Baja California Sur trip planner

Baja Holiday Planning Guide

Mexico's newest state--established in the 1970s--Baja California Sur contains some of the country's most popular tourist resorts, including the globally famous Cabo San Lucas. Understandably for a place with such an extensive coastline, beaches top most Baja California Sur itineraries, but this region in the southern half of the eponymous peninsula also boasts appealing little towns and impressively large nature reserves. Most visitors on a Baja California Sur holiday split their time between soaking up the sunshine along the coast and exploring one or more of over 60 archaeological sites preserving important pre-Columbian rock art. For the ultimate Baja experience, begin your vacation in the city of La Paz, the cosmopolitan heart of this northwestern Mexican region.

Places to Visit in Baja

Destinations in Baja

Cabo San Lucas: Trendy and vivid Cabo San Lucas thrills visitors with its long, sandy beaches just as much as with its cultural scene and trendy nightlife that comes alive every time a cruise ship docks at the port.

San Jose del Cabo: This city full of historical secrets draws in everyone with its picturesque streets full of 19th-century buildings, specialty shops, and restaurants.

La Paz: Magical and mysterious La Paz described in a novella by John Steinbeck offers a serene atmosphere perfect for toned-town vacations full of scuba diving, fishing, and relaxing.

Loreto: The former Spanish capital features Gothic architecture in a unique combination with modern cafes, museums, and beach bars perfect for sipping a drink in between water-based activities.

Todos Santos: Small but striking Todos Santos is the perfect spot for a Baja vacation full of cultural visits to historical sites.

Popular Baja Tourist Attractions

El Arco de Cabo San Lucas (Lands End): The rock formation at the southern tip of Baja overlooks the sea and colonies of sea lions that usually stretch and sunbathe on the rocks.

Cabo Wabo Cantina: If you want to feel the real vibe of Baja, head to Cabo Wabo Cantina, where you can get to know the locals by attending concerts or just enjoy a drink at an authentic bar.

Medano Beach: Known for its incredibly soft sand, the beach provides a picture-perfect Baja vacation spot, where you can play volleyball or dive to see colorful marine life.

Marina Cabo San Lucas: Take a stroll down the marina waterfront and enjoy a scenic view of luxury yachts and boats that offer fishing trips and whale-watching excursions to the open sea.

Balandra Beach: The shallow waters make this beach popular for families with children and inexperienced swimmers who don't want to fight strong currents.

Isla Espiritu Santo: The protected habitat of the island houses an endangered colony of sea lions, as well as diverse marine life native to the region, including dolphins, parrotfish, colored corals, and whale sharks.

Chileno Beach: Ideal for snorkeling, this beach offers calm water perfect for children and novice swimmers.

Playa del Amor: This Baja attraction offers a secluded location, which guarantees privacy and a romantic atmosphere for anyone who decides to take a boat ride or kick back on the sand and enjoy a day by the sea.

Malecon: Take a walk next to the ocean on this boardwalk, where street performers and vendors offer entertainment and insight into the local arts scene.

Plaza Mijares: The main plaza in the city stands surrounded by lush trees and colonial-style buildings, with many small galleries and shops nearby.

Planning a Baja Vacation with Kids

Places to Visit in Baja with Kids

Baja's mild climate and picturesque beaches make it a perfect place for a multigenerational trip, whether the kids are toddlers or teenagers.

Most coastal cities offer long sandy beaches, as well as cultural activities, while inland towns are more convenient for an adventurous and outdoorsy Baja holiday.

Shallow bays in Cabo San Lucas remain the best choice for smaller children who can't swim but are eager to jump into the warm water and learn.

San Jose del Cabo features a scenic waterfront and offers lots of activities your kids will find pleasantly distracting throughout your Baja vacation.

To learn about local sea life, head to Baja during whale season, when these creatures are closest to the shore.

Things to Do in Baja with Kids

The region's unique combination of city life with natural beauty ensures visitors have plenty of things to do in Baja.

Come face to face with the wildlife hiding below the surface of the water at one of many dolphin swims organized in almost every Baja town. The activity isn't recommended for the youngest children, who can still spot the majestic animals from the shore in many locations.

Places like Dolphin Dive Center organize guided interactions with dolphins. If your family prefers to admire them from afar, remember that at Loreto Bay National Marine Park you'll probably be able to spot dolphins, sea lions, and whales without getting into the water.

Companies like Baja Expeditions cater to families with trips to various locations with a professional tour guide.

Tips for a Family Vacation in Baja

Many hotels and rental properties in Baja offer babysitting services and feature kids clubs, where children of all ages can enjoy a variety of activities, including outdoor sports, competitions, and arts and crafts.

Dining and Shopping on Holiday in Baja

Cuisine of Baja

Influenced by the proximity of the U.S., Baja cuisine uses locally available produce to create mouth-watering meals, while the fishing industry provides all kinds of exotic seafood options.

Whether made with clams, shrimp, lobster, or fish, local dishes usually feature fresh ingredients with plenty of spices and juicy veggies on the side.

Typically, damiana and oregano are added to dishes to spice things up, with grape wine or date liqueur usually served at dinnertime.

Traditional dishes like machaca--traditionally dried meat--thrill foodies who like aromatic herbs and freshly made tortillas stuffed with cheese.

You can top off any meal with a sweet dessert of pitahaya, guava jelly, or dried dates and figs drenched in syrup. Fresh fruit is also commonly served after a meal.

Shopping in Baja

With plenty of diverse boutiques and shops to choose from, a Baja holiday can serve as retail therapy for any true shopaholic.

Mexico is a country full of cultural products alive with different colors and intricate patterns that are usually hand-drawn by the vendors themselves.

Visit Flea Market at the Marina to strike a bargain for a unique piece of memorabilia like a straw hat, jewelry, or a clay pot or mug.

To feast your eyes on the explosion of colorful produce visit places like La Paz Farmers Market and try all the locally grown, fresh products.

Seafood lovers can get a taste of the ocean at The Fish Market, surrounded by family restaurants where all the products of the market can be sampled in the form of a hearty meal.

Know Before You Go on a Trip to Baja

Interesting Facts About Baja

● Baja's coastline stretches for 2,230 km (1,385 mi)

● Polkas, mazurkas, waltzes, and corridos are only some of the rhythms played on guitars and accordions in Baja

● The largest species of cactus, which can reach heights up to 21 m (70 ft), grows in Baja

Holidays & Festivals in Baja

The state offers many entertaining festivals throughout the year, so you are sure to experience one during your Baja vacation.

A local version of Groundhog Day, Candelmas marks the end of winter in February.

Although whale watching remains a popular thing to do in Baja almost every day of the year, on January 6 it's a specially organized activity in Magdalena Bay.

Similarly, La Paz hosts the Gray Whale Festival in February to honor the critically endangered animal native to the region.

Life is celebrated in other ways as well in Baja. The Cabo Jazz Festival takes place in July and draws people to one the nicest beaches in the area.

Cinco de Mayo (May 5) honors the memory of Mexico's 1862 defeat of the French army in the Battle of Puebla.

March 21 is the birthday of Benito Juarez, who served as president for five terms.

Useful Baja Travel Tips

Climate of Baja

Baja's dry climate ensures plenty of sunny days perfect for sunbathing and sightseeing.

During winter, the temperatures stay around 24 C (75 F). In the summer, lots of sunshine and temperatures of up to 32 C (90 F) ensure a pleasant holiday in Baja.

Visit between January and March to see flowers blooming and whales playing. Time your visit for August or September for empty beaches scorched by high temps. In October and November, partygoers flock here for festivals and events of every kind, including Dia de Muertos.

Transportation in Baja

Air-conditioned and affordable buses operate regularly between towns along the Baja peninsula, but traveling by private car often remains the best way to visit isolated villages and beaches. You can rent a car in any bigger city or major Baja vacation destination.

Highways are decent here, with few toll roads--you'll also find plenty of dirt and desert roads, tailor-made for adventurous and brave drivers willing to go off that well-beaten tourist path. Wherever you go, tank up before departing to avoid running out of fuel in the middle of nowhere.

If the desert isn't your desired adventure, many cruise ships leave Baja ports every day. Your tour options will likely range from big cruise ship to small tour boats offering trips to nearby islands.