Planning a road trip? If you’re looking for pristine ocean views, rugged mountains, quiet roads, and natural beauty around every corner then consider these road trips around East Cape Baja.
East Cape is located about an hour and a half north of Cabo on Mexico’s famed Baja peninsula, and is quickly becoming the go-to spot for affluent visitors. A tour around the quiet, luxurious developments in the area have many people vying for East Cape real estate.
Whether you’re considering a move to the East Cape or just visiting the tourist town of Cabo, we’ve compiled a list of three amazing road trips to make sure you get to know the real Baja.
Here are three road trips to take around East Cape Baja:
Trip #1
The Southern Ring: Cabo San Lucas to East Cape to Todos Santos
This road trip rings travelers around a southern loop of Baja. Cabo San Lucas, the southernmost spot on Baja’s peninsula, is the starting point. Cabo has become a tourist destination with A LOT to see and do.
What to do in Cabo San Lucas:
- See the Arch of Cabo San Lucas
- Visit Lovers Beach, a celebrity hotspot
- Take an ATV tour
- Grab some local cuisine along food truck row, known as La Ruta Food Truck
Travel north to the quieter side of the peninsula, East Cape. This region is an hour and a half away from the hustle-and-bustle of Cabo, and is currently experiencing a real estate boom. Many people are drawn to the area’s new, luxurious developments like Costa Palmas. These VIP resorts have made East Cape real estate a hot commodity.
Aside from the area’s hot property market, tourists love the East Cape town of Los Barriles.
What to do in East Cape, Los Barriles:
- Go fishing; the area is known for its exotic fish
- Go kiteboarding; the area hosts a huge competition every year
- Sunbathe on the beach
- Snorkel
Next stop: Todos Santos. This part of the trip swings travelers north and then south to reach the city that’s supposedly home to the famed Hotel California. Despite the fact that the Eagles say this isn’t the hotel they sang about, others say the descriptions found in the lyrics match the Baja hotel perfectly.
The small little city is great as an afternoon stop.
What to do in Todos Santos:
- Visit Hotel California
- Grab a bite to eat at a local restaurant like Todos Pecados
Now, travelers can make the hour and a half journey south back to Cabo to complete the southern loop.
Trip #2
A Coastal Weekend Trip: East Cape to La Paz to Loreto
Get ready to travel north along the Sea of Cortez on this mini road trip. Whether you’re a tourist arriving via the Los Cabos International Airport or a resident of East Cape real estate, this 5.5-hour road trip is perfect for a weekend jaunt.
From East Cape to La Paz, it’ll take about an hour and a half. If you’re looking for a simple day trip, you can drive to La Paz, spend the day, and head home.
What to do in La Paz
- Swim with sea lions
- Explore the exotic beaches of Isla Espiritu Santo
- Watch a sunset
- Go sculpture hunting
- Snap a photo in front of the La Paz sign
For an extended trip, travel north to Loreto. This seaside town is about 4 hours from La Paz and offers historic streets and an impressive boardwalk.
What to do in Loreto:
- Wander the historic streets where old churches line the road
- Walk along The Malecon, an oceanfront boardwalk that’s a popular draw
- Snap a photo in front of the funky Loreto sign
When you’re ready, head back to East Cape the same way you came.
Trip #3
Off the Beaten Path: East Cape to Cabo San Lucas via back roads
The southern tip of Baja has experienced a development boom in recent years. With infrastructure improvement and newly paved roads, much of the area has become commercialized.
However, some people want to experience Old Baja, when the area was nothing but rugged dirt roads and mountain passes. For those looking for a more authentic road trip, this route is it. It’s best to take an SUV since most of the roadways aren’t paved.
You’ll start in East Cape and travel to Cabo via back roads. The first stop is La Ribera.
What to do in La Ribera
- Take an ATV tour
- Go sport fishing
Hop in the car and wind your way along the coastline. The road turns to dirt with some rough stretches, so be prepared. The next stop is Boca de la Vinorama. Stay in a hotel overnight and plan to visit the town’s nearby treasure, Cabo Pulmo National Park.
What to do in Boca de la Vinorama
- Snorkel or dive in the national marine park, Cabo Pulmo National Park
Next stop: San Jose Del Cabo. Once you reach this spot, the roads are paved once again. San Jose Del Cabo is a quiet spot just outside of Cabo. It has a more authentic Baja feel than Cabo.
What to do in San Jose Del Cabo:
- Visit local art galleries
- Do a little local shopping at boutiques
- Grab lunch along the quaint cobblestone street
Hop back in your car and head for Cabo. This spot has a lot of natural wonders and thrives on tourism.
What to do in Cabo San Lucas:
- See the Arch of Cabo San Lucas
- Visit Lovers Beach, a celebrity hotspot
- Take an ATV tour
- Grab some local cuisine along food truck row, known as La Ruta Food Truck
To get back to East Cape, take the paved Route 1.
Whether you’re a traveler looking to experience something unique or a recent buyer of East Cape real estate looking to explore the area, these three road trips highlight the best southern Baja has to offer.
And, if a road trip inspires you to look at East Cape real estate, visit the Costa Palmas website to learn more about luxurious property options.