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Southern Baja

Cardón cacti, boojum trees, ocotillo, cholla and other desert marvels thrive in this beautiful desert area that sometimes doesn’t receive any rain for a decade. Look out for crumbling missions, date palms, coconuts and mangrove swamps as you meander southward.

The 25,000-sq-km Reserva de la Biosfera El Vizcaíno is one of Latin America’s largest protected areas. It sprawls from the Península Vizcaíno across to the Sea of Cortez and includes the major gray-whale calving areas of Laguna San Ignacio and Laguna Ojo de Liebre, and the Sierra de San Francisco with its stunning pre-Hispanic rock art.

The southernmost part of the peninsula contains the cosmopolitan city of La Paz, small seaside towns and villages, and the popular resorts of San José del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas, aka ‘Los Cabos.’ After the quiet isolation of the state's north, Los Cabos will either be a jarring shock or a welcome relief.

Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Southern Baja.

  • Archaeological Site

    Cueva del Ratón

    Named for an image of what inhabitants once thought was a rat (or mouse) but is more likely a cougar, this is the most easily accessible cave in the Sierra de San Francisco.

  • Church

    Misión San Ignacio de Kadakaamán

    With lava-block walls nearly 1.2m (4ft) thick, the former Jesuit Misión San Ignacio de Kadakaamán stands directly across from San Ignacio's small plaza and is flanked by a grove of citrus trees. Occupying the site of a former Cochimí ranchería (indigenous settlement), the mission has been in continuous use since its founding in 1728. It's possibly the prettiest mission in Baja.

  • Landmark

    Land’s End

    Land’s End is the most impressive attraction in Cabo. Hop on a panga (skiff), kayak or stand-up paddleboard and head to El Arco (the Arch), a jagged natural feature that partially fills with the tide. Pelicans, sea lions, sea, sky – this is what brought people to Cabo in the first place, and it’s still magical, despite the backdrop of cruise ships.

  • Beach

    Playa del Amor

    Baja's most famous beach, Playa del Amor (Lover's Beach) has stunning white sands adjacent to El Arco on the Pacific and bay sides. You can walk between the two sides to see different angles of El Arco and swim in the bay. Unfortunately the Pacific side is unsafe for swimming, and is jokingly referred to as Divorce Beach.

  • Island

    Espíritu Santo

    A treasure trove of shallow azure inlets and sorbet-pink cliffs, Espíritu Santo is one of La Paz’s gems. It’s part of a Unesco World Heritage site comprising 244 Sea of Cortez islands and coastal areas, and is a worthy day trip. A number of operators run activities here, including kayaking and snorkeling.

  • Canyon

    Cañon La Trinidad

    Trinity Canyon is great for bird-watchers, with the chance to see vermilion flycatchers, gila woodpeckers and a host of raptors and buteos. The narrow, sherbet-colored canyon walls and shimmering pools of water are stunning, as are the pre-Hispanic cave paintings.

  • Park

    Parque Marine Nacional Bahía de Loreto

    This park makes Loreto a world-class destination for all types of outdoor activities; a number of outfitters offer everything from kayaking and diving to stand-up paddleboarding and snorkeling along the reefs around Islas del Carmen and dormant-volcano-dominated Coronado Islands. Aside from gray whales that frequent the Sea of Cortez, this is the best place to see blue whales. Pay the entrance fee at the park's office in the marina. Staff can advise on water activities.

  • Beach

    Bahía Concepción

    One of the most stunningly beautiful stretches of coast in Baja for its blue-green waters, white sandy coves and lack of construction. Great for kayaking and swimming, and many of the bays have palapas (thatch-roof structures) and camping areas. Road-trippers (particularly those in campers and RVs) often choose the shores as a final destination, and stay for weeks.

  • Lagoon

    Laguna San Ignacio

    Along with Laguna Ojo de Liebre and Bahía Magdalena, Laguna San Ignacio is one of the Pacific coast’s major winter whale-watching sites. The Mexican government has thankfully granted an unprecedented level of protection to 199,040 acres of surrounding land. Three-hour whale-watching excursions start at US$55 per person.