Private Tour to Playa Balandra, La Paz and Todos Santos

Playa Balandra’s clear water is the star of this long day out of Cabo, but the trip is more than a beach transfer: you also get a waterfront pause in La Paz and time to browse Todos Santos. With a private vehicle, you can adjust the pace and spend longer where you most want to be.

I like two things in particular: the flexibility of a private ride, and the chance to see three very different places in one day. The included water and alcoholic drinks are a useful extra on the road and at the beach. The main drawback is the distance: expect a very early start and a full day in the vehicle, with possible waiting time to enter Balandra.

At a glance

• Balandra takes patience: Entry can involve a line. One reported wait was just over an hour, so beach time may not begin exactly on schedule.
• You have a choice of pickup times: The stated options are 4:30 am or 7 am. Confirm which one applies to your day, since the timing affects the whole route.
• The tour is private for up to four: You share the vehicle only with your own group, and can coordinate how long to spend at each stop.
• Budget for a separate transport charge: The advertised group price is $626.91, and private transportation is listed separately at $290, with the driver’s tip included.
• Drinks are provided: Bottled water and alcoholic beverages are included. The amount and type may vary; one guest was told to expect two beers per person.
• Allow more than 11 hours: The tour is described as about 11 hours, but a 12-hour day is possible once the drive, beach entry line, and stops are factored in.

A private road trip, not a guided history tour

This is best understood as a private day trip with a driver, not a structured sightseeing tour with a guaranteed running commentary. The drive links Cabo San Lucas with La Paz, Balandra, and Todos Santos, and the private setup gives you a say in how the day unfolds.

Drivers named by past participants include Ricardo, Saul, Marco, and Hector. Some have shared local history and helped with practical details, while one guest was told in advance that their driver did not speak English. English is listed as an offered language, but if conversation with your driver matters, confirm that point before booking.

The main reward is variety. La Paz gives you a chance to stretch your legs by the waterfront, Balandra offers a long beach stop, and Todos Santos adds a small-town stroll and shopping. You are not expected to see each place in depth. You are fitting three stops into one day, with much of it spent getting between them.

Leaving Cabo early for La Paz

The first leg to La Paz takes about two hours. The pickup information gives two possible starts, 4:30 am or 7 am, and says the time can be changed. Since another part of the schedule mentions a 6 am pickup, make sure you and the operator have the same confirmed time in writing. A mix-up here can affect breakfast, the Balandra queue, and how long you have in Todos Santos.

In La Paz, the plan is breakfast and free time along the Malecón, the waterfront promenade. The schedule places this stop roughly between 8 and 10:30 am, though it also assigns four hours to the stop, so the timing is not fully clear. Ask how much time you should actually expect there.

This is a good place to take a slower start after the drive. You can eat, walk beside the water, and browse at your own pace rather than stepping straight from the vehicle onto the beach. One family described having breakfast on the waterfront and doing some shopping before moving on.

Keep expectations practical. The tour does not promise a guided historical walk or an in-depth look at La Paz. If that is important to you, ask what your driver can offer; the point of the stop is free time, not a formal city tour.

Reaching Balandra, line and all

Balandra is the day’s main event, and the schedule allows about three hours there, from roughly noon to 3 pm. The drive from La Paz is followed by a queue to get in. One group waited just over an hour, so the actual time on the sand can be shorter than the listed beach window. Build that possibility into your expectations, especially if you are counting on a long swim or a leisurely afternoon.

The beach is known for its strikingly clear, blue water. One family described it as a favorite stop of their Cabo vacation, and another found the long drive worthwhile for the beach alone. That says a lot about the trade-off: Balandra can be a memorable place to spend time, but getting there from Cabo takes effort.

The tour includes bottled water and alcoholic beverages, carried in a cooler according to several accounts. The supplied details list a bottle of white wine or beers, while one guest was told the beer allowance was two per person. Confirm the drink quantity and type when you book rather than assuming the cooler is unlimited. Some guests added drinks bought in La Paz.

You may also want shade and a place to sit. One group rented two beach chairs and an umbrella for 400 pesos while waiting to enter. Another driver helped with an umbrella, but that does not establish that beach furniture or shade equipment is included for every booking. Ask what your driver can provide, and bring enough cash if you expect to rent chairs.

If you have time and the conditions allow, consider walking toward the second beach and the mushroom-shaped rock. One group found the area beyond the first beach quieter, although the rock itself drew a crowd waiting for photos. The tide was high during their visit, so getting between the beaches was not an option at first. Conditions and the available time can change the experience, so treat this as a possibility, not a guaranteed part of the stop.

A short wander through Todos Santos

After Balandra, the drive to Todos Santos takes about an hour. The plan gives you around two hours to walk and shop, followed by a roughly 90-minute ride back to your hotel. In practice, the time in town may shrink if you stay longer at the beach or lose time to the entry queue.

Todos Santos is a pleasant change of pace after the sand and water. The time is suited to browsing shops, picking up a snack or ice cream, and walking around at your own speed. One family stopped for tacos and shopping; another group chose to spend more time at Balandra and only had about 45 minutes in town.

That flexibility is a real advantage of the private format, but it comes with a choice. If you want a full afternoon in Todos Santos, you may need to leave Balandra earlier. If the beach is your priority, you can accept a briefer town visit. Talk through your preference with the driver early in the day, rather than waiting until you are already behind schedule.

The vehicle, group size, and day’s pace

The tour is private, with no other groups joining you, and is priced for up to four people. That makes it a sensible option for a family or a small group that values control over stops and pace. For one or two people, the cost may feel steep unless the privacy and direct transport are worth more to you than joining a shared excursion.

Air conditioning matters on a long drive, and it is included. The route involves several hours in the vehicle, with about two hours to La Paz and around 90 minutes back from Todos Santos, plus the connections between stops. One older couple found the day long enough to skip Todos Santos. If long periods of sitting are hard for you, take that seriously.

The stated duration is approximately 11 hours, but a full 12-hour day has occurred. The itinerary’s stop durations and pickup details do not line up perfectly, and the beach queue can add time. Plan for a long outing, not a neatly timed 11-hour block.

What the price covers, and what it does not

The listed price is $626.91 per group of up to four, but that is not the only cost to clarify. Private transportation is marked as not included, with a separate $290 payment to the driver and the tip included. If both charges apply to your booking, the combined amount is $916.91 for the group before any personal purchases or beach rentals. Confirm the final total, payment method, and whether the transport charge is per group before you commit.

For four people, that combined price works out to about $229 per person, before extras. You are paying for a private vehicle, a long-distance route, flexibility, and included drinks, rather than a ticket to a single attraction. That can be good value for a group that wants all three stops and would otherwise arrange transport separately. For a smaller group, compare the total against other transport options and decide how much the private schedule matters.

The most important value is control over your day. You can decide whether Balandra or Todos Santos deserves more time, and you do not need to coordinate with strangers. But the tour does not promise an extensive guided explanation of local culture or history. Book it for the places and the private ride, not for a full interpretive tour.

Who will get the most from this trip

I would consider this tour if you are staying in Cabo and want to see beyond the resort area in one concentrated day. It suits families and friends who can share the cost, enjoy a long outing, and are happy with a mix of driving, beach time, and casual town wandering. The beach is the clearest reason to make the trip.

It is less suited to anyone who wants a relaxed pace, a short excursion, or a deep historical tour. It may also be a poor fit if you do not tolerate sitting for more than two hours at a time. The provider specifically advises against the tour for people recovering from neck, back, or hip surgery, or those who cannot manage extended sitting.

A few practical checks can prevent a frustrating start. Confirm the pickup time, exact pickup location, English support, transport fee, and expected drink allowance before departure. The pickup notes also warn that no-shows are nonrefundable, so do not assume the start time is flexible on the morning itself.

The stated cancellation terms allow a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes made less than 24 hours before are not accepted, and poor weather may lead to a new date or a full refund.

Should you book it?

Book this if Balandra is high on your list and you want to pair it with La Paz and Todos Santos without arranging several rides yourself. The private vehicle, included drinks, and freedom to adjust the stops are meaningful benefits, especially for a group of four.

Think twice if the extra $290 transport charge changes the value for you, if a 12-hour day sounds draining, or if you want a guide who can guarantee detailed English commentary. Get the final cost and pickup plan confirmed first. If those details work, this is a practical way to turn one day in Cabo into a beach-focused road trip.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

It is listed as approximately 11 hours. A 12-hour day is possible, depending on timing and the wait to enter Balandra.

What are the pickup times?

The pickup details give 4:30 am or 7 am and say the time can be changed. Another part of the schedule mentions 6 am, so confirm your exact pickup time with the provider.

Is the tour private?

Yes. It is a private activity for your group, with a maximum of four people at the stated group price.

Is private transportation included in the $626.91 price?

Private transportation is listed as not included. The details specify a $290 payment to the driver, with the tip included. Confirm the total cost and payment details before booking.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Bottled water and alcoholic beverages are included. The listed options are a bottle of white wine or beers, but confirm the quantity and selection.

Is admission to the stops included?

The listed admission tickets for La Paz, Balandra Beach, and Todos Santos are free.

Is the tour offered in English?

English is listed as an offered language. Since a driver on one trip did not speak English, confirm that your assigned driver can communicate in English if that matters to you.

Is the tour suitable after neck, back, or hip surgery?

The provider says the tour is not recommended for people who have had neck, back, or hip surgery, or who cannot tolerate sitting for more than two hours.