Baja California Sur

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Baja California Sur
<map lat="25.467510938393165" lng="-111.85351562499811" zoom="6" view="0"/>
state
Country: Flag of Mexico Mexico
Population: 665,000
Seat: La Paz (Baja California Sur)
Licence Plate: Baja California Sur
Motorways:

Baja California Sur is a Mexican federal state, located in the northwest of the country on the Baja California peninsula. It borders the state of Baja California to the north. Baja California Sur is the least densely populated of all Mexican states. Its capital and most important city is La Paz, which has a (quite expensive) ferry connecting the state with the ports in Mazatlán and Los Mochis in Sinaloa. Cabo San Lucas at the southern tip is popular with foreign tourists.

Hitchhiking

Hitchhiking in Baja California Sur is definitely possible. However, you should be aware that it lies in a desert climate zone and protect yourself accordingly. The low population density means that comparatively few cars pass by and hitchhiking is best done on the main highway connecting all major settlements in the state. Hitchhiking on the other roads is also possible, but usually with long waiting times.

Baja California Sur lies on a popular drug smuggling route to the US, which means there are many military checkpoints on the main highway. They are often very helpful to hitchhikers and will talk to drivers to take you with them.

If you plan on heading to mainland Mexico from the Baja, you can take a ferry in La Paz (Pichilingue) towards Mazatlán or Topolobampo. From La Paz to Topolobampo costs $970 MXN (approx. $53 USD) and to Mazatlan costs $1102 MXN (approx. $60 USD) (June 2016). See the BajaFerries website for the latest prices. It is also possible to hitchhike a private yacht: Chael777 managed to hitchhike a sailboat from La Paz to Mazatlán.

August 2016 experience:

El Chulito and Shamcore hitch-hiked several places in Baja California, spending a bit more than a month staying on the beaches and local people’s homes. Thumbing experience is more than positive. Don’t miss this part of Mexico, it’s people and nature will drive you crazy. Hitch-hiking through this state is highly recomendable.

Camping on the beach

It is a common practice to camp on beaches in Baja California Sur. Mexican themselves consider it safe however it might be interesting to check with the local population before doing so (it is dangerous on the other side of the gulf for example). Some of them might be privatized by hotels and resorts but it is quite easy to find another spot a bit further. The tide has little effect on the Californian Gulf coast so camping is also doable on small beaches like in La Paz.

Playa del Amor

The Lovers’ Beach is a hidden cove near Cabo San Lucas, at the southernmost tip of the Baja California peninsula. You can access it by water taxi. A regular price would be between 100 and 150 pesos.

Towns and places of Baja California Sur: