What to Know About Traveling to Baja Right Now

Why Baja Belongs on Your Adventure Shortlist

Planning a trip to Mexico and wondering if Baja is safe to visit this year? For travelers seeking adventure, natural beauty, and peace of mind, Baja California Sur is one of the best destinations in Mexico to visit right now. Known for its welcoming communities, vibrant culture, and strong tourism infrastructure, this region offers everything from world-class whale watching and sea kayaking to laid-back beach towns and desert coastlines that meet the turquoise waters of the Sea of Cortez. 

Unlike other areas of Mexico that have a higher travel advisory, Southern Baja, where OARS trips operate, is widely regarded as a safe destination. As of August 2025, the U.S. State Department lists the state under a Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution advisory, which is the same rating given to many popular international destinations. 

“It is important to remember that Mexico is a large country, so when considering safety and security, you have to look at the specific region,” says OARS International Reservations Manager, Jonathan Brunger. “Where OARS offers trips in Baja Sur, the travel advisory is comparable to that of Europe.” 

“I also like to remind guests that most of your time on these trips is spent on and around protected islands and in sparsely-populated coastal towns with a team of trusted locals, including your guides, boatmen, and cooks, so you are in good hands,” he adds. 

While travelers are advised to remain aware of their surroundings and take common-sense precautions—such as traveling during daylight hours and sticking to well-populated areas—most visitors find Southern Baja to be safe and comfortable. 

“When I was there on a recent inspection trip, I appreciated how easily and safely I could drive around to the different areas in Baja Sur,” says Brunger. “We drove from Cabo to La Paz and then to Todos Santos to be able to see both sides of the peninsula, and the roads were in great shape.  Even as someone with very limited Spanish, I felt comfortable self-driving.” 

Combine that sense of security with affordable travel costs, unforgettable wildlife encounters, and authentic coastal charm, and it’s easy to see why Baja stands out as a top choice for travelers looking for a unique, adventurous, and worry-free getaway. Here’s a little more about why you can confidently enjoy what the southern region of the peninsula has to offer.

4 Reasons to Visit Baja Sur Right Now

Value Included

With a 2025 cost of living around 40 percent cheaper than the U.S. (according to Numbeo.com), Mexico is one of the more affordable international adventure destinations you can visit. Looking at prices on the popular travel website budgetyourtrip.com, compared to similar experiences in the U.S. or abroad, the cost of traveling, lodging, and dining in Baja Sur is significantly lower, meaning your trip dollars stretch much further. This can make a world-class adventure cost a fraction of other tropical or wilderness getaways.

OARS trips build on that by including nearly everything—experienced local guides, high-quality gear, fresh meals prepared daily, comfortable accommodations and beach camps, and unique excursions like sea kayaking, whale-watching and snorkeling—so there are very few extra expenses once you arrive. “You really can immerse yourself in the experience knowing that everything is planned and taken care of for you,” said Brunger. 

Flights to San José del Cabo International Airport (SJD) are convenient and inexpensive from many U.S. cities. For trips that meet in La Paz, booking a shuttle from Los Cabos beforehand is easy and costs around $40. We recommend EcoBaja Tours for this. Direct flights to La Paz, as well as Loreto, are also available from many U.S. cities, but are more limited. Car rentals are common in Southern Baja and available in Los Cabos for those who’d prefer to drive themselves to trip meeting points.

An Adventurer’s Paradise

Southern Baja is a place of striking contrasts, where desert landscapes meet the turquoise waters of the Pacific and the Sea of Cortez. Quiet bays and rugged coastlines set the stage for sea kayaking, snorkeling in clear waters, and even rock climbing or surfing along remote stretches of shore. Local fishing is often very productive and can result in delicious seafood dinners cooked right on the beach.  Offshore, easy access to Espiritu Santo—a UNESCO-listed national park and one of Mexico’s crown jewels—offers some of the best opportunities for adventure, from hiking cactus-studded ridges with sweeping views to camping on white-sand beaches. Add in evenings spent stargazing under Baja’s vast desert sky, and it’s clear why this region is a true adventurer’s paradise.

World-Class Wildlife

Wildlife encounters feel nothing short of astounding in Southern Baja. Each winter, gray whales migrate thousands of miles to the warm, protected lagoons along the Pacific-side of the peninsula, where visitors can witness these gentle giants up close—sometimes even touching a curious calf from a small boat. Offshore in the Sea of Cortez, dubbed “the world’s aquarium” by Jacques Cousteau, snorkelers and kayakers share the water with playful sea lions, schools of tropical fish, dolphins, and even whale sharks, the largest fish on earth. Blue whales and orcas have also been known to frequent the Sea of Cortez. Birders will delight in spotting frigatebirds, blue-footed boobies, and osprey along the coastline, while desert hikes reveal encounters with roadrunners, lizards, and the occasional bighorn sheep. Whether on land, sea, or in the air, Southern Baja offers a front-row seat to some of the most diverse and unforgettable wildlife experiences in North America.

Laid Back Charm

While Cabo is home to the resort scene, spring break parties and large-scale tourism, it definitely does not capture the essence of Baja and the rich coastal culture found along both coasts. A short distance to the north of Cabo, you’ll come across Todos Santos and La Paz. Todos Santos is a quiet surf town on the Pacific side of the Baja Peninsula with a vibrant artist community and excellent fishing. La Paz is a larger town on the Gulf of California side that has a working class, coastal community charm. The highlight of La Paz is undoubtedly the Malecon, the city’s vibrant waterfront boardwalk where you’ll find authentic restaurants, shopping, and epic sunset views. A stroll here quickly draws you into Baja’s easy pace of life and it’s a great jumping off point for exploring many small coastal villages where you can sample homemade tortillas and try the local seafood.