The trailhead is a quick 20-minute drive from Todos Santos, making it one of the best day trips and outdoor activities available during a visit to Baja California Sur. It’s also dog friendly — just keep a close eye on them, as some of the drop-offs can be steep.

The Trail

The Punta Lobos hike is an out-and-back trail, running about 2.5 to 4 miles depending on the route you take, with anywhere from 1 to 3 hours of hiking time. You can tackle some steeper sections if you’re feeling ambitious, or keep it mellow and stay on the main trail — the elevation never gets too crazy.

As someone who is decidedly not outdoorsy, and married to someone even less so, we both genuinely loved the outing. This is a hike for everyone.

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Getting There

From Highway 19, take the exit for the San Cristobal Hotel and follow the long dusty road. It’s about a 10-minute drive from Todos Santos — or an hour from Cabo — but budget another 10 minutes on an unpaved road before you reach the trailhead. There are no parking fees or trail fees, and despite the popularity of the Punta Lobos hike everything is refreshingly informal, right down to the unmarked sugar mill ruins at the start.

For parking, there’s a lot near the San Cristobal Hotel — just read the signs and make sure you’re not in a guest-only area. You can wind further down to an informal parking area closer to the trail, though it looked fairly chaotic with cars in every direction when we visited.

You’ll Know You’ve Arrived

Look for the old sugar mill ruins, also known as Puerto Viejo — the Old Port. The name originates from its role as the main shipping port for Todos Santos in the late 1800s. It’s an atmospheric starting point for the hike, even if it isn’t officially marked.

When to Go

My husband, my sister-in-law’s partner, and I hiked on an overcast morning — and that was very much by design. We were glad we did, because just as we finished, the sun broke through the clouds and it got hot fast. This region sits close to the Tropic of Cancer, meaning the sunlight is nearly direct at certain times of year and the sunburn risk is real. Bring a hat, sunscreen, and water. There are no bathrooms on the trail, though in a pinch the hotel bar is nearby. I’d strongly recommend a morning start — though I can imagine a sunset from the top of this hike would be absolutely life-changing.

The Views and Wildlife

The views from the Punta Lobos hike are spectacular and were the main draw for me. I love a dry climate, and the cacti and rocky landscape are always a treat for this Pacific Northwesterner. The lookout over the water is stunning — my sister-in-law’s partner, Matt, brought binoculars and we took turns spotting sea lions far below on the rocks where the cliff met the water.

Keep your eye out for turkey vultures too. We spotted several lording over a trash pile near the trail — surprisingly majestic, and a genuinely great sight.

The Rattlesnake

A fellow hiker flagged us down to let us know there was a rattlesnake just off the path on the way back down. It was well hidden in some brush but was definitely watching everyone as they passed. Matt and I crept a few steps closer to take photos — at which point the snake shook its tail, delivering a polite but firm warning. We both raised our hands in surrender, chuckled, and backed away slowly. My husband, who is terrified of snakes, was waiting at a safe distance down the path and was very relieved to be putting more ground between himself and the snake by the second. A great story either way.

The San Cristobal Hotel

The San Cristobal Hotel at the trailhead looks absolutely stunning, and next time I’d like to stop in for a drink or a snack and check out the beach access. Bunkhouse is a boutique hotel chain based in Texas that has perfectly channeled the Baja vibe — and by all accounts is worth every peso of the price tag. Rates run anywhere from $400 to $800+ USD per night depending on the season.

The hotel has its own private beach area, La Playita, accessible to guests or day visitors who purchase a pass — but public beach access is also available for those just passing through.

For something more budget friendly but equally stunning, check out Hacienda Todos Los Santos. This boutique hacienda in the historic center of Todos Santos is an elegant stay worth checking out.

The Verdict

The Punta Lobos hike ended up being one of my favorite parts of this entire Baja Sur trip, and the proximity to Todos Santos makes it an easy yes for anyone in the area. Next time I might brave one of the longer routes and get closer to the cliffs and the water.

Until then, I’ll be content reliving the sea lions through borrowed binoculars.

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The post Punta Lobos Hike | One of the Best Things to Do in Todos Santos, Baja California Sur appeared first on Carry On Better.

As I ventured further into the restaurant, I devolved into a series of gasps and envy-moans. The landscaping is magazine-cover worthy, and the dappled light filtering down through palm fronds and a natural wood pergola overhead was so beautiful that morning. Our family of five was seated at a large picnic table under a sail of shade with a lovely view of most of the sprawling grounds — a great spot for a group.

We started with one of their sugar donuts — delightfully soft and pillowy. It was genuinely painful to split a single donut five ways, but it proved a great little morning opener. I was also enticed by a Moow seltzer — I went with the Sandia-Albahaca + Reishi flavor, drawn in by the colorful cans on my way through the gallery. I’d never seen the brand before, and I’ve since learned this Mexican company makes a range of sugar-free, non-alcoholic seltzers made with adaptogens. I wish I’d tried more flavors.

With such an extensive and eclectic menu, narrowing down our order was genuinely difficult — and a note here: make sure you look through all the pages on the clipboard menus, because there are at least three and not all clipboards had the same ones. There was real confusion at our table when people couldn’t find dishes they’d heard described. Don’t skip a single page.

My husband and I shared the Spinach and Kale salad and the Jewish Style Eggs — their take on Shakshuka. The salad was incredibly fresh, the crunch of cashews with fresh cubes of cheese and chewy dates a revelation. The sauce on the eggs was smoky and deeply flavorful, and we sopped up every last bit with the accompanying pita bread, heavily buttered at our own insistence because it was too good to leave behind. The Huevos Rancheros were also a hit at our table — topped with avocado, thinly sliced radish, and fresh cilantro over a thick tomato sauce. I heard nothing but rave reviews, punctuated by satisfied noises between bites.

Mains at Jazamango Cafe run in the 200-300 peso range ($11-17 USD at time of writing). For a sit-down breakfast in Todos Santos this is pretty typical pricing — but for a sustainable, organic, farm-to-table meal, it comes off as genuinely great value. Among the restaurants in Todos Santos, it’s one of the best breakfasts you’ll find.

The crowd felt like a good mix of tourists and locals enjoying a sunny Saturday morning — always a promising sign. The patio flows beautifully from the dining area toward a more relaxed, cozy drinking vibe at the bar in the back: cozy corners, sunny couches, giant terracotta planters. The kind of place you’d want to linger over cocktails in the afternoon — though the string lights suggest the evenings would be equally picturesque. That said, Jazamango Cafe is currently open for breakfast and lunch only, 8am to 2pm, closed Tuesdays.

A note on search confusion: Jazamango Cafe is the casual daytime offshoot of the more formal Jazamango restaurant on the other side of town. They are two separate spots — the main Jazamango is open for lunch and dinner Wednesday through Monday. I can only imagine I’m not the only one who got confused searching for these online, so consider yourself warned.

One honest caveat: if you’re pressed for time, save Jazamango Cafe for a morning when you have flexibility. Among the best farm-to-table breakfast spots in Todos Santos, it’s jaw-droppingly gorgeous and the food is genuinely fresh and delicious — but we waited around 45 minutes for our food and another 20 or more for the bill despite multiple attempts at snagging it from a server. But this was just one morning, so it could certainly be a fluke!

Come hungry, come unhurried, and come ready to take it all in. Definitely a spot worth exploring on a trip through Todos Santos.

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The post Jazamango Cafe | Farm-to-Table Breakfast in Todos Santos, Baja California Sur appeared first on Carry On Better.

I don’t remember how I came across Hacienda Todos Los Santos, but from the moment we arrived I knew it was going to be special.

Just north of the tip of the Baja California Sur peninsula sits the picturesque town of Todos Santos. Beautifully preserved colonial architecture, ancient cacti, and a thriving artistic community draw travelers from all over the world in search of stunning desert landscape and a chance to slow the hell down.

Todos Santos had been on my list for close to a decade, always deprioritized in favor of more budget-friendly destinations that hadn’t been splashed across Travel + Leisure or Condé Nast. But it turned out to be the perfect location for a trip I was helping plan — a family getaway that included my mother-in-law, who was a bit trepidatious about leaving the country for the first time in several decades.

This enchanting town was an easy sell: safe, clean, and just an hour and a half by rental car from San José del Cabo airport. With a thriving expat and retired community in place, it was an ideal counter-balance after spending several nights at tiny surf beach Los Cerritos, a fifteen-minute drive down south on the highway.

Driving north from Los Cerritos, our rental van hummed along Highway 19. It was myself, my husband, his sister and her partner, and their mother. We had been calling this trip the 110th — my mother-in-law was turning 70 and my sister-in-law was celebrating her 40th. This trip had been in the works for literal years, and while we relished the beach and ultimate relaxation we had in Los Cerritos, we were ready for something a bit bigger- new streets, shops and restaurants to explore.

Our rental car’s navigation deposited us at the intersection of Calle Benito Juarez and Degollado and alerted us we had arrived. A bit confused, our family pulled into a nearby parking lot to regroup as there was not an obvious lodging there. Despite a large sign on the road pointing left, we felt uncertain about the road winding through stately gates past a taco restaurant and a now-defunct fountain.

I volunteered to venture down the path alone rather than drag the whole family into a potential trespassing situation.

A few moments in, I recognized the architecture from the photos when I’d made the booking. We were in the right place.

I could hardly contain my excitement as we piled back into the car and wound our way toward our home for the rest of the week.

Driving through the gate, you’re immediately surrounded by towering, lush greenery. The graveled path and well-maintained plants make you feel like royalty before you’ve even checked in.

For our group of 5, we rented 3 suites that were housed in the main colonial building. My husband and I stayed in the Santa Clara suite (~$219/night) on the second floor, with a balcony looking out over the back of the property and into a 12-acre palm forest open for guests to explore.

The Santa Clara Suite was an unbeatable place to watch the sunset. The king size bed was a sumptuous sea of marshmallow fluff — the sheets were godly, the comforter and pillows magical, and I felt like a child lost in the floofiness of it all.

My mother-in-law took the Suite Santa Barbara (~$219/night), which connects via adjoining doors to the Suite San Juan Diego (~$300/night) — a setup that’s ideal for families and groups traveling together. San Juan Diego has the deluxe full kitchen and quickly became the de facto hangout space for our family. The property has 12 suites and one villa in total, each uniquely designed and decorated.

Hacienda Todos Los Santos is perfectly positioned for exploring this Baja California Sur pueblo mágico. You’re just steps from the main historic center, with plenty of restaurants within a 5-minute walk.

A car isn’t strictly necessary for getting around town, though if you’re planning to visit the pilates studio, Estudio 52 (45-minute walk) or the Cuatro Vientos yoga studio (20-minute walk) on the other side of town, having one is a nice option. And as with most of Baja Sur, a rental car unlocks the full experience of the region.

What I really appreciated about our stay was that I always felt supported by the staff, but never pestered. Our group was able to check in several hours early, and the kind man at reception walked us to our rooms and gave us a tour before heading back to the office — attentive without hovering.

Later that day, my husband and I discovered our room had lost power. A visit to reception was immediately followed by a staff member returning with us to check things out. He was confident he could fix it, offered alternative rooms if needed, and by the time my husband and I returned from a little shopping in town, everything was up and running. That kind of quiet, competent service is what makes a stay truly memorable for me.

A standout feature I’ve grown to love in Mexico is purified water available in the room. A beautiful glass cistern was refilled each day, covering all of our potable water needs — a huge plus that eliminates the need for large plastic bottles. Housekeeping also noticed we’d used all our coffee the first morning and left an extra serving the remaining days. Small things, but they add up.

The kitchen in the San Juan Diego suite was well stocked, including a blender — always a nice touch in a tropical destination with tremendous smoothie capability. Even the kitchenettes in the other suites had plenty for easy mornings: plates, bowls, cutting boards and a variety of glassware for pastries from a nearby bakery, fresh papaya, or cocktails for sunset.

The architecture and decor of this boutique hotel in Todos Santos played a huge role in the luxurious feel of the stay. Terracotta tiled floors and ornately painted tiled showers made daily bathing a true experience. Crisp white paint, unique art on the walls in each room, and the traditional Mexican embroidery on the pillows were a lovely touch.

The landscaping was by far one of my favorite elements of the property. Coming and going from the hacienda throughout the day in itself was a beautiful experience. The variety and size of plant life was awing.

The bathroom in the Santa Clara suite was a winner — hot water, fantastic pressure, and a shower design that looks out over the palm forest. I love me a hot shower, and I took several each day just to hang out in the tiled oasis.

The pool is unheated and on the smaller side, but the loungers were well maintained with fresh towels, and the landscaping surrounding it was so beautiful that sitting on the edge dangling my feet in, taking in the greenery, was one of the highlights of my time in Todos Santos. It’s a quiet, private tropical oasis — no lifeguard, no bartender, no one to bother you except perhaps another guest with a book sitting quietly nearby.

Bring a beer and take in the sound of palm fronds in the wind.

There is no onsite dining or bar, but the hacienda’s walkability to everything in Todos Santos makes it completely unnecessary.

We had been gathering in the San Juan Diego suite since it was the largest space, and somehow completely overlooked the incredible sunset view from our second-floor balcony until the very last night. Luckily we caught our mistake just in time and marveled at the unrivaled beauty of a Baja California Sur sunset as a family. Don’t make our mistake — build balcony time into every evening.

To be fair, the sunsets from the lower balconies were also magnificent. But from the second floor you have a stunning treetop view of the palm forest.

If you’re wondering where to stay in Todos Santos, Hacienda Todos Los Santos should be at the top of your list. This is my idea of quiet luxury — the things that mattered most, the bed, the bathroom, the shower pressure, the design, the staff, were all top notch. At $219-300/night it’s a genuine value for the quality, especially for groups and families who can take advantage of the connecting suites and shared kitchen.

But no matter how you’re traveling — solo, as a couple, with family — Hacienda Todos Los Santos is worth looking into.

Did I mention the really friendly black cat will absolutely try to get into your room at every opportunity? It’s super sweet, very photogenic, and has the incredible ability to jump from the ground floor balcony to the top, and even open the screen door. A true MVP on this property.

I booked directly through their website and received confirmation emails without issue. However, I did have trouble getting in touch with them through their platform and via email in the lead-up to our stay — something worth knowing if you’re someone who likes to communicate details in advance. I received a WhatsApp message from them a few days before check-in, and my deposit was taken from my bank account weeks before arrival. If easy communication is important to you, booking through a third-party platform may be the smoother avenue — though booking direct worked out just fine in the end.

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The post Hacienda Todos Los Santos | Boutique Hotel Review | Todos Santos, Baja California Sur appeared first on Carry On Better.

Attached to the stunning and sustainable boutique hotel So Far So Good is Uvas y Hojas (Grapes and Leaves, in Spanish). This coffee shop by Los Cerritos beach in El Pescadero, Baja Sur serves up unique and tantalizing coffee drinks like El Cacahuatón, a marzipan latte made with house-made coconut milk that was unlike anything I’d ever tasted. Pastries and a small selection of fresh fruits round out the menu.

The space had caught my eye days before I finally visited — the curious logo and simple but inviting landscaping kept drawing me in. Ultra-high ceilings and its blocky shape make for an expansive interior, but remains minimal and thoughtful in its decor. Well-placed windows and a brick wall in a basketweave pattern filters light into the open space, making what is essentially a concrete block feel relaxed and peaceful.

The coffee menu is simple but interesting — I appreciated the details about the coffee producer and origin, and loved the printed paper menu on a clipboard. Their specialty coffees are made with botanicals from Dr. Xantus Esencias Aromáticas, the brainchild of Sandra and Paco — the couple who also run Uvas y Hojas. Their other venture, Semilla Baja Lab, focuses on sustainable, high-quality aromatic distillates made from plants they grow themselves on a small plot of land right here in El Pescadero. Two businesses, one vision — deeply rooted in sustainability and community.

All of that care and intention shows up in the cup — and honestly, in the price too. An Americano runs 80 pesos (roughly $4.50 USD) and specialty lattes are 100 pesos (about $5.50) — prices on par if not a bit more than elsewhere in Los Cerritos, but you’re getting something of extremely high quality.

I was not only obsessed with the hand-made ceramic mug that was filled to the brim with the unique marzipan concoction, but I felt the price well worth the entire experience of the cafe- long before I knew the history of this inspiring couple and their backstory.

Uvas y Hojas has quiet corners to settle into, a variety of tables, and shelves stacked with art books, novels, travel guides, and reference books — making it one of the only bookstores in the immediate area where you can also order an exceptional latte. There’s also a foosball table and a DJ booth — I enjoyed my beverage to some fabulous morning vinyl on deck.

Like other businesses in Los Cerritos, Uvas y Hojas hosts regular community events — pop-up shops, live music, art shows, and even a Chess Club. Foto Viernes is a monthly photography and video community art show they host, and they’ve hosted other impactful events like Proyecto Letrero, inviting local artists to live-paint conservation-focused signs.

It’s the kind of programming that makes a small community in El Pescadero, Mexico feel alive and connected.

Did I mention how much they love dogs here? I spied many adorable floofers while trying to draw out the experience of my disarmingly delectable coffee.

If you’re at the beach for the surf or the swim, Uvas y Hojas is one of the most unique things to do in Los Cerritos beyond the beach — and one of the top spots for coffee in El Pescadero. If you’re staying at or visiting the So Far So Good hotel, it’s literally steps away from your door.

For anyone searching for the best coffee near Los Cerritos beach, this is a must-stop. Sandra and her partner are warm and personable, and their dedication to the arts and the dog-friendly community of Los Cerritos, Baja Sur is heartfelt and unmistakable.

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The post Coffee, Books & Community: Why Uvas y Hojas is a Must-Stop in Los Cerritos appeared first on Carry On Better.