Baja California Sur
The dramatic Baja Peninsula of Mexico is one of the most versatile areas to travel to without leaving North America. If you’re an experienced traveler, you’ll find communities that immerse you in Mexican culture with unexpected opportunities for adventure along the way. And if you’re a novice traveler, you have the readily available comforts of Costco, English speakers and accessible, authentic Mexican FOOD! Vamanos!
Fly into: Los Cabos International Airport (SJD)
When to go: The motto of Cabo is “no bad days” for good reason! Traveling to a coastal desert has lots of perks. This area receives virtually no rainfall, so the risk of catching inclement weather is extremely low. You’ll have some chilly nights during the winter months and high heat in the summer, so pack accordingly. Without needing to consider a rainy season, you can easily tailor the dates you choose to the activities and temperatures you like. And if you do catch rain, consider yourself lucky enough to enjoy the rare desert blooms.
Cabo San Lucas - More Than Margs, But Also Margs
I have found that adventure seekers and backpackers are often deterred by the idea of a city packed with all-inclusive resorts and sunburned tourists with oversized margaritas in hand. Don’t let that image fool you! Cabo San Lucas makes for an incredible, centrally located base that isn’t too far removed from its humble beginnings as a fishing village.
Where to sweat: NorCal CrossFit Cabo is without a doubt a must-do! You’ll forget where you are in this well-equipped facility. Don’t worry -- no Spanish speaking skills required.
Where to find your adventure:
Hike. Mt. Solmar is the iconic rock formation at the very tip of the Baja Peninsula leading to the even more iconic El Arco, the distinctive arch-shaped rock formation featured on every picturesque postcard of Los Cabos. Plan for an early hike with Enrique, the passionate owner of the land who gladly serves as your guide without charging (although this kind of man should be properly tipped). It’s a scramble, so bring water and don’t wear your flip flops.
Thrills. Wild Canyon Adventures uniquely showcases how magical the Baja Peninsula really is while serving up adrenaline rushes you won’t forget. Hop on an ATV (or a camel, even) for a desert adventure complete with sightseeing, take advantage of the lack of light pollution with a nighttime zipline tour, or bungee in a glass-bottom gondola.
See the sea. Fill a whole day with memories by chartering a boat, such as the Dawn Patrol, for a day out on the Sea of Cortez. You can snorkel with the cast of Finding Nemo, add jet skis or paddleboards to your day, watch the whales pop out of the water in the winter and get up close and personal with El Arco. Alternatively, you can sit back and enjoy the views, open bar and food. You can decide if you want an adventure or a rest day once you’re there.
Where to eat: Mariscos El Toro Guero is only a few blocks off the beaten path from downtown, but you’ll feel like you’re a sworn-in local. Come here for the huge portions of fresh-outta-the-marina seafood and throw it all on the table family-style, because you’ll definitely want to try a little of everything.
Todos Santos - Your New Favorite Puebla
Where to sweat: Cuatro Vientos offers a vacation from your vacation with yoga classes in a stunning location. Think huge windows, tropical plants and all kinds of nooks to unwind in. Once you’re all zenned out, walk across the street to La Esquina for a fresh juice, breakfast and lunch made from local ingredients, and ice cream for dessert (why not?).
Where to find your adventure: Book a surf lesson at Mario Surf School. They’ll take you to Cerritos Beach, an area where you’ll only find locals, ex-pats and long-time Todos Santos lovers. You can ride the waves at Cerritos Beach all year long!
Where to eat: A short walk away from Hotel California brings you to Tacos y Mariscos El Sinaloense. Every time I have been here, a guy is driving up in a truck halfway through my meal, fresh-caught fish in hand, to replenish the kitchen from what I just ate. Incredible. You would be doing yourself a disservice if you didn’t stop at Art & Beer on your way back to Los Cabos from your day trip to Todos Santos. This iconic mainstay is riddled with eclectic sculptures and the sunsets here can’t be beaten. Bonus: the drinks are as big as your head.
San Jose del Cabo - The Classy Sister of Cabo San Lucas
Where to sweat: Take your newfound surfing abilities to Costa Azul, the beach that is lovingly referred to as Zippers by those who know it. Zippers host the annual Los Cabos Open of Surf, a competition that takes advantage of the famous wave breaks just offshore, so you know it’ll give you a good challenge. Carve out some time to take a stroll through the trails at San Jose Estuary, a freshwater lagoon fed by an underground river from the mountains. You’ll be surprised by the wildlife and serenity found in this nature reserve.
Where to find your adventure: Large schools of fish, including hammerhead sharks, manta rays, marlins and whales, migrate through the Sea of Cortez’s untouched reefs and numerous dive sites, making the East Cape near San Jose del Cabo one of the most sought after scuba destinations in the Baja Peninsula. East Cape Explorers offers scuba for all experience levels, as well as snorkeling and whale watching for those less motivated by the thought of swimming alongside hammerheads.
Where to eat: A fully operational organic farm nestled in the desert mountains of Mexico? Surprise! Flora Farms has made a name for itself through its impressive farm-to-table cuisine and immaculately kept grounds. They strive to only serve what they grow and raise, and their commitment runs as deep as not offering beef on the menu because water limitations in Cabo make it unsustainable. Make reservations, but get there early to have plenty of time to explore the property and take it all in. There are even a farm spa and cooking classes available for the diehard enthusiasts. For a more casual night, the original Baja Brewing Company is located right in downtown San Jose. Here you’ll find wood-fired pizza, elevated bar food, live music, and, of course, BEER. San Jose is known for its vibrant art scene, so plan to go on a Thursday (between November and June) for dinner and you’ll get the added perk of exploring the local Art Walk afterward.
See you out there!
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