Best of
What are the best day trips from Los Cabos?
Todos Santos is the best day trip from Los Cabos — 60 to 75 minutes north, galleries, a 1733 mission and good food, guided from $80–$150. Cabo Pulmo is the best for divers at about two hours northeast, and La Paz with Balandra beach is the longest at three hours each way.
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Key facts
- Best all-round
- Todos Santos, 60–75 minutes
- Best for divers
- Cabo Pulmo, about 2 hours
- Longest worthwhile
- La Paz and Balandra, about 3 hours
- Guided Todos Santos
- $80–$150 per person
- Not worth it in a day
- Anything past La Paz
| Option | Drive each way | Typical cost | Road | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Todos Santos | 60–75 min | $80–$150 | Paved | Everyone |
| Cabo Pulmo | About 2 hrs | $200–$280 | Partly unpaved | Divers |
| La Paz and Balandra | About 3 hrs | $150–$250 | Paved | Repeat visitors |
| Sierra de la Laguna | 60–90 min | $100–$180 | Mixed | Hikers |
| Los Barriles | About 75 min | Self-drive | Paved | Wind sports |
The ranking, and why
1. Best for everyone
Todos Santos
A Pueblo Mágico with a genuine art scene, an hour north on a good road, and the easiest full day out of Los Cabos.
$80–$150 guided
2. Best for certified divers
Cabo Pulmo
The only hard coral reef in the Sea of Cortez and one of the best-documented marine recoveries anywhere. Two hours, partly unpaved.
$200–$280 diving
3. Best for repeat visitors
La Paz and Balandra
Three hours each way, so a long day, but Balandra is one of the best beaches in Mexico and whale shark season runs October to May.
$150–$250
4. Best for hikers
Sierra de la Laguna
The mountain range behind the coast, with hiking and hot springs, and a completely different climate to the desert below.
$100–$180
5. Best for wind sports, dec–mar
Los Barriles
The East Cape wind sports town. December to March brings reliable north wind for kiteboarding and windsurfing.
Self-drive
Frequently asked questions
Is Todos Santos worth a day trip from Cabo?
Yes. It is 60 to 75 minutes from Cabo San Lucas, and the galleries, 1733 mission and restaurants justify the drive. It is not a beach trip — the Pacific here has strong rips and no lifeguards.
Can you visit Cabo Pulmo in a day?
Yes, but it is a full one: about two hours each way with unpaved road at the end. Divers should budget the whole day. It is the only hard coral reef in the Sea of Cortez.
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