Eight full-day trips from Cabo San Lucas compared side by side: Balandra and La Paz, whale sharks, Todos Santos and Cabo Pulmo, with drive times, pickup hours and the fees nobody mentions until the day.
What You Should Know
- Day trips from Cabo go to four places: La Paz and Playa Balandra, whale sharks off La Paz, the art town of Todos Santos, and the Cabo Pulmo marine park.
- Todos Santos is a 6-hour trip; La Paz, Balandra, whale sharks and Cabo Pulmo take 10 to 13 hours, with hotel pickups between about 4 and 7 AM.
- Shared trips cost $117 to $279 per person, and a private Todos Santos vehicle is $471.43. Several add park or beach fees paid in cash on the day.
- On the La Paz trips, more than half the day is spent on the highway; guests who expected a beach day rather than a road trip are behind most of the low ratings.
Day Trips from Cabo San Lucas
The best day trips from Cabo San Lucas take you beyond the resort corridor to Playa Balandra and La Paz, the historic town of Todos Santos, whale shark encounters and the protected reefs of Cabo Pulmo. We compared eight tours, from $117 per person to $471.43 for a private vehicle, on price, driving time, hotel pickup hour, guest reviews and the fees paid on the day. Our top pick is Cabo Adventures' Balandra catamaran day ($219, 4.9 from 724 reviews), while Esperanza's Todos Santos trip ($130) is the better choice if you want a shorter day with less time on the road.
This guide puts the eight day trips from Cabo side by side, with the drive time, pickup hour, what is included and the fees paid on the day. Where we have a dedicated guide to a destination, we link to it: Playa Balandra tours, swimming with whale sharks in La Paz and the best things to do in La Paz.
Which day trip from Cabo should you book?
- Best overall: Cabo Adventures, Balandra and hidden beaches by catamaran ($219)
- Best wildlife (typically November to April): Cabo Adventures, La Paz whale shark snorkel ($259)
- Best short day: Esperanza's Tours, Todos Santos ($130, 6 hours)
- Most stops for the money: Envatours, La Paz, Balandra and Todos Santos ($117)
- Best for snorkelers: Cabo Adventures, Cabo Pulmo National Park ($279)
Cabo Adventures: Balandra and Hidden Beaches by Catamaran
Catamaran day from La Paz with breakfast, lunch, open bar, kayaks and snorkeling at Balandra; hotel pickup and the highest rating of any long day trip from Cabo.
Book NowBest Day Trips from Cabo: Side-by-Side Comparison
- Prices checked: October 30, 2026 (peso prices converted at that day's rate)
- Ratings checked: October 30, 2026
- Tour availability: see the live booking calendar below the table
| Tour Operator | Destination | Price (from) | Online Rating | Ages | Duration | Days & Start | Transport | Included | Paid on the Day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top Rated Cabo Adventures Balandra and Hidden Beaches by Catamaran Book Now |
La Paz, Playa Balandra | $219 | ⭐ 4.9 (724 reviews) Read Reviews |
8+ | 8 hrs | Tue–Sun; 8:00 AM | Hotel pickup | Breakfast, lunch, open bar, snorkel gear, kayaks | $20 park fee per person |
| Cabo Adventures La Paz Whale Shark Snorkel and Lunch Book Now |
La Paz Bay | $259 | ⭐ 4.9 (1,141 reviews) Read Reviews |
8+ | 10 hrs | Daily in season (scheduled Nov 15, 2026 to Apr 15, 2027); 7:00 AM | Hotel pickup | Wetsuit, snorkel gear, guide, lunch, drinks | Tips; towels not provided |
| Esperanza's Tours Todos Santos Day Trip Book Now |
Todos Santos | $130 | ⭐ 4.7 (605 reviews) Read Reviews |
5 to 80 | 6 hrs | Tue, Thu, Sat; 9:00 AM | Hotel pickup | Lunch, mission, art walk, weavery, tequila tasting | Alcoholic drinks; tips |
| Good Trips Baja Visit Todos Santos Magic Town (private) Book Now |
Todos Santos | $160 per person (private group) | ⭐ 5.0 (69 reviews) Read Reviews |
6 to 80 | 6 hrs | Daily; 10:00 AM | Private transport | Private guide, beach stop, tequila and mezcal tasting, ice cream, water | Lunch; tips |
| Envatours La Paz, Balandra and Todos Santos Book Now |
Todos Santos, La Paz, Balandra | $117 (2,199 MXN) | ⭐ 4.7 (573 reviews) Read Reviews |
1+ | 12–13 hrs | Daily; 5:00 AM | Round-trip transport | Lunch, snacks, water, Balandra entry bracelet | Tips; photos |
| Esperanza's Tours La Paz and Balandra Beach Day Trip Book Now |
Todos Santos, La Paz, Balandra or El Tecolote | $130 | ⭐ 4.7 (311 reviews) Read Reviews |
5+ | 11 hrs | Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat; 6:00 AM | Hotel pickup, A/C vehicle | Meals | Government (beach) fees; alcoholic drinks; tips |
| Cabo Adventures Cabo Pulmo National Park Snorkel Book Now |
Cabo Pulmo | $279 | ⭐ 4.7 (140 reviews) Read Reviews |
12 to 60 | 10 hrs | Tue, Wed, Thu, Sat; 7:00 AM | Hotel pickup | Snorkel gear, lunch, water | Park entrance fee; alcoholic drinks; tips |
| Browns Private Services Private Todos Santos Tour Book Now |
Todos Santos | $471.43 per vehicle | ⭐ 4.7 (66 reviews) Read Reviews |
All ages | 6 hrs | Daily; 9:00 AM | Private vehicle, hotel or cruise ship pickup | English-speaking driver, water, soft drinks, beer, snacks | Tips; meals |
ℹ️ All tours and information were personally reviewed by our team on October 30, 2026. Peso prices are converted to US dollars at that day's exchange rate, so the dollar figure may shift slightly. Prices and availability may change, so always confirm with the operator before booking.
What to Expect on a Full-Day Trip from Cabo
- 014–7 AM
Hotel pickup
Vans start collecting guests before dawn on the La Paz trips (around 9 AM for Todos Santos). Some operators gather everyone at a central office before setting off.
- 021–3.5 hrs
The drive north
Highway 19 runs up the Pacific coast to Todos Santos and on toward La Paz; Cabo Pulmo is east along the coast, with a dirt road at the end.
- 03Midday
The main stop
Snorkeling and kayaking at Balandra, swimming with whale sharks, the Cabo Pulmo reef, or the streets and galleries of Todos Santos.
- 04Early afternoon
Lunch
Most trips include lunch, on a boat, at a beach restaurant or in town; Good Trips Baja's Todos Santos day leaves it for you to pay.
- 05Afternoon
Extra stops
The La Paz malecón, a pearl demonstration, a tequila tasting or a blanket weavery, depending on the tour.
- 066–13 hrs total
Back at your hotel
Todos Santos trips are back by mid-afternoon; La Paz and Cabo Pulmo days return in the evening.
- 01
Hotel pickup
Vans start collecting guests before dawn on the La Paz trips (around 9 AM for Todos Santos). Some operators gather everyone at a central office before setting off.
4–7 AM - 1–3.5 hrs02
The drive north
Highway 19 runs up the Pacific coast to Todos Santos and on toward La Paz; Cabo Pulmo is east along the coast, with a dirt road at the end.
- 03
The main stop
Snorkeling and kayaking at Balandra, swimming with whale sharks, the Cabo Pulmo reef, or the streets and galleries of Todos Santos.
Midday - Early afternoon04
Lunch
Most trips include lunch, on a boat, at a beach restaurant or in town; Good Trips Baja's Todos Santos day leaves it for you to pay.
- 05
Extra stops
The La Paz malecón, a pearl demonstration, a tequila tasting or a blanket weavery, depending on the tour.
Afternoon - 6–13 hrs total06
Back at your hotel
Todos Santos trips are back by mid-afternoon; La Paz and Cabo Pulmo days return in the evening.
Our take (the drive is the day): The most common complaint across these trips is not the destination but the hours in the vehicle. Guests on the La Paz trips describe 3 to 3.5 hours each way, pickups as early as 3:40 AM and uncomfortable vans. If you would rather spend the day in the water, a closer trip such as Todos Santos, or staying a night in La Paz, is the better plan.
Our take (confirm the pickup): Several one-star reviews of the early trips come from guests who were waiting at the wrong spot or given the wrong time, then missed the departure with no refund. We would confirm the exact pickup point and time with the operator by message the day before.
Our take (English on board): On the budget combo trips, some guests had a driver who spoke little English and gave almost no commentary. If narration matters to you, choose a guided trip or ask the operator for an English-speaking guide when you book.
Best Day Trips from Cabo San Lucas
Each trip below goes somewhere you cannot see from a Cabo hotel. The biggest decision is the drive: Todos Santos is a relaxed half-day out, while anything in La Paz or Cabo Pulmo means an early pickup and a 10 to 13 hour day. Based on how these tours run in practice, the hours in the van matter more than the price: the $130 Todos Santos day and the $117 La Paz combo cost about the same, but one has you back by mid-afternoon and the other after dark.
Cabo Adventures: Balandra and Hidden Beaches by Catamaran
After the drive to La Paz you board a catamaran at Pichilingue for breakfast, then cruise to Balandra and nearby coves to snorkel and kayak, with lunch and an open bar. It is rated 4.9 from 724 reviews. The catalog price is $219 plus a $20 park fee at check-in, and it does not run on Mondays. One recent guest says Balandra itself was mostly seen and photographed from the boat, so book a land-based trip if walking the beach is the goal. Jellyfish also come up in several reviews; on some days guests were stung or could not snorkel at all.
Check availabilityCabo Adventures: La Paz Whale Shark Snorkel
The most-reviewed long day trip from Cabo, at 4.9 from 1,141 reviews: a 10-hour day to swim with whale sharks in La Paz Bay, with wetsuits, gear, a guide and lunch. It runs only in the winter whale shark season (Cabo Adventures has scheduled November 15, 2026 to April 15, 2027; exact dates depend on official permits, wildlife conditions and the operator), the minimum age is 8, and it costs $259. Swims are short and regulated; one guest timed under three minutes in the water, though several winter guests also saw dolphins and humpbacks from the boat. We'd keep this in mind if you are not a confident swimmer: one guest felt the crew focused more on photos than on helping weaker swimmers. Our whale shark guide covers the season and rules in detail.
Check availabilityEsperanza's Tours: Todos Santos Day Trip
A 6-hour group trip to Todos Santos with the mission church, the art walk, Hotel California, a blanket weavery, a pearl demonstration, a tequila tasting and lunch, for $130. It is rated 4.7 from 605 reviews and runs Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. The trade-off is the stops: a few guests felt the shopping visits ate into time in town. We'd look elsewhere if wandering the town on your own is the point: Good Trips Baja's private day costs $30 more, and its guests describe a flexible plan.
Check availabilityGood Trips Baja: Visit Todos Santos Magic Town
A private Todos Santos day (your group only, priced per person, up to 13 per booking) with a guide, a walking tour of the historic town, a secret beach stop, a tequila and mezcal tasting and ice cream, rated a perfect 5.0 from 69 reviews. It is $160 per person and runs daily at 10 AM. Guests consistently describe the plan as flexible, with the guide adjusting the walking and stops to the group. Lunch at a local restaurant is not included in the price.
Check availabilityEnvatours: La Paz, Balandra and Todos Santos
The cheapest way to see all three places in one day, at about $117 with lunch, snacks and the Balandra entry bracelet included. It is rated 4.7 from 573 reviews. Expect a 5 AM start (one guest was collected at 3:40), a 12 to 13 hour day in a shared van, and a driver who may not speak English, so treat it as transport with stops rather than a narrated tour. We'd book this if seeing all three places matters more to you than commentary or comfort.
Check availabilityEsperanza's Tours: La Paz and Balandra Beach
An 11-hour road trip with a Todos Santos photo stop, the La Paz malecón, a pearl demonstration and beach time at Balandra (or El Tecolote when Balandra is closed), with breakfast to go and a seaside lunch, for $130. It is rated 4.7 from 311 reviews. Beach fees are paid on the day, and an October 2026 group found Balandra closed and was not yet told how the fee would be refunded. Compared with the Envatours combo, we think the tradeoff is an hour more sleep (6 AM against 5 AM) and breakfast, against beach fees paid on the day and four departure days a week instead of daily.
Check availabilityCabo Adventures: Cabo Pulmo National Park
A 10-hour trip east to Cabo Pulmo, the protected reef on the East Cape, with snorkeling among big schools of fish and sea lions, plus lunch. Sea turtles come up in more of its reviews than any other trip here. It costs $279 for ages 12 to 60, runs four days a week and is capped at 8 per booking. Guests describe a 2 to 2.5 hour drive with a bumpy dirt stretch at the end, basic facilities, and about an hour in the water; rough days can cut that short. We'd shortlist this for keen snorkelers rather than as a first easy beach day, since the reef is the whole point and the village has few comforts.
Check availabilityBrowns Private Services: Private Todos Santos Tour
Your own air-conditioned vehicle and English-speaking driver for 6 hours, with drinks and snacks on board and hotel or cruise ship pickup, at $471.43 per vehicle. It is rated 4.7 from 66 reviews. This is a driver rather than a guide: you set the pace in town, but expect little commentary.
Check availabilityWhere Day Trips from Cabo Go
| Destination | Distance from Cabo San Lucas Marina | Drive time (no traffic) | Guests report | Best for | Main drawback |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Todos Santos | 78 km | 1 hr 17 min | About an hour; tours add photo and shopping stops | Art galleries, the mission, Hotel California, a relaxed short day | Group tours add shopping stops |
| La Paz and Playa Balandra | 163 km to La Paz, 186 km to Balandra | 2 hr 47 min to La Paz, 3 hr 28 min to Balandra | 3 to 3.5 hrs each way | Calm turquoise water, the malecón, the mushroom rock | 12-hour day; Balandra is sometimes closed on the day |
| Whale sharks (La Paz Bay) | 163 km | 2 hr 47 min | 3 to 3.5 hrs each way | Swimming with whale sharks, typically November to April | Short, regulated swims after a long drive |
| Cabo Pulmo National Park | 100 km | 2 hr 14 min | 2 to 2.5 hrs, dirt road at the end | The best snorkeling reef near Cabo | Basic facilities; weather can cancel or cloud the water |
Distances and drive times are Mapbox driving estimates from Cabo San Lucas Marina without traffic or stops, checked October 30, 2026. Tour vans collect guests from several hotels and stop on the way, so plan on the longer times guests report.
Todos Santos
Todos Santos is a small Pueblo Mágico on the Pacific side of the peninsula, known for its galleries, the Jesuit mission church and the Hotel California. It is the only day trip here that fits in 6 hours. Our Todos Santos hotels guide covers staying overnight if one day is not enough.
La Paz and Playa Balandra
La Paz, the state capital, sits on the Sea of Cortez with a long malecón, and Playa Balandra, just north of town, is a shallow bay of white sand and turquoise water. Most trips also pass through Todos Santos on the way. Jellyfish are the wildcard: guests on both Balandra trips describe days when they made snorkeling impossible, so ask about conditions the day before. Our Playa Balandra tour guide compares more ways to reach the beach, including from La Paz itself.
Whale Sharks in La Paz Bay
Whale sharks feed in La Paz Bay in winter, typically from November to April. Swims are regulated, with small groups and limited time in the water, and the exact operating dates each year depend on official permits, wildlife conditions and operator availability; this season, Cabo Adventures has scheduled its trip from November 15, 2026 to April 15, 2027. See our whale shark guide for the season and rules.
Cabo Pulmo National Park
Cabo Pulmo, on the East Cape, protects one of the few living coral reefs in the Sea of Cortez, and it is the snorkeling day guests rate for the sheer amount of fish. The village is small and simple, with few facilities.
Can You Do These Day Trips from Cabo Without a Tour?
Yes, most of them. Highway 19 runs up the Pacific side to Todos Santos and on to La Paz, and a rental car gives you the town or beach on your own schedule. What a tour adds is the driving, the entry bracelet or park fee handled for you, and, for whale sharks and Cabo Pulmo, the boat itself.
| Destination | Drive from Cabo (no traffic) | Self-drive suitability | What to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Todos Santos | 78 km, 1 hr 17 min | Excellent | The shortest drive here, and the town is easy to walk once you park. |
| La Paz | 163 km, 2 hr 47 min | Good | A long but direct highway drive; plan on 5 to 6 hours of round-trip driving. |
| Playa Balandra | 186 km, 3 hr 28 min | Good, subject to access limits | A protected area with a daily visitor cap split into morning (8 AM to 12 PM) and afternoon (1 to 5 PM) shifts, plus an entry fee. Spots run out on holidays and weekends, so check the shift and fee before you set off. |
| Whale sharks | 163 km, 2 hr 47 min to La Paz | Possible | You can drive to La Paz, but the swim itself runs from permitted boats, so you still book a boat there. |
| Cabo Pulmo | 100 km, 2 hr 14 min | Possible, but needs more planning | Tour guests describe a bumpy dirt stretch at the end and a village with few facilities, and you would still need to arrange snorkeling once there. |
When renting a car makes sense: for Todos Santos, if you want time in the galleries without the shopping stops group tours add, or for a two-day trip that puts a night in La Paz between Balandra and the malecón. When a tour makes more sense: for a same-day La Paz or Balandra round trip, where 6 to 7 hours at the wheel is the real cost; for whale sharks and Cabo Pulmo, where the boat is the activity; and if you do not want to sort out the Balandra shift yourself (Envatours includes the entry bracelet).
How Much Does a Day Trip from Cabo Cost?
Day trips from Cabo San Lucas cost $117 to $279 per person on a shared tour, and $471.43 per vehicle for a private Todos Santos day. Todos Santos trips are the cheapest at $130 to $160; La Paz and Balandra trips run $117 to $219 before fees; whale sharks are $259 and Cabo Pulmo $279.
Most people don't realize the cheapest La Paz trip is also the one with the most included: Envatours folds the Balandra entry bracelet into its $117 price, while the $130 Esperanza's trip and the $219 catamaran add beach or park fees on the day.
Envatours' three-stop La Paz, Balandra and Todos Santos day (about $117, Balandra entry included), Esperanza's Todos Santos trip ($130) and Esperanza's La Paz and Balandra day ($130 plus beach fees).
Good Trips Baja's private Todos Santos day ($160, lunch extra) and Cabo Adventures' Balandra catamaran with breakfast, lunch and open bar ($219 plus a $20 park fee).
Cabo Adventures' whale shark snorkel ($259, in season only) and Cabo Pulmo National Park snorkel ($279 plus park entrance).
In our view, the $130 Todos Santos trip is the easiest win for one day out, because it is the only one that has you back at your hotel by mid-afternoon; if the Sea of Cortez is the point, the Balandra catamaran is worth its higher price, because the catamaran, food and drinks are included once you get to La Paz.
Best Time for a Day Trip from Cabo
- Mid-November to mid-April: the whale shark season Cabo Adventures has scheduled for 2026 to 2027 (dates depend on permits and conditions), and cooler, drier weather for long days on the road.
- Summer and early fall: warmer water for Balandra and Cabo Pulmo, but this is also hurricane season, when ports close and trips can be cancelled. Every trip here offers a full refund if it is cancelled for bad weather, except Esperanza's La Paz trip and the private Todos Santos tour, so check the terms.
- After heavy rain: water at the beaches can turn cloudy, and Cabo Pulmo trips have been cut short in rough seas.
For month-by-month conditions, see our Cabo in January and La Paz in January guides. For what to do back in Cabo, see our best things to do in Cabo San Lucas.
Our Take
Across these listings, the trips that disappoint most are the ones that hinge on a single beach or animal: Balandra can close or fill with jellyfish, and whale sharks keep to their season and their own schedule, so we would book a La Paz trip early in your stay, leaving a spare day to rebook if conditions fall through.
Tips for a Day Trip from Cabo
- Confirm the pickup in writing: early-morning trips collect from set points or a central office, and the exact time can differ from the listing. Message the operator the day before.
- Bring cash for fees: the Balandra catamaran charges a $20 park fee at check-in, Esperanza's La Paz trip collects beach fees on the day, and Cabo Pulmo charges park entrance.
- Pack for the van and the water: a light jacket for the early start, a towel (not provided on the Cabo Adventures trips), reef-safe sunscreen and a change of clothes.
- Take something for motion sickness: long winding drives and boat crossings both come up in reviews.
- Plan a quiet next day: a 12 to 13 hour round trip is tiring, so do not stack a sunrise activity the morning after.
- Consider a night in La Paz: if Balandra, whale sharks and the malecón all appeal, staying over turns two rushed days into one relaxed one. The main tradeoff is a hotel night against 6 to 7 hours of round-trip driving, which guests on every La Paz trip mention. See our La Paz hotels guide.
Where to Stay in Cabo San Lucas
Staying in Cabo San Lucas or planning a trip? Here are three well-reviewed hotels, with live prices from our booking system. Rooms at the best-rated hotels are usually the first to go, especially in peak season and over holidays, so it's worth locking in your stay before availability fills up.
Compare Live Cabo San Lucas Hotel Prices
Live rates for a three-night stay for two adults, checking in about a month from now. Change the dates at checkout and book with instant email confirmation.
- Instant confirmation by email
- Live rates, not brochure prices
- Free cancellation on selected rates
Nobu Hotel Los Cabos
A 9.6 across 754 reviews, with perfect scores for service and amenities. The strongest combination of score and review volume of any hotel in Cabo San Lucas.
Book now on:
Medano Hotel and Spa
A 9.2 across 1,121 reviews at mid-range prices, a short walk from Medano Beach and the marina.
Book now on:
ME by Meliá Cabo - Adults Only
Adults-only five-star on the sand at Medano, with nightlife a walk away. The highest-rated hotel in town on a beach you can swim at.
Book now on:
Estimated nightly rate for a 3-night stay, 2 adults. Final price on Expedia or Booking.com.Room only. Local taxes and fees are added at checkout and can add roughly 20%.
How We Selected These Tours
The Cabo Tour Guides team searched the live tour catalog for full-day trips that leave from Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo, and compared them on what changes a long day: the drive, the pickup time, what is included and which fees are paid on the day. We checked every listing on October 30, 2026 and read the most recent and lowest-rated reviews for each of the eight tours. We left out a Todos Santos sunset hike with no reviews in the past six months, a Todos Santos group tour rated 4.4, and a second La Paz, Balandra and Todos Santos combo that duplicates a higher-reviewed trip. We found no Isla Espíritu Santo trip departing from Cabo; those leave from La Paz. The final eight cover the four day-trip destinations from Cabo, with a budget group trip, a private guided day and a private driver for Todos Santos. We have not taken these tours ourselves; booking links are affiliate links, and no operator paid for inclusion.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best day trip from Cabo San Lucas?+
For most travelers it is Playa Balandra in La Paz: Cabo Adventures' catamaran day ($219, 4.9 from 724 reviews) includes snorkeling, kayaks, breakfast, lunch and an open bar. In whale shark season (typically November to April), the La Paz whale shark trip is the standout wildlife day, and Todos Santos is the best short trip.
How far is La Paz from Cabo San Lucas?+
Guests on these tours describe 2.5 to 3.5 hours each way by road, so a La Paz day trip runs 10 to 13 hours with an early-morning pickup. If you want more than a few hours there, consider staying a night.
Is Todos Santos worth a day trip from Cabo?+
Yes, if you like small towns, galleries and history. It is the shortest day trip here at 6 hours, from $130 on a group tour or $160 per person with Good Trips Baja's private guide. Group tours include shopping stops, so choose a small-group or private trip for more time in town.
Can you see whale sharks on a day trip from Cabo?+
Yes, in the winter season, typically November to April. Cabo Adventures has scheduled this season's trips from November 15, 2026 to April 15, 2027, and exact dates depend on official permits and wildlife conditions. Its 10-hour trip from Los Cabos ($259, ages 8 and up) includes a wetsuit, gear, a guide and lunch. Time in the water with the sharks is short and regulated, and sightings depend on the day.
Can you visit Isla Espíritu Santo on a day trip from Cabo?+
We found no Espíritu Santo tour that departs from Cabo. Island tours leave from La Paz, so you would need to stay overnight there; see our best things to do in La Paz guide.
What time do day trips from Cabo start?+
Very early for La Paz: Envatours starts at 5 AM, Esperanza's La Paz trip at 6 AM and the whale shark and Cabo Pulmo trips at 7 AM, with some pickups earlier still. Todos Santos trips start at 9 or 10 AM.
Can you visit La Paz and Balandra in one day from Cabo?+
Yes. Envatours ($117, 12 to 13 hours) covers Todos Santos, La Paz and Balandra with the entry bracelet included; Esperanza's Tours ($130, 11 hours) adds beach time at Balandra or El Tecolote with fees paid on the day; and Cabo Adventures' catamaran ($219, 8 hours) reaches Balandra by boat from La Paz. Guests describe 3 to 3.5 hours on the road each way, so expect an early start and an evening return.
Is it better to drive or book a tour from Cabo to Todos Santos?+
Driving is easy: about 78 km and 1 hour 17 minutes without traffic, and the town is walkable once you park. Book a tour if you want a guide's commentary, the tastings and no parking to sort out; Esperanza's Tours ($130) includes lunch and a tequila tasting, and Good Trips Baja ($160 per person, private) adds a beach stop.
What is the closest beach worth visiting on a day trip from Cabo?+
Of the trips in this guide, Good Trips Baja's Todos Santos day is the closest with a beach stop, about 78 km from Cabo San Lucas. For the calm, turquoise Sea of Cortez water most people picture, Playa Balandra is the one to go for, but it is 186 km away and takes a full day.
Are there fees not included in the price?+
Often. The Balandra catamaran adds a $20 park fee at check-in, Esperanza's La Paz trip collects beach fees on the day, and Cabo Pulmo charges park entrance. Tips are extra on every trip, and a few include no alcohol.
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