Which Sights Should a First-time Visitor to Baja See?
Baja California is an incredible part of Mexico, located on the west coast and enjoying the wonders of both the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez. This peninsula is full of stunning scenery, beaches, and even perfectly preserved prehistoric cave paintings. We may be biased, but we think Baja California Sur, especially, should be on everyone’s travel bucket list!
If you’d like to see Baja through the eyes of a local, take a look at our Private Los Cabos Excursions, and if you have questions about our tours, please get in touch with us!
Here’s our guide to the top sights you need to see on your visit to Baja. Just to note, we will be focusing on Baja California Sur in this article as that is where High Tide Los Cabos is based!
The Arch (El Arco) in Los Cabos
You can’t come to Baja California and not see The Arch of Cabo San Lucas. This impressive rock formation juts out of the ocean at the southern tip of the Baja Peninsula. It stands just over three stories high and was formed by natural erosion.
Sea lions also frequent the Arch, which is always exciting for visitors! Cabo is home to four different types of sea lions: the California Sea Lion, Thin-Skinned Sea Lions, and Seals.
Would you like the chance to see these incredible creatures up close? Then, take a look at our Cabo San Lucas Kayaking & Snorkeling Tour at the Arch for an action-packed couple of hours taking in the fantastic views and wildlife at The Arch.
If you’d like to learn more about The Arch, look at our blog post on why it’s worth visiting the Arch of Cabo San Lucas.
The Town of Todos Santos
Todos Santos is a small coastal town right at the foothills of the Sierra de la Laguna Mountains. Todos Santos is known for its arty vibe – it is popular amongst artists, tourists, and surfers.
Here’s our list of sights you don’t want to miss when in Todos Santos:
- Besame Mucho Bazar: Browse this local bazaar and check out their stylish clothing and jewelry, maybe even find a gift for a loved one at home!
- Coffee Shop Las Tunas: We highly recommend their avocado toast, smoothies, and perfectly roasted coffees.
- Galleria de Todos Santos: This art gallery focuses on representing Mexican and American artists. Lose yourself in the eclectic mix of landscapes, realism, abstract paintings, and sculptures.
- Hike to the top of Punta Lobos: This is a beach located around 2 miles from Todos Santos Town; climb to the top of the cliff overlooking the bay for a scenic view of the stunning shores.
Beautiful Fox Canyon
If you’re looking for Baja’s best-kept secret — then Fox Canyon is precisely that. Fox Canyon is located 50 miles North of Cabo San Lucas within the Sierra de Laguna Biosphere Reserve, which is actually a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
If you want to make the most of your visit, we recommend taking our Private Cabo Hiking tour in Fox Canyon.
On our tour, we will hike through the Sierra Mountains and take in the incredible variety of wildlife that surrounds us — we’ll try to spot lizards and even tarantulas!
We end the hike with a dip in a calm pool at the bottom of a beautiful 15-meter-high waterfall. The walk lasts 6.5 hours, so make sure to pack comfy shoes, sunblock, a bottle of water, and snacks.
Would you like to see Fox Canyon up close but don’t fancy the hike? Luckily for you, we have a Baja Off-Road Private Tour in our trusty jeeps!
Take in the beauty of your surroundings and learn about our country’s history as we drive through Santiago, one of the oldest missions in Cabo.
Natural History Museum of Cabo San Lucas
There’s no better way to learn about a location than to learn about its history — and there’s no better place to learn about Baja than to visit the Natural History Museum of Cabo San Lucas.
This museum may be small, but it makes up for in quality for what it lacks in quantity.
Travel back in time thanks to the museum’s Palaeontology and Anthropology exhibits; you can even view the remains of marine animals and reptiles.
Take a look at its impressive whale skeleton outside on the grounds and browse its fascinating exhibits on the importance of biodiversity in Baja.
Rock Paintings of Sierra de San Francisco
Tucked away in the Sierra de San Francisco mountain range is one of the world’s largest prehistoric rock art sites: the Rock Paintings of Sierra de San Francisco.
This is a must-see sight when in Baja California Sur; these paintings of human figures and animals offer a valuable insight into how these prehistoric people viewed themselves and their environment.
This is another Baja UNESCO World Heritage Site and was rated as having Outstanding Universal Value.
Did you know? Red and white are the most commonly used colors in cave paintings. These colors were achieved by grinding together various colored rocks!
Due to the protected nature of these rock paintings, there are only certain areas open to the public. However, there are sections open to tourists throughout the cave system — so you’ll get your fix of art from the prehistoric Baja.
Well, there you have it – we hope you’ve enjoyed learning about all the sights in Baja California Sur! It’s impossible to list all the places we think you should see as first-time visitors, but these are a few of our favorites. We hope you enjoy your stay in Baja California and that it won’t be your last visit!
If you have any questions about our tours, please get in touch — we’d love to hear from you!
