The Other Side Of Cabo: 5 Reasons Why The Magical Town Of Todos Santos Is Booming

When you think “Cabo,” your mind probably jumps to Medano Beach margaritas and neon-lit party boats—but venture an hour up the Pacific coast and you’ll discover a completely different Baja universe.

Todos Santos, a designated Pueblo Mágico since 2006, has blossomed from sleepy sugar-mill town to “it” spot for art lovers, surfers, and Michelin-seeking foodies. Why the sudden buzz?

We dug into the data, strolled the cobblestones, and chatted with locals to uncover five big forces driving the boom—and why you might want to split your next Cabo trip between the resort corridor and this desert-meets-ocean gem.

(Psst… still need a place to crash? Our brand-new Resort Finder can pair you with a surf-chic casita in Todos Santos in under two minutes.)

🌟 1. Pueblo Mágico Status = Insta-Ready Charm

Todos Santos’ greatest asset is the one written into law: those sun-baked adobe facades can’t be bulldozed for glass high-rises.

The federal Pueblo Mágico designation ensures owners preserve 19th-century architecture—and it shows. Think lavender-painted doors, wrought-iron balconies, and bougainvillea bursting over tiled rooftops.

Travelers craving “Old Mexico” stroll quaint streets instead of resort corridors, and selfies look ripped from a movie set.

🎨 2. Art Everywhere, All Year

With more than 40 private studios and galleries—plus murals splashed across entire blocks—Todos Santos feels like an open-air museum.

Art Walks, February’s Studio Tour (though it was January this year), and November’s Film Festival keep culture vultures flocking throughout high season.

You’re not just buying a canvas; you’re meeting the painter over mezcal and hearing the brush-stroke backstory.

🌊 3. Surf & Eco-Thrills, Minus the Crowds

Forget jet-ski motor-noise; this coastline is about Pacific swells, whale breaches, and cactus-rimmed hiking trails.

Beginners carve foam at Playa Los Cerritos, pros chase six-foot barrels at La Pastora, and everyone gawks when humpbacks leap offshore. Inland, the UNESCO-listed Sierra de la Laguna offers oasis waterfalls and “island-in-the-sky” pine forests—all less than an hour from your gallery stroll.

Eco-tours sell out fast, so book early.

🍴 4. A Michelin-Approved Food Scene

What was once fish-taco territory now rivals Tulum for culinary cred.

Four local restaurants—Benno, DŪM, Oystera, and Tenoch—landed on the inaugural Michelin Guide Mexico, while nearby El Pescadero’s Cocina de Campo snagged a Bib Gourmand.

Farm-to-table isn’t a marketing line here: chefs harvest greens steps from your table, and Baja wines flow freely.

Average Cabo visitors already drop $400 daily on food and drinks; Todos Santos turns that splurge into a once-in-a-lifetime tasting menu under the stars.

😌 5. Peaceful Counter-Point to Cabo’s Party Pulse

High-octane nightlife isn’t going anywhere in Cabo San Lucas—but not everyone wants EDM at 2 a.m.

Todos Santos positions itself as Cabo’s chilled-out alter ego: boutique inns with outdoor showers, moonlit yoga on the dunes, and zero spring-breaker whistle shots.

You’re close enough to SJD airport for an easy hop, yet far enough that sea-turtle hatchlings outnumber day-drinkers. It’s perfect for travelers who ask our resort checker for “wellness retreat” vibes but still want to sneak back to Cabo for a yacht day.

🛎️ Ready to Go? Here’s How We’d Do It

1. Split Your Stay – Two nights in Cabo San Lucas for marina sunsets, three nights in Todos Santos for surf and art.
2. Use the Resort Finder – Let it match you with a cliff-top adults-only resort near El Arco and a cactus-ringed boutique hotel in Todos Santos—no spreadsheet required.
3. Rent a Car – The Pacific Coast Highway (Hwy 19) is scenic and safe; stop at Playa Los Cerritos for tacos en route.
4. Book Festivals Early – Studio Tour (Feb) and GastroVino (spring/fall) sell out accommodations fast.
5. Pack Layers – Pacific breezes can drop temps at night; bring a light jacket for rooftop dinners.

Todos Santos isn’t trying to out-glitz Cabo; it’s carving its own desert-coastal niche—one art opening, surf break, and farm-fresh bite at a time.

And with more direct flights, Michelin nods, and eco-tours launching, the boom is only getting louder (while the vibe stays refreshingly low-key).

So next time you dream of Baja, think beyond the party boats. We’ll see you among the galleries, sipping Baja Syrah, and thanking yourself for exploring the other side of Cabo.

Tag @TheCaboSun with your favorite Todos Santos finds—and be sure to use our Resort Finder to plan the perfect two-town escape.