Todos Santos, Baja California Sur, Mexico
Todos Santos is a charming coastal town of ~6500 nestled in the foothills of the Sierra de la Laguna mountain range, on the Pacific Coast of Baja California Sur, Mexico. Its location nearly on the Tropic of Cancer ensures warm, dry, sunny weather the majority of the year. Todos Santos is located over an aquifer, which makes agriculture possible and abundant, with palm trees, fruit orchards and fields of vegetables a surprise and welcome sight in this otherwise arid desert region. With views of Pacific Ocean sunsets to the west and the 7000 foot peaks of the Sierras to the East, Todos Santos is completely surrounded by natural beauty.
Todos Santos was originally founded as a Spanish mission in 1723. The Jesuits attempted to convert to Catholicism the local Pericu, Cochine and Guaycura natives who lived in the surrounding mountains. That didn’t work out so well, but the pueblo continued to grow and prosper, with sugar cane being a major export in the 1800’s, until the aquifer dried up in the 1950’s. Rainfall has since replenished the aquifer, but water continues to be a precious commodity.
In 1984 Highway 19 between Cabo San Lucas (popularly known as “Cabo”) and Todos Santos was paved, giving tourists an easy 60 minute, scenic drive to the tranquil Mexican village. This revival brought many artists and surfers to the area. Pretty soon art galleries and shops filled with local handmade goods lined the streets. Todos Santos saw an influx of bars and locally owned restaurants serving everything from street tacos to high end cuisine.
With idyllic weather, a historic and colorful downtown, and abundant outdoor activities, Todos Santos should be on everyone’s must visit list!
