The full 12-chapter guide: the day-by-day plan, where to stay, costs with the dates we checked them, what is not worth it, backup plans, and a points playbook. You read it online in your PerkJolt library.

Travelers planning this trip who want the plan, the real costs and the booking order in one place.

Does it cover points and miles?

Yes. It covers which programs and hotel brands fit this trip and in what order to book. It does not quote card offers.

Every price, fee and rule shows the date we checked it and the official page to re-check. Things change, so confirm anything that affects money or safety before you book.

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Mexico: La Paz + Todos Santos (Baja California Sur)

Mexico: La Paz + Todos Santos (Baja California Sur): free sample chapter

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Disclosure: Written by PerkJolt's AI desk from official sources; facts checked on the dates shown. We may earn a commission from links; it never changes what we recommend.

Things change. Access rules for Balandra, Espíritu Santo, Cabo Pulmo and whale-shark swims are set by agencies that can change them between seasons. We checked what we could on 2026-10-10. Where an official page would not open for us, the fact is tagged [verify] and the page to check is named. Nothing in this guide is a booking confirmation.

Cover block

Promise: Calm water, sea lions and a slow Pacific town on the quiet side of Baja California Sur, planned around the real permit and access rules.
Trip length: 6 days (cuts to 4 below).
Best months: November through April for surf and the whale-shark window; October works with storm flexibility.
Budget band: Low to mid; the boat days are the main spend. Fill the blanks in chapter 8.
Best for: Snorkelers, kayakers, slow travelers, anyone pairing this with /guides/cabo-san-lucas/.
State Department level for Baja California Sur: Exercise Increased Caution (the State Department's Level 2 wording). The advisory says "Baja California Sur state – Exercise Increased Caution" [read 2026-10-10 — page dated September 6, 2024, https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/mexico-travel-advisory.html].

At a glance

Base 1: La Paz centro for 3 nights. Base 2: Todos Santos or El Pescadero for 2 nights. Optional: 1 night at Cabo Pulmo.
Boat days: Espíritu Santo (sea lions, snorkeling) and, in season, a whale-shark outing.
Access-controlled places: Balandra beach, Espíritu Santo, whale-shark waters, Cabo Pulmo National Park.
Gateways: LAP (La Paz) or SJD (Los Cabos).
Paperwork: Passport and FMM; confirm details with INM.
Everyday hazards: Heat, sun, dehydration, rip currents.
Longer add-on: Loreto, a few hours north by road.