Todos Santos Mexico Vacation and Surf Planning Tips

To plan a perfect trip to Todos Santos, focus on visiting between November and April for prime surf conditions and whale watching while ensuring you have a reliable data plan to navigate the dirt roads of Baja Sur. Using a local eSIM allows you to stay connected on Mexico’s top networks like Telcel and AT&T without the high daily roaming fees charged by Canadian carriers. By keeping your Canadian SIM active for 2FA alerts and using an eSIM for data, you get the best of both worlds: connectivity and security.

Why Todos Santos is the Ultimate Baja Escape

Located about an hour north of Cabo San Lucas, Todos Santos is a "Pueblo Mágico" (Magic Town) that feels worlds away from the high-rise resorts and neon lights of the southern tip. For Canadian travellers, it offers a blend of desert landscapes, rugged Pacific coastline, and a sophisticated arts scene. It is the kind of place where you can spend the morning catching waves at Cerritos and the afternoon browsing art galleries in renovated brick buildings from the town's sugar-milling heyday.

Unlike the commercialized corridors of the Mayan Riviera, Todos Santos retains an authentic, laid-back atmosphere. It is particularly popular with snowbirds who want to escape the Canadian winter without the chaos of a cruise ship port. However, because it is more remote, planning your logistics—especially your connectivity—is crucial. The town is spread out, and many of the best beaches and restaurants are down winding dirt roads where GPS is non-negotiable.

Getting There and Getting Around

Most Canadians will fly into San José del Cabo (SJD). From there, you have a choice: take the toll road (Hwy 19) or the old coastal route. We highly recommend renting a car with high clearance. While the main roads are paved, reaching the best surf breaks or hidden farm-to-table restaurants like Hierbabuena requires driving on sandy, unpaved tracks.

Before you leave the airport, ensure your data is sorted. Relying on airport Wi-Fi to find your rental car agency or load your maps is risky. If you see plans before you depart, you can activate your data the moment you touch down in Baja, allowing you to navigate the drive to Todos Santos with confidence.

The Surf Scene: Cerritos and Beyond

Todos Santos is legendary in the surfing world. The Pacific swells hit this coast with full force, offering something for everyone from total beginners to seasoned pros.

Playa Los Cerritos

This is the most popular beach for a reason. It is one of the few safe swimming beaches in the area and offers a consistent break that is perfect for longboarding. There are several surf schools right on the sand where you can rent a board or take a lesson. For Canadian families, this is the go-to spot for a beach day.

Playa San Pedrito

Located in the small community of El Pescadero, just south of Todos Santos, San Pedrito is a faster, more challenging break. It is rocky and best suited for intermediate to advanced surfers. The vibe here is much quieter than Cerritos, but the currents are strong, so be careful.

La Pastora

North of town, La Pastora offers big winter swells. It is a point break that can get quite large, attracting those looking for a thrill. There are no facilities here, so you need to bring your own water, snacks, and a reliable way to call for help if needed. Since this area is more remote, having an eSIM that connects to Telcel—the carrier with the best rural coverage in Mexico—is a safety essential.

Staying Connected: Avoiding the $15-per-day Trap

Most Canadian travellers are familiar with the "Roam Like Home" or "Roam Better" plans from Rogers, Bell, and Telus. While convenient, they now cost roughly $15 per day. For a two-week surf trip, that is over $200 just to use the data you already pay for at home. Furthermore, these plans often have hidden limitations. If you are curious about how these caps work, you might want to read about the Bell Roam Better cap to see why it might not be the best fit for heavy data users.

MapleSim offers a much more affordable alternative. Instead of paying a flat daily fee, you can buy a local data-only eSIM. This allows you to access 5G networks like Telcel and AT&T for a fraction of the cost. Because our plans are data-only, they do not come with a local phone number, but you can still use WhatsApp, FaceTime, and Messenger to stay in touch with family or call local businesses.

Why Dual SIM is a Game Changer for Canadians

One of the biggest concerns for Canadians travelling abroad is missing important bank alerts or two-factor authentication (2FA) codes. If you swap out your physical SIM card for a local Mexican one, you lose access to your Canadian number.

With an eSIM from MapleSim, you keep your Canadian SIM in your phone but turn off "Data Roaming" for that line. You then set your MapleSim eSIM as the primary data source. This way, your phone stays connected to the local towers for cheap data, but your Canadian line remains active to receive those crucial SMS texts from your bank or work. Before you buy, make sure to check if your device is ready for eSIM technology.

Connectivity Comparison: Home Roaming vs. MapleSim

Feature	Canadian Carrier Roaming	MapleSim eSIM
Daily Cost	~$15 CAD	Fraction of the cost
Network	Varies (often throttled)	Telcel / AT&T (5G)
Setup	Automatic (expensive)	Easy digital install
2FA Access	Yes	Yes (Keep home SIM active)
Data Limits	Shares home bucket	Dedicated local bucket

Choosing the Right Data Plan for Baja

Your data needs in Todos Santos will depend on your lifestyle. If you are a digital nomad working from a coffee shop in town, you might need a larger bucket. If you are just using it for GPS and the occasional Instagram post from the beach, a smaller plan will suffice.

• The Casual Tourist (1GB - 3GB): Perfect for a week of Google Maps, checking emails, and occasional social media use.
• The Power User (5GB - 10GB): Ideal for those staying two weeks or more, or for families sharing a hotspot.
• The Long-Term Snowbird (20GB - 50GB): If you are spending the winter in Baja, these larger plans provide peace of mind. For those planning an extended stay, our Mexico residency guide offers more tips on staying connected for months at a time.

MapleSim provides a variety of fixed plans ranging from 100MB for a quick trip up to 50GB for heavy users. We also offer daily passes (1GB, 2GB, or 3GB per day options) for those who want unlimited-style access without worrying about a total cap. If you run out, top-ups are available instantly through our store.

Step-by-Step: Setting Up Your Mexico eSIM

1. Purchase: Select your Mexico plan and see plans that fit your trip length.
2. Scan: You will receive a QR code via email. Scan it using your phone's camera or enter the details manually in your cellular settings.
3. Label: Name the new plan "Mexico Data" to keep it organized.
4. Configure: Set the Mexico eSIM for "Cellular Data" and keep your Canadian SIM for "Default Voice Line."
5. Data Roaming: Ensure Data Roaming is ON for the MapleSim eSIM and OFF for your Rogers/Bell/Telus SIM.

Travel Tips for Todos Santos

• Cash is King: While many upscale restaurants take cards, the smaller taco stands and surf shops are cash-only (Pesos). There are ATMs in town, but they often run out of cash on weekends.
• Sun Protection: The Baja sun is intense. Use reef-safe sunscreen to protect the local marine life.
• Water Safety: Most beaches in Todos Santos have a dangerous shorebreak and strong undertow. Stick to Cerritos for swimming.
• Drinking Water: Do not drink the tap water. Most rentals provide large "garrafones" (water jugs).

The bottom line

Todos Santos offers a unique, rugged beauty that requires a bit of preparation to fully enjoy. By skipping the expensive $15-per-day roaming fees from Canadian carriers and using a MapleSim eSIM, you can save your money for more fish tacos and surf lessons. Stay connected on Mexico’s best 5G networks, keep your Canadian number active for security, and enjoy the magic of Baja without the bill shock.