Getting Between Stops
Rent a car at SJD and return it there. The loop runs about two and a half hours to La Paz, one hour to Todos Santos and one to one and a half hours to the Corridor. Roads are good, but avoid driving rural highways at night because of cattle and poor lighting.
In the arrivals hall at SJD, expect timeshare salespeople. Keep walking to your rental counter or driver. Within Los Cabos you can drop the car for a few days, since resorts arrange transfers and water taxis from the Cabo San Lucas marina reach Lover's Beach and El Arco.
If neither of you wants to drive, book private transfers between stops through your hotels. It costs more but leaves you free to enjoy the desert scenery. Boat tours in La Paz usually include hotel pickup or leave from the malecón.
Where to Stay
La Paz hotels are simpler and cheaper than Cabo's, roughly $90 to $200 a night in town as an approximate guide. Stay on the malecón for walkability. CostaBaja Resort & Spa, on the road toward Pichilingue, is the main upscale resort, with a marina and beach club. For a wilder night, outfitters run glamping trips on Espíritu Santo.
In Todos Santos, choose between the historic center for walking and design-led hotels outside town among farms and dunes. Rancho Pescadero, south of town near El Pescadero, is an upscale option with a large pool and gardens.
On the Corridor, the stretch between Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo, the two classic honeymoon resorts are Esperanza and Las Ventanas al Paraíso. Both have pages on our site. Ask for an ocean-view suite with a private hot tub.
When to Go
November through April is the best time for the whole loop. Days are warm and dry, with highs in the 70s and 80s Fahrenheit. Humpback whales are often visible from roughly December through April around Los Cabos. Whale shark season in La Paz usually runs from about October or November into spring.
Winter can bring strong north winds to La Paz that cancel boat trips for a day or two, so build flexibility into your first stop. May and June are dry and pleasant, with fewer visitors.
August through October is the hottest, most humid stretch and the peak of the Pacific hurricane season. Rates drop, but travel insurance matters then. Sea temperatures are coolest in winter, when a wetsuit helps on long snorkels.
Budget and Booking
The trip starts gently on the wallet and finishes at the top. As an approximate guide, La Paz runs about $90 to $200 a night in town, Todos Santos boutique hotels about $150 to $350 and the top Corridor resorts often well over $1,000 a night in peak season. Food in La Paz and Todos Santos is excellent value.
Book the Corridor resort first, especially for whale season and holidays. Reserve signature dinners and spa treatments when you book the room. Book the Espíritu Santo boat trip for your first full day in La Paz so wind cancellations can be rescheduled.
US dollars are widely accepted in Los Cabos, but carry some pesos for small purchases and tips, especially in La Paz and Todos Santos.
Staying Comfortable and Safe
Swim only where it is known to be safe. On the Pacific side, around Todos Santos and many Corridor beaches, waves and rip currents are dangerous. Choose protected bays such as Santa María, Chileno or Medano in Los Cabos. Near La Paz, try Balandra or the island beaches. Follow the flag system.
The sun on the water is fierce. Bring reef-safe sunscreen, hats and rash guards. Shade is rare on the islands. Follow guides' rules around sea lions and whale sharks and never touch the animals.
The State Department rates Baja California Sur at exercise increased caution. La Paz and Todos Santos are calm, but use normal sense at night. Downtown Cabo San Lucas gets rowdy late, so take a taxi back rather than walking quiet stretches. Pack a sweater for cool winter evenings.
Make It Shorter or Longer
For a 7-day version, cut La Paz to two nights and Todos Santos to one, or skip Todos Santos and visit it as a day trip from Los Cabos. Two nights in La Paz and four on the Corridor still gives you the sea lions and the clifftop finish.
With 12 to 14 days, add a night of glamping on Espíritu Santo, which puts you on the beach after the day boats leave. Or add a fifth or sixth night on the Corridor, which is where most couples wish they had more time.
Couples who want more desert and fewer resorts can extend north to Loreto, a quieter town on the Sea of Cortez with its own island marine park. It needs either a long drive or a separate flight, so treat it as a second trip rather than a quick add.
