Why Honeymoon in Todos Santos
The town has a distinct mood. It feels part art colony, part farming village, with old sugar mills, a mission church and galleries in buildings that date back more than a century. Evenings are quiet and walkable.
Nature is close and dramatic. Desert hills, palm oases and the Sierra de la Laguna surround the town. Humpback whales pass close to shore in winter. Sea turtles nest on the beaches.
It also combines well with the rest of Baja Sur. Los Cabos resorts are an hour south and La Paz, with its calm Sea of Cortez islands, is an hour north. Many couples split a honeymoon between a clifftop resort in Cabo and a few relaxed nights here.
When to Go
November through April is the best stretch. Days are warm and sunny with highs around the upper 70s to low 80s Fahrenheit, nights are cool and whales pass offshore from about December to March. Turtle release season overlaps with these months too.
May and June are dry and still pleasant, with less wind and fewer visitors. July through October is hot and humid. Most of the year's limited rain falls from August through October. This is also the Pacific hurricane season, so plan for flexibility.
The town's main festival, honoring the Virgin of Pilar, takes place each autumn. Winter weekends can be busy with day-trippers from Cabo, so book the best rooms early.
Where to Stay
In the historic center, small hotels in restored buildings let you walk to dinner and galleries. The famous Hotel California is here, a mission-style inn whose name nods to the Eagles song, though the hotel now disclaims any link to the band.
Just outside town, a few design-led hotels sit among farms and dunes. Paradero Todos Santos offers minimalist suites among working fields. Hotel San Cristóbal faces the surf at Punta Lobos with a pool and beach views.
South of town, around El Pescadero and Los Cerritos, Rancho Pescadero is an upscale beach resort with a large pool and gardens. Approximate rates: US$150 to US$350 a night for boutique stays, with the top resorts reaching US$600 or more.
Romantic Things to Do
Spend an afternoon in town browsing galleries and craft shops around Calle Centenario and the mission church of Santa Rosa de las Palmas.
Join a turtle release at sunset with a local conservation group, usually in winter. Hatchlings are carried to the waterline and set free as the sun goes down.
Take a surf lesson at Los Cerritos, the most beginner-friendly beach, about 20 minutes south. It is also one of the few places nearby where swimming can be safe on calm days.
Watch fishermen launch their pangas through the surf at Punta Lobos in the morning, then hike the headland for views. Take a horseback ride along the beach at sunset, or drive into the Sierra de la Laguna foothills for a picnic by a palm oasis.
Getting There and Around
Most couples fly into Los Cabos International Airport (SJD), which has nonstop flights from many US cities, then drive about an hour and a half north. A rental car is the easiest option, since the town and beaches are spread out and you will want to explore. Shuttles and private transfers are also available.
La Paz's airport (LAP), about an hour north, is a good alternative with fewer US flights. Highway 19 is a modern road, but avoid driving at night because of cattle and poor lighting.
Inside the historic center you can walk everywhere. The beaches and outlying hotels require a car or a taxi, which you can book through your hotel.
Food and Drink
Food is a big reason to come. Farms around town grow organic produce, much of it for restaurants in Los Cabos and the US. Several places serve dinner in or beside their own gardens, often with long tables under the stars.
At lunch, find fish tacos, ceviche and smoked marlin at casual stands in town. Chocolate clams, a regional favorite, show up grilled or raw on many menus.
There is a small craft beer scene and good mezcal and wine lists. Coffee shops and bakeries make breakfast easy. Reserve dinner at popular restaurants on weekends. Drink bottled or filtered water and carry some cash for markets and taco stands.
Honeymoon Tips
- Do not swim at most local beaches. Powerful waves and rip currents make the Pacific here dangerous. Los Cerritos on calm days is the main exception.
- Book a room with a pool if swimming matters to you.
- Rent a car. Taxis are limited and the area is spread out.
- Nights are cool in winter. Pack a sweater for dinners outdoors.
- The State Department rates Baja California Sur at "exercise increased caution." Todos Santos is calm, but use normal sense and avoid driving after dark.
- Many shops close in the heat of the afternoon and on Sundays. Plan gallery visits for late morning.
