Private Tour to Balandra, La Paz and Todo Santos

Balandra’s shallow, clear bay is the star of this long day from Cabo San Lucas. This private tour pairs time at the beach with a walk around La Paz and a stop in Todos Santos, giving you a much broader taste of Baja California Sur than a resort day can.

I like that you can travel with only your own group, and that guides such as David López bring local history and flexibility to the drive. I also like the chance to set your own pace during free time in La Paz. The main caveat: Balandra has a visitor limit, so even an early departure cannot guarantee you will get onto the beach.

At a glance

• Private ride for up to three: The $362.45 group price covers a sedan-style vehicle for your party, not a shared bus.
• A very early start: Pickup is scheduled for 5:00 am, with a two-to-three-hour drive to Balandra.
• Three very different stops: Spend time at Balandra, explore La Paz, then browse the shops in Todos Santos.
• Beach basics provided: An umbrella and small cooler are included, but you should bring your own towel and food.
• Balandra access is limited: The protected beach can reach capacity, so entry is not certain.
• Plan for a full day: The tour is listed at nine to ten hours, though the road time and stops can make the day longer.

Cabo to Balandra: a big day on the road

This is an ambitious outing. You leave your accommodation in Cabo San Lucas at 5:00 am, drive north for roughly two to three hours, then visit Balandra, La Paz and Todos Santos before heading back. The listed tour length is about nine to ten hours, but one outing ran for more than 12 hours. Plan your day with room to spare.

The appeal is variety. You get beach time, a chance to see La Paz on foot, and a short visit to Todos Santos, rather than spending the day in one place. A private vehicle also gives your group a quieter, more flexible ride than a large coach. With a maximum of three people, you can ask questions and discuss how to use your free time without needing to accommodate a crowd.

At $362.45 per group, the price works out to about $121 per person if three people share the cost. For a couple, it is a pricier day out, but the fee includes a guide, air-conditioned transport, an umbrella and a cooler. It may be a fair trade if comfort, a private guide and a full itinerary matter more to you than keeping transport costs low.

Balandra’s shallow bay, with one important caveat

Balandra is the central reason to book this trip. You have about three hours there, with the option to head to a viewpoint for a broad view of the bay or spend time down by the water. Its shallow depth and striking color are the main draw. If you want to see the beach at its best, make sure you are comfortable with the early start and the long drive.

There is a practical limit to keep in mind: Balandra is a protected natural area, and entry can close once the daily capacity is reached. One group arrived a little after 8:00 am and could not get in. The guide had left Cabo at the scheduled 5:00 am departure, but the beach was already full by the time they reached it. That means an early start helps you get there sooner, but it cannot promise access.

If you do get in, expect a beach stop with no restaurants or vendors. The tour makes a stop before arrival so you can buy snacks and drinks, and provides a small cooler and beach umbrella. The umbrella may be withheld on windy days for safety. Bring your own towel, since towels are not included, and buy whatever food or drinks you want before reaching the protected area.

The three-hour allocation gives you time to enjoy the bay without rushing straight back to the car. You might choose the viewpoint, the water, or a mix of both, depending on conditions and your interests. But don’t assume that the beach portion can be replaced by another stop if capacity is reached. The tour’s appeal depends heavily on Balandra, so the entry risk is worth weighing before you book.

La Paz: murals, lunch and time to wander

After Balandra, the tour allows about two hours in La Paz. That is enough for lunch and a walk through part of the city, including its streets and murals. The free time is a useful contrast to the beach: you can stretch your legs, find a meal and get a small feel for an actual city rather than moving from one scenic stop to another.

La Paz is described as walkable, which makes the time here easier to use without needing a complicated plan. You will need to choose what matters most, though. Two hours can pass quickly once you sit down to eat, so if you want to see more than the central streets, be ready to keep lunch simple and head out on foot.

The guide can add context that turns a short stop into more than a meal break. David López is praised for explaining Baja’s history, culture and people, and for tailoring the day to his group. One outing included a museum visit in La Paz, which was a highlight for that group. A museum stop is not listed as a standard feature, so ask your guide whether it can fit your schedule rather than counting on it.

This is also where the private format can pay off. You can tell your guide whether you would rather linger over lunch, see murals, or use the time for a museum if one is available. The schedule still has to leave room for Todos Santos and the return drive, so flexibility has limits, but it is more personal than a fixed group tour.

Todos Santos: a short stop for shops and local character

The last scheduled stop is Todos Santos, with about an hour to explore. It is a charming town with a history and culture of its own, and the plan is to walk around and visit local shops. After the beach and city stop, this gives the day a different finish: a little time among streets and storefronts before the ride back to Cabo.

An hour is enough for a look around, but not for a leisurely visit to every shop or a long meal. Treat it as a short wander, not a full afternoon. If you enjoy browsing local shops, this stop adds a pleasant change of pace. If shopping is not your priority, the limited time may feel like a quick sampler.

The tour’s value here comes partly from linking places that are usually separate day trips. You see Balandra and La Paz, then get a brief look at Todos Santos on the return route. The trade-off is that each place gets a set amount of time. This is a day for seeing several places, not for settling into one of them.

A guide who shapes the day

The guide is a major part of this trip. David López is singled out for clear communication, warmth, knowledge of Baja and a genuine interest in sharing local culture and history. Groups also value his flexibility and willingness to adjust the day to their needs. That personal touch matters on a long drive, when a good guide can make the hours between stops feel like part of the outing rather than dead time.

The private setup makes questions and changes easier. You are not sharing the vehicle with other groups, and the tour is designed around your party. Still, flexibility does not erase the practical limits: Balandra has capacity controls, the day has a long route, and the planned stops need to fit before the return journey.

The experience has a strong overall rating of 4.9 from 42 ratings, with 98% recommending it. Those figures are encouraging, but they should not distract from the specific risk of missing Balandra. If the beach is your one must-see, think carefully about whether you would still value the day if you could not enter.

What the price includes, and what to bring

The $362.45 fee is for a group of up to three. It includes a guide, air-conditioned vehicle, beach umbrella and cooler. Food, snacks and towels are not included. Since there are no food vendors at Balandra, take the planned pre-beach stop seriously and buy what you will want there.

This is a land-based tour in a private sedan-style vehicle, not a boat trip. The long road stretches are part of the deal, so the air conditioning and private ride are practical comforts, especially when the day begins before sunrise and includes several hours in transit.

Bring a towel and any personal beach items you need. The umbrella is a helpful extra, but it may not be provided in high winds. The supplied information does not list chairs or drinks as included, so do not count on them. If you have a particular need for beach gear, confirm it with the operator rather than assuming it comes with the vehicle.

The tour starts at 5:00 am, and pickup is offered from your accommodation. Confirmation is received at booking, and most people can participate. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. If poor weather cancels the tour, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Is this private Baja day trip right for you?

I would consider this tour if you want to see several parts of Baja California Sur in one day and value a private guide more than a slow, unhurried schedule. It suits a group of up to three, people keen on Balandra, and anyone who enjoys hearing local context while moving between stops. David’s reported warmth and flexibility add real value to that kind of day.

I would hesitate if you have limited stamina for a long day, dislike early starts, or need guaranteed access to Balandra. The beach can fill up despite a 5:00 am departure, and the overall outing may run longer than the listed estimate. If you book, bring a towel, buy snacks and drinks before the beach, and keep your plans for the evening loose. You will get the most from the trip if you see it as a broad Baja sampler, not a guaranteed three-hour beach visit.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

The scheduled start time is 5:00 am. Pickup is offered at your accommodation.

How long does the tour take?

The listed duration is approximately nine to ten hours. The actual day can run longer, with one outing lasting more than 12 hours.

How many people can join the private tour?

The price covers a private group of up to three people. Only your group participates.

Is entry to Balandra Beach guaranteed?

No. Balandra is a protected area with a visitor capacity limit. The beach may be full when you arrive, even after the tour leaves at 5:00 am.

Are food and towels included?

No. Food, snacks and towels are not included. The tour makes a stop before Balandra so you can buy snacks and drinks.

What beach equipment is provided?

A beach umbrella and small cooler are included. The umbrella may not be provided on days with high winds. Towels are not included.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. If poor weather cancels the tour, you will be offered another date or a full refund.