One of the things that sets Los Cabos apart from many luxurious resort towns is its easy accessibility to surrounding history and culture. Baja California Sur is often an overlooked cultural hub of Mexico and visiting these local towns is an essential part of the Los Cabos experience.
While day trips to Cabo Pulmo National Park and Todos Santos are becoming more popular, there are also many other towns on the map worth paying a visit to. Here are three day trips you should consider next time you’re in Los Cabos and looking to experience the authentic towns of Baja California Sur.
Santiago and Miraflores
Just an hour’s drive from San Jose del Cabo, Santiago is one of the region’s hidden gems. Admire the exotic cacti of the Mexican desert while you travel to Santiago until arriving at a vast (literal) oasis in the desert. Nearby is a local ranch where you can hike down to a beautiful waterfall and spend an afternoon soaking up the sun and taking a dip in the waterfall’s pools. On the way back to Los Cabos, and just thirty minutes from Santiago, is picturesque Miraflores – a worthwhile stop for the authentic Mexican food you can get at many of the restaurants dotted throughout this hidden gem.
Getting there: Book the Fox Canyon tour with High Tide Sea Expeditions. Transportation from Los Cabos to both towns included as well as a tour guide.
El Triunfo
This two hour trip down highway 19’s “Golden Route” brings you to the town of El Triunfo, one of Cabo’s day trip that takes you back in time. The town still resembles what it did many years ago and has a population of just over 300.
Founded in 1720, El Triunfo boomed due to its abundance of gold and silver making the region a significant place in Baja California’s history. Once you arrive, a guide will be waiting to teach you about what is left from the golden age of El Triunfo and the stories of the Germans, Italians and French who immigrated here when the treasures were discovered. The destination continues to come to life with guides dressed in fashion from the 19th century who will show you how to prepare your food as they would back then.
Getting there: Book the El Triunfo experience through Los Cabos Tourism.
La Paz
La Paz is an important town in Baja California Sur as it is one of the few places in the world you can swim with whale sharks. However, many people do not realise it is actually the capital of Baja California Sur and recognized by locals for its beautiful beaches, seafront promenade, parks and art.
La Paz is also home to many local bars and restaurants that cook up those delicious tacos you travelled from far way to taste. While you could do the two hour drive yourself, a great way to have the full La Paz experience is to go on a special tour that lets you swim with whale sharks as well as experiencing the wider region and takes you to the best local eateries.
Getting there: Book the Whale Shark Encounter tour with Cabo Adventures.
