Nestled just below the Tropic of Cancer, where the desert meets the ocean, lies Todos Santos—a town so charming it feels like it stepped right out of one of my daydreams. Known for its vibrant art scene and effortlessly cool surfing vibe, it had been sitting pretty on our must-visit list for far too long. Then, during one of those "Where should we go next?" conversations, it hit me like a warm desert breeze: Todos Santos, one of my ultimate "why not?" destinations.
The trip had an extra sprinkle of magic because it wasn’t just about us—it was about celebrating our son Rio's third birthday. You see, from the moment Rio entered our lives, we made a pact: his birthdays would always come with a passport stamp. So, in the heart of this picture-perfect town in Baja our little globetrotter turned three. And while there were plenty of sun-soaked moments, my favorite? Wandering through local shops, picking out birthday gifts that doubled as souvenirs for memories in the making.
The streets of Todos Santos are graced with colorful papel picado flags, swaying gently in the breeze. Beneath them, towering cacti stand proud, while palm trees reach up towards blue sky. The colonial buildings, with their sun-bleached facades and wrought-iron balconies, whisper stories of another time. It's a place where every corner seemed to say, “Stop. Take a picture. Stay a while.” And, like any good traveler—I obliged.
As we strolled through the picture-perfect streets of Todos Santos, Rio’s tiny hand tucked in ours, this was the real magic of celebrating his birthday here. It wasn’t about balloons or cake. It was about the little moments: watching him proudly pick up new Spanish phrases, his fingers coated in guacamole, and the pure joy in his eyes as he gazed up at the colorful flags fluttering above. This wasn’t just another birthday; it was a chapter in his story—one written with adventure, culture, and a kind of love you can only find when you let the world in.
