On our road trip from Cabo to La Paz, we planned a short stop in Todos Santos — mostly to break up the drive, maybe grab a good meal, and see what the buzz was about. What we didn’t expect was to completely fall for the town… and especially for Hotel San Cristóbal.
We ended up staying longer than we planned — and honestly, we could’ve stayed even longer.
The Drive In
The drive up from Cabo took just over an hour, and it was stunning. The desert meets the ocean in this dramatic, wide-open way that’s hard to explain until you’re in it. We rolled down the windows, put on a playlist, and just let the trip start to feel like an adventure. Todos Santos is small, but has a kind of effortless charm — old brick buildings, surfboards leaning against cafés, and streets lined with bougainvillea.
Just outside of town, tucked away down a dusty road in Punta Lobos, is Hotel San Cristóbal — and that’s where things got good.
First Impressions
The hotel is striking without being flashy. It’s designed in a way that feels deeply tied to its surroundings — desert tones, hand-tiled floors, quiet corners filled with books and light. The whole place feels both laid-back and elevated. Like it knows exactly what it is.
We were welcomed with chilled aguas frescas and taken to our room, which opened up to views of the Pacific and the mountains. It felt private, peaceful, and honestly — kind of perfect.
What Made It Special
Every part of our stay felt curated but not overdone. Mornings started with breakfast at Benno, the hotel’s open-air restaurant. Fresh fruit, strong coffee, incredible huevos rancheros — all with that salty ocean breeze in the air.
We spent our days floating in the pool, reading under umbrellas, taking long walks along the shoreline, and watching the local fishermen bring in their daily catch just down the beach. It never felt crowded or busy, just peaceful and sunny and easy.
Sunset was the real moment here — golden light across the pool, cocktails in hand, music just loud enough to catch your attention but never overtake the view. That’s when it felt like we were really on vacation.
The Backstory
Hotel San Cristóbal is part of the Bunkhouse Group — known for design-forward hotels that actually feel human. This one is named after Saint Christopher, the patron saint of travelers, and sits on the site of an old chapel. You can feel that history — not in an obvious way, but in how intentional the space feels.
The aesthetic is minimalist-Mexico-meets-midcentury, but what makes it really work is how unfussy it is. Nothing tries too hard. The staff is warm and relaxed. The energy is calm. It’s the kind of place where conversations with strangers just happen naturally, and nobody’s glued to a screen.
Why We’ll Be Back
After a few days of total relaxation, we continued on to La Paz, but Hotel San Cristóbal stayed with us. It was the mix of things — the setting, the food, the design, the people — that made it feel special. And also, just the way it slowed everything down.
It’s a rare thing to find a hotel that feels like a destination in itself, not just a stop along the way. San Cristóbal is that kind of place.
If You’re Thinking of Going:
- Getting There: Fly into Los Cabos International Airport, rent a car, and head north along Highway 19. The drive to Todos Santos is about 75 minutes, and from the hotel it’s another 90 minutes to La Paz — perfect for a Baja loop.
- Worth Knowing: There are 32 rooms, no TVs, and no beach service — it’s built for people who are happy to unplug and unwind. Book in advance if you’re going during peak season.
- Best For: Couples, design lovers, quiet luxury seekers, and anyone looking for something a little off-the-beaten path, but still very much dialed in.
