Two Roads to La Paz: Choose Your Baja Adventure
Most visitors leave Los Cabos without knowing there are two completely different ways to reach La Paz — and that the road you pick decides the kind of day you’ll have. Head west, and the Pacific unrolls in surf towns and roadside kitchens. Head east, and the Sea of Cortez opens into wind, water, and a slower kind of quiet. Same destination, two entirely different Bajas.
A rental car and a free day are all it takes to turn either drive into one of the best excursions available from any Los Cabos vacation rental — especially for travelers who have already covered the main sights closer to Cabo San Lucas.
The Pacific Route: Cabo San Lucas to Todos Santos
This is the shorter, faster option — about two hours door to door along the coastal highway — and the better pick if a surf town with galleries and good coffee sounds like your kind of afternoon.
El Pescadero’s Roadside Kitchens
Just past Cerritos, this small farming town serves some of the best fish tacos on the peninsula from stands most travelers drive straight past. Weekday mornings tend to be quieter than weekend lunch hours.
Sierra de la Laguna, From the West
Inland from this stretch of coast, trailheads climb into pine forest and cooler air that feel worlds away from the beach. A guided hike is recommended for anyone venturing beyond the marked paths.
Todos Santos, Again
Any Baja road trip earns a second look at this Pueblo Mágico, ideally with time for a slower lunch than the day-trip crowd allows. Splitting the drive with an overnight here turns a long day into a relaxed two-day loop.
The East Cape Route: San José del Cabo to Los Barriles
Longer and less traveled, this route trades roadside kitchens for open water — the pick for anyone who wants wind in the sails and a village that still feels undiscovered.
Los Barriles’ Windsurfing Coast
On the Sea of Cortez side, steady winter winds have made this small town a quiet magnet for windsurfers and kiteboarders. Even non-riders enjoy an easy lunch stop watching the sails from shore.
La Ribera’s Fishing Village Pace
Further down the East Cape road, this working fishing village moves at its own speed — a good place to stretch your legs before the final push north to La Paz.
Where Both Roads End: La Paz’s Malecón at Sunset
Whichever way you came, La Paz’s waterfront promenade is the trip’s natural finish — a calmer, more local version of a Baja sunset than the busier Cabo marina. Restaurants along the malecón fill up quickly as the evening cools down.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which route to La Paz should I take? Take the Pacific route (via Todos Santos) if you want a shorter drive with a walkable art-and-surf town along the way. Take the East Cape route (via Los Barriles) if you’d rather trade town-hopping for open water and a slower, quieter stretch of coast.
Can I combine both routes in one trip? Not in a single day — the two roads run on opposite sides of the peninsula and only meet in La Paz. Combining them means either backtracking through Los Cabos or planning a longer multi-day loop.
Is it safe to drive either route from Los Cabos to La Paz? Yes, both highways are well maintained and commonly driven by tourists in rental cars, though daytime driving is generally recommended for the best visibility and services along the way.
What is the best stop to break up either drive? On the Pacific route, Todos Santos is the natural midpoint, with enough restaurants, galleries, and lodging to justify an overnight stay. On the East Cape route, Los Barriles plays the same role.
Start and End Somewhere Worth Coming Back To
A Ronival Vacations villa makes the ideal base before or after either drive — pack light, take the scenic route, and come home to a space designed for unwinding.
Browse our Los Cabos vacation rentals to plan a base that makes this Baja road trip easy to fit into any itinerary.
