Essentials
- Population
- Approximately 7,000
- City
- Todos Santos, Baja California Sur, Mexico
- Internet Speed
- Starlink is the standard (50-150 Mbps); local fiber (Telmex) is expanding (30-100 Mbps)
- Currency & Banking
- 1 USD ≈ 17.50 MXN. ATMs available at BBVA and Banorte on Calle Benito Juárez
- Tap Water
- Not drinkable; use 20L 'garrafones' (approx. 45 MXN)
- Power
- 127V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B (Same as USA/Canada)
- SIM Card
- Telcel (best coverage) or AT&T. Available at OXXO on Militar for 200 MXN
- Banking for Expats
- Intercam (known for expat-friendly service), Wise, or Revolut for low-fee withdrawals
- Accommodation
- Boutique hotels, luxury villas, and local casitas via Airbnb or Facebook Groups
- Cashless Friendly
- Partially. High-end restaurants take cards; markets and street food are cash only
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, VRBO, or Todos Santos Real Estate for monthly leases ($1,200 - $3,500 USD)
- Budget Accommodation
- The Todos Santos Hostel (approx. $25 USD/night for a bunk)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Historic District (Centro) for architecture, galleries, and dining
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- La Cachora (walking distance to beach and town) or Las Brisas for quiet
Food and Drink
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Hierbabuena (Farm-to-table in Pescadero) or Pura Vida
- Best Dessert Spots
- Baja Beans (Famous for cakes/coffee) or Neveria Rocco for ice cream
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Panteon Market for local produce and dry goods
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon.com.mx (Delivery can be tricky, often to central pickup points)
- Grocery Delivery
- Not standard; shop at Super Mercado El Tule or Bodega Aurrera in Pescadero
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- The Sky Lounge at Guaycura Hotel (Sunset drinks) or Jardin Alquimia
- Local Brewery
- Todos Santos Brewing (Craft beer, live music, food specials)
- Wine Bars
- Amor d'Vino (Selection of Valle de Guadalupe wines)
- Street Food Stalls
- Tacos El Poblano (Militar) for nightly Al Pastor
- Popular International Cuisine
- The Italian Job (Pizza/Pasta) or Shaka's Delicious Food (Burgers/Wings)
- Best Food Delivery App
- No major apps; some local spots offer WhatsApp delivery (Check 'Todos Santos Delivery' group)
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Fish Tacos (Ensenada style) at Santo Chilote
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Hotel California (Iconic photo spot) and Misión Nuestra Señora del Pilar
- Museums & Art Venues
- Centro Cultural Néstor Agúndez; Galeria Logan
- Historical Sites
- The Old Sugar Mills (Molinos de Azúcar) ruins
- Religious Sites
- Misión de Nuestra Señora del Pilar de Todos Santos (1733)
- Annual Events
- Todos Santos Film Festival (March); Art Festival (February)
- Cultural Districts
- Calle Benito Juárez art corridor
- Theater Venues
- Teatro Cine Manuel Márquez de León
- Local Markets
- Baja Beans Sunday Market (Pescadero)
- Music Scene
- Todos Santos Music Festival; live acoustic sets at La Esquina
- Street Art
- Murals on the walls of the local primary schools and near the plaza
- Cooking Classes
- Jazamango (Seasonal farm-to-table workshops)
- Art Galleries
- Galeria de Todos Santos; Gabo Art Gallery
- Historic Buildings
- Manuel Márquez de León Theater (Built 1944)
- Local Heritage
- Designation as a 'Pueblo Mágico' (Magic Town) by the Mexican government
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Sierra de la Laguna Biosphere Reserve (Hiking/Waterfalls)
- National Parks Nearby
- Cabo Pulmo National Marine Park (2.5 hours away for snorkeling)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Coastal cliff walk from Punta Lobos to Puerto Nuevo
- Scenic Viewpoints
- The hill above Punta Lobos for whale watching (Dec-April)
- Birdwatching Locations
- La Poza (Freshwater lagoon near the beach)
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Playa La Pastora (Check local seasonal turtle nesting restrictions)
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Estafeta or DHL (Drop-off point at local stationery shops)
- Tech Repair Services
- Limited; mostly in Cabo San Lucas (1 hour drive)
- Table Tennis Spots
- Community tables at local parks/recreation centers
- Language Classes
- Hablando Mexicano (Intensive Spanish courses)
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Palapa Society Library (Largest English library in BCS)
- Community Centers
- Cuatro Vientos; The Palapa Learning Center
- Gaming Lounges
- None; specialized tech is found in Cabo San Lucas
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Casinos are located in Cabo San Lucas (e.g., PlayWin Casino)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $4,800 USD per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $192,000 USD)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $3,500 USD per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $140,000 USD)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $4,500 USD per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $270,000 USD)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $3,200 USD per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $192,000 USD)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $4,200 USD per m² (e.g., 100 m² = $420,000 USD)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $2,800 USD per m² (e.g., 100 m² = $280,000 USD)
- Corporate Tax
- 30% (Standard Mexican Corporate Rate)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 10% for individuals
- Tax System
- Residents are taxed on worldwide income; non-residents on Mexican-sourced income
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 35%
- VAT
- 16% (IVA)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, 'REFIPRE' rules apply to low-tax jurisdictions
- Property Tax
- Predial (very low, usually < 0.1% of value annually)
- Property Transaction Tax
- ISAI (Acquisition Tax) ranges from 2% to 5% depending on state
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Temporary Resident Visa allows for foreign-sourced income to remain untaxed in Mexico if not remitted from a Mexican entity
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Cuatro Vientos (Community center with workspace) or Coworking Todos Santos
- Best Cafe for Work
- Taller 17 (Excellent pastries/coffee) or Jazamango Cafe (Outdoor seating, good Wi-Fi)
- Networking Events
- Wednesday Farmers Market at La Esquina; Friday Art Walks in Centro
- Social Events for Expats
- Todos Santos Community Facebook Group; volunteer days at Palapa Society
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- No Uber; local Taxis available at the main plaza (Sitio Todos Santos: +52 612 145 0550)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Over the Edge Baja (Mountain bikes, approx. $45 USD/day)
- Best Beach Nearby
- Playa Los Cerritos (15 mins south) for surfing and swimming
- Top Regional Airline
- AeroCalafia (Flying into La Paz or San Jose del Cabo)
- Top International Airline
- Alaska Airlines, Delta, United via SJD (San Jose del Cabo Airport)
- Highway Access
- Mexico Highway 19 connects to Cabo San Lucas (1 hour) and La Paz (1 hour)
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Terminal de Autobuses Aguila (Bus to Cabo or La Paz for approx. 200 MXN)
- Public Transport Passes
- No formal pass system; pay drivers directly (10-20 MXN for local colectivos)
- Regional Travel
- Aguila Bus for inter-city travel; rental cars are highly recommended
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Saint Jude's Medical Center (Emergency care) or travel to H+ Hospital in San Jose del Cabo
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Cuatro Vientos (Yoga classes $15 USD) or Yandara Yoga Institute
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Todos Santos Fitness Center on Calle Militar (approx. 800 MXN/month)
- Laundry Services
- Lavanderia El Sol on Calle Colegio Militar (approx. 100-150 MXN per load)