Driving Baja: The Cape Loop, La Paz, and the Best Road Trips from Los Cabos

One of the most underrated things about owning property in Los Cabos is the driving. Not the 10-minute commute to the grocery store — the road trips. The southern Cape of Baja California Sur is 220 miles of coastline, desert, colonial towns, surf breaks, and untouched Pacific beaches that most tourists never see because they never leave their resort. A tank of gas and a Saturday morning is all it takes.

The Cape Loop: The Classic Baja Road Trip

The Cape Loop is the essential Baja road trip for Los Cabos residents. It circles the entire southern tip of the peninsula, hitting every landscape and microclimate that makes Baja special. Here is the route I recommend:

Leg 1: Cabo San Lucas to Todos Santos (Highway 19, 1 hour)

Head north out of Cabo on Highway 19, the Pacific highway. The road climbs out of the desert scrub into the Sierra de la Laguna foothills, passing through small farming communities and cactus-covered hillsides. The Pacific Ocean appears on your left as you descend toward the coast.

Stop at Cerritos Beach — the best beginner-to-intermediate surf break in the Cape region. Rent a board, take a lesson, or just watch from the beach clubs. The fish tacos at the roadside stands here are better than any restaurant in Cabo.

Continue to Todos Santos, the UNESCO Magic Town. Walk the art galleries, browse the boutique shops, and have lunch at one of the farm-to-table restaurants. The El Pescadero organic farms south of town supply some of the best produce in Baja. If you are spending the night, Hotel California (yes, that one — sort of) is the landmark, but boutique options like Guaycura and Hotelito have more charm.

Leg 2: Todos Santos to La Paz (Highway 19 to Highway 1, 1.5 hours)

Continue north on Highway 19 and then cut east on Highway 1 toward La Paz, the state capital of Baja California Sur. The landscape transitions from Pacific coastal scrub to the Sea of Cortez side — drier, more austere, and strikingly beautiful.

La Paz is a real Mexican city — 300,000+ people, a gorgeous malecón (waterfront promenade), colonial architecture, excellent seafood, and none of the tourist-resort atmosphere of Los Cabos. This is where you see Mexico beyond the expatriate bubble.

Must-do in La Paz:

• Balandra Beach: Consistently rated one of Mexico's most beautiful beaches. Shallow turquoise water, mushroom rock formations, and almost no development. Arrive early — parking fills by 10 AM during season.
• Malecón walk: 3 miles of waterfront promenade with sculptures, restaurants, and sunset views across the Sea of Cortez.
• Whale shark tours (November–April): La Paz is one of the world's best locations for swimming with whale sharks. Tours depart from the malecón area.
• Isla Espiritu Santo: A UNESCO World Heritage island accessible by boat from La Paz. Snorkeling with sea lions, kayaking through volcanic rock formations, and camping on pristine beaches.

Leg 3: La Paz to Los Barriles (Highway 1 South, 1.5 hours)

Head south on Highway 1 along the Sea of Cortez coast. The road passes through agricultural flatlands before climbing into the Sierra de la Laguna and descending into the East Cape.

Los Barriles is the kiteboarding capital of the East Cape — strong winds from November through March make it a world-class destination for the sport. Even if you do not kite, the town has a charming small-community feel with excellent restaurants, a growing expat population, and some of the best fishing in Baja.

Side trip: Continue south from Los Barriles to Zacatitos — a raw, undeveloped stretch of coastline with luxury villas scattered among the cacti. This is frontier Baja at its most beautiful.

Leg 4: Los Barriles to San Jose del Cabo (Highway 1, 1 hour)

The final leg follows Highway 1 south through the East Cape back into San Jose del Cabo. The road winds through desert landscape with occasional Sea of Cortez views before dropping into the SJD valley and reconnecting with the Corridor highway.

Total driving time: 5–6 hours. Total distance: approximately 220 miles. Fuel cost: roughly $50–$70 for a mid-size vehicle.

Practical Road Trip Essentials

Auto Insurance

Mexican auto insurance is legally required. Your US or Canadian policy is not valid south of the border. For road trips, daily policies run $15–$60 depending on coverage level. Full-time residents should carry annual policies ($300–$800/year). See our auto insurance guide for carrier recommendations and coverage details.

Fuel

Pemex stations are located in every town along the Cape Loop. Major stations accept credit cards; smaller rural stations may be cash-only (pesos). Fuel prices as of 2026 run approximately $4.50–$5.00 USD per gallon (MXN 22–25 per liter). Fill up in La Paz and Los Barriles — the stretch between them has fewer stations.

Driving Safety

• Drive daylight hours only. Free-roaming cattle, donkeys, and horses on rural highways are the single biggest hazard. They are nearly invisible at night.
• Watch for topes (speed bumps). Unmarked or poorly marked speed bumps at the entrance to every town. Hit one at speed and you will damage your vehicle. Slow down approaching any settlement.
• Carry water and supplies. Cell coverage is intermittent on Highway 1 between La Paz and Los Barriles. Carry at least 2 liters of water per person, a charged phone with offline maps, and basic vehicle supplies (spare tire, jack).
• Military checkpoints are routine. You may encounter military or immigration checkpoints on Highway 1. These are standard security operations — have your ID and vehicle registration accessible. They are brief and professional.

Shorter Day Trips from Los Cabos

Not every adventure requires the full loop. Here are the best day trips:

• Cabo San Lucas to Cerritos Beach (45 min): Morning surf, fish tacos, afternoon on the beach, back by sunset. The most popular day trip for Los Cabos residents.
• San Jose del Cabo to Cabo Pulmo (1.5 hours): World-class snorkeling in the only living coral reef on the Pacific coast of North America. UNESCO World Heritage site. Bring your own gear and snacks — services are minimal. The road from Las Cuevas to Cabo Pulmo is unpaved but passable in a standard vehicle (slowly).
• Cabo to Todos Santos (1 hour): Art galleries, boutique shopping, and lunch at a farm-to-table restaurant. See our Todos Santos living guide.
• San Jose del Cabo to La Playita (15 min): The closest authentic fishing village to the tourist zone. Pangas (fishing boats) launch from the beach, fresh catch is sold dockside, and the restaurants serve what came in that morning.

The Extended Baja Trip: La Paz to Loreto

For residents who want a longer adventure, the La Paz to Loreto drive (4–5 hours north on Highway 1) opens up one of the most spectacular stretches of highway in North America. The road hugs the Sea of Cortez coast through desert canyon country, passing through the UNESCO-protected marine park and arriving in Loreto — a colonial gem with world-class fishing and the historic Jesuit missions of Baja California.

This is a 3–5 day trip at minimum, and it will change how you think about Baja. It is not a resort peninsula — it is a wild, beautiful, underdeveloped frontier that happens to have world-class luxury at its southern tip.