Journey Baja California
17 days from € 3,900 per person
off the beaten track - driving - nature - beach - wildlife spotting
Travel description
- Drive through vast deserts that vanish into the sea
- Snorkel with whale sharks in one of the most beautiful bays in the world, Bahía Balandra
- Spot gray whales, dolphins and stingrays in Loreto or Puerto Lopez Mateos
- Indulge in a delicious Martini cocktail on the beach of San José del Cabo
Day 1: Amsterdam - Mexico City - San Jose del Cabo
Today you will fly with your intercontinental night flight to Mexico City, where you will arrive early the next morning.
Day 2: San Jose del Cabo
In the morning you will arrive in Mexico City, where you will transfer to your domestic flight to San Jose del Cabo. Once here, you will be welcomed by one of our local staff and together you will pick up your rental car. You will drive to your accommodation in San Jose del Cabo, approx. 13 km / 30 min drive. You will stay at Casa Natalia, a small boutique hotel in the heart of the historic centre of San Jose del Cabo. The rest of the day is at your leisure. You can rest after the long flight on the beach or visit the historical centre of the city.
Accommodation: Casa Natalia | bed & breakfast
Day 3: San Jose del Cabo - La Paz
(approx. 200 km | 3-hour drive)
After breakfast you drive to La Paz, where you can make a stop at the ghost town of El Triunfo. La Paz is an attractive city with a historic centre on the east coast of Baja California. Around the city you will find beautiful beaches. You will spend the next three nights at the hotel Posada de las Flores, an attractive boutique hotel just a few meters away from the boulevard.
Accommodation: Hotel Posada de las Flores La Paz | bed & breakfast
Day 4: La Paz
This day you have the possibility to go out with your rental car. For example, you can visit the nearby mangrove bays inhabited by a large number of seabirds. Or you can go kayaking over the beautiful turquoise waters. One of these bays, Balandra Bay, was declared one of the 10 most beautiful bays in the world by Condé Nast Traveller Magazine. You can also choose to take a boat trip to look for whale sharks that are here between June and September. A special experience!
Accommodation: Hotel Posada de las Flores La Paz | bed & breakfast
Day 5: La Paz
In the morning you will leave by boat, in international company, for the special island of Espiritu Santo. The island of Espiritu Santo was first explored by Jacques Cousteau in 1974, he called the waters 'the aquarium of the world'. The area was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1995. The island is beautiful, the contrast of desert scenery and the sea together with the rock formations of volcanic origin create a beautiful colour contrast. You will find a variety of seabirds here, with a bit of luck you will spot the blue-footed boobie, but also sea lions. The sea water is clear and you can snorkel among the coral reef, the beautiful colourful fish and sea lions. Perhaps you will be surprised on this day with a school of dolphins, jumping rays or even whales. During lunch you can enjoy a picnic on the beach. At the end of the afternoon you will return to your hotel.
Accommodation: Hotel Posada de las Flores La Paz | bed & breakfast
Day 6: La Paz - Loreto
(approx. 365 km | 5.5-hour drive)
You will continue your trip to Loreto, the former capital of Baja California. The city is famous for the first Jesuit mission in the 17th century. It has an intimate atmosphere with its picturesque colonial streets and wide beautiful bay. In the afternoon, you can visit the nearby rocky 500-metre-high canyon. Back in Loreto you can enjoy a beautiful sunset. You will stay in Posada de las Flores Loreto, a charming boutique hotel in the middle of the colonial centre of Loreto.
Accommodation: Hotel Posada de las Flores Loreto | bed & breakfast
Day 7: Loreto
Today you have a day off in Loreto. Explore the area by rental car, enjoy the beach or take a nice boat trip. Enjoy! The town of Loreto is a small charming town on the peninsula of Baja California, bordering the sea of Cortez. It has a picturesque town centre with well-shaded squares and an attractive promenade where locals and tourists like to stroll along the water's edge. The city's motto is "300 years old and still undiscovered". Whale watching is very popular in Loreto from mid-December to mid-March. Fishing is also popular here. You can see marlins, dolphinfish and other ray-finned fish here. Diving is also possible.
Accommodation: Hotel Posada de las Flores Loreto | bed & breakfast
Day 8: Loreto - Lopez Mateos
(approx. 160 km | 2.5-hour drive)
Drive from Loreto in a south-westerly direction to Lopez Mateos, on the other side of the peninsula. Puerto Lopez Mateos is one of the best places for whale watching in Baja California. Your hotel is located on the beach and offers beautiful views. Enjoy the views from your porch or take a walk on the beach.
Accommodation: Hotel Mangrove Inn | bed & breakfast
Day 9: Lopez Mateos - Puerto San Carlos
(approx. 120 km | 2-hour drive)
You start the day with a boat trip to spot grey whales. These giant mammals spend the summers in the Bering Sea and in the winter they descend to the south, where part of the whale population chooses to stay in the waters around Baja California. This journey is approximately 15,000 to 20,000 kilometres long, and is one of the longest annual migrations of mammals. After the boat trip, you will continue to Puerto San Carlos. Puerto San Carlos is a small village where a large number of crab and mussel collectors live. You will stay at Hotel Villas Mar y Arena where you will stay in a cabin with beautiful ocean views.
Accommodation: Hotel Villas Mar y Arena | bed & breakfast
Day 10: Puerto San Carlos
In the morning, you will go out again to spot the grey whales, but this time from Puerto San Carlos. Now that you are here, it is of course, worthwhile to see these animals. The rest of the day is at your leisure.
Accommodation: Hotel Villas Mar y Arena | bed & breakfast
Day 11: Puerto San Carlos - Todos Santos
(approx. 345 km | 5.5-hour drive)
After breakfast, you will drive on to Todos Santos. This small town is home to many artists and has a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. There are many art galleries and several restaurants. You will stay in a 19th century historic building in which the Guaycura Boutique Hotel & Spa is located. After discovering the Mexican town, you can indulge yourself in the ''Aena Spa'', which has been selected as one of the ''best spas in Mexico'' by GQ Magazine.
Accommodation: Guaycura Boutique Hotel & Spa | bed & breakfast
Day 13-15: San Jose del Cabo
These days you are free to spend in San Jose del Cabo. Spend your days on the beach or take a dip in the swimming pool of your hotel and in the evening enjoy a delicious dinner in the 'Mi Cocina' restaurant. Chef-owner Loic Tenoux offers you classic dishes known for Euro-Mexican cuisine. In addition to a fine wine list, you can also order a colourful Martini cocktail at the Palapa bar. Enjoy these last days here!
Accommodation: Casa Natalia | bed & breakfast
Day16: San Jose del Cabo – Mexico City – Amsterdam
Unfortunately, your journey is over. Today you will drive to the airport of San Jose del Cabo (approx. 15 km / half hour drive), where you will return your rental car and board your intercontinental flight to Amsterdam, via Mexico City.
Day 17: Amsterdam
You arrive in Amsterdam today
Travel sum
From € 3,900 per person
- Based on 2 persons travelling together
- Depending on the time of booking, availability of accommodation and period of travel
Included:
- Early check-in at Casa Natalia on arrival, due to early arrival in San Jose del Cabo
- 14 nights at a hotel, meals as stated
- 14 days rental car (Cat. A Volkswagen Vento or similar alternative, including insurance, two drivers and unlimited mileage - in the event of total unloading of the car, an excess of 10% of the value of the car applies.
- all transfers and excursions as mentioned
- 24/7 our backup; locally and in the Netherlands
- Comprehensive travel document package with small attention
Not included:
- international and domestic flights, if desired we can reserve these for you
- early check-in / late check-out, based on availability this is sometimes given by the hotel. If you want to be sure you have this, please enquire about the surcharge.
- (Dutch) public contribution Calamity fund; € 2.50,- per booking
- SGR contribution of € 5,- per person per booking
- travel and cancellation insurance
Request travel proposal - for a journey through Mexico
Do you also want to make this trip? Of course, we can arrange the above trip for you, but we are also happy to put together a programme based on your wishes and ideas. Feel free to contact us. Call +31 73 610 62 04, send an email to info@sapapanatravel.nl or request a tailor-made offer below. We are happy to help.
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