Desert adventures & romance on Baja’s wild shores
When to go
October-July
Trip length
8 days / 7 nights
Typical investmentPrice
from $4,850 pp
Embark on a romantic and luxurious adventure in Baja California Sur. Here, sun, sea, and desert collide in spectacular fashion! Begin in La Paz, where the colorful marine world of the Sea of Cortez awaits. Head out in search of seasonal marine life, snorkel island waters, and enjoy a romantic picnic beside Balandra’s turquoise shallows. Then, venture south to Todos Santos, where cactus-studded landscapes give way to the wild Pacific. Hike desert trails, spend lazy afternoons beside the sea, and dine by candlelight with sand underfoot and the sound of waves all around you. Adventure and romance come together in Baja on this unforgettable journey.
Along the way
Dine privately at The Green Room and DUM, two of Baja’s most evocative culinary settings
Explore Isla Espíritu Santo’s protected coves and sea lion colonies
Picnic along the shores of Balandra Bay, framed by desert and sea
Encounter whales or whale sharks in the wildlife-rich waters of the Sea of Cortez
Your route
Sea of Cortez Beginnings
Welcome to Baja! Check into your hotel and set out to discover La Paz’s blend of laid-back charm and vibrant culture, with a stroll along the lively waterfront malecón. Settle into your first evening beside the Sea of Cortez as the sun sinks low over the water.
Head out by small boat for a seasonal marine adventure. Depending on conditions, watch gray or blue whales surface in open water, or join expert guides for a whale shark swim suited to confident swimmers. There’s nothing quite like sharing the sea with these extraordinary creatures. Return to shore with the afternoon free to rest, explore La Paz, or simply soak up the Baja sunshine.
Your day today will be spent discovering the colorful marine world of the Sea of Cortez. Glide through the water on a lancha bound for beautiful Isla Espíritu Santo, watching for playful sea lions and curious dolphins along the way. Snorkel if conditions allow, then spend time ashore before continuing to Balandra Bay, where dramatic rocky outcrops surround shallow turquoise waters and powdery white sand. Stroll the shoreline and enjoy a romantic packed picnic in these spectacular surroundings.
Pacific Calm & Desert Light
Travel south through sweeping desert landscapes to Todos Santos on the Pacific coast. Check into your tranquil coastal retreat, where the soundtrack is waves crashing on shore. Spend the afternoon settling in and savoring the ocean views. Your home for the next few days.
Lace up for a morning hike with your local guide, following desert arroyos and trails through cactus forests as wide views open toward the sea. Back at your retreat, the afternoon is yours. Lounge by the pool, wander the beach, or find a shady spot to enjoy the ocean breeze.
Ease into a deliciously lazy day in Todos Santos. Sip your morning coffee as you watch the waves, lounge poolside, or wander the beach with no particular plans. Tonight, dine by candlelight at The Green Room, where your private dinner brings together open-fire cooking, sand underfoot, and the warm ocean air.
Take one last day to enjoy Baja at your own pace. Spend a little longer over breakfast, explore Todos Santos, or settle in beside the sea. This evening, enjoy a private, chef-led tasting dinner at DUM. A delicious finale to your desert-and-ocean escape.
Bid farewell to Baja’s desert landscapes and wild shores, and transfer to the airport for your onward travels.
Let's discover your next adventure
Our top picks
At the end of a dirt road outside Todos Santos, Hotel San Cristóbal sits directly between desert foothills and the Pacific. Its compact collection of rooms surrounds a pool facing the sea, with a design that draws heavily from Baja’s landscape and materials.
Desert replaces beachfront at Paradero, where low-slung suites are built into a landscape of cacti and farmland outside Todos Santos. Outdoor experiences, wellness, and striking architecture make the surrounding Baja terrain the primary attraction.
A historic building in the center of Todos Santos houses this intimate boutique hotel, placing galleries, restaurants, and town life within easy walking distance. Detailed interiors and a small guest count offer a more traditional luxury alternative to the area’s desert retreats.
The hotel occupies a restored 1880s residence in downtown La Paz, one block from the Malecón, styled around a Hemingway-era Baja exploration theme, with a small courtyard infinity-edge pool as its centerpiece. It is a very small property, seven rooms around one courtyard pool rather than resort-scale grounds, and the adults-only policy and compact footprint mean fewer on-site amenities than a larger hotel.
Built around a restored 1910 hacienda, once home to a local family's oyster-pearl trade, fused with a new four-story wing by architect Max von Werz and joined by a sculptural helical staircase. This is a Centro, downtown location on a working city Malecón rather than an isolated beach resort, and the courtyard pool is modest in scale rather than a resort-style pool deck.
Each guest room has access to one of six private rooftop dip pools, bookable by the hour, with an in-room button to call for champagne service. This is a very small, twelve-room property built around dip pools rather than a full pool deck, and it is a newer opening with a shorter review history than its Malecón neighbors.
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Let’s start planning
Tell us a little about your plans. We’ll be in touch to talk through this trip with you.
