Did you know that Baja California Sur has over 7000 years of ancient history? The first-known settlers of the region were the Pericú People, who were expert hunter-gathers and flourished along the Pacific coastal waters. At the Natural History Museum we can learn more about this incredible civilization with several exhibition rooms, as well as interesting findings on local flora and fauna of the region. The Natural History Museum is located within the heart of Cabo, and is just a 10 minute walk from the harbour.
Explore The El Mogote Dunes On An ATV Tour
As if postcard-perfect beaches and incredible Pacific vistas weren’t enough – we can also find some epic sand dunes within Baja California Sur too! Known as the El Mogote Dunes, they are a stone’s throw away from La Paz and are the perfect place to have an adrenaline-pumping adventure. Several tour companies in the city offer half-day tours out to the dunes, where you can get away from civilization and cruise around on your very own ATV.
Head On A Private Whale Watching Tour
Perhaps one of the all-time best things to do in Baja California Sur, Whale watching is an activity that pulls in tourists from all corners of the world. There are as many as 9 different Whales species that migrate to these warmer Pacific waters each year, and in Cabo you can easily join a boat tour to see them from the main harbour area. January until March is the best time for spotting Blue Whales, Humpback Whales and Gray Whales – whilst Orcas and Bryde’s Whales can be spotted year-round.
Visit The Relaxed Town Of Todos Santos
If Cabo San Lucas begins to start feeling a little overwhelming, there’s definitely other options around the region for a more relaxed and chilled-out experience. Enter Todos Santos, which is located around an hour north of Cabo – and is the perfect place for a more relaxing weekend trip. Here we will find many yoga retreats and quieter areas, as well as perfect surfing conditions too. In fact, the surfing is so good that they host an annual competition here!
Overview Of The Best Things To Do In Baja California Sur
And that’s all for this guide on the very best things to see and do in Baja California Sur.
As we have seen, there’s much more to this incredible region of Mexico than just the bright lights and entertainment of Cabo San Lucas. With proper planning and an adventurous attitude, we can enjoy many novel experiences around the state. This includes going deep-sea fishing, enjoying uncrowded hikes and learning more about the region’s ancient history.
