Todos Santos, Baja California Sur
From Costa Rica to Mexico, a Latin American Adventure.
Nestled on a serene coastline north of the (CUN) airport, within driving distance of surf breaks, mountain hikes, hot springs, kite surfing, and whale shark tours — is Todos, Santos.
Truth be told, “Central America” is an overstatement. Todos Santos feels a lot like California only further south with a Mexican flair. It is 100% on the hot list aka a must see because as they say, “It’s the next Tulum.” If you are anything like me, this is a horrific statement so it’s best to visit before the kaftan cult of skinny white wellness women and their burner boyfriends arrive or even worse, the vacationers that reside an hour south in Cancun.
If I had to use one word to describe it, I’d say colorful. And that’s not just because it’s Mexico, or maybe it is. We’re talking surfing, untouched nature with wild agave and cacti growing everywhere, bright sunshine and no humidity, flavorful food, hand-woven textiles, quiet beaches, luxury hotels, sensible design, fish tacos, mezcal margs, and vibrant humans.
Go because you can design your own adventure, shop for local artisan goods (with some research as most are imported from the Mexican Mainland), relax on undeveloped beaches, feast on exceptional organic meals and freshly caught fish (this is a thriving fishing community), and even hike surf, and swim with whale sharks, all within an hour drive.
I ended up here to shoot images of my spirit twin Anna Shimonis for our activewear obsession, Live the Process and meet with Breanne Kiefner, the founder of Root Adventures to discuss photography for upcoming retreats.
Truth be told, I needed a break from my first solid ‘high season’ working full-time as a Photographer in Nosara, Costa Rica. Leading up to this trip, I spent eight weeks in a repetitive routine of shooting yoga asanas and wellness personalities at sunrise and sunset, Tuesday market and swim lessons, Pilates M-F, and avoiding my ex like the plague in a town approximately 6 km in size. I officially learned the true meaning of why locals call life there, “GROUNDHOG DAY.” I craved diversity, a different ocean backdrop, any sort of flavor on my palate not raw and vegan, the pleasure of driving on pavement, anonymous adventure, and being somewhere with no agenda. Todos was the perfect place to change it up.
Changing it up seems to be the theme of my life right now. Quick background, I hit the road in 2018 after working 24/7 for twelve solid years in New York to restore and revamp my entire being, to build the life of my dreams. A certain political scenario helped ignite my life evacuation, forced me to re-evaluate what truly matters and answer the call in my gut saying JUST GO, IT IS TIME. Well, it is time, just go to Mexico and see beyond the wall.
6 days, 5 hotels, 3 cities, 2 new friends, 1 camera
Itinerary: Day 1: El Pueblo & Shopping, Day 2: Exploring La Playa, Day 3: Baja Adventure with Whale Sharks, Day 4: Hot Springs Hike, Day 5: RnR #RobeLife, Day 6: Yoga & Pre-Travel Reset
Stay: La Bohemia, Hotel San Cristobal, Pachamama Mexico
Shop: Mixtica, Justina’s Blanket Factory, La Tiendita Pachamama, LoveLeigh, Taller 13, La Bohemia Hotel Boutique
Eat & Drink : Hierbbabuena, Pacifica Fish Market, Benno at the Cristobal, Jazamango, El Refugio
Caffeinate: Baja Beans, Taller 13
Surf & Sunset: Cerritos (all levels) San Pedrito (not for beginngers)
Adventure: Baja Adventure Co, Isla Espiritu Santo, Balandra Beach
Restore: Cuatro Vientos Yoga, Control Pilates, White Sands Massage, Lucky Nails
A major highlight of my trip was meeting Euva the owner and designer of MixTica upon recommendation from a travel goddess and writer, Julia Chaplin of Gypset. You must visit this shop, Euva is divine, you can thrift or buy her unique designs. If you are lucky, you will score a hand dyed throw made from delicious Oaxacan fabric around $75/$95 USD (on the low end for the store) embroidered with “La Vida es Bellisima” - it’s everything. When I asked her the secret to the life she said, “Get younger every year and never stop dancing.”
Another perk was crossing paths with fellow solo traveler Zach Bell and deciding to adventure together. For the next three days, we discussed the existence of God, conscious community, and the laws of the universe all while driving through Baja, swimming with whale sharks, hiking the hot springs and shooting a piece for my Rewilding series. Zach was nose deep in his studies of “A Course in Miracles” visit his IG for more on that, spirituality and humankind and then reach out for brainstorming how to build a better world.
The icing on the cake? Two words: Whale Sharks. Have I ever snorkeled? No. Spent one minute underwater in an open ocean aside from surfing? No. I did not question my sanity, suited up, grabbed my underwater camera housing, jumped out of a boat, and next thing you know this gentle giant is staring me in the face. Baja Adventure Tours is the best way to experience the beauty firsthand. You’ll even get to swim with sea lions and dock on a private island for lunch before heading onto your next adventure.
Create art that gives back. As an advocate for living a sustainable and mindful life, I’m roaming the planet to create a fine art series with the intention of creating an environmental feedback loop. Our planet needs our help, and my passion as an artist is to create a platform to do that. While we can’t always leave no trace in the communities we travel to, we can do our part to support their local initiatives and donate to the places that bring us so much joy and inspiration.
Purchase a limited edition print from the trip to support the conservation and scientific research of whale sharks. 50% of the proceeds go to the Whale Shark Research Project and learn more about environmental sustainability initiatives in the Sea of Cortez at Lonely Planet.
To see the hot springs, more photography from this and other worldwide adventures visit my website www.jennaduffy.com
