Planning a trip to Todos Santos
Todos Santos is the only town in Baja to gain the designation of "Pueblo Magico" or "Magical Town" from Mexico's tourism secretariat (towns in other states include Tequila, Jalisco, and Taxco, Guerrero), and you'll know why the minute you walk along its tranquil streets. To get acquainted before your trip, visit the town's official website, www.todossantos.cc, for weather, maps, and information on restaurants, galleries, and nightlife.
When you get into town, pick up a copy of the free magazine El Calendario de Todos Santos, which can be found at coffee shops and hotels or by calling tel. 612/145-0129. This community publication not only features restaurant and calendar listings, but has info on fun expat activities like book groups, dharma talks, and yoga.
Getting There
By Car
From La Paz, take Hwy. 1 south. Just south of San Pedro, Hwy. 1 splits into two directions. Take Hwy. 19 to Todos Santos and stay on it, heading south until you reach Todos Santos. From Cabo San Lucas, take Hwy. 19 north. Your hour-long journey will take you through a few small towns, but you'll mostly be surrounded by dramatic desert landscape.
By Bus
Transportes ABC (tel. 800/025-0222; www.transportes-abc.com) offers first-class bus service from both La Paz and Cabo San Lucas. Tickets cost about 70 pesos from either city. Todos Santos's bus station is a stick palapa on Colegio Militar and Zaragoza; it's an easy if slightly uphill walk to most hotels listed here (the exception is Posada La Poza, which is out of town).
Fast Facts
Area Code -- The telephone area code is 612.
Banks -- Banks generally exchange currency during normal business hours: Monday through Friday from 9am to 6pm and Saturday from 10am to 2pm. An ATM is at the Banorte on Márquez de León between Juárez and Colegio Militar.
Emergencies -- Dial tel. 066 for general emergency assistance, or tel. 060 for police. Both calls are free.
Hospitals -- St. Luke's Hospital (tel. 612/145-0600), at Colegio Militar between Márquez de León and Hidalgo, has a 24-hour emergency room.
Pharmacy -- Farmacia Guadalupe (tel. 612/145-0300) on Juárez at Delgollado (Hwy. 19) carries standard prescriptions.
Post Office -- The correo is up Hwy. 19 from downtown, on Calle Villarino between Pedrajo and Olachea.
Tourism Office -- So far, Todos Santos doesn't have an official tourism office, but plenty of information is available at gotbaja maps, Calle Juárez, next to Heartease and Tecolote Books (tel. 612/178-0067) and online at www.todossantos.cc.
Getting Around
You won't need a car to explore town, but if you want to go to the beach or stay at Posada la Poza, wheels are essential. Taxis in town can take you to one of the local beaches for 60 to 80 pesos. Fox car-rental service is at Márquez de León 3 (tel. 612/145-0615) car-rental service.
