Best of Baja California

San José del Cabo lies at the southern tip of Baja California, where the desert meets the waters of the Sea of Cortez, preserving the colonial soul of the Los Cabos region. The town's heart is Plaza Mijares, shaded by palms and overlooked by the 18th-century mission church dedicated to San José, whose twin towers watch over the cobblestone streets of the historic centre. Around the square unfolds the Art District, a lively quarter of galleries, workshops and courtyards where every Thursday evening from November to April the Art Walk fills the streets with artists, music and tastings. Nearby, the San José del Cabo estuary offers a natural oasis for birdwatching, with herons and hundreds of species among palms and reeds, while the golden beaches invite relaxation and water sports. Seafood cuisine, an unhurried rhythm and pervasive art make San José del Cabo an authentic retreat, far from the bustle of its neighbouring resorts.

Departure from San José del Cabo, a coastal city famous for its beaches and relaxed atmosphere. Along the way, we are accompanied by splendid views of the coast of Baja California Sur, making it impossible to resist the temptation of several photographic shots. A brief stopover is recommended in Los Barriles, a small community on the eastern coast of Baja California Sur, known for its tranquil beaches and water activities such as kite surfing and snorkeling. We then continue to La Ventana, another picturesque village on the coast, where you can admire the crystal-clear waters of the Sea of Cortez. After La Ventana, the road crosses the desert, offering spectacular views of the surrounding landscapes and mountains. Finally, we arrive at La Paz, the capital of the state of Baja California Sur. This city offers a unique combination of Mexican culture, history, and natural beauty, including beautiful beaches and surrounding islands. La Paz stretches along the shores of the Sea of Cortez — which Jacques Cousteau called "the aquarium of the world" — and welcomes visitors with the Malecón, the tree-lined waterfront perfect for sunset strolls, capital of Baja California Sur. A city of authentic, less touristy character, it keeps the relaxed rhythm of Mexican life among shaded squares and seafood restaurants. Its beaches are among the country's finest: Balandra, with its emerald lagoon, and Playa El Tecolote invite pure relaxation, while the surrounding waters offer encounters with sea lions, manta rays and — in winter — grey whales. La Paz seduces those seeking crystalline seas far from the crowds.

The route from La Paz to Loreto traverses breathtaking landscapes along the stunning coast of Baja California in Mexico. From La Paz, a coastal city with a vibrant marine life and rich history, the journey heads north along the historic coastal road, offering spectacular views of the ocean and surrounding desert. Along the way, a stop at Bahía de los Sueños is recommended, an enchanting bay where one can enjoy the tranquility of crystal-clear waters and bask in the sun on white sandy beaches. Upon reaching Loreto, one immerses oneself in the tranquil and relaxed atmosphere of this charming colonial town. Located along the coast of the Sea of Cortez, Loreto boasts a rich historical and cultural heritage, with cobblestone streets, pastel-colored colonial buildings, and a vibrant artistic and culinary scene. Loreto sits on the eastern coast of Baja California, facing the turquoise waters of the Gulf of California between sea and desert. Here rose the first permanent mission of the Californias, the Misión de Nuestra Señora de Loreto founded in 1697, still the heart of the placid colonial centre. Before the town spreads the Parque Nacional Bahía de Loreto, with rocky islands and seabeds Cousteau dubbed “the aquarium of the world,” part of the UNESCO islands and protected areas of the Gulf. Behind rise the rugged ridges of the Sierra de la Giganta. Between snorkelling, fishing and whale-watching, Loreto offers the authentic, silent Mexico of the Sea of Cortés.

San Ignacio comes as an unexpected oasis in the arid heart of Baja California Sur, where thousands of date palms surround a freshwater lagoon and a quiet colonial village. On the peaceful main square, shaded by laurel trees, stands the whitewashed Misión de San Ignacio Kadakaamán, founded by the Jesuits and completed by the Dominicans, one of the best-preserved missions on the peninsula. The town is the gateway to the Sierra de San Francisco, whose extraordinary prehistoric rock paintings are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and to the nearby Laguna San Ignacio, a celebrated winter refuge for grey whales. A stop suspended in time, between desert, history and untamed nature.

Todos Santos is a Pueblo Mágico of Baja California Sur, suspended between the slopes of the Sierra de la Laguna and the Pacific in an oasis of palms and old sugarcane plantations. Its elegant historic centre lines up 19th-century houses, art galleries and the restored Teatro Cine General Manuel Márquez de León, while the Hotel California fuels its famous legend. Just outside, the broad sweeps of Playa Los Cerritos and La Cachora draw surfers and sunset lovers, and between December and March grey whales pass offshore. With art, wild beaches and a slow pace, Todos Santos wins over those seeking a bohemian, authentic Mexico.