I’ve visited Cabo many times. One change to my travel plans made my last trip the best yet.

I did some research ahead of time and found out it’s known for its strawberries and cream dessert. After ordering it, I completely understand the hype.

Todos Santos was such a charming town that I decided to make a whole day of exploring it.

I had a delicious seafood lunch at Oystera, a chic oyster restaurant and bar, before hitting local shops like Nomad Chic and Zocalo on Todos Santos Road.

I got ice cream at Baja Tasty then drove 10 minutes to check into Paradero Hotel for the night. It features stunning architecture that blends nearly seamlessly into the beautiful natural setting around it.

After my pit stop, I continued driving north for a little over an hour to reach La Paz, which is known for its fantastic marine life.

The city, located on the Gulf of California, is famous for whale-shark diving and snorkeling — there’s even a statue of a whale shark on the waterfront promenade. Unfortunately, I missed the opening of the season by a few days.

Instead, I quickly checked into the retro Baja Club Hotel, grabbed an ice cream from La Michoacana, and immediately drove to Balandra Beach.

The beach only allows visitors to enter twice a day, once in the morning and once in the afternoon. I recommend asking a tour agency when the opening times are for the day you’re visiting.

After lounging in the sun, I dined at the trendy Quemadero restaurant. It had views of the sea, indoor and outdoor seating under string lights, and a hidden nightclub.

My adventures didn’t stop there, though. The next day, I took a 45-minute boat ride to Isla Espiritu Santo and spent the day diving with sea lions and other underwater life.

I ended the night with an intimate dinner at Nemi, followed by drinks on the roof of República Pagana.

I can’t imagine visiting Cabo without a car ever again

Even with the extra travel time — a little over an hour each to Todos Santo and La Pez and about two and a half hours back to Cabo — renting a car was one of the best decisions I made on my trip.

I still got to do all of the things I typically do in Cabo, but I also had the flexibility and freedom to venture out and get to know the Baja culture, foods, and locals.

It was such a great way to get out of the touristy areas and learn more about the region’s beauty. As a woman traveling alone, I also felt completely safe throughout the entire journey.

Renting a car on vacation — especially in another country — can seem over-complicated and daunting. But if you’re planning a trip to Cabo, I highly recommend taking the leap.