Sierra la Laguna holds a lot of treasures within its 277,835 acres. It contains over 150 species of birds, including some that are only found on the Baja peninsula. It is a vital part of the region’s water supply, providing around 90 percent of the population of La Paz and Los Cabos. It’s also the home of about 5,000 oak trees that have descended from ancient oaks dating back more than 50 million years ago, not to mention other rare plants such as the sea agave and the La Laguna liveforever, a rare succulent. This protected area, encompassing forests, mountains, and rivers, was designated a biosphere reserve by UNESCO in 1994.
If that wasn’t enough, the reserve is also home to several hot springs, groundwater heated by the Earth’s crust, that creates a natural version of a hot tub. Visitors and residents have been taking dips into those warm waters for generations. And though most of those springs are off limits to bathers because of the area’s protected status, there are two that are open to all— the El Chorro and Santa Rita Hot Springs.
Located around an hour and a half from Los Cabos, the Santa Rita Hot Springs is tucked away in a secluded canyon in the Sierra de La Laguna mountain range, its thermal waters providing a warm contrast to the cool waters of the nearby Cascada Sol de Mayo.
The trip to the Santa Rita Hot Springs will take you through some of the preserve’s beauty, even though it’s a fairly short hike. You’ll see desert plants blooming near pools of water, an oasis springing up in what, at first glance, looks like a dry landscape. Rocks jut out of the clear springs, providing a handy footpath toward the hot springs. And because it’s one of Baja’s hidden gems, at times it could feel like you are the only person in the world, enveloped in a warm spring as the mountains frame your view.
Know Before You Go
The hot spring is located 90 minutes north of Los Cabos on the East Cape side of the peninsula. It is accessed via drives through Santiago and San Jorge, two nearby small towns. In Santiago, follow signs for the zoo until you reach a dirt road leading to San Jorge, and past that you’ll come to Santa Rita.
For a small fee, $180 pesos, or $9 USD at time of this writing, you’ll be given a wristband for entry to the springs. It is a short hike over smooth rocks to get to the water. Avoid applying sunscreen before jumping in the water as the ecosystem of the water is delicate and protecting it ensures it can be enjoyed for many years to come.
