Baja California Sur Travel Guide
El Arco at Land's End, Cabo San Lucas. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
Baja California Sur is the long southern half of the Baja peninsula: desert mountains falling into two seas. Los Cabos, at the tip, is Mexico's luxury resort corridor. But the state's deeper draws are wilder: gray whales calving in Pacific lagoons each winter, the Sea of Cortez's islands and whale sharks, and the slow capital La Paz.
The classic route runs the peninsula: San Jose del Cabo's art district, Cabo San Lucas and El Arco, the artists' town of Todos Santos, and La Paz with its malecon and island boat trips. Winter (January to March) is whale season on the Pacific side.
Destinations in Baja California Sur
Gray whales at San IgnacioThe lagoons where gray whales calve each winter and famously approach the boats. January to March.
Isla Espiritu SantoUNESCO-listed island of sea lion colonies, turquoise bays and empty beaches, by boat from La Paz.
El ArcoThe granite arch at Land's End where the Pacific meets the Sea of Cortez, reached by water taxi.- Cabo PulmoThe national marine park with the Gulf's only hard-coral reef: the region's best diving and snorkelling.
Whale sharks at La Paz baySnorkel with whale sharks in the bay, in season roughly October to March.- San Jose del CaboThe quieter twin: colonial mission, art district and the Thursday art walk.
La Paz maleconThe long seafront promenade of the state capital, with sculptures and calm swimming beaches nearby.
Todos SantosThe artists' oasis town on the Pacific, with the Hotel California legend and surf beaches nearby.
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Top Cities & towns in Baja California Sur
Regional food
- Chocolate clams (almejas chocolatas) and fish tacos on the La Paz malecon
- Baja-Med cuisine in Los Cabos and Todos Santos
- Damiana liqueur, the peninsula's herbal digestif
Getting there
Los Cabos International (SJD) and La Paz (LAP) take direct flights from the US, Canada and Mexico City. The Transpeninsular Highway runs the length of Baja from Tijuana to Cabo; whale lagoons are reached by tour from La Paz or Loreto, or by road to San Ignacio.