An oasis day inland from the resorts: a short, steep path into a granite canyon, a cold freshwater pool under a waterfall, and on the way home, natural hot pools steaming in a riverbed under the palms.
Behind the coast of Los Cabos rises the Sierra de la Laguna, a granite range high enough to catch rain. Its streams cut canyons into the foothills around the old mission village of Santiago, where palms and mango orchards crowd the riverbeds.
About 90 minutes north of Cabo, a short, steep trail drops into Fox Canyon, the Cañón de la Zorra, and ends at a freshwater pool under a 12-metre waterfall sliding down smooth granite. Further up, a larger pool and the Sol de Mayo cascade reward a scramble. The trailhead crosses private ranch land with a small fee.
Nearby, natural pools sit in riverbeds in the foothills, at Santiago and at Agua Caliente. They are free or nearly so, simple and uncrowded, and warm enough, hot enough to matter in January.
A loop of the foothills, with the Tropic of Cancer on the way home.
Drive north past San José del Cabo through cactus country to the Santiago turn-off.
Pay the fee at the ranch gate and take the steep steps down into the canyon.
Swim in the pool beneath the 12-metre fall, then scramble upstream to the larger pool and the Sol de Mayo cascade.
Back in the car, stop at the riverbed hot pools of Santiago or Agua Caliente for a warm soak.
On the drive south, stop at the monument where the highway crosses the Tropic of Cancer.
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Guided day tours from Cabo take about seven hours, with transport and lunch; with a car you can add the hot springs at your own pace.
Pay the small access fee at the ranch; the hot springs may ask for a donation.
The last kilometres to the trailhead are dirt road; an ordinary car manages when dry.
Los Cabos practical notes →Wikimedia Commons photographs are used under their licences; Pexels photographs under the Pexels licence.
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