What To Do

  • Tres Palapas Pickleball Resort

    Why We Love: This is our go-    to to get our pickleball fix. with 10 fully lit courts, daily open play, clinics, and a gym. The vibe is friendly, and there's never a shortage of people to play with. Best of all? A killer happy hour with 2 for 1 bevies and Friday night dinners with live music. Come for the pickleball, stay for the marg.

    Palmas Pickleball Resort

    Why We Love: A sol    id alternative right in town, and closer than Tres Palapas if you're staying central. Palmas has a huge setup with courts on the Hotel Palmas de Cortez grounds, plus a gym, full bar, pro shop, and a café with great food. Bonus - it’s steps away from one of our recs for food!

  • Los Barriles is known for it’s reliable “El Norte” winds…might as well take advantage and frolick around in gusts!

    Wahoo Wind Co.

    Why We Love: Patrick has 35-plus years of windsurfing experience and over a decade of teaching kitesurfing and winging across Greece and Baja, and it shows. He's a clear communicator with a patient, safety-first style and a genuine love for the sport. Beginners feel secure but still get to learn on their own. We met him on the beach while we were sipping a beer and he was chasing a newbie down the sandbar.

    Buena Vista Kiteboarding

    Why We Love: No hype, just expert teaching and a chill atmosphere. They handle kite and wing lessons plus gear rentals. Dodo's is right there for a margarita and a sandwich before or after. (More on Dodo's in the “where to eat” section.)

    Also Worth Knowing but Not Personally Tried or Tested:

    ExotiKite is the original Los Barriles school, founded back in 1998, and the most established name on the beach. Radio helmets so your instructor can coach you the whole time, plus beach vehicles to run you upwind.

    Kiteboarding Baja School (Dante's spot) has the most reviews in town and top-brand gear for rentals.

  • The East Cape is legendary sportfishing water. Marlin, dorado, tuna, roosterfish, and more, and you can launch straight off the beach in Los Barriles, with several captains doing beachfront pickups.

    Valentina Sportfishing
    Loyal Repeat Customers for a Reason

    Why We Love: Folks come back to fish year after year, some for nearly a decade. Expect big dorado, hard-running marlin, and a great time on the boat. All gear provided, operating out of the Buena Vista resort.

    Baja's Awesome Sport Fishing
    Lives Up to the Name

    Why We Love: The crew aboard the "Too Awesome" are fantastic at finding the fish, and even better with kids and multi-generational groups. They'll stop for dolphins, mantas, and a snorkel too, so it's a full day on the water for everyone who wants to participate.

    Los Barriles Sportfishing
    Beachfront Pickup, Real Fish Hunters

    Why We Love: Standout captains, pickup and drop-off right on the beach, honest advice about when not to go out, and a real knack for putting you on fish. Tuna, marlin, dorado, pargo, pompano, and roosterfish all in play.

  • La Paz
    About 2 Hours North

    Why We Love: The most rewarding day trip for marine life, plus a beautiful malecón for strolling, eating, and people watching. Three things to build your day around:

    • Swim with Whale Sharks. The headline experience. Gentle giants, completely harmless, totally unforgettable. Peak season is December through February. Great operators include Tuna Tuna Tours, Punta Baja Tours, and Explora Baja. Book ahead in the busy months.

    • Isla Espíritu Santo. A stunning UNESCO island with turquoise water, white sand, and a sea lion colony where you can snorkel with playful pups. Many tours pair this with whale sharks in one day.

    • Playa Balandra. Often called the most beautiful beach in Mexico, it is backed up by the shallow, calm, impossibly turquoise water. Access is limited to two time slots / rent a kayak or paddleboard.

    Todos Santos
    About 2.5 Hours, Pacific Side

    Why We Love: A designated Pueblo Mágico and a total change of pace from the Sea of Cortez. Artsy, colonial, and laid back.

    • Gallery Hop. Stroll Calle Benito Juárez and pop into the Galería de Todos Santos and the Centro Cultural. The art scene here is the real deal.

    • Hotel California. Right next to the church in the middle of town. No, not the one from the Eagles song, but the restaurant and bar are a fun stop anyway.

    • Cerritos Beach. A few miles south in El Pescadero, this is the safest swimming and best beginner surf around. The beaches right in town have a gnarly shore break, so save the water time for Cerritos or Pescadero. Boards and lessons are easy to grab on the beach.

    • Sunset. Punta Lobos and the bluffs near Hotel San Cristóbal are spectacular. El Faro Beach Club does day passes if you'd like your margaritas delivered.

    Cabo

    About 1 hour south. Go for “touristy Mexico” vibes or a solid “club” night.

    Why We Love: The big, lively, resort-town option. Perfect for a night out, a fancy dinner, or the iconic scenery.

    • El Arco. The famous rock arch at Land's End where the Sea of Cortez meets the Pacific. Grab a water taxi from the marina to see it up close, along with Lover's Beach.

    • The Marina & Downtown. Restaurants, bars, shopping, and the nightlife Cabo is known for. Your spot if you want energy and a scene.

    • San José del Cabo. The quieter, more charming sister town to the east, with a lovely historic center and a weekly Art Walk in season.

  • Head towards Santiago, a town about 30 minutes south of Los Barriles, where you will find a green valley tucked into the foothills of the Sierra de la Laguna…

    Cascada Sol de Mayo & Cañón de la Zorra
    The Waterfall Oasis
    Why We Love: This is the big one. The falls sit inside Rancho Ecológico Sol de Mayo, about 20 to 30 minutes from Santiago. Pay a small entrance fee at the ranch (cash, around 250 pesos), then it's a short but steep walk down to the pools, with ropes and railings to help you. Swim beneath the 40-foot falls, sunbathe on the granite stones, jump from the top if you're feeling brave, or hike upstream to find quieter pools. Bring a picnic and make a day of it…!

    Santa Rita Hot Springs
    The After-Hike Soak

    Why We Love: Free natural hot springs just a few minutes up the road from Sol de Mayo. The perfect way to cap off a waterfall day. Easy to do both in one outing.

    Cerro Los Barriles (The Cross Hike)
    Easy Morning Views

    Why We Love: Close to home and great before the wind picks up. An easy, well-marked desert trail (about 3.2 miles round trip) up to a cross at the summit with sweeping views over the Sea of Cortez.

    The Arroyo Waterfall
    Right Outside Town

    Why We Love: Hop on a side-by-side and head up the dry riverbed on the edge of town, about 20 minutes to a closer waterfall and swimming hole. Cliff jumping, swimming, and often nobody else around. Runs seasonally, so it's best after the rains.

    Cabo Pulmo Trails
    Hike Plus Snorkel

    Why We Love: About an hour south and worth it for the snorkeling alone. Easy trails wind around the national park hills with sandy beach and sea views. The reef here is one of the oldest and healthiest in the Sea of Cortez, so pack your snorkel and make a day of it.

    For the Ambitious: The Sierra de la Laguna range behind Santiago is a UNESCO-protected biosphere with pine and oak forest, springs, and summit views of both the Sea of Cortez and the Pacific from around 7,000 feet. These are long, multi-hour to overnight efforts, best done with a local guide.

  • The best way to explore the arroyos, beaches, waterfalls, and backroads around Los Barriles is on an ATV or side-by-side. The whole area is laced with dirt roads and hidden swimming holes you simply can't reach by car.

    QuadGirl ATV/UTV Rentals
    Family Friendly with Great Guides

    Why We Love: Responsive, thoughtful, and easy to work with. They'll set you up with a map and a route if you want to DIY, or run a guided tour to the Santiago waterfall, Cabo Pulmo, or Cañón de la Zorra.

    Sergio's ATV
    Easy, Affordable, No Surprises

    Why We Love: A local favorite for value. Machines that look brand new, no deposits or hidden charges, and fast turnaround. They'll point you to the easy DIY routes or run a guided waterfall-and-beach tour with lunch.

    Quadman ATV Rentals
    The Most Established Shop in Town

    Why We Love: Solid, well-maintained, and dialed in. Honda Talons and side-by-sides, knowledgeable staff, and a reputation for going above and beyond. Bring your own goggles and a face mask, because the sand and dust are real out there.