Off the beaten Baja path: Todos Santos & Cerritos
from la paz, i took a 1-hour (2 hours in mexican time) bus over to todos santos, an adorable artsy town that is one of the most photogenic places i’ve been to. like i could not stop taking pics here. cacti everywhere, rustic doors, exposed brick, sultry streets, boutique hotels.. such a vibe.
i am actually so baffled by todos santos because it seems sooo off the beaten path yet is only an hour from cabo and la paz, both of which are super touristy and developed!! todos santos feels so removed from it all, which of course, makes it a place you need to visit sooner rather than later.
i was able to collab with todos santos hostel, the only hostel in the area, and it was a great experience!! i stayed in one of their private canvas tents, which was super spacious and had a fan (i didnt need it at night cause it got a bit chilly), lamps, power outlets, cute floor mats, the works. the tents are nestled in this leafy property decked out with string lights, and you can also camp there and stay in dorm beds! i loved how it was a social atmosphere, my first night some other guests cooked the most amazing mexican feast of battered fish, ceviche, rice, and guac it was so fresh and delicious 😭. it was also nice to see the hostel was covid-aware, operating at half capacity, requiring masks in inside spaces, checking temperatures at the door, etc. it’s located about a 10-min walk from town, down some dusty roads with angry perros, and a bit longer down a similar path to the beach, so i would recommend having a car if possible!
another reason to have a car (otherwise you can take a taxi or make a friend with a car) is CERRITOS!! i was obsessed with this teeny remote surf town surrounded by rolling landscapes of cacti and hills in the background. lots of places are closed right now because of covid but i had some yummy fish tacos at barracuda which is a viiibbbee, definitely go here, and the beach is so beautiful and great for surfing!!! i loved how there was barely anyone here and it felt so authentic.
on the way to cerritos, make sure to stop at baja beans (which is a beautiful space) and shop at zocalo by loveleigh — the owner is actually from kelowna (where my family cottage is)! and they have amazing boho stuff, i got some cute facemasks there (2020 fashun).
back in todos santos town, it’s so beautiful so just stroll the streets, poke your head into the hotels, take pics, and browse the shops. here’s where you gotta go:
the iconic hotel california is actually NOT the one from the eagles song, but nonetheless you will not be able to get it out of your head when you come here. i loved taking pics at this place and it is definitely worth checking out for the shop, restaurant, bar, or just sightseeing!
romAntica pizzeria is AMAZING Italian food — dare i say the best pizza i’ve had all trip — just don’t tell the owner to put pineapple on your pizza or he will be v offended lol. also a big fan of their pinot grigio here.
la esquina is a gringo healthy food spot a little bit out of town. i loved their classic smoothie and the space is very open, breezy, jungly, boho.
shop at saguaro — i accidentally spent the price of my flight home here on sandmade bikinis and clothing. i will not wear any other brand now, i am soso obsessed. stay tuned because i may or may not have a collab coming up with them! 😍
nomad chic is also a beautiful boutique shop worth a solid browse (home decor, perfume, bathing suits, clothing, etc)
cafelix is a chill breakfast spot in town along with todos santos cafe
the beach isn’t swimmable in todos santos, but you can walk about 20 mins from todos santos hostel and through a little path that you think is leading to nowhere (this is a common theme around this part of baja) and there is a BEAUTIFUL, pristine beach there. keep your eyes out for whales/dolphins!!
that’s it for this little stop! i spent 3 days here and it was perfect for me, although i could defs see why people spend longer.
here are my other mexico blog posts if you’d like to check them out!
