Three Days, Two Routes: Choose Your Own Adventure
Index
Option 1: East Cape – Cabo Pulmo – Santiago
Day 1: East Cape Calm beaches, coastal drive, swimming and relaxing by the Sea of Cortez.
Day 2: Cabo Pulmo Snorkeling and diving in a protected marine park, beach camping and marine life.
Day 3: Santiago Sol de Mayo waterfall, freshwater pools, desert oasis and local town visit.
Option 2: Cabo Pulmo – La Paz – Todos Santos
Day 1: Cabo Pulmo Snorkeling, swimming and exploring one of Baja California Sur’s best reefs.
Day 2: La Paz Malecón walk, seafood restaurants, nearby pristine beaches like Balandra and El Tecolote.
Day 3: Todos Santos Pueblo Mágico, art galleries, coffee shops and nearby surf beaches.
Introduction
Three well-spent days are enough to disconnect from routine, slow down, and reconnect with what really matters. Baja California Sur has a way of stretching time. In just a few days, you can move from quiet desert roads to turquoise waters, from remote beaches to small towns where life feels simple and grounded.
In this guide, we share two different 3-day itineraries through Baja California Sur. Both offer adventure, nature, and freedom, the difference lies in what you want to experience most. If you’re interested in mixing beaches with a desert oasis, the first route is for you. If you prefer more coastline, ocean time, and local town life, the second route might fit better. There’s no right or wrong way to explore Baja. Just different paths. Choose yours.
Option 1: East Cape – Cabo Pulmo – Santiago
Beaches, marine life, and a desert oasis
Day 1 – East Cape
Your journey begins along the East Cape, one of the most peaceful and less-developed coastal areas in Baja California Sur. The drive itself sets the tone; open roads, desert landscapes, and long stretches of quiet coastline where the Sea of Cortez stays in sight almost the entire way. The beaches here are wide and calm, perfect for swimming, walking along the shore, or pulling over whenever something catches your eye. This is the kind of road where plans change easily. Where a “quick stop” turns into an afternoon in the water and the trip truly starts the moment you leave the pavement behind.
Local tips: Stop at small roadside stands or beach palapas for fresh seafood, fish tacos and ceviche don’t get more local than this. Bring cash, go with what’s available, and don’t overthink it. You’ll likely see free-roaming wildlife along the way; cows, horses, and goats are common in Baja California Sur, especially in this area, so drive slowly and enjoy the ride. Cell service is limited, which is part of the experience, so download maps in advance and let the road guide you.
Day 2 – Cabo Pulmo
Cabo Pulmo is a must-stop on any Baja California Sur road trip, especially if you’re interested in diving, snorkeling, and spotting marine life in its natural environment. This small coastal village is home to a protected marine park and one of the most important coral reefs in the region, known for its biodiversity and clear waters.
Spending the day here usually means being in the water, whether that’s snorkeling close to shore or joining a local dive operator to explore deeper areas of the reef. It’s common to see large schools of fish, rays, turtles, and other marine animals, all thriving thanks to years of conservation led by the local community.
On land, life moves slowly. There are only a few restaurants, simple accommodations, and quiet beaches. Staying overnight allows you to experience Cabo Pulmo at its best: calm evenings, star-filled skies, and early mornings when the ocean feels completely untouched.
Book diving or snorkeling tours directly with local operators to support the community and get the most accurate guidance on conditions. Bring reef-safe sunscreen and respect marine life, no touching, no feeding, and no rushing the experience. This is one of Baja’s most valuable ecosystems, and protecting it is part of the journey.
Day 3 – Santiago
After two days by the ocean, Santiago offers a completely different landscape. This small town sits in a desert oasis surrounded by palm trees, freshwater pools, and canyon walls. A visit to Sol de Mayo waterfall or Rancho San Dionisio is the highlight. Cool, refreshing, and unexpected in the middle of Baja’s dry environment. Before heading back, take time to walk around town, enjoy local food, and end the trip slowly. Santiago is the perfect contrast to the coastal days before it.
Option 2: Cabo Pulmo – La Paz – Todos Santos
Coastline, ocean time, and local town life
Day 1 – Cabo Pulmo
Starting the trip in Cabo Pulmo immediately sets a relaxed and intentional pace. Days at Cabo Pulmo are meant for snorkeling, swimming, or resting by the beach. The focus here is on being present and surrounded by nature. Cabo Pulmo is a reminder that some of the best travel moments come from slowing down and letting the surroundings guide the day.
Day 2 – La Paz
La Paz adds a different layer to the journey. After remote areas, the city feels lively but still calm and approachable. Walking along the malecón at sunset is a local tradition and a great way to experience daily life in the city. Getting immersed into fresh seafood, ocean views, and nearby beaches like Balandra or El Tecolote make La Paz an easy place to explore. It’s a balance between nature and city life that fits perfectly into a short road trip.
Day 3 – Todos Santos
The final stop is Todos Santos, a town known for its art scene, colorful streets, and relaxed atmosphere. Spend the day walking through town, visiting galleries, stopping for coffee at “Doce Cuarenta”, or heading to nearby beaches. Todos Santos encourages wandering without a strict plan. It’s a calm and inspiring way to close out a three-day adventure.
Choose Your Own Path
Both routes offer a genuine Baja experience. One focuses on the contrast between ocean and oasis, while the other stays closer to the coast and local town life. What matters most isn’t how much ground you cover, but how you experience each place. In Baja California Sur, even three days can feel like much more when you travel in a campervan.
At Vanbaja, we believe meaningful trips don’t have to be long necessarily, they just have to be well lived. We design simple routes that give you space to explore at your own pace, without overplanning or rushing. Whether you choose the road that leads inland to a desert oasis or the one that follows the coastline, you’re invited to experience Baja in a conscious, respectful, and free way. We provide the van. You choose the road.