Top 5 Reasons You’ll Want To Leave Los Cabos For A Day To Explore This Nearby Magic Town 

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Last Updated 12 months ago

Visiting Los Cabos is mostly about spending time at the beaches, eating good food at your luxury all-inclusive resort, and trying out some water activities in the calm waters of the Sea of Cortez.   

But there is plenty more to explore in and around Los Cabos, some of which will provide a more cultural experience.   

One of those things is visiting a Magic Town.

Here are the top five reasons you’ll want to leave Los Cabos for a day to explore the Magic Town of Todos Santos:

What Is A Magic Town? 

Magic Towns, or Pueblos Mágicos, are small towns in Mexico that the government deems as having some sort of “magical” quality.   

The program was launched in 2001, and today, there are a total of 132 Magic Towns located in different areas throughout Mexico.   

Each of these towns has some special distinguishing features.   

It could be beautiful beaches, authentic cuisine, rich history, unique natural surroundings, cultural significance, or some legend or story associated with the town, and we’ll tell you what makes Todos Santos so special.   

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Authenticity  

One of the great things about Todos Santos is that it has not been overtaken by modernization but rather maintains its authentic Mexican character and identity.   

You’ll still see cobblestone streets, unique colorful buildings, and locals still carrying on with their usual traditions and everyday life.   

Rather than a bunch of high-rise hotels, chain restaurants, and high-end clothing stores, you’ll find smaller boutique hotels, charming little restaurants and cafes, and small artisan shops selling traditional handmade goods.   

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Culture 

Todos Santos is a cultural paradise, with opportunities not only to explore Mexican culture but art and colonial architecture as well.   

It’s known for being an artist community, with numerous art galleries located in the center of town.   

Various art festivals and art-related events are held during the year as well, including the annual Open Studio Tour held each year in February. 

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History  

Todos Santos was founded as a mission in 1723 and went through many transformations over the years.   

During the 19th century, it was a thriving sugarcane-producing town, with a total of eight sugar mills towards the end of the century.   

After a period of decline in producing sugarcane, the last of the mills closed in 1965 due to a dried-up spring, which eventually sprang back to life again in the 1980s.   

It was during this time that the town began to develop into what we see today. 

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Nature 

The aforementioned spring that helped Todos Santos become the thriving sugarcane producer that it was in the 19th century likely played a role in turning it into the prospering farming community that it is today.   

Avocados, chili peppers, mangoes, papayas, and vegetables are all grown on local farmland.   

Todos Santos is also a coastal town, so you’ll find stunning beaches alongside desert landscapes and mountains. 

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Charm 

All that Todos Santos has to offer combines to make it one of the most charming towns not only in Baja California Sur but throughout the entire Baja Peninsula.   

It seems as if the fast-changing world around us skipped right over this small town of fewer than 10,000 people, leaving it characterized by its authenticity rather than it being a tourist destination.   

This factor has left it as a charming community where visitors can explore authentic Mexican culture.  

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How To Get To Todos Santos From Los Cabos 

While renting a car in Los Cabos and making the drive to Todos Santos is certainly an option, as it is only about an hour away, it’s not the only way to get there.   

Day trips are available for around $95 – $125, which include hotel pickup and roundtrip transportation.   

You’ll have a few hours to explore the magical town of Todos Santos, have lunch, and do a little shopping before heading back to Los Cabos.