Baja California Sur

Desert meets ocean adventure land

Baja California Sur stretches along Mexico’s Pacific coast, offering rugged cliffs, desert valleys and clear waters. The region includes the Sea of Cortez, known for marine life like whales and sea turtles. Towns such as La Paz provide access to snorkeling, kayaking and local seafood markets. Inland areas feature mountain ranges with trails for hiking and birdwatching. Weather stays warm year-round, making outdoor activities possible in most seasons. Cultural influences from indigenous groups and Spanish history shape the area’s food, art and traditions.

Add to list Map view

Region in Mexico

$$$

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

See price details

Safety: 6.7

General Safety:	7
Health & medical:	7
Accessibility:	6
Tap water:	4

Read details

4/5

English is widely spoken in tourist areas, resorts, and by most service staff. In smaller towns or rural areas, Spanish is more common, but basic English is often understood in shops and restaurants.

Highlights Attractions Getting there Hotels Tips Travel costs Safety Articles

Last update: 12 Oct 2026

* We earn a commission from some links on this page.

Baja California Sur Summary

These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.

‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.

‘Your personal’ scores:
This reflects how well a place matches your personal preferences. You can adjust the importances of travel topics or other personal requirements categories in your account settings.

‘Suited for’ badges:
These give you a quick overview of how well a destination suits specific types of travellers, to help you find the places that match your lifestyle, preferences or travel situation.

Read how our scores work

Excellent for desert landscapes and marine life. Go whale watching, snorkel coral reefs, explore cactus deserts and relax on quiet beaches.

Place score

8.2

Best at:

Beaches

Sea

Natural sites

Diving

Van travel

Personal score

Suited for

👶 8

Families

🧓 7

Seniors

❤️ 9

Couples

🛡️ 8

Travel Beginners

Mexico – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	127 V, 60 Hz Plug: Type A , Type B Type A: Type B: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Mexican Peso (MXN) £1 ≈ MX$24.81
Cashless info:	Rating 4/5 Cashless payments are becoming more common in urban areas. Major cities like Mexico City and Guadalajara accept credit cards and mobile payments, but cash is still the preferred payment method in many places. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is customary in Mexico. In restaurants, leave 10-15% for good service. Taxi fares should be rounded up. Small tips are appreciated by hotel staff and service workers.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is not allowed in most areas, though it is permitted in some tourist zones and beaches. Be cautious about local laws regarding alcohol consumption in public spaces.
Public smoking:	Smoking is allowed in designated areas in public spaces, but most indoor places such as restaurants and shops have non-smoking policies.

Independence Day (16 September)	Major national celebration with parades and festivities
Day of the Dead (1–2 November)	Traditional celebrations honouring deceased loved ones

Emergency contact:	Emergency Number: 911 (Police, Fire, Ambulance)
Taxi apps:	Uber, Didi, Cabify
Other:	Mexico offers rich cultural experiences, beautiful beaches, and diverse landscapes. Travellers should take standard safety precautions and be mindful of their surroundings.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Baja California Sur, Mexico

☀️

Jan

☀️

Feb

☀️

Mar

☀️

Apr

🔥

May

🔥

Jun

🔥

Jul

🔥

Aug

🔥

Sep

🔥

Oct

☀️

Nov

☀️

Dec

High season:	Jan. - April, Nov. - Dec.
Shoulder season:	May - June, Oct.
Crowdedness:	5 (Moderate tourist numbers)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Grey whale watching in Magdalena Bay and Guerrero Negro runs roughly late December to early April

Hurricane season June to November, with highest risk August to October, can close hotels and cancel flights

Sea temperature differs by coast: the Sea of Cortez is calmer and warmer, the Pacific side is cooler and rougher with strong surf

Don't miss

🦈 Swim alongside whale sharks in the Bay of La Paz
🐋 Watch grey whales breach near the lagoons of Magdalena Bay
🏖️ Relax on the pristine beaches of Playa Balandra
🤿 Dive into Cabo Pulmo’s coral reefs, a UNESCO marine park
🚗 Drive the scenic coastal route between La Paz and Cabo San Lucas

You've been here?

Why travel to Baja California Sur?

If you love variety, Baja California Sur is a dream. One morning you could be snorkeling with sea lions at Isla Espíritu Santo and by sunset, you’re sipping margaritas on a Malecón in La Paz or Cabo San Lucas. The region’s blend of wild desert, lush oases and endless coastline means you can hike, surf, dive or just relax on some of the world’s best beaches – all in one trip. What really struck me is how easy it is to escape the crowds. Beyond the glitzy resorts, you’ll find sleepy fishing villages, hidden coves and authentic taco stands. But do be ready for some long drives between highlights and know that the desert sun can be intense. Still, the sense of freedom and the raw, natural beauty more than make up for it.

🏙️Cities & Regions

1 Cabo San Lucas
Where desert meets ocean in Baja California's southern tip, Cabo San Lucas offers dramatic cliffs, warm waters and vibrant nightlife. The peninsula's rugged terrain contrasts with its bustling marina, creating a unique blend of natural beauty and modern entertainment that draws visitors year-round.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Parque Nacional Cabo Pulmo
2 Todos Santos
3 El Arch of Cabo San Lucas
4 Balandra
5 Isla Espíritu Santo
6 Malecón

🎡Places for activities

1 Los Barriles
2 El Medano Beach
3 Playa el Chileno
4 Palmilla Beach
5 La Ventana
6 El Cardonal
7 Puerto Loreto
8 Puerto Los Cabos

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Bahía Santa María
2 El Arch of Cabo San Lucas
3 Bahía Concepción
4 Isla Coronado
5 Sierra de la Laguna
6 El Vizcaíno Biosphere Reserve
7 Isla Espíritu Santo

🛍️Shopping

1 Marina Mercado
2 Puerto Paraiso
3 Luxury Avenue
4 Mercado Bravo
5 Farmers Market
6 Galeria de Todos Santos

🎈Events

La Paz Carnaval (Feb)
Festival de Cine Todos Santos
San José del Cabo Art Walk (Nov-Jun)
Gray Whale Festival (Jan-Mar)
Cabo Comedy Festival
Cabo San Lucas Ironman
Loreto Blue Whale Festival
Todos Santos Music Festival
GastroVino Food & Wine Festival
Baja 1000 Off-Road Race

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Don't drive at night; roads have potholes and animals.
Stay in tourist zones like Cabo and La Paz; safer with patrols and gated resorts.
Shuffle feet entering water to avoid stingrays; wear water shoes at rocky beaches.
Whale watch Dec-Apr from Los Cabos; book small-group tours for closer Pacific humpback views.

How to travel to Baja California Sur

Baja California Sur is accessible by air via three main international airports: Los Cabos (SJD), La Paz (LAP) and Loreto (LTO). Ferries connect La Paz to mainland Mexico (Topolobampo and Mazatlan). Many visitors also drive the Transpeninsular Highway from the US border, enjoying the scenic journey down the peninsula.

Access summary

From Los Cabos Airport (SJD): Shuttles or rental cars to resorts, 30–60 min.
From La Paz Airport (LAP): Taxis, shuttles or rental cars into city, 20–30 min.
From Loreto Airport (LTO): Rental cars or hotel transfers along coast, 15–40 min.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Baja California Sur

Accommodation ranges from luxury resorts in Cabo and La Paz to boutique hotels, eco-lodges and budget hostels. Beach camping is popular in remote areas. Book ahead in peak season, especially for whale watching or festival times.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Marina Fiesta Resort and Spa

8.8

Tesoro Los Cabos Resort

8.6

Hyatt Vacation Club at Sirena del Mar

8.6

Marquis Los Cabos, All-Inclusive, Adults-Only & No Timeshare Resort

9.1

Cabo Vista Hotel - Adults Only

9.2

Casa Dorada Los Cabos Resort & Spa

9.2

ROYAL SOLARIS LOS CABOS - ALL INCLUSIVE

8.1

Viceroy Los Cabos

9.5

Riu Palace Baja California - Adults Only - All Inclusive

8.5

Playa Grande Resort

8.9

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Baja California Sur

Getting around is easiest by car – distances between towns and sights can be long and public transport is limited outside main cities. Major towns like La Paz, Cabo San Lucas and Loreto are walkable in their centers and taxis or local buses are available. For island excursions, boat tours and ferries operate from La Paz and Loreto.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

---

We can't detect your current location. Please log in and set your current location in the account settings to see a cost comparison.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-1 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to MXN) is 1% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Safety information overview

General safety

Tourist areas are generally safe, though petty theft can occur — use common sense and avoid isolated areas at night. Road conditions vary; drive cautiously, especially after dark or in rural zones.

Health & Medical

Major cities have good hospitals and clinics, but remote areas may lack medical facilities. Bring any necessary medications and consider travel insurance that covers adventure activities and emergencies.

Accessibility

Main towns and resorts are accessible, but many natural attractions require driving or hiking. Some beaches and islands may not be wheelchair-friendly. Plan ahead if you have mobility needs.

Tap water

Tap water is not recommended for drinking. Always use bottled or filtered water, which is widely available. Hydration is essential due to the dry climate, especially during outdoor activities.