Todos Santos residents and business owners are reporting a spike in vehicle break-ins near the town’s popular beaches, with 32 incidents documented over the past month. Specifically, the thefts are targeting rental cars and tourist vehicles at beach access points. Visitors often leave bags, electronics, and valuables visible while walking to the water.
The break-ins are concentrated at informal parking areas near Todos Santos’ Pacific-facing beaches, including the access roads to Playa Los Cerritos (the area’s most popular surf beach, located 7 kilometers south of town), Playa La Poza (near the former Hotel California), and Playa Las Palmas. In most cases, thieves smash the passenger-side window facing away from the road. They then grab bags from seats and floorboards.
According to local reports, late-model SUVs and pickup trucks with U.S. plates are targeted disproportionately. Most incidents occur between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. when visitors are on the beach and out of sight of their vehicles.
As a result, the Todos Santos municipal police and local expat community recommend several precautions:
- Leave nothing visible – Even an empty backpack or shopping bag invites a break-in. Put everything in the trunk before arriving at the beach, not after parking.
- Use staffed lots when available – Los Cerritos Beach has paid parking with an attendant. The small fee is worth the security.
- Don’t leave documents in the car – Carry your passport, vehicle registration, and insurance documents with you or lock them in the hotel safe.
- Park in visible locations – Choose spots near other occupied vehicles and facing the beach path where foot traffic is steady.
- Report incidents immediately – Contact Todos Santos municipal police. The local police station is located on Calle Juárez in the town center.
Nevertheless, Todos Santos remains one of the safest destinations in Baja California Sur. The U.S. State Department rates the entire state at Level 2. Furthermore, violent crime against visitors is extremely rare. Petty theft from unattended vehicles is the most common issue. However, it is largely preventable. The town’s growing popularity as a surf and art destination has brought more visitors and, with them, more opportunity-driven property crime in unmonitored beach parking areas.