San Carlos (Baja California Sur) (also known as Puerto San Carlos) is a small fishing village on the Pacific coast of Baja California Sur. It is a sheltered harbor on Magdalena Bay, one of the best places in Mexico for whale watching.

Understand

San Carlos is a small town with a population of just over 5,000 (2020).

Get in

San Carlos lies about halfway up the state. It's about 500 km to San Jose del Cabo, or about 250 km to La Paz. If you were driving from northern Baja, San Carlos is about 1,250 km south of Ensenada, or about 500 km south of the state line between northern and southern Baja California.

The captain will take you fishing now

By car

From La Paz, drive north on MEX 1 for about 200 km. Turn left (west) on highway MEX 22. 60 km later, you'll be in San Carlos. The drive will take about 3 hours.

By bus

The closest bus station to San Carlos is Ciudad Constitucion. From there, you can hire a taxi to take you the 60 km to San Carlos.

From Guerrero Negro, Autobuses Aguila has several daily buses to Cd. Constitucion. The 8 to 9 hour trip will cost M$1230.

From La Paz, Autobuses Aguila goes to Vizcaino by way of Loreto. It's a 12-1/2 hour ride and will cost about M$1500.

Do

• Sportfishing
• Whale watching

Eat

• 1 El Tiburon, Puerto Adolfo Lopez Mateos 75, Polígono Núm. 1, Puerto San Carlos, ☏ +52 613 109 3329. 10:00 - 18:00. Seafood restaurant featuring just-caught specialties served up in large portions at low prices. Innovative dishes like chocolate clams and shrimp wrapped in bacon and stuffed with 2 cheeses. Busy place with great food. (updated May 2023)
• 2 Mariscos La Playita, P.º Costero 219, Polígono Núm. 1, Puerto San Carlos. Waterfront restaurant with just-caught seafood dishes, from grilled fish steaks to octopus. Generous portions make it a great value. (updated May 2023)

Sleep

• 1 Hotel Alcatraz, Puerto la Paz 160, Polígono Núm. 1, Puerto San Carlos, ☏ +52 612 107 2451. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 11:00. Very nice, modern courtyard style hotel with on-site bar and restaurant. Parking is on street, but safe. Dogs allowed. M$1650. (updated May 2023)
• 2 Villas Mar y Arena, Carretera Federal Ciudad Constitucion - Puerto San Carlos Kilómetro 57, Puerto San Carlos, ☏ +52 613 113 0373. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Large, clean, comfortable rooms with on-site restaurant. Friendly service. M$1550. (updated May 2023)
• 3 Hotel Sunset, paseo costero, Isla Monserrat e, entre Isla Catalina, Puerto San Carlos, ☏ +52 613 117 1538. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Unpretentious seaside hotel where you can watch whales from your front door. Friendly people and an on-site restaurant with home cooking. M$1380. (updated May 2023)

Go next

• Bahia de Loreto
• La Paz
• Guerrero Negro