Cabo San Lucas is great for lounging around luxury resorts but there’s so much more to do within a few hours drive. Paddle one of Mexico’s most beautiful beaches in La Paz, jump in a waterfall in Santiago, or soak in the hot springs of La Ventana. There’s something truly epic for everybody.
La Paz, Baja California Sur
If you are looking for turquoise beaches and soft sand, La Paz is the place to be. Unlike the beaches in Los Cabos, the beaches in La Paz are actually very calm which makes it ideal for swimming and paddleboarding. Just make sure you watch out for the stingrays because there are tons of them.
If you are not taking a tour to Balandra Beach, keep in mind that they only allow a limited amount of visitors per day and the entry times are 8am and 12pm. Get there 30 minutes to one hour earlier during weekends.
Looking for a more unique adventure? I highly recommend visiting Espiritu Santo. This day trip to a pristine island includes snorkeling with sea lions, lunch, and visiting beautiful beaches. Check pricing here.
Santiago, Baja California Sur
Popular with locals but still relatively unknown to foreign tourists are the nature attractions in Santiago. During our trip we visited Sol De Mayo Ecological Park and I can’t recommend it enough. There’s a beautiful waterfall and many swimming holes just a 10 minute walk down from the entrance. You can also camp or stay in a cabin right on the property for $100 USD for a cabin or $25 to camp (includes your entrance fee to the park). The waterfall and swimming holes are accessed by rocky stairs and while I don’t think you need to be in great physical shape, I don’t recommend bringing grandma to this one.
Another area worth mentioning is the Santa Rita Hot Springs. While we didn’t get a chance to visit this place during our trip, our friends did really enjoy their time here.
If you plan on visiting Santiago, keep in mind that these destinations are accessed by dirt roads only. We didn’t feel the need for high clearance or 4wd to get to Sol De Mayo but this may depend on weather conditions.
Todos Santos
Todos Santos is definitely the best day trip from Cabo San Lucas. Conveniently located just an hour drive but feels like a world away. Mexico’s secretary of tourism has declared Todos Santos a Pueblo Magico which preserves its rich history, culture, and protects it from overdevelopment. There are so many adventures to do here for all ages like surfing, ATVing, hiking, and hanging out on pristine beaches. I actually recommend staying here for a few days because there’s so much to do! For a full blog on Todos Santos click here.
Cerritos Beach
Just 20 minutes from Todos Santos and about one hour from Cabo San Lucas is the laid back surf town of Cerritos. Cerritos offers surfing for all levels and even has surf lessons for beginners. After you’re done surfing there are plenty of great places to eat like Barracuda, famous for their Fish Taco feature on Netflix.
Before leaving, don’t forget to stop by Cerritos Beach Dogs to play with (or adopt) their adorable rescue pups. It’s a new non-profit coffee shop where all the proceeds go directly towards the care of their dogs.
La Ventana
It’s hard not to fall in love with La Ventana when you visit. The towns are not bigger than a few blocks long on dirt road but it has so much to offer. Some of the highlights of La Ventana are kite surfing, hot springs, and catching a sunset dinner in La Tuna.
Hope this has helped you narrow down some of the best day trips from Cabo San Lucas! If you are looking for more destinations in Mexico, check out my blog’s Mexico category.