Mulege Mexico: Your Complete Guide to Baja California Hidden Gem (2024)
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Mulege Mexico is a desert oasis at the mouth of the Río de Santa Rosalía and is one of the most affordable places in Baja California. While this hamlet is well off the beaten path, there are enough things to do to keep you busy from visiting the historic mission to hiking in the mountains.
Pronounced “Moo-La-Hey,” this town is one of the best places Mexico to travel alone – as long as you have a rental car to get around the area. It’s a quiet place that’s very safe for travelers and boasts some of the best beaches in Mexico along Bahia Concepcion. But unlike other popular beaches in Baja California, Mulege beaches are less crowded and are more popular with RV’ers and campers.
In recent years, Mulege also has become one of the most popular places to retire in Baja California thanks to its low cost of living and a relaxed pace of life. The town has a small community of North American expats who calls this place home.
Whether you are just passing by or want to spend a few days in Mulege and visit Bahía Concepción beaches, this article will help you make the most out of your trip. I loved Mulege and ended up staying there a couple of days on both of my visits, which allowed me to enjoy the area and learn new things about Baja’s history.
Where is Mulege located?
Mulege is located in the Baja California Peninsula in the Bahia de Concepcion. Mulege is 455 miles north of Cabo San Lucas, 603 miles south of Tijuana, 72 miles from Loreto, and 38 miles south of Santa Rosalia.
✅ Learn: Is Baja California in the US or Mexico?
MULEGE MEXICO MAP
Best things to do in Mulege, Mexico
1. Check out Mulege beaches
While Mulege doesn’t offer much culture, it makes up for it with some of the best beaches in Mexico.
Located along the Bahia Concepcion, Mulege beaches are sheltered from the waves and boast stunning cobalt-blue waters in the middle and shallow turquoise bays closer to the coastline. Mulege beaches are perfect for swimming, kayaking, and paddle boarding.
Many Mulege beaches have camping facilities, small stores, and pop-up restaurants. It’s a popular destination for RV’ers and campers and you can find many people staying around Mulege beaches for weeks.
One of the best beaches in Mulege is Los Naranjos, a rustic beach that offers serene environemnt and cozy cabins facing the water. While Los Naranjos has limted amenities with electricity available only until 8 p.m., this place is a perfect getaway if you want to enjoy dark clear skies at night and relax in the nature.
✅ Read: How to visit La Bufadora – the tallest geyser in North America
Here’s a list of the best Mulege beaches:
- Playa El Burro – one of my favorite beaches in Mulege, Playa El Burro has amazing turquoise water and plenty of camping sites. Here you can also take a boat tour or kayak.
- Playa Santispac – a perfect beach if you like water sports or want to hire a boat to explore the islands in the Bahia Concepcion. This is one of the most popular beaches in the area that boasts an amazing view of the Sea of Cortez from the Transpeninsular Highway 1 just above the beach.
- Playa El Coyote – like most Mulege beaches, El Coyote offers free parking and restrooms, as well as access to camping, snorkeling, hiking, surfing, and swimming. You can also buy a snack from one of the vendors on this beach
- Playa Requesón – a hidden gem of Mulege, Playa Requesón has calm shallow waters and faces a small island that can be reached by treading the waters.
- Playa Los Naranjos – one of the less visited beaches near Mulege, Playa Los Naranjos has cabins and basic amenities giving it a more rugged feel
- Playa Los Cocos – a quiet beach with a bunch of huts where you can hide from the sun
- Playa Buenaventura – home to a small hotel, Playa Buenaventura is a good place to stay if you need a break from the road and are looking for a more quiet place.
PRO TIP: If you are visiting Mulege beaches, bring plenty of water and snacks. Many stores and restaurants on these beaches have irregular hours, so you won’t be able to get food and water unless you go back to the town.
2. Check out Misión Santa Rosalia de Mulege
One of the most popular things to do in Mulege visiting Misión Santa Rosalía de Mulegé, a mission that sits on the hil overlooking Rio Mulege.
The mission was founded by the Jesuit Juan Basaldúa in November of 1705, in the place that the Cochimíes, a native tribe called Mulegé, (Cañada de Boca Blanca in Spanish).
The mission was abandoned by 1828 and has been rebuilt several times since then.
3. Enjoy the viewpoint behind the mission
Follow the trail behind the church and you will find one of the best views in Mulege, if not the entire Baja California (Mirador in Spanish). Here you can enjoy the panorama of the river with many palm trees that were planted by Spanish Jesuits.
This is the place where Jesuits brought their horses and mules to feed them dates growing on palm trees and give them water from the river. The palm trees are not native to this area, but they make a beautiful contrast with the surrounding desert.
4. Try windsurfing
While the most famous place for win surfing in Baja California is La Ventana near La Paz, Mulege, and surrounding areas like Bahia Concepcion, Mulege offers perfect conditions for wind-surfing from November through March.
It’s particularly popular for newbie surfers and you can even rent wind-surfing equipment in local shops.
5. Go whale watching in Bahia Magdalena
Every year, thousands of grey whales migrate to the warmer waters of Baja California from Alaska from January through March. Bahia Magdalena not far from Mulege is the top place for whale watching.
If you want to stay closer to Mulege, Puerto López Mateos, San Carlos, and Punta Entrada Island are the most popular places for whale watching near Mulege.
Whether you go on a whale-watching tour with a small group or on an individual tour, remember to be respectful and keep your distance. Whales are gentle creatures but they could easily kill you with one move.
Though these whales do not pay much attention to the tourists, there have been some dangerous mishaps also, when the whales were disturbed by the crowd.
But because the waters of San Carlos are deeper than the other areas, you can watch more whale acrobatics in this area.
6. Take a day trip to Guerrero Negro
Guerrero Negro is the last town in Baja California Sur before the road takes you to Baja California. It is a small industrial town known for its salt flats and whale watching.
If you are visiting Mulege from December through April, stop in Guerrero Negro and go on a whale-watching tour with one of the local operators.
Most tourism in Guerrero Negro revolves around whale watching, and you won’t find much else here during the off-season. If you are visiting outside of the whale watching season, you could just stop at salt flats to snap some photos before continuing your journey north.
In case you are traveling from north to south, Guerrero Negro is a great spot to stop for the night after a lengthy drive through the desert.
7. Explore Cave Paintings
As mentioned earlier, Canon La Trinidad is one of the best places near Mulege if you want to see the ancient wall art. Another place that is worth a stop is the caves in “Sierra de Guadalupe” near Mulege.
It’s one of the best things to do in Mulege which can give you an insight into the history and culture of this place.
The cave paintings at San Borjitas are also popular and are considered some of the best-preserved ancient wall art in the region. To visit these caves, you are required to have a guide.
8. Go kayaking
Kayaking is one of the most popular things to do in Mulege because many beaches in the area offer shallow enough waters sheltered from the waves that are perfect for exploring them by kayak.
Many Mulege beaches have a kayak and paddle boat rentals, so make sure to bring enough cash with you, as credit cards are not always accepted.
9. Take a drive to Mulege lighthouse
Located about 3 km from the center, the Mulege lighthouse (El Faro de Mulege) overlooks calm shallow waters framed by the dark mountains. You can also take a drive here by following a road that goes from the center of Mulege along the river.
The road also goes parallel to Malecón (waterfront), which is popular for jogging and riding a bike in the morning or evening when it’s not as hot as during the day.
Unfortunately, the lighthouse is closed to visitors, and the entrance to the stairs is closed. But you can spend some time enjoying the view of the Sea of Cortez on the rocky beach.
10. Take a walk along Mulege River
After you visit the Mulege lighthouse, take a walk along the sidewalk that goes along the river. The sidewalk is just a quick drive from the ligthouse, and there are also a couple of restaurants along the way, including La Huerta, where you can enjoy a meal with a scenic view.
11. Visit Museo de Mulege
Museo de Mulege (or Museum of Mulege) offers a good glimpse into the history of Mulege. This museum used to be a prison that housed criminals from across Baja California Sur.
Prisoners were allowed to leave the place every day to visit their friends and families and do work as long as they returned by the end of each day. The prison had no bars, fences, or anything that was supposed to stop them from escaping.
Back in the day, Mulege was an isolated town with the nearest community 100 miles away, so surviving in the harsh desert was a tough challenge.
Although the museum doesn’t have any impressive historic artifacts, it is part of the Mulege history, and visiting it will give you some context of the area.
Address: Cananea, 23900 Mulegé, Baja California Sur
12. Check out Mulege street art
When you walk around Mulege, you will find a couple of cool murals that are worth taking a quick shot. I spotted a some interesting wall art just a few blocks from the main square in Mulege.
13. Take a walk around Mulege
Mulege is a small but very photgenic town. Grab your camera and spend some time exploring its streets and corners full of charm and typipcal Baja architecture.
Mulege history
The area is known today as Mulege and was inhabited by the Native Indians before the arrival of Spanish Jesuits in 1600. Unfortunately, there’s little historic data about them, as most of them had died from diseases brought from Europe.
The biggest artifact remaining from them are the thousands-year-old pieces of wall rock art which are considered some of the oldest in North America. The most famous place where you can find these paintings is Canon La Trinidad, which can be visited on a day trip from Mulege.
What’s interesting is that the official name of the town, Heroica Mulegé takes its origin in the Mexican-American War of 1846-1848 when local people fought to keep the area under Mexico’s control.
MULEGE RESTAURANTS
1. Los Equipales
Located just off the highway, Los Equipales is a traditional Mexican restaurant that serves some of the best food in Mulege. Here you can try classic staples like milanesa, tacos, and top-notch seafood. Visitors leave stellar reviews of Los Equipajes, praising its variety of food, friendly customer service, and big portions.
Address: Moctezuma 70, Centro, 23900 Heroica Mulegé, B.C.S., Mexico
2. Restaurant Bar El Candil
One of the most popular restaurants in Mulege, El Candil has plenty of options from pizzas and burgers to burritos. They also have vegetarian, gluten and dairy-free menu items. This place is popular with expats and it’s usually busy, so if you enjoy a lively atmosphere, make sure to stop here.
Address: Col. Centro , calle Ignacio Zaragoza, 23900 Heroica Mulegé, B.C.S., Mexico
3. Restaurant La Huerta
Part of Don Chano RV Park, Restaurant La Huerta is a hidden gem located by the river. While it’s slightly off the beaten path, don’t let it deter you: Not only does it have a great ambiance and an idyllic location in nature, but it also has phenomenal food options with freshly squeezed juices, fruits, tacos, pancakes, and other options that come in huge portions.
La Huerta is a pet-friendly restaurant, so you can come here with your pooch.
Address: Unnamed Road, Las Huertas, Heroica Mulegé, B.C.S., Mexico
4. Casa Mayoral Restaurant
If you are looking for delicious food and budget-friendly prices, don’t miss Casa Mayoral, where you can try delicious chilaquiles, burritos, papas rellenos, and classic burgers. Don’t forget to try their cucumber water and juices.
Address: Galván entre Zaragoza, Centro, 23900 Heroica Mulegé, B.C.S., Mexico
5. Restaurante Señor Geko’s
One of the best restaurants in Mulege, this place has it all: delicious food, reasonable prices, and friendly staff. Visitors leave stellar reviews for Señor Geko’s, and the restaurant has many loyal customers.
Whether you are stopping in Mulege quickly before hitting the road again or staying here for a couple of days, it’s a place where you can have a delicious homemade meal.
Address: Carretera Transpeninsular Km131 al Sur, 23900 Heroica Mulegé, B.C.S., Mexico
HOTELS IN Mulege MEXICO:
Mulege is a small town, but it has plenty of hotels and guest houses where you can rest before hitting the road again.
- Hotel Cuesta Real – Located in Mulege, this hotel has a seasonal outdoor swimming pool, bike rentals and free Wi-Fi. Tours of the area can be arranged at property.
- Casa Concepcion – A perfect place for spending a night if you want to visit Bahia Concepcion, this small hotel offers free breakfast and is just over 1 mile from Playa Cocos.
- Casa El Pescador – Casa El Pescador is a vacation home that comes with amenities like a washing machine, a equipped kitchen and parking.
MULEGE CAMPING
Mulege is known for some of the best camping in Baja California. The beaches in Mulege have many incredible campsites where you can park your RV overnight and enjoy incredible dark skies full of stars.
If you are looking for the best campsites in Mulege, here’s a quick list:
1. Huerta Don Chano RV Park
Located about 1 mile from the beach and 1 mile from downtown Mulege, Don Chano is a family-owned campground with a variety of sites some of which have full hook-ups and some offer only water and electricity.
It also has tent camping spots without any hook-ups. A small restaurant, library, and wi-fi are available on site. There’s also a nice hike at the back of the property.
2. Villa Maria Isabel RV Par
Located right off the main highway, Villa Maria is a popular RV park south of Mulege with a rustic feel. It has plenty of space for RVs of all sizes, hot water, and showers. The property is also within walking distance from the beach.
3. Playa La Perla
La Perla is a great alternative to the crowded Playa Requeson where you can find dozens of RV’s on a single night, especially during the busy season.
It’s a quiet and clean beach along Bahia Concepcion that has palapas and some vendors who sell food and snacks throughout the day. It’s a primitive campground with no amenities.
4. Playa El Burro
Playa El Burro is an insanely gorgeous beach along Bahia Concepcion just off Federal Highway 1. It has clear turquoise waters and a row of waterfront bungalows.
Although there’s not a whole lot of space for camping, the main draw of this place is its scenery with incredibly clear water and plenty of marine life splashing around.
5. Playa Santispac
Playa Santispac is one of the most popular beaches along Bahia de Concepcion. The beach is surrounded by several islands, and you can rent, kayak, or swim here.
How to get to Mulege?
The best way to get to Mulege is by driving. You can rent a car in bigger cities like Cabo San Lucas, Tijuana or La Paz. You can also take a bus to Mulege from many destinations around Baja.
How to get around Mulege
While Mulege is a small town, outside of the downtown, it’s not very walkable, and there’s no public transportation in the area. While you can find some taxis in Mulege, they aren’t the best for doing scenic drives and exploring the area.
In other words, if you are in Mulege without a car, you will be very limited when it comes to activities.
To explore the beaches along the Bahia Concepcion, check out hidden corners and have more freedom, you will need a car rental in Mulege.
Where to rent a car for my trip to Mulege?
Mulege doesn’t have car rentals, but you can rent one in Loreto, La Paz and Cabo San Lucas.
To find the right car for you trip, I recommend DiscoverCars, an online platform where you can browse from dozens of available vehicles of different makes and models.
You can also purchase your car insurance through DiscoverCars, which is mandatory for driving in Mexico. I always use this company to find rental cars in Mexico and other countries, and have had only positiive experience with them do far.
✅ RENT A CAR FOR YOUR TRIP TO MULEGE
Whether you are starting your Baja California road trip in Tijuana, Cabo San Lucas, or in other places, you will be able to find the right vehicle for your trip.
Do I need Mexican insurance for driving to Mulege?
If you plan to drive your own car to Mulege, you will need to get a Baja Bound Mexican Insurance, which is required for all vehicles.
The most popular option with travelers is Baja Bound Mexican Insurance, that offers in coverage for cars, RV’s, camper vans, boats and motorcycles for Baja California.
You can get a quote from them ahead of your trip online.
La Paz to Mulege
To get from La Paz to Mulege, take Federal Highway 1, also known as the Transpeninsular Highway which runs all the way from Cabo San Lucas to Tijuana. The drive from La Paz to Mulege takes about 6 hours, but you will likely want to stop to strecth your legs and do some sightseeing, plan more time on the road.
Some of the popular stops along the way include Mission San Javier, Loreto, and numerous beaches like Playa Santispac, Playa El Burro and Playa El Requeson.
If you have a 4X4 vehicle, consder a stop at the beautiful Agua Verde Bay.
If you have more time, spend a night in Loreto, before heading to Mulege.
Loreto to Mulege
The drive from Loreto to Mulege takes just under 2 hours along Baja’s Federal Highway 1. It’s one of the most scenic drives in Baja California with many gorgeous beaches along the Bahia de Concepcion. Be prepared to stop along the way to enjoy the incredible scenery.
✅ RENT A CAR FOR YOUR TRIP TO MULEGE.
Loreto to Mulege bus
If you are on a budget, you can take a bus from Loreto to Mulege with Aguila, the main bus company that serves Baja California. The bus station is just outside of Loreto, and you can catch a bus from Loreto to Mulege multiple times a day.
Tijuana to Mulege
It takes at least 12 hours to get from Tijuana to Mulege by car. As you drive south along Baja California Transpeninsular Highway, you will make multiple stops to do some sightseeing, rest and get food, so prepare to spend extra time on the road.
DRIVING DISTANCES TO MULEGE:
- Cabo San Lucas to Mulege – 641 km (400 miles) about 7 hours 50 minutes
- La Paz to Mulege – 489 km (303 miles) 6 hours
- Loreto to Mulege – 135 km (98 miles) 1 hour 50 minutes
- Tijuana to Mulege – 1034 km (642 miles) 12 hours
What’s the closest airport to Mulege?
The closest Airport to Mulege, Mexico is Loreto International Airport (LTO), which has flights from the United States, Canada and Mexico.
✅ CHECK FLIGHTS TO LORETO MEXICO
You can also fly into San Jose Del Cabo International Airport (code: SJD), the largest airport in Baja California about 8 hours and 20 minutes from Mulege by car. Cabo’s airport has dozens of daily flights to Mexico, Canada and the United States.
CAN I TAKE A BUS TO MULEGE MEXICO?
Yes, you can take a bus to Mulege from Loreto and other destinations in Baja California with Aguila, a company that serves many destinations in Baja California.
Weather in Mulege
Mulege is located in the desert and it has a dry, sunny climate year-round. The average temperature in Mulege throughout the year is about 78 degrees Fahrenheit (26 degrees Celcius). While winters in Mulege tend to be pretty mild, summers can be brutally hot when temperatures frequently soar into triple digits.
The best time to visit Mulege is from December through March, when temperatures are perfect for spending time outside. During these months, you can expect temperatures to be about around low 70’s degrees Fahrenheit.
If you want to swim and enjoy Mulege beaches, visit from May when water is warmer and you can enjoy water sports like swimming and snorkeling in many beaches along Bahia Concepcion.
While Mulege largely gets spared from Baja’s hurricane season, the area does see some rain from August through November, so if you plan to visit the area during these months, always check the forecast, as there could be some showers.
Mulege, Mexico: FAQ’s
What’s the best time to visit Mulege?
Mulege offers beautiful weather year-round, but something to keep in mind is the rainy season which lasts from late July through September and brings the most precipitation. May through the end of June sees the hottest weather and November and April are perfect shoulder months for visiting Mulege.
What is the weather like in Mulege?
Just like the rest of the Baja California, Mulege has a dry arid climate with over 300 days of sunshine and low precipitation. But the climate here is slightly different because of the nearby mountain range. July and August are the hottest months in Mulege when it’s not uncommon to see the triple digits and January is the coldest month when the temperature drops to the ’60s.7
Is Mulege safe to visit?
Mulege is one of the safest places in Baja California away from big cities and major highways. It has a low crime rate, and most locals know each other. But petty crime can still occur, especially around campgrounds and public beaches.
Always watch your surroundings, lock your car or RV, and don’t leave any valuables in plain sight when parking your vehicle.
Is Mulege Mexico safe to live?
Mulege is one of the best places to live in Baja California because of its safety, good outdoor opportunities and low crime rate. If you are looking for a slow pace and quiet atmosphere in one of Baja’s most scenic destinations, Mulege is an excellent place to call home.
How many days to spend in Mulege?
You can see most of Mulege’s highlights in just one day, since it’s a small town. If you want to camp on Mulege beaches and explore Bahia Concepcion, plan anywhere from 5 days to a week in Mulege. Many visitors camp here for weeks, because the area is just so gorgeous.
Mulege Mexico: final word
Mulege was my last stop in Baja California Sur when I traveled around Baja California by car. While I didn’t have big expectations, the beauty of the area blew me away! I was surprised how few visitors knew about Mulege, as most people would spend their days in Cabo and only some of them would go to La Paz.
Mulege is a real hidden jewel of Baja California with some of the most incredible beaches I’ve seen in Mexico and relaxed small-town vibes. It’s a perfect spot if you need to disconnect for a couple of days and enjoy one of the most rugged parts of Baja California.
Baja California Travel Planner
Do I need a visa for Baja California?
If you are traveling to Baja California from the United States and Canada or Western Europe, you don’t need a visa. Click here to check Mexico visa requirements for your country. iVisa a website that can help you with a visa to Mexico.
Do I need a car in Baja California?
You need a rental car to see the best of Baja California, as most places aren’t accessible by public transportation. I recommend DiscoverCars for car rentals in Baja and other parts of Mexico.
Click here to check prices on car rentals in popular detsinations in Baja
Do I need a travel insurance in Baja California?
Personal travel insurance in not required in Baja, but it’s a good idea to get one ahead of your trip. Travel Insurance Master will cover you in case of hospital visits, missed flights, lost or stolen belongings and other accidents that could happen on the road.
Do I need a car insurance to drive in Mexico?
A Mexico car insurance is required for ALL vehicles entering the country. Note that your US insurance will not be valid in Mexico. Baja Bound Mexican Insurance is a popular website to find insurance for your car, RV, boat, motorcycles and other types of transportation.
Where can I find the best Baja tours?
the best websites for finding tours all over Baja is Viator. Guided tours are usually available in bigger cities like Cabo San Lucas, San José del Cabo, La Paz and Tijuana.
Where can I book flights to Baja?
Click here to find cheap airline tickets to Baja
Where do I find cheap hotels in Baja?
Booking.com is the best website to find hotels all over Baja, but you can also use Hostels.com to find hostels. VRBO.com is a perfect place to find apartments and home-style places to stay in Baja.
Can I drink water in Baja California?
While major cities like Cabo and La Paz treat their water, it’s generally not advised to drink water in Baja California. Always carry your water bottle with you, or better yet, buy a water bottle with filtration for your trip.