Baja California Sur road trip part 1: days 14/28 driving the Baja Peninsula

Iโ€™ve been living in Baja since 2021, and I finally did my Baja California Sur road trip this year! The trip lasted for 28 days, and in this guide, I will share with you part 1 of my road trip, which is in the Southern part of the Baja Peninsula.

๐Ÿ“ฎ Hi Trisha! I just saw your reel on Instagram about your Baja California Sur road trip, and I canโ€™t stop watching all the videos! I didnโ€™t think Baja was that pretty, and now I wonder why everyone goes to Cancun! Baja is amazing!

Would you please share your itinerary? I am also interested in the surf town you visited โ€“ I do not remember where but it was in between Ensenada and the tip of Baja California Sur.

I will 100% follow your Baja California road trip itinerary!! Thank you very much for all your content.

June Bergan, United States

Hola June,

After 3 months, I still have a hangover from my Baja California road trip! This was my turning point: I really love living in Baja California and I am here to stay! After that road trip, I bought a home in Los Cabos!

My Baja California road trip itinerary is unusual as I chose those off-road paths and lesser-visited places. Some of those have very bad conditions but I have photos and videos for you to prepare.

Hereโ€™s my road trip guide to Baja California (and Baja California Sur) for 3 weeks. I hope you learn something and do the route I did.

Iโ€™d love to hear about your trip so get in touch when you reach Cabo San Lucas โ€“ I live here! Good luck and enjoy. I promise you, it is so easy and fun!

Xx, Trisha

๐Ÿ™‹ย Questions about Baja California Sur?ย Ask me on Tiktok!

baja california sur road trip
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๐Ÿ”— Baja California Sur road trip: quick links

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ Baja California Sur road trip map

๐Ÿงญ How to use this Baja California Sur road trip itinerary

I split my Northern Baja California and Baja California Sur road trip because itโ€™s going to be so long if I put all the details in one post.

However, if you are doing both these states (not just Baja Sur), below is my complete 28-day itinerary:

  • Day 1: Los Cabos to Todos Santos
  • Day 2: Todos Santos to La Paz
  • Day 3: La Paz to Puerto San Carlos
  • Day 4: Puerto San Carlos to La Puirisma
  • Day 5: La Purisima to San Juanico
  • Day 6: San Juanico to San Ignacio
  • Day 7: San Ignacio to Guererro Negro
  • Day 8: Guerrero Negro-Cataviรฑa-San Quintin
  • Day 9: San Quintin to Ejido Erendira
  • Day 10, 11, and 12 โ€“ Erendira, Santo Tomas, La Grulla, and Ensenada
  • Days 12, 13, 14, and 15: Ensenada to Valle de Guadalupe
  • Day 16: Valle de Guadalupe to Tijuana
  • Day 17: Tijuana to Mexicali (with a stop in Tecate)
  • Day 18: Mexicali to San Felipe
  • Day 19: San Felipe to Bahia de Los Angeles
  • Day 20: Bahia de los Angeles to Guerrero Negro
  • Day 21: Guerrero Negro to Bahia Asuncion
  • Day 22: Bahia Asuncion to Loreto with a stop in Santa Rosalia
  • Day 23: Santa Rosalia to Mulege
  • Day 24: Mulege to Loreto
  • Day 25 Loreto to Agua Verde
  • Day 26: Agua Verde to La Ventana
  • Day 27: La Ventana to Los Barriles
  • Day 28: Los Barriles to Cabo Pulmo
  • Day 29: End of Baja California Sur road trip, back home to Cabo San Lucas

๐Ÿ“… Baja California Sur road trip itinerary

I did not plan this Baja California road trip before leaving my Cabo home. Ideally, I stopped in each of these destinations for one night.

The highlight of the road trip is that the road and roads of Baja California Sur are truly something special โ€“ there is nothing like it!

Iโ€™ll share with you the quick itinerary below, together with the distances and which hotels I stayed in.

Day 1: Los Cabos to Todos Santos

๐Ÿ’จ 76 KM (47 miles)
๐Ÿ“Todos Santos, Baja California Sur Mexico
๐Ÿ›๏ธ Guaycura Boutique Hotel

baja california sur road trip

Todos Santos is less than an hour away from my home in Cabo San Lucas, but I stopped here anyway since I wanted to spend more time in town.

I lived in El Pescadero (10 minutes from Todos Santos) in 2021, so I know the place more or less. On the way to Todos Santos from Los Cabos, pass by Cerritos Beach or Pura Playa for lunch by the beach.

In Todos Santos, you can go to Punta Lobos to surf and hike the sugar port trail. Even if this is a pueblo magico, I am not a fan of it because it is costly!

What I love the most about Todos Santos is the dining experience. If you are a road tripper who spends on food, go to Oystera for an oyster brunch or at Dum for a fancy dinner.

Day 2: Todos Santos to La Paz

๐Ÿ’จ 82 KM (50 miles)
๐Ÿ“La Paz, Baja California Sur Mexico
๐Ÿ›๏ธ Baja Club

baja california sur road trip

Like Todos Santos, I also lived in La Paz. Even if I was already living in Cabo, I still go for a day trip. Itโ€™s just a 2-hour drive from my home and still the cheapest destination in Baja California Sur.

La Paz differs from what I am used to in Los Cabos since it is located in the Gulf of Mexico (Cabo is on the Pacific Coast). You can make boat trips on the Sea of Cortez or visit Balandra Beach โ€“ a national park in La Paz where you can hike, swim, and do water activities.

I only stayed in La Paz for one night, but you can stay at least two. Within the city of La Paz, there are already so many beaches (about seven beaches).

Toro El Guero is an excellent option for an affordable seafood Mexican meal, while you can go to Nim if you are looking for an upper-scale dinner. Donโ€™t forget to visit Taco Fish, one of the fish taco stands featured on Netflixโ€™s Taco Chronicles.

Day 3: La Paz to Puerto San Carlos and Lopez Mateos

๐Ÿ’จ 268 KM (166 miles)
๐Ÿ“Puerto San Carlos | Lopez Mateos
๐Ÿ›๏ธ Hotel Villas Mar y Arena

baja california sur road trip

Puerto San Carlos and Lopez Mateos are both in the Magdalena Bay. These two fishing villages are next to each other and are popular spots for whale watching in Baja California Sur.

If your Baja California Sur road trip falls between January to March, spend at least 2 nights in this area. I visited in December and was not whale season yet, but I host whale-watching trips here every February/March.

These two towns are practically deserted if you are not visiting during the whale season. There is no other activity here during the off-season, and the town is really quiet. No people!

Compared to other areas in Baja Sur where you have to go after the whales, the whales here are more friendly as they come to the boats!

I stayed in Puerto San Carlos as the hotels in Lopez Mateos were closed. The only restaurant you will frequent in Puerto San Carlos is Hotel Alcatraz, but I go there not because I donโ€™t have a choice โ€“ the food is great!

Day 4: Puerto San Carlos to La Purisima

๐Ÿ’จ 200 km (124 miles)
๐Ÿ“La Purisima, Baja California Sur Mexico
๐Ÿ›๏ธ Cabaรฑas La Purรญsima (email me for contact!)

baja california sur road trip

La Purisima is not usually included in the Baja California Sur road trip itinerary. I donโ€™t know a lot of people who have been here but Iโ€™ve already been here before.

This oasis town is super quiet and does not have phone signal. You have to sit at the plaza to get Internet and sometimes, it doesnโ€™t work at all. I myself have given up and just didnโ€™t bother to be online.

Backed by the El Pilon, La Purisima is a place to go if you want to disconnect. You can ride kayaks on the lakes and hike around the area.

I stayed with a host family here and they are the most well-known family in La Purisima! They made homemade food everyday and they even showed me their vineyard and dates farm.

If you want to include La Purisima in your Baja California Sur road trip, I can connect you to them. They have a phone where you can call but they are not on any hotel booking platform.

Day 5: La Purisima to San Juanico

๐Ÿ’จ 51 KM (31 miles)
๐Ÿ“San Juanico, Baja California Sur Mexico
๐Ÿ›๏ธ Cowabunga (email me for contact!)

baja california sur road trip

This is my favorite place in this Baja California Sur road trip! I have been to 99% of the destinations in this itinerary before this road trip, but this is my first time in San Juanico!

San Juanico is where Scorpion Bay is located, one of the top 10 longest waves in the world. It wasnโ€™t surf season when I visited, so I didnโ€™t have the chance to see the waves.

The town is super off-grid and does not have electricity at certain times of the day. It is quiet, and there is only one restaurant in town, El Burro en Primavera. The food is really good, and they serve big plates!

I also saw so many fishermen walking along the long shores. What I did here was drive my truck and paved the whole shore. Yes, you can drive your car to the beach!

Day 6: San Juanico to San Ignacio

๐Ÿ’จ 161 KM (100 miles)
๐Ÿ“San Ignacio, Baja California Sur Mexico
๐Ÿ›๏ธ La Huerta Hotel

baja california sur road trip

This is the most beautiful drive but also the most rugged one. My next destination after San Juanico is San Ignacio, but Google Maps keep saying that I need to drive back to Ciudad Insurgentes/Puerto San Carlos to get to San Ignacio.

I asked the hostelโ€™s owner in San Juanico if there was a shorter way and he said there was. But he warned me this was a rocky road but manageable if I knew how to drive.

I always had trucks for my personal car, so I was confident driving roads like that. In the middle of that drive off-road, I got stuck in the sand and couldnโ€™t get out!

I thought the whole way would only be rocky, but nobody talked about sand. Luckily, there was this American family who was also doing their Baja California Sur road trip with a heavily equipped RV (shout out to @funroamer, who helped me get out of that mess!)

They pulled me out, and they said that if I was going to San Ignacio, I was going the wrong way. They got lost too because they were following Google maps so from then on, I told myself that I would not leave their RVโ€™s tail!

Together with the fun roamers, I reached San Ignacio without a hassle, but I stayed 6 hours on that off-road when the drive is only supposed to be for 2.5 hours.

I spent the night in a nice hotel and was surprised to see that they have Tesla chargers! The following day, I went to explore the Missions of San Ignacio and took a boat ride through the San Ignacio Lagoon.

Day 7: San Ignacio to Guerrero Negro

๐Ÿ’จ 150 KM (93 miles)
๐Ÿ“Guerrero Negro, Baja California Sur Mexico
๐Ÿ›๏ธ Hotel Los Caracoles

It was already nighttime when I reached Guerrero Negro, but this is an excellent drive because you are going to pass the Vizcaino National Park, a protected area in Baja California Sur.

In Guerrero Negro, you can go to the Ojo de Liebre lagoon where you can see whales during the season. You can also visit the salt factory (it looks like a salt flat but not really).

You can only visit the salt factory with a certified guide and you canโ€™t do it on your own. The hotel I was staying in recommended a local guide but the tour is only during the morning (before 12).

If you are going north and then back like I did on this road trip, you will always pass by Guerrero Negro. There is only one road connecting Baja Sur and Baja Norte and that is in Guerrero Negro.

๐Ÿ›‘ Weโ€™ve reached the border of Baja California Sur and Baja California states! From days 8-20, I was in Northern Baja California. If you are continuing this trip all the way to Tijuana (north), please refer to my Northern Baja California road trip guide. If you are only doing a Baja California sur road trip, continue to the suggested itinerary below.

Day 8: Guerrero Negro to Bahia Asuncion

๐Ÿ’จ 184 KM (114 miles)
๐Ÿ“Bahia Asuncion, Baja California Sur Mexico
๐Ÿ›๏ธ Mi Casita Palmar

Bahia Asuncion was recommended to me by a friend from Mulege. I didnโ€™t want to do this since it was a bit off-road, but I was motivated by the pictures my friend showed me!

Itโ€™s really quiet, and there werenโ€™t a lot of tourists. This is not usually included in the Baja California Sur road trip itinerary so if you want a unique destination, this is worth the drive!

baja california sur road trip

Bahia Asuncion boasts miles of pristine beaches perfect for surfing or just soaking up the sun. But itโ€™s not just about the beach here โ€“ explore nearby natural wonders like whale-watching tours or hiking through lush forests.

And donโ€™t forget to try some of the local cuisines โ€“ fresh seafood caught daily by local fishermen is a must-try!

To get to my next destination which is Santa Rosalia, I had to drive back to Guerrero Negro. There isnโ€™t any other way to cross to the West so itโ€™s up to you if you want to include this in your itinerary.

๐Ÿš‘ Be open to the possibility that anything can happen to you while traveling: sprain, canceled flights, car accidents, lost luggage, emergency medical care, etc. Check out my travel insurance, starting at $0.99 USD per day.

Day 9: Bahia Asuncion to Mulege with a stop in Santa Rosalia

๐Ÿ’จ 184 KM (114 miles)
๐Ÿ“Mulege, Baja California Sur Mexico
๐Ÿ›๏ธ Hotel Cuesta Real

I drove out early of Bahia Asuncion since I want to see Santa Rosalia, a small mining town on the Gulf of Mexico. This was my first-time visiting but I already knew that a few hours there is enough.

I went to Santa Rosalia for brunch. I didnโ€™t have to look for the best restaurants in Santa Rosalia because it is a small town โ€“ you can actually go around the whole town within an hour.

My favorite part of this is the drive to Santa Rosalia towards the West Coast (Sea of Cortez). Everything changes when you cross from East to West and so far, this is my favorite road!

After seeing Santa Rosalia for a few hours, I continued my drive to Mulege. This is when I felt that I was getting closer to home.

Mulege is an oasis town known for its missions and amazing cuisine. The town is super small but if you go to the outskirts of the municipality, you will find many beaches.

To be honest, this is the best strip of beaches that I have seen in Baja California Sur. Donโ€™t stay in town but choose beachfront accommodation. I swear you will love Mulege!

Day 10: Mulege to Loreto

๐Ÿ’จ 136 KM (84 miles)
๐Ÿ“Loreto, Baja California Sur Mexico
๐Ÿ›๏ธ Villa del Palmar

Loreto Mexico

During my first trip to Loreto in 2020, I wasnโ€™t attracted to it because I only stayed in town. I got a project to promote tourism in Loreto, but the Tourism Board did not bring us to the outskirts of Loreto.

Now that I have explored it on my own, I am in love with this place, and this is one of my favorite roads in this Baja California Sur road trip!

To be honest, there werenโ€™t a lot of spectacular views in Baja Sur compared to Baja Norte but the road from Mulege to Loreto and Loreto to Ciudad Insurgentes is stunning!

FYI, Loreto is expensive. If you are in town, visit the Malecon for sure and the missions of Loreto. There are also some great restaurants in town like Hotel Oasis.

If you are an outdoorsy type of traveler, do not stay in town but find accommodation near the beach. I stayed in a resort this time since I wanted to celebrate the completion of my Baja California Sur road trip but this doesnโ€™t end here.

Now we proceed to the East Cape of the Gulf of Mexico (Sea of Cortez). You can end your road trip in Loreto but if you want to see a different kind of โ€œCabo,โ€ include East Cape in your itinerary.

Day 11: Loreto to Agua Verde

๐Ÿ’จ 226 KM (140 miles)
๐Ÿ“Agua Verde, Baja California Sur Mexico
๐Ÿ›๏ธ Outdoor camping, bring a tent!

Agua Verde is a hidden cove between Loreto and La Paz. It is the most beautiful cove in the Baja but this drive is not for everyone.

The road to Agua Verde is super rugged and rocky. A Sedan car rental will not work if you plan to visit Agua Verde.

I went to a cove in Agua Verde to camp and hike. I did not stay in a hotel but had a tent in my truck. This is one of the most beautiful coves of the sea of Cortez, and I came back here again after this road trip!

baja california sur road trip

Driving to Agua Verde is not easy and before heading there, you must bring all food, water, and anything that you may need for the night.

I love camping, so I have camping gear with me โ€“ I even brought my own stove and gas, which luckily fits my truck bed.

Again, you donโ€™t gave to include Agua Verde in your Baja California Sur road trip itinerary. I just included it because the drive from Loreto to La Ventana is long and I did not want to spend the whole day in the car.

Day 12: Agua Verde to La Ventana

๐Ÿ’จ 351 KM (218 miles)
๐Ÿ“La Ventana, Baja California Sur Mexico
๐Ÿ›๏ธ Ventana Bay Resort

Hola, East Cape! Since I live in Cabo San Lucas, East Cape is such an easy drive for me. I always do this on day trips, but this time, I wanted to include it in my Baja California road trip just so I can familiarize myself more with the layout of Baja Sur.

La Ventana is a popular kite surfing destination so its always full during the wind season (from December to April). It is really a small town, so you donโ€™t have to spend the night here.

baja california sur road trip

I just spent the night here because I had some friends from Mexico City who were going on a kitesurfing trip. I do not kitesurf so I just laid on the beach and took drone shots of my friends while they were kitesurfing.

What I also love about La Ventana is that everyone knows everyone. All the restaurants I walked into (without prior research) are great.

Day 13: La Ventana to Los Barriles

๐Ÿ’จ 79 KM (49 miles)
๐Ÿ“Los Barriles, Baja California Sur Mexico
๐Ÿ›๏ธ Hotel Playa del Sol

Los Barriles boasts some of the best beaches in Baja California Sur. With crystal clear waters and soft white sand, you can spend your days lying on the beach or doing water sports like kiteboarding or snorkeling.

This quaint town has a vibrant local culture that you wonโ€™t find in more popular tourist destinations. From traditional Mexican cuisine to lively street markets, youโ€™ll taste authentic Mexico here.

baja california sur road trip

Los Barriles is also home to many natural wonders, including hot springs and waterfalls that offer breathtaking views and an opportunity for adventure.

As you can see, the drives to the East Cape are short so I took the chance to spend more time in the East Cape as opposed to just driving all day.

Plus, there is really nothing to do in East Cape but relax. Make this an alternative to your Los Cabos vacation in the future!

Day 14: Los Barriles to Cabo Pulmo

๐Ÿ’จ 226 KM (140 miles)
๐Ÿ“Cabo Pulmo, Baja California Sur Mexico
๐Ÿ›๏ธ Bungalows Cabo Pulmo

The final stop for this Baja California Sur road trip is Cabo Pulmo, the most beautiful national park in Mexico! Here, there are turtles, sharks, and whales all year round.

Itโ€™s home to over 800 species of marine animals and some of the most beautiful coral reefs in North America. The waters are so clean and the beaches are so empty that you can even lay in the sun naked!

Swim alongside colorful tropical fish while divers can explore shipwrecks and underwater caves that are teeming with life. The snorkel gear rental is only 100 pesos ($7 USD) for the day.

Tacos & Beer is a beachfront restaurant where you can order all types of seafood tacos. They also have an al pastor but I didnโ€™t try it since seafood felt better on a beachfront location.

Day 15: End of Baja California Sur road trip

Finally, after 28 days, I am back home in Cabo San Lucas! It was only a 2-hour drive from Cabo Pulmo but I still drove at night.

I have so many materials to edit and I am planning to do this road trip as a series on my Youtube channel! If you have any questions about doing a Baja California Sur road trip, please get in touch!

๐Ÿš— Renting a car in Baja California Sur

I did not rent a car for this Baja California road trip since I live in Cabo San Lucas. I brought my own car, which I bought when I was granted a Mexican residency visa.

However, I can share with you the prices for rental cars, but it all depends on where you are starting your trip. The most usual starting point is Tijuana and Los Cabos.

Prices for renting a car in Tijuana can vary depending on the make and model of the vehicle you choose as well as how long you plan to rent it.

However, you can expect to pay somewhere between $25-$50 USD per day for a standard-sized rental car from one of the major international companies like Hertz or Budget.

baja california sur road trip

Keep in mind that additional fees may apply for things like insurance coverage and taxes so be sure to read through any rental agreement carefully before signing on the dotted line.

There are several rental car companies in Los Cabos to choose from including Alamo, Hertz, and Budget. Prices can vary depending on the type of car youโ€™re looking for and the time of year youโ€™re traveling.

However, on average you can expect to pay anywhere from $20-$80 per day for a basic compact or mid-size car.

If youโ€™re looking for something more luxurious like a convertible or SUV, prices can range from $100-$200 per day.

โ˜€๏ธ Best time to do your Baja California Sur road trip

As I live in Baja California Sur, I can tell you that any time of the year is great to do your road trip.

The best time to visit Baja California Sur is during the winter months from November to April when temperatures are at 21ยฐC (70ยฐ F) with low humidity and minimal rainfall.

baja california sur road trip

This time of year offers warm days and cool nights which make it perfect for outdoor activities like hiking, biking or just lounging on the beach.

The summer months from May to October are hot and humid with occasional thunderstorms. Temperatures can reach up to 37ยฐC (100ยฐF) making it uncomfortable for outdoor activities during the day.

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9 Comments

  1. A road trip around Baja California for 28 days was a great way to see this fascinating part of Mexico. But I am not sure I could handle the great number of one night stops you did! I might want to find a few spots to use as bases and explore from there for a few days. I will have to plan to visit your favourite spot in San Juanico. But I would love to visit when the waves were high. So much to see on your road trip.

  2. This looks like an amazing road trip to try doing. I like that you visited lesser known places like La Purisima, it would be somewhere I’d like to visit. You covered so much ground for 28 days. Loreto sounds great and I appreciate your tip about it being expensive.

  3. I like the idea of taking three weeks Baja California road trip itinerary. It sounds like a good plan, as it’s enough time to enjoy stops along the way. It’s great that the driving distances are short so you can enjoy each place and feel its atmosphere. I also like the idea of taking the Cabo Pulmo snorkeling expedition.

  4. I adore road trips simply because of the possibility of stopping in on places discovered there and then. I read with interest about your almost a month road trip – and fascinate about the different views you have along the way. Such a good read!

  5. My longest road trip has just been 2 days. I would love to do a long one like you did. Along this drive, I would love to see the fishing villages, Puerto San Carlos and Lopez Mateos, and watch the whales. It would be nice to go off the grid at La Purisimaโ€”good rejuvenation. The region sure has some spectacular scenesโ€”would love to be there to see the longest waves too at Scorpion Bay.

  6. Now that’s an impressive road trip, Trisha! It’s good to know that you can do whale watching, surf and kite surfing in Baja California. Car rental seems affordable as well but I would definitely to this trip in a campervan or RV. Thanks for the tips!

  7. This looks like an epic road trip, and you have definitely took your time to see as much as possible. I like that you split the driving on reasonable distances, so that you can both visit but also move to the next place easily. I would also choose a less travelled route, as I don’t like crowds and I love exploring off the beaten path places.

  8. I’m sooo envious, and this looks like such an amazing road trip! I’ve been to Los Cabos twice, and I also explored La Paz. I popped into Todos Santos for about two hours, which totally wasn’t enough, but I was in the exact little market where you took your photo. Thank you so much for the revisiting of my memories, and hopefully someday I’ll make it further north via a lovely road trip like you did. So fantastic!

  9. Whoa! This is one super cool road trip. Thanks for splitting up the itinerary coz taking 1 month off might be more difficult than 2 weeks to do a part of it. I love how colorful Todos Santos is. I really wouldn’t want to miss whale watching while in Baja California Sur. Good that you stayed with a family in La Purismo. It is nice to visit their vineyards & dates farm.

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