Still Life by the Sea: A Slow Journey in Todos Santos

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Advisor - Courtney Fischrup
Curated By

Courtney Fischrup

  • Todos Santos

  • Arts & Culture

  • Food & Wine

  • Off-the-Beaten-Path Travel

  • Slow Travel

  • Sustainable Travel

  • Beaches

Advisor - Still Life by the Sea: A Slow Journey in Todos Santos
Curator’s statement

Todos Santos is quiet yet vivid, a place where desert meets ocean and life unfolds at an unhurried pace. Historical streets open into sunlit plazas, while art galleries and boutiques are tucked behind bougainvillea-draped walls. The landscape is both austere and abundant—surf breaks rolling into empty beaches, gardens heavy with fruit, evenings washed in soft Pacific light. It is a town defined by contrast, yet held together by a rare stillness that lingers long after you leave.

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Where to stay in Todos Santos

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Things to do in Todos Santos

  • Tortugueros Las Playitas: Just outside Todos Santos, this conservation project protects endangered sea turtles that nest along the beach. From late fall through early spring, visitors can learn about the preservation efforts and, in-season, take part in evening hatchling releases. The experience is simple yet memorable—standing on the sand as young turtles make their way to the Pacific under the care of local volunteers.

  • Misión Nuestra Señora del Pilar de Todos Santos: Founded in the 18th century by Jesuit missionaries, the church remains the town’s spiritual and architectural heart. Its whitewashed façade, trimmed in soft yellow, stands quietly at the edge of the plaza, framed by palms and bougainvillea. Inside, the sanctuary is simple—wooden pews, carved altars, and shafts of light cutting through high windows. The bells still sound over the rooftops, calling back to centuries of ritual and community.

  • Galleries & boutiques: Along Calle Juárez and the plaza, doors open onto rooms filled with paintings, textiles, and ceramics. Spaces that invite quiet looking. Be sure to explore Galería de Todos Santos, a mixed-media stalwart founded in 1994—a benchmark for the local scene. For fashion, visit Nomad Chic, a concept store for fashion and design. Lastly, there’s La Sonrisa de la Muerte, a contemporary printmaking studio and gallery who also operates La Liebre Press.

  • Playa Los Cerritos & Playa San Pedrito: South of town, the coast opens to two beaches known less for spectacle than for rhythm. At Los Cerritos, the waves are steady, a favorite for surfers and beginners alike, with wide sand that feels almost endless beneath the Baja sun. San Pedrito is quieter, its waters more powerful, the shoreline edged by rocks and palms that bend in the wind. Both beaches hold a sense of spaciousness—mornings with only the sound of surf, evenings when the horizon fades into muted blues and gold.

  • Punta Lobos: Once a traditional fishing beach, Punta Lobos remains one of the most scenic stretches of coast near Todos Santos. The bay opens wide to the Pacific, framed by dramatic cliffs and still used daily by local fishermen. Their pangas—small open boats built for launching straight from the sand—line the shore and return in the afternoons with the day’s catch. It’s also a favorite spot to watch the sunset, when the cliffs are cast in gold and the horizon feels endless.

  • Todos Santos Eco Adventures: Walks through desert canyons, boat journeys to hidden coves, time given back to the land and sea.

Places to eat & drink in Todos Santos

  • La Santeña: Bright, unfussy plates, a cantina atmosphere softened by local ingredients.

  • Jazamango: A garden setting where everything feels rooted, the menu shaped by Baja’s soil and seasons.

  • The Green Room: Tables in the sand, waves only a few steps away, the light shifting as you eat.

  • Barracuda Cantina: Fish tacos by the surf, simple and elemental.

  • Oystera: A courtyard framed by arches, oysters and cocktails arriving with ease.

  • La Copa & 1890: At Todos Santos Boutique Hotel: one rooftop, casual and open to the sky—the other, more formal, a dining room of quiet refinement.

Need to know

  • Best time to visit: Between November and April is ideal: warm but not scorching, the ocean is calmer, wildlife like whales are in migration, and there’s more consistent surf. Summers (especially August–September) are quieter, hotter, with more chance of rain.

  • Getting around: Rent a car if you can. Many of the best beaches, restaurants, and viewpoints lie outside town, and roads to especially remote spots (e.g. The Green Room) can be rough. Walking is excellent within the town center.

  • Sustainability & local impact: Todos Santos is growing fast. Water is scarce, and development pressures are real. Supporting eco-adventures, buying from local artisans, and selecting accommodations that respect the landscape make a difference. Turtle conservation is one such way to engage positively.

  • Connectivity & amenities: Expect slow WiFi in remote locations, cell service is decent in town. Cash (pesos) is helpful—smaller restaurants or art shops may not accept cards. Spanish helps, though many people in hospitality speak some English.

  • Pace: This is a destination best enjoyed slowly. Plan for unstructured time—afternoons for swimming, evenings for strolling, mornings for light activities. Let the light, the silence, the art fill in the gaps.

Advisor - Courtney Fischrup

Travel Advisor

Courtney Fischrup

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For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our Todos Santos page.