2 Gorgeous Towns Near Cabo To Visit Before They Become Too Popular According To Travel & Leisure

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Ready to dodge the crowds without straying far from your Los Cabos base?

A brand-new Travel & Leisure round-up of “under-the-radar destinations to visit before they get swamped” shines its spotlight on Baja California Sur—specifically La Paz and Todos Santos.

Both are an easy day-trip (or low-key getaway) from the Cape, and each is still blissfully crowd-free—for now. Here’s why we at The Cabo Sun think you should pencil them into your next itinerary sooner rather than later.

🌊 La Paz — Calm Seas, Big Adventures

Only two hours north of San José del Cabo, La Paz feels worlds away from the resort buzz. Locals greet you with a laid-back “buenos días” along the palm-lined malecón; pelicans coast over turquoise water; and sunset paints the Sierra de la Laguna mountains lilac and gold.

Why go now

• Whale-shark season is booming but still tightly regulated. From October to April small-group tours head into Bahía de La Paz to snorkel beside the planet’s largest (and gentlest) fish, with daily permits capped to protect the species.
• Malecón Makeover. Recent public-space upgrades—new bike lanes, art installations, and shaded benches—make an evening paseo even sweeter.
• Sea of Cortez is whisper-quiet. Aside from a handful of boutique sailing charters, you’ll rarely see the mega-yachts that crowd Cabo’s marina, which means more dolphins, sea lions, and desert-island beaches all to yourself.

Signature experiences

Take a panga to Espíritu Santo Island for pink-sand coves and curious sea-lion pups, dig into chocolate clams at a barefoot palapa restaurant, and cap the night with craft beer from a converted shrimp cannery. The city’s secret sauce is its balance: plenty to do yet zero pressure to rush.

🎨 Todos Santos — Baja’s Boho Pueblo Mágico

Drive an hour up Highway 19 from Cabo San Lucas and you’ll roll into Todos Santos, a once-sleepy farming village turned surf-and-arts enclave that still counts just under 8,000 full-time residents. The cobblestone center glows with 19th-century haciendas, hand-painted tiles, and a salty Pacific breeze.

Why go now

• Hotel boom with heart. Micro-resorts like Proyecto Palmita and Brutalist-chic Paradero are courting design lovers yet capping room counts to keep the town intimate.
• Farm-to-table everything. From sunset pizza at Hierbabuena to chef-driven tasting menus in former sugar warehouses, the culinary scene punches far above its weight.
• Surf without the circus. Cerritos Beach, ten minutes south, delivers forgiving breaks for learners and punchier waves for pros—minus the inflatable unicorns that dot Medano.

Cultural must-dos

Pop into Galería de Todos Santos for Baja-inspired canvases, hunt vintage cowboy boots along Calle Centenario, and listen to the Hotel California myths over mezcal (no, The Eagles never owned it—yes, the vibe is still worth the pit-stop).

🚗 How To Visit From Los Cabos

Getting to these hidden gems is easier than you might think.

If you’re heading to Todos Santos, it’s a straight shot up Highway 19 from Cabo San Lucas—just about an hour’s drive (46 miles). The road has been widened recently, making it a smooth ride, and if you don’t want to rent a car, you can hop on a TAP bus for a budget-friendly option.

To reach La Paz, plan for a scenic two-hour drive (118 miles) north on Highway 1 from San José del Cabo. The desert-meets-mountains backdrop alone is worth the trip. Rental cars are plentiful, and several tour operators offer round-trip transport paired with guided walking tours or private beach picnics if you’d rather let someone else do the driving.

🛡️ Travel Thoughtfully So They Stay Special

1. Keep wildlife wild. Maintain the mandated 6-foot gap from whale sharks, and never touch coral or sea-lion pups.
2. Shop local, not generic. Choose hand-loomed textiles in Todos Santos’ cooperatives over mass-produced souvenirs trucked in from afar.
3. Mind the water. Baja is desert country; carry a reusable bottle and say “no, gracias” to single-use plastic.
4. Tread lightly online. Tag responsibly—skip geotags for fragile secret beaches and use broader locations (e.g., “Sea of Cortez”) to avoid Instagram stampedes.

🌟 The Bottom Line

La Paz and Todos Santos deliver everything travelers love about Los Cabos—jaw-dropping scenery, upscale digs, world-class food—without the spring-break crowds or downtown traffic snarls.

Travel & Leisure just spilled the beans, but you’ve still got a window to savor their authenticity before big-brand chains and tour buses change the vibe.

So next time you fly into SJD, don’t stop at the tip of the peninsula. Grab a rental, cue up that Baja playlist, and let these two coastal gems remind you why Baja California Sur stole the travel world’s heart in the first place. Go soon, go gently, and tell them The Cabo Sun sent you.