In a nutshell:
I went to Todos Santos in 2017 for a yoga retreat and wasn't expecting much - I came away wanting to buy a plot of land here, build a TeePee on said plot of land, and live happily ever after while eating tacos all day everyday.
If you love Cabo but hate how touristy its become, look no further than Todos Santos, a quick hour drive north from Cabo. The drive reminded me of driving through Joshua Tree - just replace the joshua trees with massive cardón cacti ;). It’s no wonder the cacti's silhouette against a baja sunset is the subject of many artists’ work. Spend just a few days in Todos Santos and you’ll quickly see why so many American and Canadian expats have made it their new home.
Todos Santos is Magical...
Translating to “All Saints”, Todos Santos truly has a majestic vibe, so much so that it was named a ‘Pueblo Mágico’ by the Mexican government in 2006 for its raw beauty and cultural riches (Cabo did not make the cut ;)). Be sure to check out if any of the town's popular festivals (arts, film, food, and music) will be occurring during your stay.
Artists, Foodies, and Yogis are Plentiful
Todos Santos, while still under the radar, is slowly gaining popularity as an artsy, hipster, and foodie destination and has become a popular spot for yoga retreats. Panchamama Mexico, pictured below, is a crowd pleaser and some of the most coveted yoga instructors have been making this eco-friendly resort their retreat go-to. It makes sense why: 1) the food served here is homecooked, authentic and healthy, 2) there’s an infinity pool looking over the ocean, and 3) you can stay in a fully equiped TeePee, constructed from locally sourced materials. Those TeePees were everything - but if you prefer a regular room they have those too.
Wine and Tequila Taste in between Shopping
The historic town of Todos Santos is colorful and picturesque - full of boutique shops, art galleries, taco eateries and cafes. American dollars are accepted almost everywhere. I’m still kicking myself for not taking home any mosaic Spanish-style tiles (which were being sold for a fraction of the price you’d pay in the US). Make sure to stop at La Bodega de Todos Santos, a wine shop featuring only Baja California vintners. If you’re a tequila fan like me, don’t worry, you’ll stumble upon more than one place to sample Mexico’s specialty tequilas.
Hit the Beach
Before Todos Santos was known for yoga retreats and art galleries, it was (and still is) a world renowned surfer destination - home to some of Mexico’s best breaks. There are plenty of beaches to check out but I’d recommend Playa Los Cerritos since you can surf and swim here (a lot of beaches in the area are not safe for swimming!). Playa Cerritos is a 20 minute drive from town. Don’t be scared when your taxi driver turns down a sketchy looking dirt road: this is the way. If you want to enjoy a cold cerveza on the beach, stop at one of the tiendas along the way and grab a few. Don’t let that Dos Equis sign deceive you - we couldn’t find a place to buy beer on the beach.
Shred the Gnar
If you’re new to surfing and want Grade A lessons, book with Mario Surf School. These guys are experts and all four of us non-surfers pictured above were able to catch waves and stand up. I’d be lying if I said we didn’t have some major paddling help from the instructors but I’m convinced these guys can get anyone to catch a wave. The best part is that it costs only $60 USD (which you can probably negotiate down depending on group size) vs. $130 USD typically charged in places like Hawaii and Santa Monica.
Learn from my Mistake
Make sure you squeeze in some time to hike to the top of Punta Lobos, it supposedly has breathtaking views - if you’re a hiker and have time make sure to do this.
ENJOY this beautiful little town, I will most certainly be back.