Private tour to La Paz, Balandra and Todos Santos from CABO

Balandra is the star of this long day out of Cabo: a protected bay known for shallow water and striking color, with a viewpoint above the beach if you’d rather take in the view than swim. The tour pairs it with La Paz and Todos Santos, so you get a beach day and a taste of two very different towns without driving yourself.

I like two things in particular: the private format, which keeps the trip to your own group of up to three, and the chance to spend a generous four hours at Balandra. Guide David Lopez has earned praise for his care, local knowledge and practical advice, including how to make the most of the beach visit.

The trade-off is time on the road. With pickups around 4:40 a.m. in San José del Cabo and 5 a.m. in Cabo San Lucas, this is a very early start followed by a full day of driving and sightseeing. Balandra can also be windy, and the protected beach has no food vendors or restaurants.

At a glance: the details that matter

• Balandra gets the largest share of the day: You have about four hours there for the beach, bay and viewpoint.
• The tour is private for up to three people: The listed price is $354 per group, or $118 each if all three places are filled.
• The start is early: Pickup is scheduled for 4:40 a.m. in San José del Cabo and 5 a.m. in Cabo San Lucas.
• Pack for a beach without services: There are small portable toilets, but no beach restaurants or vendors, and shade is limited.
• You also visit two towns: La Paz has time for lunch, its boardwalk and murals; Todos Santos gets a shorter stop for shops and the Hotel California.
• David Lopez is a useful name to know: The tour’s strongest praise centers on his care, history notes and guidance through Balandra’s rules.

The long ride north from Cabo

This tour covers a lot of ground in a single day. From your hotel in Cabo San Lucas or San José del Cabo, the route north to Balandra takes roughly two to three hours by road. The return trip is listed at one to two hours, though the total excursion is advertised as 13 hours, so plan for a full day rather than a quick outing.

The early pickup is part of the plan, not a glitch. Balandra is a protected area with limits on how many cars can enter, and arriving on time matters. One useful piece of advice from the trip is to bring a sweatshirt: the beach can be windy in the morning, even if the rest of your day is warm.

You travel in an air-conditioned sedan, with bottled water, a small cooler with ice, a beach umbrella and a speaker included. A private vehicle can make a long day feel easier than managing the route and timing yourself, though a sedan is not a roomy bus. Large bags and luggage are not allowed, so pack light and keep your beach gear compact.

The driver speaks English and Spanish. David Lopez is the guide named most often in the supplied trip details, and the praise for him is specific: he is described as courteous, attentive and good at explaining the places along the way. His advice at Balandra can help you use your limited time well, especially if you want to fit in a short walk to the viewpoint before settling in by the water.

Four hours at protected Playa Balandra

Balandra is the main reason to book. Its shallow bay and clear-colored water are the kind of setting that rewards unhurried time. You can walk up to a viewpoint for a broader look over the bay, or head down to the water and enjoy the calm, shallow area. The tour allows about four hours here, a welcome amount of time after the long drive.

A guide can also help you think through the order of activities. David has advised starting with the short hike and the well-known mushroom landmark before settling in to swim. That sequence makes practical sense: you can take care of the walk while you’re fresh, then relax by the water. The mushroom is a useful point to ask your guide about, but don’t assume the tour includes a formal hike beyond the short walk mentioned.

Balandra’s protected status shapes the visit. There are no restaurants or vendors on the beach, shade is limited, and the available toilets are small portable units. Bring snacks and drinks from Cabo or San José del Cabo, and don’t count on buying lunch or a cold drink once you arrive.

The tour supplies an umbrella, but it’s still wise to bring a hat and biodegradable sunscreen. Water shoes are another smart addition, based on practical advice from the trip. A change of clothes helps if you swim, and a charged phone is useful for photos and staying in touch.

Kayaks may be available to rent on the beach, but the rentals are not operated by the tour provider. Treat that as an option rather than a guaranteed part of your package. Also remember that the beach can be breezy early in the day, so bring a light layer even if you expect sunshine.

A short town break in La Paz

After Balandra, the tour gives you about an hour and a half in La Paz. You’ll have time for lunch and a walk around the area, including the boardwalk, shops and murals. It’s a welcome change of pace after hours at the beach, and a chance to see more of the region than a single shoreline.

Food and beverages are not included, so budget separately for lunch. The timing is useful but limited: you can get a meal and explore nearby streets, but you shouldn’t expect a long, open-ended visit. If you like to linger over lunch or shop at a slow pace, keep an eye on the clock and ask your guide how much time remains.

The boardwalk is a good place to stretch your legs and get a feel for the city. The murals add color and local character to the walk, while nearby shops give you a chance to browse. You’re not asked to follow a packed schedule of stops here, so use the free time for the things that interest you most.

Forty-five minutes in Todos Santos

The final town stop is Todos Santos, a small historic town with local shops and an arts-focused feel. You have about 45 minutes to explore, which is enough for a short walk and a look around, but not enough to see every corner at a leisurely pace.

The Hotel California is the headline stop. It is an iconic local sight and part of the town’s appeal, alongside its art and shops. The available details don’t promise a particular tour inside the hotel, so think of this as a visit to the landmark rather than a guided hotel experience.

This stop works best as a brief change of scene on the drive back. If browsing shops is important to you, keep the short time limit in mind. The value here is the contrast: Balandra’s protected coast, La Paz’s boardwalk and murals, then a smaller town with a distinct local identity.

Does the $354 private price add up?

The listed price is $354 for a private group of up to three. If you fill all three places, that comes to $118 per person before lunch, snacks, drinks or souvenirs. For two people, the per-person cost rises to $177; if you’re traveling solo, you pay the group price unless the booking terms offer another option.

The price includes hotel pickup and drop-off, air-conditioned sedan transport, entrance to Balandra, bottled water, a cooler with ice and a beach umbrella. It does not include food, beverages, souvenirs or photographs. For a day with several hours of driving, private transport and a guide, the group price can be good value when shared by three people.

The private format is most useful if you value keeping the outing to your own party and want a guide to handle the route. It does not shorten the distance or turn the day into a leisurely beach-only escape. If you’d rather spend the whole day at Balandra or move at your own pace in each town, compare this with a tour focused just on La Paz and the beach.

Who should book this day trip?

This works best for adults and families with children aged 11 and up who want to see several Baja California Sur highlights without renting a car. It suits people comfortable with an early start, a long drive and a full schedule, especially if Balandra is high on their list.

It is not suitable for wheelchair users, people over 220 pounds (100 kilograms), or anyone bringing a mobility scooter, stroller, pet or large bag. The minimum recommended age is 11. If someone in your group needs step-free access or more room to move, check carefully before booking rather than assuming the sedan and stops will meet those needs.

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the tour offers a reserve-now, pay-later option. For pickup, wait in your hotel lobby five minutes before the scheduled time; the driver will wait no more than five minutes after it. Confirm the exact pickup details for your lodging when you book.

Should you book the Cabo to Balandra tour?

Book it if you want Balandra, La Paz and Todos Santos in one trip, prefer private transport, and are willing to trade a very early start for a full day of sightseeing. The four hours at Balandra are the strongest reason to go, while David Lopez’s guidance and the included beach gear help make the long outing more manageable.

Skip it if you dislike long drives, want a slow day, or need more time in La Paz and Todos Santos. If you do book, arrive ready for the early pickup, bring water shoes and a warm layer, and pack your own beach snacks and drinks. That small bit of preparation makes a long day feel far more worthwhile.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The advertised duration is 13 hours. It is a full-day trip, with roughly two to three hours of driving to Balandra and a listed one to two hours for the return journey.

What time is pickup?

Pickup is scheduled for 4:40 a.m. at hotels or rentals in San José del Cabo and 5 a.m. in Cabo San Lucas. Wait in the hotel lobby five minutes before your scheduled pickup.

Is food included?

No. Food and beverages are not included. Balandra has no vendors or restaurants, so bring snacks and drinks for the beach; you’ll also need to pay separately for lunch in La Paz.

What is included in the price?

The tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off, an air-conditioned sedan, Balandra entrance, bottled water, a small cooler with ice and a beach umbrella.

Is the tour private?

Yes. It is a private group tour priced at $354 for up to three people.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.