Anyone have any good suggestions for activities or sights to see in the area? I’m taking my mom on Uncruise and trying to plan some fun things to do before or after the boat trip without overlapping our cruise itinerary.
My mom doesn’t like overly fancy places, but I enjoy more refined experiences. Lounging at a spa like O&O or Waldorf wouldn’t work for this mother-son trip. She would feel out of place, and I would find it too generic and boring.
Here’s what I’m thinking so far:
Stay at an Airbnb near Flora Farms and check out their farm tour or meal options.
Maybe take a half-day trip to Todos Santos for lunch and a little exploration? Are there any recommendations on what to see or do there, or is it not worth the trip?
We also need to get to La Paz for the cruise, so if there’s anything interesting to do or see there, please let me know. I’m open to cooking classes, guided tours, ebike tours, or anything unique and engaging.
That time of year is great for aquatic life in that area. You should try a whale watching tour from Cabo. I’ve seen whales breach only in Cabo on my tours. Plus, February in La Paz is awesome for swimming with whale sharks. It’s super easy and a lot of fun.
We’ve traveled a lot, but those experiences in that area during that time are incredible.
Swimming with whale sharks sounds amazing! I’ll check with the cruise to see if that’s part of our itinerary. If not, I’ll definitely consider it. Thanks!
Awesome! You can either go on a boat with a small group or charter your own. We chose to charter because we had our kids with us, and it gave us more time to swim with the whale sharks.
I’d suggest flying into SJD and renting a car to La Paz, staying one night in Todos Santos on the way. You can drop the car off in town at La Paz for convenience. Todos Santos has places to stay at all levels. Since you posted this in Luxury Travel, does your mom dislike the fancy resort vibe like O&O/Waldorf, or is it more about the price? If it’s just about the vibe, check out the tented cabins at Villa Santa Cruz or the new Hotel Todos Santos with a cool cocktail bar. There’s a lot to explore in Todos without needing a plan. The coastline is beautiful, and the town has some hidden gems. Next to Villa Santa Cruz is Green Room, a great beach bar. Go there early, enjoy a beach walk, and catch the sunset, but keep in mind the dirt roads back to town can be tricky after dark. Here’s a helpful write-up on the restaurant scene in Todos Santos: https://www.theinfatuation.com/todos-santos/guides/best-restaurants-todos-santos-mexico.
If you want something active, there are options for hiking, biking, and surfing. Mario Surf School is good for beginners. El Triunfo, an old mining town, is not too far from Todos but might be worth a quick stop if you have time.
What time of year are you going? If it’s November to April, consider staying in La Paz for a night and doing a boat tour to see the whale sharks. I know you’ll be on a boat for your cruise, but whale sharks aren’t mentioned in the cruise description. If you stay in La Paz, try https://bajaclubhotel.com/es/. If you choose another place, at least grab a drink there. La Paz is a charming town with mostly locals and families. Walking the Malecon (boardwalk) is fun because there’s a lot going on. Hope this helps! I’ve spent a lot of time in La Paz and Todos, so feel free to ask me any questions.
We’ll likely land at CSL airport. Do you know a rental car agency that will deliver the car to us and pick it up when we leave for the cruise? I’d rather avoid the hassle of getting an Uber or taxi to the rental location. A one-way car rental sounds like the best option.
As for your question about my mom, she feels uncomfortable with pretentious places. The cost isn’t a big deal since I’m paying; I just want it to be special. For example, I love Aman hotels, but places like St Regis or Ritz aren’t my vibe.
Do you think it’s better to spend one night in Todos Santos or stay near Flora Farms and leave for a half or three-quarters of a day in Todos without staying overnight? I’ve heard great things about Flora, but I’ve also heard that Todos is small and you can get bored quickly. Of course, opinions vary widely.
I’m not sure about rental options that will pick you up. You’ll be limited to a few choices that do one-way to La Paz with a drop-off in town. Maybe someone else can help with better info, or you might consider hiring a driver to La Paz.
Flora Farms is fantastic; I’ve been there a couple of times for a wedding. It’s popular but well done and not cheesy. The food and atmosphere are great. It’s only 10-15 minutes from San Jose, but staying in an Airbnb nearby might feel a bit remote unless you stay on the Flora Farms property.
I really love Todos Santos, and the whole area has a nice farm-to-table vibe since it’s quite fertile for agriculture. If you have to choose, I’d pick Todos. I could spend days there without getting bored. Great food, drinks, unique architecture, and stunning beaches with big waves. I can understand why some might think half a day is enough, especially if they only explore the tourist spots. However, if you do a day trip, your experience may differ.
Based on your preferences, I recommend staying in a tented room at Villa Santa Cruz, doing happy hour at Green Room, and having the hotel arrange a taxi to town for dinner. Or you could stay at Hotel Todos Santos, taxi to Green Room for sunset, and then head back to town for dinner.