Welcome to Todos Santos—The Most Beautiful Mexican Town You’ve Never Heard Of
Updated: Mar. 21, 2019
For small crowds and big excitement, visit Todos Santos—one of Mexico’s self-proclaimed "pueblos mágico," which translates to "magical towns." We break down what to do, where to eat and how to relax.
The Best Things to Do in Todos Santos
From the turquoise waters of Cancun to the Mayan ruins of Tulum, Mexico is undoubtedly one of the world’s most popular—and beautiful—travel destinations. An hour’s drive north of Cabo San Lucas in the Baja California Peninsula, lies a magical place that hasn’t attracted hordes of tourists like its more famous neighbour—yet. If you’re looking for a region in Mexico that still feels untouched, look no further than Todos Santos. Located on the Pacific coast side of the peninsula, this small town has everything you’d want in a sunny getaway—mouth-watering sea-to-table cuisine, stunning beaches and old-world architecture—without the crowds. If you’re already staying in Los Cabos or nearby La Paz, this list of the top things to do in Todos Santos should convince you to add a few more days to your itinerary.
These are the most Instagrammed destinations in the world!
The Best Place to Surf in Todos Santos
If you’ve always wanted to learn how to surf, Los Cerritos Beach is the perfect place to live out your Point Break dreams once and for all. Located 10 minutes south of Todos Santos, this serene paradise boasts gentle waves, warm waters and sandy bottoms (nothing’s worse than falling on jagged coral). In a word? Gnarly. See the good people at Mario Surf School to get hooked up with some lessons. While it’s difficult to stand up on a surfboard the first time around (trust us), you’ll be able to balance after an attempt or two!
We’re counting down the 50 best beaches in the world.
The Best Place to Shop in Todos Santos
The artisans at Corazón Zapoteco are keeping alive one of Mexico’s most vibrant traditions: Zapotec rug weaving. This colourful practice dates back more than 2,000 years to the ancient Zapotec Indians of Oaxaca. The process remained largely unchanged until the arrival of the Spanish in the 16th century, when weavers began using wool instead of cotton. At this family-run shop, plants, flowers and a tiny, legless insect called cochineal are used to dye the yarn, which are then—using a horizontal foot loom—woven into intricate and eye-popping designs. Every symbol carries a meaning too: the four points of a diamond on a Zapotec rug, for instance, typically refers to the four elements of earth, water, air and fire.
Travel tip: Corazón Zapoteco is the first stop of LocoMotion, a sightseeing tour through Todos Santos by group bike. Other stops include the town’s historic church, a local tequila tasting and a traditional Mexican food preparation class.
Want even more seclusion? Here are the world’s most enchanting small islands.
The Best Place to Eat in Todos Santos
The Hotel San Cristóbal has been making waves with its retro-chic, white-walled architecture since opening in 2017. Given Todos Santos’ exceptionally high culinary standards, the hotel’s on-site restaurant, Benno, does not disappoint. What is perhaps most notable about Benno, other than head chef Dahli de La Peña’s commitment to showcasing the daily bounty caught by local fishermen, is its fusion of Mexican and Mediterranean influences. Standouts include Baja fish “nogado” (with almond sauce and pomegranate juice) and handmade churros (with caramel, vanilla sorbet and strawberries). Benno’s cocktail menu highlights small-batch mezcals, tequilas and Mexican beers.
Check out these must-visit cities for foodies.
The Best Place to Stay in Todos Santos
Housed in a 19th-century building that once served as a police station and post office, the Guaycura Boutique Hotel effortlessly blends the old with the new. A traditional elegance abounds in the rich dark wood furnishings, rustic tile floors, and vintage copper bathtubs, and the fact that the hotel is relatively small—there are only 14 rooms—lends an intimate feel. The rooftop lounge is the perfect perch to watch the sunset, but the one thing you really can’t miss is the hotel’s complementary mixology class.
Next, check out these 10 things to do in La Paz!
