Todos Santos is the Baja town that used to be a secret. North of Cabo San Lucas on the Pacific side and across the peninsula from La Paz — 80 km from it, in Baja California Sur (Secretaría de Turismo) — it's become a foodie and art destination.
If you're driving down for Todos Santos, you're almost certainly going all the way to southern Baja. Here's what you need to know about coverage.
Why Todos Santos usually gets combined with something else
Todos Santos is roughly 950 miles from the US border. Most people don't drive that far specifically for Todos Santos — they combine it with La Paz, Cabo, or both.
Common combined trip patterns include Todos Santos + Cabo San Lucas (Pacific-to-Sea-of-Cortez southern loop), Todos Santos + La Paz (Pacific-to-Sea-of-Cortez central loop), or all three: Todos Santos, La Paz, Cabo.
For insurance planning, this usually means a longer trip, full coverage minimum. All of these destinations are in Baja California Sur, so the territory question on Baja Bound's quote form — "Are you only traveling to Baja or Sonora?" — gets the same answer for the whole loop. Before you buy, confirm with Baja Bound that the policy's territory covers everywhere you plan to drive.
If you're taking the ferry to mainland Mexico from La Paz, you'll need a policy for all of Mexico.
The border crossing for Todos Santos
San Ysidro with the same Highway 1 route south. You'll pass through Ensenada, Guerrero Negro, Ciudad Constitución, La Paz, and then head south on Highway 19 to Todos Santos.
Total drive time: 15-18 hours over 2-3 days.
The drive from the border to Todos Santos
Federal Highway 1 south to La Paz (same as the La Paz drive), then Highway 19 south from La Paz to Todos Santos (about 45 minutes / 50 miles).
Highway 19 runs along the Pacific side, with coastal views.
If you're going to Cabo after Todos Santos, Highway 19 continues from Todos Santos to Cabo San Lucas — about another 60 miles / 60-75 minutes. It's the shorter route between Todos Santos and Cabo (vs. going through La Paz on Highway 1).
Real prices for Todos Santos trips
Baja Bound quoted $274.14–$371.84 for 14 days and $514.77–$703.18 for 30 days (full coverage, $30,000 vehicle, Baja and Sonora, 4 October 2026). See the full price table.
Given the drive time investment, Todos Santos trips are almost never shorter than a week and typically 10-21 days.
An annual policy is worth pricing if you're making multiple southern Baja trips per year (Baja Bound quoted $424.31–$530.70 for annual on the Baja Saver policy).
Common Todos Santos trip scenarios
Foodie or art weekend after landing at Cabo: Common pattern where you fly into Cabo, rent a car, drive up to Todos Santos for 2-3 days. Rental car insurance is separate: Baja Bound cannot cover cars rented in Mexico, so use the rental company's cover. Consider supplemental coverage for collision and theft.
Southern Baja loop: Drive down, spend time in La Paz + Todos Santos + Cabo, drive back. 14-21 days. Full coverage Baja & Sonora.
Todos Santos-focused sabbatical: A growing number of Americans and Canadians spend 1-3 months in Todos Santos in winter. For 1-3 months in Todos Santos in winter, price monthly or multi-month Baja & Sonora policies.
Surf trip: Todos Santos has legitimate surf breaks (Cerritos, San Pedrito). Multi-week Baja & Sonora coverage. Board and equipment coverage is separate.
Wedding trip: guests driving their own cars down on Mexican federal roads must carry third-party liability insurance (art. 63 Bis). Guests driving down need full coverage.
What Todos Santos visitors get wrong
Trying to day-trip from Cabo: You can, but a 60-75 minute drive each way makes it a full-day trip. Overnight stays make more sense.
Assuming Highway 19 doesn't need coverage because it's a shortcut: Highway 19 is still a Mexican federal highway, so art. 63 Bis applies: vehicles on federal roads must carry third-party liability insurance, and the law sets no minimum trip length.
Skipping insurance because you're renting a car: Check exactly what the rental agency includes, and what collision and theft cover would cost. A Mexican auto insurance policy covers your own vehicle; Baja Bound cannot cover a car rented in Mexico, so use the rental company's cover.
Assuming the policy's territory is a detail: Before you buy, confirm with Baja Bound that the policy's territory covers everywhere you plan to drive.
What to do if there's a problem near Todos Santos
Same fundamentals: stay at the scene, call the Baja Bound claim number (Baja Bound's claims page lists the HDI and Chubb numbers), don't admit fault, don't sign anything you can't read.
Todos Santos specifically: Todos Santos is close to La Paz and Cabo San Lucas. Check what medical and mechanical services are available locally before you travel.
Driving down for the whole winter?
A large share of the people who spend a season in Todos Santos drive here rather than fly, and most of them come from the Pacific Northwest or the Canadian Prairies. If you are driving down for a season rather than flying, the route matters as much as the destination — our origin guides cover departure timing, mountain-pass weather, and where to break the drive: Alberta to Baja, British Columbia to Baja, and Washington State to Baja.
For the wider planning picture — documents, permits, border waits, and money for a multi-month stay — start with our guide to driving to Mexico for the winter.
Before you load the car, Run a quote for your trip.