The Top 5 Los Cabos Day Trips (This Quiz Finds Your Perfect Match!)

Share The Article

If you’ve been around here a while, you know we at The Cabo Sun love a resort day as much as anyone.

But the real Baja magic lives just beyond the Arch—easy day trips that swap pool loungers for waterfalls, art walks, and once-in-a-lifetime wildlife.

Here’s our definitive, traveler-tested list of the 5 best day trips from Los Cabos, with smart tips to make each one smooth, safe, and unforgettable.

1) La Paz: Whale Sharks, Sea Lions & Balandra’s Shallow-Blue Dream

Head north on Highway 19 and you’ll trade the marina buzz for La Paz’s laid-back malecón—and the Sea of Cortés at its wild best. In season, ethical operators take small groups to snorkel alongside gentle whale sharks in a tightly regulated refuge zone; later, hop a boat to Isla Espíritu Santo to watch playful sea lions whirl past your mask. Tours pause for breeding season (June–Aug) at Los Islotes, so plan September–May for the sea lion swim and October–April for whale sharks.

Balandra Beach is the cherry on top—waist-deep turquoise spread across seven coves. Access is now controlled with two timed entry windows and strict capacity, and many travelers find it easiest to join a reputable tour that handles permits.

Smart tip: Make it a full-day “marine safari” and book a combo tour. If you’re self-driving, go early, watch the clock, and have a Plan B (Tecolote or El Saltito) in case Balandra reaches capacity.

2) Cabo Pulmo National Park: North America’s Comeback Reef

Two hours up the East Cape sits one of the world’s great conservation success stories—and the only living hard-coral reef in the Sea of Cortés. Snorkelers drift through gleaming schools of big-eye jacks and turtle fly-bys; certified divers rate Pulmo among the best in the hemisphere. The park requires licensed boats and guides—great for the reef, and simpler for you. We’ve recently reminded readers to book with authorized operators who follow CONANP rules and brief you on “look-but-don’t-touch” etiquette.

Smart tip: Expect a short graded-dirt stretch into the village and rustic facilities—part of Pulmo’s charm. Bring reef-safe sunscreen and cash for conservation fees.

3) Todos Santos + Cerritos: Art Walks by Morning, Surf by Afternoon

An hour to 1.5 hours up the Pacific, Todos Santos earns its Pueblo Mágico stripes with cobblestone streets, 19th-century facades, and a serious gallery scene. We’ve covered why this town is absolutely booming—and why Highway 19 makes the drive scenic and straightforward. Pair it with nearby Cerritos Beach for a beginner-friendly surf session or a lazy beach-club lunch before the sunset cruise back to Cabo.

Smart tip: If you’re splitting the day, park near the central plaza for gallery hopping, then head 10–15 minutes south to Cerritos where lessons and rentals line the sand.

4) San José del Cabo: Historic Heart & Thursday Night Art Walk

Cabo San Lucas’s sophisticated sister is the easiest “day trip” of all—really a half-day. Stroll Plaza Mijares, browse the Gallery District, and, from November through June, join the beloved Thursday Night Art Walk (5–9 p.m.) when streets go pedestrian-only and galleries pour a little wine. Don’t want to drive? Hop the Ruta del Desierto bus—the cheapest, air-conditioned way to go between towns.

Smart tip: Book dinner steps from the plaza after the Art Walk. We’ve got a fresh explainer on dates for the 2025–26 season so you can time it perfectly.

5) Sierra de la Laguna: Waterfalls & Hot Springs (Your Desert Oasis Reset)

When the red flags are up or you simply need a change from saltwater, aim inland toward Santiago. A short canyon hike leads to Cascada Sol de Mayo—granite boulders, a clear swimming hole, and a 40-foot fall that feels worlds away from the beach. Pair it with a soak at the nearby Santa Rita hot springs for a perfect “freshwater day.” We’ve been pointing readers to this unspoiled desert oasis and updating trail/fee tips in our recent day-trip guides.

Smart tip: Wear sturdy sandals, pack two liters of water per person, and bring small bills for conservation fees. Roads are generally passable in a sedan, but avoid canyon trails right after heavy rain.

How to Choose Your Perfect Day

• Wildlife first? Go all-in on a La Paz combo (whale sharks + sea lions + Balandra) or Pulmo reef day. Regulations protect the animals and your experience—book licensed guides.
• Culture + coast? Do Todos Santos in the morning, Cerritos after lunch, and you’ll check art, tacos, and surf off the list in one shot.
• Easy evening out? San José’s Art Walk is the highest “wow-per-minute” with the least logistics—bus in, stroll, dine, bus back.
• Need a palate cleanser? Sierra de la Laguna’s waterfall and hot springs are your freshwater fix when the Pacific’s too rough to swim.

Before you go, skim our recent pieces on day-trip safety and logistics—from bus hacks to updated art-walk dates and where to surf safely—so your Baja beyond-the-Arch adventure is as effortless as it is epic.

Happy exploring—and tell us which trip stole your heart so we can help you plan the next one.