Itinerary · 3–4 days

Baja California Sur Road Trip:
East Cape, Cabo Pulmo and Sierra de la Laguna

A route that starts along the East Cape coast, continues through the waters of Cabo Pulmo and ends among the canyons, pools and mountains of Sierra de la Laguna.

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Duration 3–4 days We recommend 4

Total distance 240–280 km approx.

Experience Beach · snorkeling/diving · hiking

Fuel San José del Cabo · La Ribera

Day-by-day itinerary

The route at a glance

Flexible route. We recommend doing it in 4 days. If you choose 3, the trip ends on day 3 and it's time to return the vehicle in Los Cabos.

Day 1 · KAVAN → East Cape → Los Frailes

Approx. 90 km · Night at Los Frailes

Day 2 · Los Frailes → Cabo Pulmo

Approx. 15 km · Night at The Last Place or Punta Arena

Day 3 · Cabo Pulmo → La Ribera → Sierra de la Laguna

Approx. 160 km · Night in the Sierra de la Laguna area

Day 4 · Sierra de la Laguna → San José del Cabo

Approx. 120 km · Final stop: San José del Cabo

Day 1

KAVAN → East Cape → Los Frailes

The adventure starts at KAVAN in San José del Cabo, then heads out to the East Cape. This first day combines coastal scenery, stops along the way and a first night by the sea.

First stop

La Fortuna

A great spot to enjoy the beach, surf if conditions allow and take a break before continuing the route.

End of the day

Los Frailes

Los Frailes is an excellent choice for the first night, with a quiet beach, camping right on the Sea of Cortez and a natural setting very different from San José del Cabo.

East Cape

Practical info for the day

Distance KAVAN → Los Frailes: approx. 90 km.

Road Highway + dirt road.

Supplies San José del Cabo · La Fortuna.

Night Los Frailes.

Day 2

Los Frailes → Cabo Pulmo

The main activity in Cabo Pulmo is discovering its marine life. You can take a snorkeling or diving tour.

If you want to add another stop during the day, visit Playa El Arbolito, where you can rent snorkel gear and walk to Bahía Chopitos.

Where to sleep

You have two good options:

The Last Place

A camping option near Cabo Pulmo.

Punta Arena (Cabo Pulmo)

If you'd rather spend a night wild camping on the Sea of Cortez, you can continue to Punta Arena. Keep in mind that getting there adds distance at the end of the day, so we recommend leaving Cabo Pulmo with enough time to drive the road in daylight.

Cabo Pulmo

Practical info for the day

Distance Los Frailes → Cabo Pulmo: approx. 15 km. If you continue to Punta Arena: +22 km.

Road Dirt road.

Fuel There is no gas station in Cabo Pulmo.

Night The Last Place · Punta Arena.

Day 3

Cabo Pulmo / Punta Arena → La Ribera → Sierra de la Laguna

After two days on the Sea of Cortez, today the landscape changes completely.

Leave early for La Ribera and continue to Sierra de la Laguna, where mountains, waterfalls and natural pools are waiting.

Key stop

La Ribera

Use this stop to refuel and buy water, ice or food before continuing to Santiago.

Cascada y poza de agua verde en el Cañón de la Zorra, Rancho Ecológico Sol de Mayo

Main activity

Cañón de la Zorra (Sol de Mayo)

From La Ribera, take the road to Rancho Ecológico Sol de Mayo, the access point to Cañón de la Zorra.

Here you can hike, swim and spend several hours in a landscape completely different from the East Cape.

There is an entrance fee, so we recommend checking the current rate before your visit.

Where to sleep

To do this route at a better pace, we recommend spending the third night in the Sierra de la Laguna area and returning to Los Cabos the next day.

If you decide to do the route in 3 days, this is where your trip ends and it's time to return the vehicle in Los Cabos.

If you'd like to stay at Rancho Ecológico Sol de Mayo, check the available options for your dates in advance.

Practical info for the day

Distance Approx. 160 km.

Road Highway + dirt road.

Supplies La Ribera.

Main activity Cañón de la Zorra.

Night Sierra de la Laguna area.

Day 4

Sierra de la Laguna → San José del Cabo

Enjoy the morning in the area before heading back.

This is an easier day that lets you return to Los Cabos at a comfortable pace, after exploring the coast, the sea and the mountains.

From Santiago, continue to San José del Cabo to finish the road trip.

If you want one last stop before the end of the route, walk around downtown San José del Cabo and discover its streets, restaurants and some of its most iconic spots before returning to KAVAN.

Practical info for the day

Distance Approx. 120 km.

Road Dirt road at first, then paved highway.

Fuel Santiago / San José del Cabo.

Final stop San José del Cabo.

Tip of the day. Leave with time to spare, enjoy the last views of the sierra and stop along the way for anything you missed before heading back.

Map

Full route map

Explore the whole route, with every stop, campsite and point of interest.

KAVAN · San José del Cabo

Start and end of the road trip

La Fortuna

Day 1 · First stop

Los Frailes

Day 1 · Night

Cabo Pulmo

Day 2

Punta Arena

Day 2 · Night (optional)

La Ribera

Day 3 · Fuel and supplies

Cañón de la Zorra

Day 3 · Sol de Mayo

Sierra de la Laguna

Day 3 · Night

Checklist

Before you go

Bring cash, water and enough supplies.

Download the route maps; some areas have limited signal.

Respect the wildlife, the vegetation and all signs.

Check the weather and road conditions before you leave.

Keep the vehicle on permitted access points and roads only.

Take all your trash with you.

Ready to drive this route?

Rent your vehicle with KAVAN and explore Baja your way.

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