Since it lacks a marina or protected harbor (other than the abandoned pier at Puerto Algondones), Todos Santos [1] does not have much of a charter fishing business. However, if you speak Spanish, you can talk to the pangueros to arrange a day of sportfishing.
Prices average about US$30 per hour, usually with a three-hour minimum. Alternatively, contact Todos Santos Eco Adventures (Cerro La Poza, Guaycura, tel. 612/145-0780, www.tosea.net [2], US$175 for 2 nights, US$275 per boat per day) or La Sirena Eco-Adventures (Olachea off Degollado, tel. 612/145-0353, www.lasirenakayaksurf.com [3], US$250 for five hours) to arrange guided trips.
With accommodations and sportfishing services in Todos Santos and La Paz, Iguana de los Mangos (tel. 624/114-1351, www.bajasurtodossantos.com [4], US$250 per day) launches a panga from Punta Lobos.
Playas San Pedrito (Palm Beach), San Pedro, and Los Cerritos are among the easiest (and safest) places for surf-casting from shore. Experienced locals also head to La Pastora and points north. The catch from shore includes sierra (mackerel), cabrilla (sea bass), pargo (snapper), and robalo (snook).
Ferreteria Oasis de Todos Santos (Rangel at Zaragoza, tel. 612/145-0754, 8 A.M.–3 P.M. and 4–7 P.M. Mon.–Fri., 8 A.M.–4 P.M. Sat.) carries some fishing supplies. You can buy live bait from the local fishermen at Punta Lobos.
Whale-watching from Todos Santos is from a distance, compared to the up-close encounters you can have in the birthing lagoons farther north. But an afternoon spent watching juvenile gray whales breach and slap their tales offshore while you sip margaritas on a rooftop deck makes for great entertainment nonetheless. December–April are the best months for catching the whales on their journey up the coast.
Pangueros at Punta Lobos may be willing to take passengers out to see the whales for about US$30 an hour; book at the beach or through any of the hotels in town.
La Sirena Eco-Adventures (Olachea off Degollado, tel. 612/145-0353, www.lasirenakayaksurf.com [3]) leads whale-watching trips (US$49 pp for three hours). Todos Santos Eco Adventures (Cerro La Poza, Guaycura, tel. 612/145-0780, www.tosea.net [2]) also includes whale-watching as part of its multiday trips. Iguana de los Mangos (tel. 624/114-1351, www.bajasurtodossantos.com [4], US$150 per day) is another option.
Winter months are best for surfing the Todos Santos area, when the local breaks catch the strong northwest swell. In summer the action moves south to the Los Cabos Corridor [5] between Cabo San Lucas [6] and San José del Cabo [7] or to lesser-known spots around the lower East Cape.
Contact Mario Becerril, owner of Mario Surf School (tel. 612/142-6156, www.mariosurfshop.com [8]) for lessons, rentals, and ding repair. He is a highly reputable instructor, with several other instructors on staff, all of whom have experience with the local breaks.
La Sirena Eco-Adventures (Olachea btw Villarino/Verduzco, tel. 612/145-0353, U.S. tel. 213/265-9943, www.lasirenakayaksurf.com [3]) rents surfing equipment and supplies, offers surfing instruction (US$60/hour), and leads kayak tours (US$60) to the old port. Iguana de los Mangos (tel. 624/114-1351, www.bajasurtodossantos.com [4], US$150 per day) also leads kayak trips.
You can arrange guided day or overnight hikes into the Sierra de la Laguna [9] through Todos Santos Eco Adventures (Cerro La Poza, Guaycura, tel. 612/145-0780, www.tosea.net [2], US$175 for two nights) or La Sirena Eco-Adventures (Olachea btw Villarino/Verduzco, tel. 612/145-0353, U.S. tel. 213/265-9943, www.lasirenakayaksurf.com [3], US$200 for one night and US$300 for three nights).
Hatha and Ashtanga yoga classes meet several times a week at La Arca building on Topete (Hatha at 8 A.M. Mon., Wed., Fri., Ashtanga at 9 A.M. Tues., Thurs, Sat., US$6 per class) and at the Hotelito (road to Playa La Cachora, tel. 612/145-0099, www.thehotelito.com [10]) at 9 A.M. Tuesday and Thursday mornings. In the same location, El Dharma de Todos Santos (tel. 612/145-0676, www.eldharma.com [11]) holds dharma talks and vipassana meditation classes 10–11:30 A.M. Sundays.
Tai chi chuan classes take place at the Centro Cultural 3–4:30 P.M. on Wednesdays October–June for around US$6.
Casa Bentley offers massage treatments (US$50 for 30 minutes) and yoga instructions for group of three or more. Book ahead at the Casa Bentley website (www.casabentleybaja.com [12]). The Guaycura Aena Spa (Lesaspi at Topete, tel. 612/175-0800, www.guaycura.com [13]) offers massage and body treatments (US$90–100) and a steam room.
Aloha Massage (tel. 612/119-7045) owner Diane Moore will come to your Todos Santos casita to provide massage, Reiki, and reflexology services as well as yoga instruction and spa treatments.
Todos Santos Eco Adventures (Cerro La Poza, Guaycura, tel. 612/145-0780, www.tosea.net [2]) leads half-day outings to nearby waterfalls, cliff walks, and visits to observe mountain potters at work in nearby San Vicente and La Candelaria for US$55 as well as overnight trips to the Sierra Laguna, fishing trips (US$275 per boat for up to six hrs.), and horseback riding (US$100 per trip). A 90-minute walking tour of historic sites in Todos Santos is US$15 per person.
La Sirena Eco-Adventures (Olachea btw Verduzco/Villarino, tel. 612/145-0353, www.lasirenakayaksurf.com [3]) leads similar trips, including whale-watching (US$35 pp for two hours), fishing (US$50/hour), and waterfall hikes (US$40 pp).
Links:
[1] http://www.moon.com/destinations/baja-cabo/cabo/west-cape-and-todos-santos/todos-santos
[2] http://www.tosea.net
[3] http://www.lasirenakayaksurf.com
[4] http://www.bajasurtodossantos.com
[5] http://www.moon.com/destinations/baja-cabo/cabo/los-cabos/the-corridor
[6] http://www.moon.com/destinations/baja-cabo/cabo/los-cabos/cabo-san-lucas
[7] http://www.moon.com/destinations/baja-cabo/cabo/los-cabos/san-jose-del-cabo
[8] http://www.mariosurfshop.com
[9] http://www.moon.com/destinations/baja-cabo/cabo/east-cape/sierra-de-la-laguna/sierra-de-la-laguna
[10] http://www.thehotelito.com
[11] http://www.eldharma.com
[12] http://www.casabentleybaja.com
[13] http://www.guaycura.com