Why La Paz and Todos Santos Are the Hottest Day Trips from Los Cabos Right Now

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If you think a trip to Los Cabos means spending six days exclusively at your resort pool or walking the San Lucas marina, you are missing out on a massive shift in how people are traveling to Baja.

According to new data from the Los Cabos Tourism Trust (FITURCA), a growing number of visitors are treating Cabo not just as a final destination, but as a basecamp for wider exploration.

The numbers are significant: 17% of Los Cabos tourists are now taking day trips to La Paz, while 15% are heading up the Pacific coast to Todos Santos.

This migration isn’t an accident. Tourism officials are actively encouraging visitors to diversify their itineraries to spread the economic wealth and reduce the bottleneck in the main tourist corridor. But tourists are only making the drive because the payoff is spectacular.

Here is why these two distinct towns are absolutely worth giving up a day at the swim-up bar.

1. La Paz: The Gateway To The Sea Of Cortez

Location: About 2 hours north of the SJD Airport on the Sea of Cortez.

If Cabo San Lucas is the energetic, high-octane hub, La Paz is its tranquil, nature-obsessed older sibling. La Paz Mayor Milena Quiroga recently noted that the influx of Cabo tourists is heavily focused on the region’s protected eco-zones, and it is easy to see why.

• Balandra Beach: Often voted the most beautiful beach in all of Mexico, Balandra is a protected, crescent-shaped bay with crystal-clear, knee-deep water that stretches for miles. You have to get there early (capacity is strictly capped to protect the environment), but the visual reward is unrivaled.
• Isla Espíritu Santo: If you want to snorkel with playful sea lion pups, spot dolphins, or kayak through secluded turquoise coves, booking a boat out to this uninhabited UNESCO-protected island is the premier excursion in Baja.
• The Malecón: After a day on the water, grab some fresh fish tacos from a street stand and walk the Malecón (the seaside boardwalk). It is a working, authentic Mexican city that feels deeply connected to its history—a stark contrast to the commercialized marina down south.

2. Todos Santos: The Bohemian Surf Haven

Location: About 1 hour north of Cabo San Lucas on the Pacific Coast highway.

If you are chasing that relaxed, artistic “Tulum vibe” without the overwhelming Tulum crowds, Todos Santos is your spot. Designated as a “Pueblo Mágico” (Magical Town) by the Mexican government, this palm-filled oasis in the desert has become a magnet for artists, surfers, and serious foodies.

• The Art & Architecture: The cobblestone streets are lined with colonial-era brick buildings, boutique art galleries, and historic sites. You can easily spend an afternoon wandering between local artisan shops and silver jewelers.
• The Culinary Scene: Todos Santos is the undisputed epicenter of Baja’s farm-to-table movement. Venues located just outside of town offer hyper-local, organic dining experiences that rival top-tier restaurants in California, often situated right on the working farms.
• Cerritos Beach: Just south of town lies Playa Los Cerritos. Because the Pacific ocean is notoriously dangerous for swimming in Cabo, Cerritos is highly prized as one of the only safely swimmable and surfable beaches on the western coast. It is the perfect spot to rent a board, take a lesson, or just watch the pros while sipping a cold Pacifico.

Get Out and Explore!

FITURCA’s push to get tourists out of the “Cabo Bubble” is working because the surrounding region is simply too beautiful to ignore.

You flew all the way to the edge of the earth—rent a car or book a private transfer for the day.

The desert highway drive is stunning, and the contrast between the polished luxury of Cabo and the raw, artistic charm of these northern towns is what makes Baja California Sur a world-class destination.