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I spent all of February and March on an incredible Baja California Road trip and I’m thinking it’s going to become an annual thing with how much I enjoyed myself. Whale watching, cacti forests, beach camping, fish tacos and mountains meeting the ocean is just a sample of the beauty van life in Mexico had to offer.

In this post, I’m going to cover everything you need to know to have a great experience road tripping around Baja California. I’ll include documents you need, car insurance and other travel insurance I recommend as well as my favorite places to spend time.

Overview of this Baja California Road Trip Guide:

Baja California and Baja California Sur are Mexican State that border the US State of California. San Diego is just 17 miles North of the border. Collectively Baja California and Baja California Sur is over 1000 miles South from the California border, and it is almost as long as the entire US West Coast. However, it is quite narrow and therefore easy to explore a LOT while traveling up and down the peninsula.

I’m going to break down the main cities and regions you won’t want to miss, but first let’s cover some of the basics you’ll need to know in order to visit.

Know Before You Go: Road Trip to Baja

Required Documents and Recommended Insurance:

• passport (and green card if applicable). Also bring physical copies and photos of your documents on your phone.
• FMM (Multiple Immigration Form) this can be completed in advance online or in the on-site office just before crossing. It is REQUIRED and valid for 180 days. I believe it is also sometimes called a Mexico Vehicle Permit. I entered at the Mexicali border and filled it out and paid there. The cost varied amongst different groups I know that crossed. It ranged from $30-$45 US Dollars. It was cash only when I crossed but others had mentioned they only accepted credit cards. SO, be prepared for both.
• Mexican Liability Insurance for your vehicle is mandatory. I got FULL coverage through BajaBound Insurance. It was so easy to fill out online. I know several people that ended up needing to use the insurance and they had a good experience. It was $567.44 for my 1999 Chevy Express and van build for 6 MONTHS. The nicer your vehicle, the more it will cost! Also – in general the 6 month plans are a lot cheaper than paying for a couple months.
• RECOMMENDED: get TRAVEL insurance. For me, I wanted the most coverage possible and this included trip interruption, health insurance that would also cover sport and activities injuries as well as medical air travel back to the United States if necessary. For one month it was $220 through World Nomads. There are definitely cheaper plans available.

What to Expect on your Baja California Road Trip:

• Long stretches without gas stations! Fill up often and consider bringing extra fuel. Also, your gas is pumped for you!
• Military Checkpoints where they may ask to search your vehicle. Mine was searched 5 times haha. Apparently my old chevy really stood out. These are nothing to stress about. The first one was definitely intimidating as we didn’t know what to expect, but they just become a normal part of travel days.
• Avoid driving at night! Between the semi trucks barreling down the narrow winding roads, cows that like to wander and sneaky pot holes, TRUST ME – do not drive at night.
• Don’t bring produce across the border! They may not check, but it will warrant a full inspection if you have any. Plus produce is much cheaper and honestly better across the border.
• Expect long stretches with little to no cell service. I’d recommend downloading offline maps.

Is Driving Baja Safe?

This seems to be the biggest concern, and was definitely one of mine going into it. But, YES! It is perfectly safe. There are of course risks and mishaps that are possible just like driving anywhere would have.

As mentioned above, Mexican Car Insurance is required and is often not included on initial rental car prices (even if it says it is!!). Since I drove my own vehicle, this was something I had set up a few days before online through Baja Bound.

Driving Baja:

• Expect a decent amount of pot holes and some sections of very rough road.
• You have to wait for an attendant to pump your gas.
• Also expect a LOT of topes (speed bumps) they can be so aggressive haha.
• Come prepared with a good spare tire and make sure it’s aired up before your trip!
• Bring a tire repair kit and it’s not a bad idea to also bring an air compressor!
• Don’t drive at night!!
• If you are planning to camp at beach spots, bring recovery boards.
• Driving is the same side as in the US!
• If you are pulled over by the police you can demand to go to the station

TIP: I do recommend having at least AWD if not 4×4 and a decent amount of clearance if you plan to go to many of the beaches. Getting people unstuck from the sand was a daily occurrence. All of the main roads are paved! Side excursions to campsites, landmarks and activities are usually dirt/sand roads.

Honestly the most stressful part of driving was when semi trucks would come the other direction. The roads can be very narrow in sections. It’s been termed a ‘Baja High Five’ if your side mirror touches a semi truck heh… I was lucky to not have that experience. The wider your van/vehicle the more this will be a stressor. Keep this in mind when placing your surf boards, etc.

Best Time to Visit for your Baja California Road Trip:

The ideal months to visit Baja Mexico are December-April. I headed down at the end of January in order to make it to my first ever van festival at Playa Tecolote – Escapar Van Festival. The festival was an absolute blast and I ended up traveling around Baja for almost 2 months with folks I met there.

Next year, I would aim to head to Baja earlier. Maybe just after Christmas. It felt like peak tourism was end of January until late February leading to some crowded camping areas.

I made sure to head North back to the USA before Easter, because Easter is the biggest holiday in Mexico and most locals will get the day off and be joining in on road tripping and camping. I’d recommend avoiding this time if possible. Also, be mindful of when Spring Break happens, because theres definitely an increase in visitors during that time as well.

Weather in Baja Mexico:

The weather is definitely MUCH warmer the further South you drive. Most of my time spent in Baja was in the very Southern tip of the Peninsula.

Average temperatures in Baja California during these months are 75-80°F for the high and 55-60°F for the lows. And in the southern State Baja California Sur, you can expect to add 5-10 degrees!

Each year will vary dramatically, but during my time here I didn’t experience ANY precipitation.

OKAY FINALLY….the Ultimate Baja California Road Trip Itinerary:

Baja California Road Trip Itinerary: the best spots + where to stay!

In no way do you need to stop at ALL of these places to have a good experience here. These recommended stops will go geographically from North to South! It was nice to plan to spend more time in the areas I really liked on the way back North.

1. San Felipe

San Felipe was my first stop after crossing the border about 2 hours south. It is one of the first places you’ll be able to see the Gulf of California. It was a fantastic place to run errands, stretch our legs and grab some breakfast. I ended up spending another whole day and night here on the way back North too!

Things to do in San Felipe:

• Walk the Boardwalk also known as the Malecón San Felipe that overlooks the water and the beach
• take a photo with the San Felipe sign
• Visit San Felipe Brewing. The beer was really good and we got to sample as many as we wanted. I loved the jalapeno ale. There are also food trucks here for snacks.

Day Trips from San Felipe:

Valle De Los Gigantes

The Valle De Los Gigantes is an area that is home to some of the tallest cacti in the world! The type of cacti here are known as the Mexican Cardon Cactus.

This is located just 25 minutes south of San Felipe. There is an entrance fee of 200 pesos cash only and they only allow you to drive through the loop if you have 4 wheel drive as it is quite sandy.

Los Puertecitos Hot Springs

Los Puertecitos Aguas Termales is an ocean front hot springs that is located in a small town along the Gulf of California. It is about an hour south of San Felipe and can be done as a day trip from San Felipe or as an overnight destination as well.

• 500 pesos per car for day pass to hot springs (about $30 USD)
• 600 pesos per car for hot springs access + camping
  • palapa camping next to a sandy beach. bathroom is available short walk away.
  • this is definitely the most expensive camping I experienced in Baja, but the hot spring access made it worth it.

It is cash only so come prepared from San Felipe with plenty of cash. You’ll want to check the tide charts as these hot springs can require some patience. Since they are right along the water, when the tide is out, the water is too low and directly from the source and WAY too hot to be in. It requires the right mix of ocean water and hot spring source water to fill up the rocky pools along the bay.

There are quite a few pools to choose from and it will really just depend on the desired temperature and tide. Always test the water with a thermometer before getting in!

Note: these are clothing optional.

New to hot springs? Check out my post on Hot Spring Etiquette.

San Felipe: Where to Stay?

Camping:

• Malena & Leo’s Campo. Beach access, toilets, a little less expensive than others in the area
• La Palapa RV Camp. Beach access, 2 story palapas are unique, expensive, but has almost all amenities needed.
• Find free camping using iOverlander app. If you’re new to this check out my guide to finding free camping.

Hotels:

• Hotel Las Palmas
• Bungalows at Seaside Hotel
• Stella Del Mar

2. Guerrero Negro

Over the course of the couple months I was in Baja, I only managed to spend a couple nights in Guerrero Negro and would love to change that next time. This area is known for great whale watching, sand dunes and night life.

Things to do in Guerrero Negro:

• Whale Watching! This area is known for its close encounter experiences with gray whales. Check out Mystic Whale Tours at about $50 USD per person. These are the types of whale watching experiences where you may be able to pet a whale. The season runs end of January through end of March.
• Visit the Sand Dunes just north of town. These dunes are some of the largest and best managed dunes in all of Mexico. Hike through the dunes or even camp out near the dunes!
• Eco Tour of the Cave Paintings and Saltworks. Apparently Guerrero Negro is the home to one of the largest saltworks in the world and is one of the leading producers of salt! Go on a guided tour to learn about the process with Malarrimo Eco Tours or Mario’s Tours.
• Hike Punta Morro Santa Domingo. This 4.3 mile out and back trail gets you up close to the cliffsides and might even give you a view of some sea life!
• Fish Tacos! You definitely don’t want to miss the fish tacos at Fish Taco “El Pariente”. It’s a food truck that was recommended by MANY and it definitely did not disappoint.
• Nightlife. Apparently Guerrero Negro is known for its lively nightlife with live music, open air bars and craft cocktails. I personally didn’t spend time chasing the nightlife here, but would love to go back and experience this.

Where to stay in Guerrero Negro:

Camping:

• Malarrimo RV Park
• Wild camping (reference iOverlander app)

Hotels:

• Hotel Malarrimo

3. Mulege

Mulege and surrounding areas was one of my favorite places to spend time. The Bahia Concepcion (Conception Bay) is absolutely stunning and has loads of camping that I highly recommend checking out. Mulege has a reputation of being a hidden gem oasis, and I’d have to agree. With no airport nearby, it’s really a place that most people don’t get to see.

Things to do in Mulege:

Bahia Concepcion (Conception Bay) Day Trip:

This is where I spent the MOST time in this area and was honestly so excited to go back on my journey North. It is one of the largest bays in Baja and provides amazing camping and sight seeing opportunities. It’s a fantastic place to paddle board, swim, watch sailboats AND see the bioluminescence.

• Playa El Requeson is a sandbar beach that protrudes out into the bay. You can drive to the end of the sand bar and a lot of people will camp here! It was a little too crowded for my liking but a very unique beach to at least check out.
• Playa el Coyote is a rather tucked away beach that has some of the most clear, turquoise waters in the area. There are palapas and beach camping for around $12 USD a night or 200 pesos.
• Playa los Cocos is another favorite of mine and where I spent the most time camping. Locals will bring by fresh fruit, ceviche and baked goods for sale and it was all so delicious. The palapas really give privacy and it really is camping in paradise. Around 200 pesos per night.
• Playa Santispac was another fantastic beach to hang out on with palapas available. We ended up camping on the far end of the beach and had beach front views with a little more privacy. Two restaurants are on site and we thoroughly enjoyed the food and margaritas we got there. Around 200 pesos per night.

NOTE: these are all paid camping sites and are truly some of the most scenic camping around. However there are also free campspots available if you search off the beaten path, but be prepared for sand. I definitely recommend 4×4 if not staying at established campsites.

More things to do in Mulege:

• Nomadico Cafe is a VERY charming cafe/brunch spot near the Bahia de Concepcion that you don’t want to miss. It is pricey but some of the best lattes I had in Mexico. There also seems to be camping available here.
• Misión Santa Rosalia de Mulegé is a historic mission that has a short 0.8 mile trail that allows you to see the preserved building from 1705 and enjoy seeing the beautiful river oasis views of palm trees at the Río Mulegé Overlook.
• Mulege Brewing Company has some a charming vibe, good beer and pizza

Where to Stay in Mulege:

Camping:

As mentioned above in day trips, Bahia De Concepcion has some of the most scenic camping. If you don’t want to drive the 30 minutes south to camp, check out:

• Huerta Don Chano RV Park

Hotels:

• Gina House with Pool in Mulege
• Casa el Pescador

4. Loreto

Loreto is a city I’d like to spend a lot more time exploring. It has a little bit of everything and you could easily spend a week in this area with the outdoor adventures nearby, good food, cafes and accomodations.

Things to do Loreto, Baja California Sur:

• Grab coffee at La Herosa Cafe. A VERY charming cafe near the water that I would have spent many mornings at.
• Parque Nacional Bahía de Loreto or Loreto Bay National Park is a stop a lot of people check out. Take a guided boat tour or go snorkeling or kayaking with a guide!
• Take a guided tour to see cave paintings!
• Take a day trip to Isla Coronados
• Check out beer tasting at El Zopilote Brewing Co.
• Walk the scenic Malecon de Loreto (beachside boardwalk!)
• Take a bike tour to some of the best food in Loreto!
• Go fishing in this historical fishing town with local fisherman

Where to Stay in Loreto:

Camping in Loreto, Baja California Sur:

• Playa Ligüí is a public beach area south of Loreto with no facilities but really gives you incredible beachfront camping. Make sure you are prepared to drive in sand and pack out what you bring in!
• Palmas Altas Retreat: a very vibey camping and glamping area right in downtown Loreto close to all the things to do and good food.

Hotels:

• Rosarito Hotel is a charming boutique hotel with a pool and lots of amenities.
• Sukasa Bungalows

5. La Paz

La Paz is a proper city and a great basecamp for doing and seeing SO much on your Baja California road trip. Some of the most stunning beaches and hiking areas are just a day trip away. There is also an airport and lots of services and stores here if you need to replenish supplies.

Things to do in La Paz on your Baja California Road Trip:

• Espirutu Santo Island boat tour
• Snorkel with Sea Lions
• hike to the world famous Balandra Beach
• Visit or camp at Tecolote Beach! A mountainous, cacti covered stunning beach near Balandra.
• Go to Escapar Van Life Festival
• Swim with Whale Sharks! This area is known for encounters with these beautiful creatures.
• Walk the Malecon/Seaside Boardwalk
• Walk downtown for colorful murals
• La Paz is known for having good food and a lot of people will do guided food tours here
• Museo de Arte de Baja California Sur
• Go sandboarding at the Mogote Dunes

Where to Stay in La Paz:

Camping in La Paz, Baja California Sur:

• My favorite place to camp near La Paz was Tecolote Beach. It is not close to town, but it is a beach area that is absolutely stunning to spend time at with nearby hiking and a restaurant (expensive) on the beach.
• If you are looking for places to camp IN the city of La Paz, check out Peace Center Campground for 400MXN per night. It is first come first serve.

Hotels in La Paz:

• Baja Club Boutique Hotel
• Aquamarina

6. La Ventana & El Sargento

I spent probably the most time in La Ventana and El Sargento (hence the absurd amount of photos). Two quirky towns right next to each other on one main street. I love it here for so many reasons. There are fantastic markets, restaurants, nightlife, and water activities right from town. La Ventana is also small enough where you feel like you escaped the big city and you could absolutely walk around to most places here. It was a place I left and ended up coming back to and highly recommend a visit here. It is best known for its kitesurfing, but even if that’s not an interest of yours I recommend a visit.

Things to do in La Ventana on your Road Trip to Baja:

• Visit the cacti forest on the way into town!
• Kiteboarding lessons at Baja Joes
• DO get bread from the bakery next to Baja Bites
• Also get tacos at Baja Bites (they sell out FAST)
• Check out the hot springs nearby
• Sunset dinner at La Tuna
• Aguachile at Mariscos El Cone
• I HIGHLY recommend the eco wildlife tour through Baja Raw. I got so up close to dolphins and pilot whales and it was an absolute dream.
• Mezcaleria!! (that has live music occasionally!)
• Hike Punta Gorda

Where to Stay in La Ventana/El Sargento

Camping in La Ventana:

• Bungalows & Campground El Sargento (small spots, but has all the amenities and is walking distance to a great restaurant)

Hotels and Glamping in La Ventana:

• Baja Joes
• Nomada Hotel
• Selenes Hostel

BONUS: Stop in El Trinfo on the way to Todos Santos and be sure to get an almond croissant at Cafe El Triunfo and walk around the historic town.

7. Todos Santos & Cerritos

Todos Santos and Cerritos in Baja are definitely places I think about revisiting often. From frequenting one of the best coffee shops, to the beach restaurants, and the overall aesthetic of these towns – there is a lot to fall in love with. Todos Santos is definitely known as being more of an “instagrammable” place with lots of art and aesthetic streets, enchanting farm to table restaurants, and boutique hotels. This area is also known for some of the best surfing around.

Things to do. Todos Santos Baja Mexico Road Trip Guide:

• Surf Lessons
• Release baby sea turtles!
• Explore downtown! Streets like C. Centenario are perfect for shopping and seeing just how charming Todos Santos is.
• Make sure to hike near Punta Lobos to take in the seaside cliffs and blue waters
• Get Coffee and breakfast at Doce Cuarento! I spent an embarrassing amount of time working here.
• Eat and drink at Barracuda Cantina just off of the beach in Los Cerritos
• Check out local goods and foods at Agricole
• Acai bowls at Tasi Juice Bar
• Treat yourself to dinner at The Green Room where fantastic seafood is served while you dine on the beach.

Where to Stay in Todos Santos and Los Cerritos

Camping:

• Todos Santos Hostel: they have a couple camping spots tucked away from the street. This is also a great place to grab a shower!
• Casa Caravan BCS

Hotels in Todos Santos:

• Hotel Perro Surfero Todos Santos
• Baja Temple
• Guaycura Boutique Hotel

8. Cabo – Baja California Road Trip

There’s a lot in this area that I avoided, because I had the freedom in a van to avoid overly crowded touristy destinations. But some places in this area were absolutely worth the hype. There is a big food scene that is definitely worth checking out here as well as many beaches that are a bit more tucked away.

Things to do in Cabo Baja California Sur Road Trip Guide:

• Eat at El Huerto Farm to Table. I had brunch here and it absolutely BLEW me away. The atmosphere is also incredible and was well worth the trip into town for this.
• Take a cooking class at Flora Farms. This was recommended to me SEVERAL times. I ended up eating there and touring the farms, but need to go back for the cooking classes.
• Take a boat tour to the famous Cabo Arch!
• Go whale watching!!
• Zipline in the mountains
• Get Cocktails at Esperanza with a mezcal unique to this resort.
• Take a day trip to La Fortuna and visit Zai Sushi

Where to Stay in Cabo:

Camping:

• Los Cabos Glamping
• El Tule Beach (rustic camping no amenities)

Hotels:

• Hotel Tesoro
• Mayan Monkey
• Solmar Resort
• The Bungalows Hotel

9. Sierra La Laguna

A lot of people do this as a day trip from Cabo, and that is totally doable, but I personally recommend several days up in the mountains of Baja. After spending so much time in beach communities, it was incredible to have a change of scenery and FRESH water swimming holes. The communities in these parts are small, but so charming and really gives a different feel to Baja California Sur with a lot more eco tourism.

The Sierra La Laguna area is known to be one of the LEAST visited areas in all of Baja which absolutely blows my mind because it was arguably my favorite spot. It is pretty remote and lacks most of the “tourist luxuries” of plenty of restaurants and stays, but I promise it is worth it.

Things to do in Sierra La Laguna Baja California Sur:

• DO visit Cañón de la Zorra (Fox Canyon) Nature Preserve
• Swim in the Sol de Mayo Waterfall (about 40 foot waterfall!). This is located within the canyon listed above. Pay for a wristband at the Rancho Ecologico Sol de Mayo. It is a short, but steep hike that will take approximately 15-25 minutes.
• Stay at Rancho Ecologico Sol de Mayo. I loved camping here. It is pretty bare bones as far as amenities go, but being camped RIGHT next to the waterfall trailhead was incredible. I think I went down to the waterfall 3 times a day haha.
• Check out Santa Rita Hot Springs
• Walk around the small desert mountain town of Santiago!

If you are not feeling up for a self guided tour of what this area has to offer there are MANY tours that often leave from Cabo:

• Day Trip to the Waterfall

Where to Stay:

• Stay at Rancho Ecologico Sol de Mayo in a tent, your rig or in one of their rustic cabins.
• Stay in Santiago at the only hotel Don Julio. It has very positive reviews. +52 624 159 1909

Baja Mexico Road Trip Bucketlist:

I wasn’t able to check out every place and am very much looking forward to coming back. I want to share what’s on my bucketlist for next year:

• Ensenada: I’ve heard fantastic things about this surf town, although a bit more touristy than other parts because it is a cruise ship port. But because of this, there are a lot of food and nightlife options
• Valle De Guadelupe: I am SO sad I didn’t get around to visiting here. It is known for incredible vineyards and wine. I am planning to use harvest host to camp on site at some wineries next year to get the full experience.

Conclusion: Baja California Road Trip

I think you can see that there are a LOT of options to have the ultimate Baja California Road Trip. No matter the length of time you have or where you go, it will be an experience that you won’t forget. I know for myself, I’ll be back every year revisiting favorites and finding new ones. Overall, I saved so much money living on the road here and the food and produce had me feeling healthier than I have been in a long time.

Safety of course is always one of the biggest concerns, and I felt very safe here. After the initial “culture shock” of military checkpoints wore off after day one, I was so at ease and relaxed during my 2 month stay here.

Looking for other international Road Trips? Check out my Norway Itinerary

Any questions or concerns? Let me know in the comments.

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