Baja California is the Mexican state that borders California to the south. Even further down the peninsula, you’ll find the Mexican state of Baja California Sur —the name translates as Southern Baja California.
Videos by TravelAwaits
These states cover the entire Baja Peninsula. Whether or not you’ve visited, you probably already know a few famous cities in the area, like Tijuana, Cabo San Lucas, and Mexicali. If you’re a diver, you might know the area for its stunning marine life instead. Home to the Sea of Cortez, Baja’s waters are known as the ‘World’s Aquarium’.
But what else waits for you just a few hours past the border?
Unlike the lush jungles of Mexico’s Caribbean coastline, the Baja Peninsula is a drier, more mountainous region. There’s plenty to find in the way of outdoor sports, fishing, and culture—not just sandy beaches.
Here’s a list of places on the Baja Peninsula in Mexico that are worth a visit, whether you’re staying for a weekend-long resort trip or dropping off the map for weeks at a time.
Best places to visit on the Baja Peninsula: at a glance
- For wellness and slow living: Loreto
- For small-town vibes: La Paz
- For a trendy, artsy getaway: Todos Santos
- For unbeatable beaches: Mulege
- For nearby wineries: Valle de Guadalupe
- For quiet resort trips: San Felipe
Best places to visit on the Baja Peninsula in Mexico
Wellness: Loreto
Loreto has a reputation for its wellness offerings. It’s an old settlement with colonial architecture, where the Sisters of Loreto (for which the town is named) set up a mission back in 1697. The town is surrounded by the Loreto Bay National Marine Park, where you can snorkel, dive, kayak, and paddleboard. As a perk, there are also mountains nearby. You can hike through the Sierra de la Giganta range, assuming the heat isn’t too bad during spring, summer, and autumn.
Book a hotel in Loreto.
Small town vibes: La Paz
Despite the fact that La Paz is the capital of Baja California Sur, it’s got small-town vibes that will charm you. It sits on the Sea of Cortez, making it a prime location to go whale-spotting in winter or snorkel with the whale sharks in summer. Espiritu Santo Island is also about an hour away, where you can even snorkel with sea lions. Back in town, you can enjoy the seaside promenade and cute local arts scene. It’s the perfect home base for your adventures in nature.
Book a hotel in La Paz.
Trendy and artsy: Todos Santos
Similar to Loreto, Todos Santos has a fast-growing reputation as a top-notch tourist destination on the Baja Peninsula. The town’s small vibe is decidedly artsy and bohemian, letting you explore galleries and boutiques day after day. Think: a place where artists come to play and create. Aside from art, you’ll have plenty of beaches for sunbathing, surfing, and watching sunsets. If you’d rather spend time in the mountains, you can visit the Sierra de la Laguna range for trails that give you panoramic views.
Book a hotel in Todos Santos.
Great nature: Mulegé
This tiny town is home to the Santa Rosalia River that feeds a lush oasis of greenery, which is at odds with the dry desert beyond Mulegé. There’s a small brewing company in town, a few restaurants serving locals and ex-pats, and access to the Sea of Cortez via nearby Bahia Concepcion. From there, you can access scuba diving, kayaking, snorkeling, and more. There’s also plenty to do in the way of bird-watching at Mulegé’s estuaries.
Book a hotel in Mulegé.
For wineries: Ensenada (Valle de Guadalupe)
Valle de Guadalupe is an inland region that produces Mexico’s finest wines. It’s only a short drive (around ten miles) from the city of Ensenada. Setting up a home base in Ensenada, you can access all four regions in the Valle de Guadalupe. However, you can also book a boutique hotel that’s located in the actual town of Valle de Guadalupe. There are restaurants and galleries to enjoy, but it’s a very, very small town, meaning you might prefer the action in Ensenada.
Book a hotel in Valle de Guadalupe.
Quiet stays: San Felipe
Once a sleepy fishing village and now a growing resort town, San Felipe is a prime spot to go fishing, kayaking, and paddleboarding. The area is very arid, almost desert-like, while the beaches are large and pristine. You can hole up at a hotel or resort, then spend your days lazing around the small town. It’s also a gateway to the Sea of Cortez, in case you want to do any diving or snorkeling.
Book a hotel in San Felipe.
