Playa Santispac Baja California Sur: Your complete guide
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Playa Santispac is one of the most popular beaches for camping in Baja California. Located along Bahia Concepcion, it has great amenities perfect for taking a break after being on the road.
If you are looking for a place to socialize and meet other travelers, particularly RV’ers and campers, this beach is the place to be. And while it gets busy, it boasts an unbeatable location near Mulege and close to the highway.
As you drive south along Highway 1 from Mulege, you will see the stretch of sand with aquamarine waters in the distance. When you get closer, you will see the entrance to Playa Santispac on the left side.
The beach has plenty of space and palapas (huts with thatched roofs made of dry palm leaves) that you can rent for an additional price. I’ve visited Santispac several times, and in this article, I will tell you all about this popular spot.
Where is Playa Santispac?
Playa Santispac is located along Bahia Concepcion south of Mulege.
Bahía Concepción, also known as Concepción Bay, is a stunning natural bay on the eastern coast of the Baja California Peninsula in Mexico. It’s renowned for pristine beaches, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and abundant marine life, making it a popular destination for wildlife lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.
The bay stretches approximately 50 miles along the Sea of Cortez (Gulf of California) coastline, encompassing numerous picturesque coves and sandy beaches. Some of the most beautiful beaches in Bahía Concepción include Playa Los Naranjos, Playa Santispac, Playa El Burro, and Playa El Coyote.
Playa Santispac Map
Playa Santispac cost
The entrance costs 200 Pesos (12 USD) per vehicle for one night. If you want to get a palapa, you need to pay an additional 100 Pesos.
Driving distances
- Mulege to Playa Santispac – 22 km (13.6 miles)
- Loreto to Playa Santispac – 113 km (70 miles)
- Cabo San Lucas to Playa Santispac – 620 km (385 miles)
- La Paz to Playa Santispac – 468 km (291 miles)
Amenities at Playa Santispac:
The beach boasts the most amenities of all Mulege beaches. Most of them require a separate fee, which has to be paid in cash.
- Cold showers
- Bathrooms
- Palapas
- Restaurants
- Wi-Fi at restaurants
- Dumping station
Playa Santispac things to do:
1. Kayak to nearby islands
You can find kayak and paddle board rentals along the beach, which you can use to paddle around nearby islands. It’s a perfect way to start your day and one of the most popular things to do on this beach. Early morning is the best time for kayaking when the water is like glass.
2. Grab fish tacos at Armando’s
Armando’s is one of the few restaurants along Playa Santispac where you can enjoy freshly prepared ceviche, tacos, and other staples from Mexican cuisine.
3. Spot dolphins in the Sea of Cortez
If you get lucky, you can spot a pod of dolphins splashing in the water. A few travelers that I met on this beach told me that spotting dolphins was one of the highlights of their stay.
Even if you don’t get a chance to see dolphins, there’s plenty of wildlife to see along Playa Santispac like eagles, pelicans, egrets, and even hummingbirds.
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4. See bioluminescence at night
Bioluminescence occurs when plankton living in the water emits light through chemical reactions in their bodies. It’s possible to see this incredible phenomenon at night in Playa Santispac. You can even see the fish and manta rays glowing as they swim at night.
5. Buy a snack from a local vendor
Plenty of local vendors show up on this beach throughout the day. They sell tacos, empanadas, fresh seafood, and fruits, and usually accept only cash.
6. Go for a swim
It’s a perfect beach for swimming, with clear shallow waters and little current.
Restaurants at Playa Santispac:
- Restaurant Armando’s – Armando’s is a popular restaurant along Santispac Beach, where you can try Mexican dishes, seafood, and some drinks. Armando’s also has wi-fi.
- Restaurant Bar Ana – This smaller restaurant serves tasty homestyle food and good drinks like Mexican beer and Micheladas. Their their chile rellenos con queso, shrimp tacos, and ceviche.
Playa Santispac camping
Playa Santispac is one of the most popular places for camping in Baja California, with spaces for RV’s and tents. You can also get a palapa for an additional payment.
Playa Punta Piedrita
Playa Santispc is home to a great RV community, but it can also feel busy. If this beach feels too crowded, take a quick drive to the nearby Playa Punta Piedrita, a small beach that is just down the road. It’s very close to Playa Santispac, and yet, it’s nowhere near as crowded. To get there, use the same entrance as Playa Santispac and make a right turn.
8 Tips for visiting Playa Santispac
1. Wear sunscreen
Bahia Concepcion beaches get plenty of sunshine. Get a reef-safe sunscreen that will protect you from sunburn and doesn’t harm marine animals.
2. Be ready for some highway noise
Playa Santispac is right off the highway, so you will hear all the trucks and cars passing by.
3. Bring bug repellent
Watch out for the sand fleas in October and November here, you won’t notice the bites until you have tons of them.
4. Have enough cash
Like most beaches along Bahia Concepcion, Santispac runs mostly on cash, and credit cards are not accepted.
5. Pack some layers
Temperatures usually cool down by night, and in winter, it nights can be chilly. Pack shirts and T-shirts, and maybe even a jacket and a pair of pants, especially if you plan to visit from November through March.
6. Learn some Spanish
Speaking at least basic Spanish could be helpful, because it will allow you to communicate with locals and get a better attitude.
7. Avoid high season
This beach can get crowded during the high season, and national Mexican holidays, like Semana Santa. Choose shoulder season when temperatures are comfortable for spending time outside and enjoying the area without dealing with overcrowding.
8. Don’t leave your trash around
Please be a responsible visitor and don’t leave any trash around. It’s a busy beach, so let’s keep it clean!
Pros of Playa Santispac
- Plenty of amenities – including restaurants, showers, bathrooms and palapas. Local food vendors also frequent this beach.
- Good community – It’s one of the most popular Mulege beaches with a good community.
- Safety – If safety is a concern, this is a good place to stay. It has good amenities and attendants on duty.
- Easy access – Santispac is about 10 minutes away from Mulege and is located off Baja’s Transpeninsular Highway
Cons of Playa Santispac
- Crowds – This is one of the busiest beaches near Mulege, and it can get crowded, especially during the high season.
- Noise – The beach is located is next to the highway, and you can often hear the noise from the cars and trucks passing by.
- Sand fleas – It’s not uncommon for Playa Santispac to have some sand fleas, so you should bring a bug repellent to avoid bad bites.
- Mostly RV camping – While Santispac has plenty of space where you can pitch a tent here, it’s mostly popular for RVs.
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Do I need a car to visit Playa Santispac?
To get to Santispac, you need a car. The beach is not serviced by public transportation, and taxi services in Mulege are very limited. You can rent a car in Loreto, which is about 200 miles away and has an international airport with flights from Mexico and the United States.
You can also rent your car in La Paz or Cabo if you are fly to either of these two destinations. Both cities have many car rental companies where you can rent a car for your trip.
Where to rent a car in Loreto?
Aeropuerto Internacional de Loreto or Loreto International Airport (LTO), is the closest place where you can rent a car near Mulege. My trusted go-to company for finding car rentals in Mexico is DiscoverCars, which has a good selection of car rentals at affordable rates.
You can also add full Mexican insurance for your car rental for less than $10 per day when booking your car with DiscoverCars.
What car rental companies can I find in Loreto?
Loreto airport has plenty of car rental companies including Hertz. Click here to find out about all options.
How much does it cost to rent a car in Loreto?
Renting a car in Loreto usually costs between $30-40 a day with full coverage for an economy car. Bigger vehicles cost more, but they can come in handy if you want to do off-roading and go to places not accessible by regular cars.
Get a good insurance for your RV
If you are driving your car or RV from the United States to Mexico, you will need to get a car insurance for your trip. Baja Bound Mexican Insurance is a popular choice among American and Canadian travelers.
Things to watch out for when renting a car in Mexico
When renting a car in Mexico, watch out for low daily rates between $5-10 a day. These rates usually don’t include taxes, fees, and mandatory Mexican insurance.
By the time you apply them, your daily rate could go up to $50-70, a day in some cases. Unfortunately, some companies are not being upfront about their rates when listing their services on third-party platforms, and if you find a super low rate, reach out to ask what exactly it covers.
Low rates usually cover only a bare minimum that doesn’t include fees and other mandatory charges.
When I look for cars through DiscoverCars, I usually see regular rates, but you should always vet a car rental company and read online reviews before making your reservation.
If you ever have questions about car rental pricing, contact a specific car rental company where you want to make a reservation.
Other beaches near Mulege that you should visit
- Playa Armenta – Playa Armenta is an often missed beach at the southern end of Bahia Concepcion that has plenty of space for camping, but no facilities.
- Playa El Requeson – One of the most popular beaches for camping along Bahia Concepcion, Playa El Requeson has basic facilities like bathrooms and showers, as well as kayak rentals. You can also get snacks and souvenirs from local vendors who show up on this beach when it’s busy.
- Playa Buenaventura – Playa Buenaventura is a less visited beach with a rocky shoreline, some palapas, showers, and a restaurant.
- Playa El Coyote – El Coyote is a neighbor of El Burro. It’s one of the most scenic beaches along Bahia Concepcion.
- Playa Lo Cocos – A less popular beach along Bahia Concepcion, Playa Los Cocos is the next beach after Playa Santispac, which is perfect if you want to avoid crowds.
- Playa Buenaventura – Playa Buenaventura is one of the closest beaches near Mulege that has access to hotels, restaurants, and facilities.
Final word
Overall, Playa Santispac is the place to mingle with the RV community and enjoy the best of Bahia Concepcion. Some people end up staying here long-term because it’s a fantastic place to be, while others make only a quick stop. Regardless of how much time you have, this beach is worth a visit!
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 is 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 finding rental cars 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 HostelWorld to find hostels. VRBO 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.
