Valle De Los Gigantes, Baja California – Your Complete Guide
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Located south of San Felipe, Valle De Los Gigantes is one of the most beautiful – and yet underrated places in Baja California. Translated as Valley of the Giants from Spanish, this place is home to dozens of giant cacti that looks like nowhere else on the planet! 🌵
Hundreds of cars pass by the entrance to this area along the busy highway, with only a handful of cars stopping here.
I visited Valle De Los Gigantes during my stay in San Felipe, and was the only person here on a Tuesday morning! As I was taking photos of the giant cacti, only a few cars drove past me as they headed toward the loop around the park.
✅ Read: Is Baja California safe?
I spent about 1 hour in the park and had an amazing time. It’s a tranquil place with stunning landscapes and plenty of sunshine, which makes for stunning photos.
To make the best out of your trip, I recommend bringing a camera with you, or at least a cell phone.
Valle De Los Gigantes is one of the best places for photography in Baja, thanks to dozens of huge cordon cactus trees dotting the valley.
I take my photos with a Canon D6 Mark II. It’s one of the best cameras I’ve ever had, and I couldn’t recommend it more!
Whether you want to walk around or drive the scenic loop, this article will help you plan your trip to this magical place.
Where is Valle De Los Gigantes?
Valle De Los Gigantes is about 14 miles southeast of San Felipe near Punta Estrella camp. It’s located in the arid desert between the Sea of Cortez and the Sierra de San Pedro Martir mountains.
To get to Valle De Los Gigantes, drive south along Highway 1 and make a right turn when you get to the entrance.
Valle De Los Gigantes Map
Valle De Los Gigantes Price
The entrance to Valle De Los Gigantes costs 200 Pesos per vehicle and has to be paid in cash. There are no ATMs in the area, so you have to bring enough money.
Why visit Valle De Los Gigantes?
Valle De Los Gigantes is home to the cardón cactus, the tallest cactus in the world that reaches up to 60 feet. It’s one of the few places in Baja California, where you can walk along the giant cactus, as they’re a couple of trails in the area.
Valle De Los Gigantes: an overview
Valle de los Gigantes, also known as Valley of the Giants, is a unique desert landscape in Mexico’s Baja California. Located along the busy highway, it’s an overlooked place, with only a handful of travelers coming here.
As you approach the entrance, an attendant will greet you, collect the payment and give you directions. Drive for about 5-7 minutes after entering the area, and you will find a small palapa on the right-hand side.
You will also see a big sign warning you that you can’t drive further unless you have a 4X4 vehicle. It’s where the scenic loop begins, and you can also get out of the car and explore the trails meandering along the cactus.
Giant Cardon Cactus
The cardón is the largest cactus species in the world and is native to the deserts of Baja California in Mexico. The cardón cactus is known for its impressive size, with mature specimens reaching heights of up to 60 feet (18 meters), living up to 300 years, and living up to 25 tons.
Some confuse it with the saguaro cactus in Arizona, but these are two different species! While the Cardon cactus only grows in Baja California, the saguaro grows in Sonora, Arizona, and California.
Even if you have never been to Baja California before, there’s a good chance that you’ve seen this cactus in photos and movies since it has become one of the symbols of Baja California.
Hiking in Valle De Los Gigantes
After you get out of your car, you can stretch your feet, enjoy the scenery, and take some photos.
Walking along the giant cacti was one of the highlights of my Baja California trip, and I’m sure it will be yours too! I might be biased, but I think that it’s one of the most incredible places I’ve ever seen.
Valle De Los Gigantes is open every day from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Tips for visiting Valle De Los Gigantes
✅ Visit early morning
Valle De Los Gigantes is located in the desert, and it can be very hot here during the day. To avoid the heat, visit the area early morning when the heat is not as brutal. If you come here early enough, you could have the entire place to yourself!
✅ Wear good hiking shoes
I can’t stress enough how important it is to wear good hiking shoes if you decide to stop in this place. Even though the area has a couple of trails, many plants that grow along the way also have spikes in them.
When I was walking in Valle De Los Gigantes, I was wearing regular gym shoes and got several spikes in my feet. Getting them out was super painful, and the whole thing could have been easily avoided, if I had proper hiking shoes on.
✅ Bring plenty of water (and some snacks)
There are no stores or restaurants in the area, so bring enough water because you can get dehydrated very quickly. Fill up your water bottle ahead of your trip!
✅ Wear sunscreen
Make sure to put plenty of sunscreen, because the sun in Baja can be really strong, especially during mid-day.
✅ Put on a hat
Dont’ forget a good, wide-brimmed hat will protect you from the harsh desert sun.
✅ Take your camera with you
This is one of the most beautiful places in Valle De Los Gigantes, and you will need a camera to capture it. Whether it’s your phone or your camera, have it ready when you come here, because this place is just too gorgeous
✅ Rent a 4X4
Only a portion of Valle De Los Gigantes is open to regular vehicles, and if you want to drive the full loop, you will need a 4X4 car. You can rent a four-wheel drive in car rental agencies in Mexicali, Tijuana, and Ensenada, so you can navigate the bumpy Baja roads with ease.
✅ RENT A CAR FOR YOUR BAJA ROAD TRIP
✅ Check the weather
While the climate in Baja California is generally sunny, check the weather ahead of your visit. If you want to see Valle De Los Gigantes in its full glory, it’s best to stop here on a bright sunny day, so you can enjoy the view of the gorgeous cacti against the blue sky.
How to get to Valle De Los Gigantes
To get to Valle De Los Gigantes, you first need to get to Baja California. Drive south along Federal Highway 2 (Carretera Federal 2) to San Felipe, a small beach town along the Sea of Cortez. When you get to San Felipe, continue south on Mexico Federal Highway 5 (Carretera Federal 5) toward Puertecitos.
Take the Detour to Valle de los Gigantes:
Before reaching Puertecitos, you should see signs or dirt roads leading towards Valle de los Gigantes. The valley is known for its giant cardon cacti, and you’ll need to take an unpaved road to reach the heart of the valley.
PRO TIP: The drive from San Felipe to Puertecitos is known for its scenic beauty and offers some of the most spectacular landscapes in Baja California. Make sure that you have enough time to enjoy this scenic drive!
Drive carefully on unpaved roads
The roads leading to Valle de los Gigantes may be rough and unpaved. If you don’t have a 4X4 car, drive carefully.
Many visitors stop in Valle De Los Gigantes after spending some time in San Felipe, and some come here after driving from the south.
Mexico’s FMM Tourist Permit
If you are driving to San Felipe from the U.S., you will need to get your FMM tourist permit, or tourist card valid for up to 180 days. When it comes to traveling in Baja, even if you are not crossing the peninsula to Baja Sur, you are still required to have the FMM for traveling anywhere within the state.
Here is some information about Mexico’s FMM tourist permit:
- You can get Mexico’s FMM tourist permit at the INM (Instituto Nacional de Migración) office at the U.S.-Mexico border or online. However, even if you get it at an FMM online, you still need to stop at an INM office to get an entry stamp. You will also need to have a copy of your payment receipt.
- You will need a valid passport or passport card to get an FMM tourist permit, which gives you access to traveling throughout Mexico.
Check the tourist card application online.
Mexican car insurance
If you are driving you own car to Mexico from the United States, you need to purchase Mexican car insurance before your trip, which is mandatory for all cars.
Where to buy Mexican car insurance
Several companies offer Mexican car insurance including Baja Bound, which offers the most comprehensive insurance for driving in Mexico, and is used by many American and Canadian travelers.
Can I buy Mexican auto insurance at the border?
No, you can’t buy Mexican car insurance at the border, and to enter the country, you need to have proof of Mexican car insurance.
I recommend Baja Bound, a popular car insurance company among Mexico travelers that’s used by many visitors from the United States and Canada.
➡️ You can get a free quote from them online.
Renting a car for your trip to Valle De Los Gigantes
As in many places in Baja California, Valle De Los Gigantes requires a 4X4 vehicle if you want to do the full loop. A good place to find car rentals for your Baja road trip is DiscoverCars, which offers tons of great deals on many types of vehicles. I’ve booked my cars with DiscoverCars and always had a good experience, so I highly recommend their services.
➡️ CHECK PRICES ON CAR RENTALS IN BAJA CALIFORNIA
What documents do I need to rent a car in Mexico?
To rent a car in Mexico, you will need a valid driver’s license, a passport, a credit or debit card, and Mexican car insurance.
✅ A passport
When renting a car in Mexico, you will need your passport.
✅ A driver’s license
A valid driver’s license is required to rent a car in Mexico. If you are traveling to Mexico from countries that don’t use the Roman language alphabet, you will need an international driver’s license.
✅ A credit or debit card
You can use a debit or credit card to rent a car in Mexico. A car rental company will put a hold on your credit card, and if you return your car rental with no damages, the hold on your credit will be removed in a faw days.
I rented my car with Avis, when I travelled to San Felipe. Their office is located near Tijuana Airport, and I had a great experience with them.
➡️ CHECK PRICES ON CAR RENTALS
Driving your car to Valle De Los Gigantes
If you are driving your car, you have to to buy separate car insurance for your trip. Note that U.S. car insurance will not be valid in Mexico and will not protect you in the event of accidents.
Do I need Mexican car insurance?
Car rental insurance is mandatory in Mexico for all vehicles. When shopping for Mexican car insurance, you can choose from basic, medium, and full coverage. Basic insurance offers only minimal protection and full coverage protects you if your car is damaged, totaled, or stolen.
Can I drive in Mexico with a US license?
Yes, you can drive in Mexico with a valid US driver’s license, and driver’s licenses from Canada, the EU, and the UK. If your driver’s license is not in English, you will likely need to get an International Driving Permit that is typically valid for two years.
Can I use US car insurance when renting a car in Mexico?
No, you can’t use your US car insurance when renting a car in Mexico. You need to get Mexico car insurance for a rental car in Mexico. You can get insurance when renting a car or buy Mexican car insurance through Baja Bound if you are driving your car to Mexico from the United States or Canada.
Is there an airport near San Felipe, Mexico?
The biggest international airport near San Felipe is Tijuana International Airport (code:TIJ), about 221 miles away which has flights from the United States, and many domestic flights from Mexico City, Tulum and Cancun.
You can rent your car once you get to Tijuana. There are many car rental agencies near the airport, and you can find plenty of rentals through DiscoverCars.
Hotels near Valle De Los Gigantes
The closest hotels to Valle De Los Gigantes are in San Felipe. Here are a couple of options:
✅ Hotel Las Palmas – located less than 5 minutes from the beach by walking, Las Palmas is one of the most popular hotels in San Felipe with an outdoor pool, private parking, and an on-site restaurant.
✅ Stella Del Mar – Stella Del Mar is one of the most popular places to stay in San Felipe with a private beach with palapas and free private parking. Visitors love the on-site restaurant, and there’s also a tea and coffee maker in all rooms.
➡️ BOOK YOUR HOTEL IN SAN FELIPE
Camping near Valle De Los Gigantes
There are numerous camping spots around San Felipe, like Club de Pesca RV Park, Kiki’s RV Park or Bungalow Seaside Hotel & Victors RV Park.
