Positioned on the Bay of Conception these sands are even more protected from the mild waves of the Sea of Cortez than anywhere else. Its designed for adventurous travelers with cover for overseas medical, evacuation, baggage, and a range of adventure sports and activities. I spent 2 days in Ensenada, mostly for eating. A very long trip was ahead of me and I was excited to see the landscape I have been dreaming of, since my first road trip in Baja California2 years ago. We didnt stay too long in Santa Rosalia (because the beaches awaited us) but there are tons of street vendors selling agua frescas (juices, flavored waters, horchata) and the best bakery in Baja. We suggest a donation of 100 pesos. Next. Thanks for reading our free backpacking resource about travel in Latin America. I had asked around and after a few disappointing answers, I have finally found a lovely place at a low rate. Do yourself a favor and stop in for lunch. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. But the small breakfast joint at the foot of the church had great classic Mexican breakfast fare and at night a hot dog stand often sets up out front. . It is a toll road so be prepared to pay 40 pesos ($2) three times on your way down the coastline. There you also find his contact details. This just means I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you for helping them promote their product or service. These are the names of a few favorites. The more I drove the more intense and painful my headache became. I was lucky he was available and everything fit in perfectly well with my schedule. I met 2 couples and 1 guy, all very nice and enthusiastic travelers. When heading out for the night, we recommend heading to Cabo Wabo and El Squid Roe. Your email address will not be published. Aside from being remote, its one of the best places to chill with a beer and watch some of the best crimson-red sunsets you can see in Mexico. It was a great slow walk in the dry vegetation of the desert. Over 13 days, you'll visit some of Mexico's most naturally beautiful and culturally rich areas. I was way early and enjoy the sun rising from the sea on the horizon. Where to Eat, Stay, and Play in La Paz, Mexico - Cond Nast Traveler Hes now creating is own official travel agency, Waate tours to take people around to discover that area that he loves so much. Despite its small size, its well-connected with Mexico by air and you can even fly direct from some cities in Canada and The USA. The capital of the Baja Sur region, La Paz is one of the most popular destinations to visit this side of Mexico, and for very good reason too. The dry season runs from November until June, where average temperatures range from 70-77F, with highs of up to 89F and lows of 61F. A word of warning: The wineries are not close together. You'll have the chance to explore Cabo Pulmo, a treasure-trove of marine wildlife where . I would really recommend getting in touch with him if you are planning a trip there. Warning! I have to confess I was starting to get nervous because the news of the COVID-19 was getting every day more worrisome and the fear that it was spreading through this side of the world was becoming more and more real. Fully seasoned backpackers Dan & George are here to share their no non-sense travel guides for Latin America designed to help you to explore the continent with ease. Get a free quote now by clicking the link and this will help you get a realistic quote to see how much your backpacking insurance will cost you for the entire duration of your trip. I was the only foreigner wandering around the plaza so he immediately found me and welcomed me with a sweet genuine smile and his cute lovely dog. On our way back our friends the dolphin paid us another visit, again many of them flipping around our boat in a circle. Excited for the day to come after a quick salute to the sun and some lovely shots I wanted to secure my snorkeling tour for the day before going for the so much-needed breakfast. This city is easy to get to with domestic flights arriving from Mexico City and connects the region up well between the smaller destinations. & heres where we slept on the way back to the United States. This trip takes you into the heart of Baja and showcases the region's wild, natural beauty. This will cover all costs including where youll sleep, eat, some drinks and also local buses to get to activities. We skipped this Lagoon because, alas, it was not whale season. If youre looking for a complete guide to Loreto click the link here. I have a question. The funny thing is I love hiking through boulders. Travel insurance from World Nomads is available to people from over 130 countries. Anyway, the room was nice and it was right on the river, peaceful and quiet. This desert is brimming with palm-fringed oasis, curious coyotes, a smattering of small Mexican towns with quaint cobblestone streets, and HUGE Saguaro Cacti. You might be driving from the USA or Canada to go down to Los Cabos, and in this itinerary, I will give you a few stops that you need to see in Baja Norte. Unfortunately, I found out that there are no coffee places in the afternoon, only for breakfast. In fact, it was one of those places that are made to be upscale but you feel like there is something missing and you dont know what. There are plenty of other travelers here but not typically of the van variety. It was a lovely couple of hours that ended up in an even more exciting way, as Sue invited us to have breakfast in their colorful and stylish spacious bungalow with a stunning view over the bay. It was an unexpected surprise for sure, that made this special trip, extra special. It would only take 30 minutes and 2USD, a little contribution to support the maintenance. Invest in a Comprehensive Van Build Guide, Investing in Van Conversion Academy Includes, BATU CAVES I dont endorse any services I dont personally use or recommend. I was completely alone, and I started to get scared, at the thought to have a punch tire, and nobody would be able to help me. This will give you the time to explore the beautiful bays that you will encounter along the way. Aim to stay near the Mariner, where there are many hostels and restaurants set-up. I found a place to sleep for a modest 600 pesos, about 25 USD, for a private room. Baja Sur is also great for its blend of lively hubs such as Cabo San Lucas and La Paz, as well as its more remote, charming villages of San Carlos and beyond. It was simply too hot for us to try and stay. They specialize in natural wine but have a wide selection of white, red, and a very tasty food truck in their sprawling outdoor space overlooking the vineyard. San Ignacio comes out of nowhere. If you pay it a visit I would love to hear how it is. 6:30PM: Dinner at Corazn de Tierra. We have just been talking about going to Baja to see the gray whales so it was great to find this post. This is one of the oldest and best-preserved missions in the Baja region. Katie & Ben from Two Wandering Soles provide the answers. Thats the way I live my life and the way I face my fears. PDF PRE-TRIP ITINERARY Baja California - The Nature Conservancy Thanks so much for all the valuable information you have provided! A popular place to go whale watching in Baja California is the Ojo de Liebre whale breeding area. A 3-Week Travel Itinerary Through Baja California, Mexico - Culture Trip There are 2 main tours you can do from La Paz and they are by boat. Or just check out my vanlife page for more inspiration. What van layout should we choose? Those are the moments when I realize how I am better off on my own than with a bad company. This means if you dont plan your route carefully youll end up stopping in the same towns you explored on your trip down South. In 40 minutes I arrived at my first stop. Baja California is a Mexican state on the Baja California Peninsula, bordering the U.S. state of California. Boasting cosmopolitan cities, striking Andean mountains and other remarkable sceneries, Northern Argentina is one of the best regions to backpack in the lower portion of South America. I have always had an amazing experience with my Airbnb hosts. It does not store any personal data. We recommend spending your first 3-4 days here, where you can have some beach time, see some awesome sights and enjoy its authentic nightlife. Even the hot and crispy churros served from vendors wandering between cars in the border crossing line are worth eating. Now your long driving days begin. We had fun, but I was happy to be alone this time and go at my own pace, deciding every day what to do next. But they have great snorkeling so you must come and live without coffee for a couple of days, or just pour a lot of sugar to hide the burning taste. Some of the best things to do in the city include strolling along the Malecn which runs along the coast, visiting the charming La Paz Cathedral and also visiting the Serpentario where you can see many exotic animals such as: Iguanas, Birds and rare amphibians. There are many trails that you can hike and also 7 old missions to visit. I finally arrived at Cabo Pulmo and I was desperate to find a coffee that could have helped relieve the pain. Only later on I understood why he was not so clear about the itinerary. You will find the best things to do in La Paz Mexico, including special hidden gems, often known only to locals. Average temperatures range from 80-83F, with highs of up to 91F and lows of 72F. The 25 Top Things To Do In La Paz Mexico + Practical Tips Tons of layout options to choose from. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. But not the desolate dreary flat kind of cacti haven. & if youre a first-time builder I highly recommend their complete van conversion academy. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. A COMPLETE step-by-step walk-through on how to build your van from fan installation to sub-flooring to sound dampening to water and propane. Without a 4-wheel drive, it would have been difficult to get there, but they were working on fixing it. Youre here for the whales. Just shuffle your feet in the shallows to avoid stepping on them. We went back around midday and after saying goodbye to my new temporary friends, I went for a good brunch and then off to my new destination. The historical center is really tiny but not short of charm. Its not only the fastest route to Ensenada but the easiest for drivers unfamiliar with Mexican roadways. In your case, I am sure you will do the tour and you could decide whether to spend the following night there or drive back toward Loreto. Most never leave those 3 main streets. My arrival at Los Cabos airport was smooth, mostly because I was on a domestic flight so no immigration hassle. You should plan to hit about half your destinations on the way down to Cabo and then half on your return trip up the Peninsula, that way you dont have endlessly long drives punctuated with stops in towns youve already seen. Some links in this post contain affiliate links. If you only have two weeks to road trip the Baja Peninsula I recommend focusing on Baja California Sur. Another important consideration is what to pack. We hang out in there for about 30 minutes. 4PM: Wine tasting at Torres Alegre. Another time Airbnb helped me to find a nice room to rest before the following day on the road. It was like a festival, they were competing with our boat flipping around, and having so much fun. great places and beautiful people, with just a couple of exceptions but they were just a little lower than my expectations. Todos Santos benefits from the streams of water coming from the Sierra de La Laguna a mountain chain right in the middle of the southern region of Baja California Sur. Outside of whale season, its a ghost town. Yes, they are very friendly, they love the sound of the motor of the boat and come close and they are very curious to see whos inside the boat! She had only praise for him and told me he would help me arrange my tours in Loreto. The old-stone church is great for a photo with the desert lying behind, which creates a really attractive contrast. When we finally reached the emerald green natural pool I looked around for the best shots, took some pics and then joined the others into the water. Like most destinations in Mexico, the best way to get around Baja California Sur will be by bus. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". All three can be easily explored in a day or two and are a perfect introduction to the Baja Peninsula. The tour costs 700 pesos (30 USD) but its really something you can do it on your own. On your way into town be sure to stop at the lookout point before you descend to see the bay in all its bright blue glory. Go hiking in the Sierra de la Laguna Mountains 4. Right before the curve onto the coastal road I remember there was a detour to a beach called Agua Verde. (Little did I know at that time that I would have locked down myself in La Paz with no chance to move, due to the pandemic!- Darn!). This entire Baja Mexico Itinerary can be done in 3 weeks. If youre looking for a few other wineries to add to your list. Due to its size you can walk everywhere with ease, so it doesnt matter which part you stay in. Over the years this region has been also home of the indigenous people of Cochimis and Guayacuras, the Spanish conquerors, the Jesuits missionaries, and the first rancheros. At a certain point, where the road was becoming hard and boring to ride, Edoardo picked us up on his track, and off we went back to Santiago where the trip ended. You might not realize it from La Paz but the Sierra de la Giganta is a mountain chain, the spine of Baja California Sur that begins in La Paz and stretches all the way up north for 356 km up to Mulege where it becomes Sierra Guadalupe. We crossed into Mexico at the Mexicali border, drove down the gulf side all the way to Cabo and back up through the west side. duration 15 Days ships National Geographic Venture Routes Multiple routes available. Theres always live music, a small zoo of animals outside (mostly goats, ducks, and sheep), and locally crafted beer. Too bad she was not allowed to come along. 1. Luckily Edoardo helped me when I absolutely didnt know where to put my feet. Now its got more of an LA hipster vibe. I woke up early and had a nice short run. 6 days in Baja California | Mexikoo My favorites were topped with pineapple. After deciding on the itinerary we left. Instinct I guess. And so I did. The first hour was quite boring, the landscape was flat and tedious. But I was there and I wanted to make the most of it. Before searching for accommodation I wanted to check out the marina, where the tours would start. Situated on the still untainted eastern coast of Baja California Sur, washed by the Sea of Cortes, Loreto is one of the prettiest towns of Baja California that you will not want to miss. If youre looking for a place to car-camp in Ensenada look no further. Once a hippy haven this town is quickly turning commercial. Right after the tour, I stopped for a coffee and then off to my next destination, San Ignacio, more whales, maybe. The Cardamon team turned out to be super professional. Lots of them. The hostile grounds have been explored by biologists and researchers to study the territory and its inhabitants. From Todos Santos its only 1 hour to Los Cabos and 1h 20 minutes to Los Cabos Airport. When I called them the previous days to book my tour, I was told that the road to the lagoon was in bad condition due to recent flooding. Baja California Sur is no different, and here youll find some outstanding beaches and natural experiences on offer. The way back was shorter and I loved the fact that it was not a challenging hike, so I could really enjoy the surrounding vegetation, and the dry landscapes, interrupted by the towering cacti. The ultimate Baja California road trip guide - Lonely Planet My last day ended with a great dinner with my friend Kora, where I met Santiago and then in Cabo Pulmo, remember? The place by the lagoon was magical and we saw lots of whales. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Be sure to come back to this article whenever you need help planning or even to suggest your own tips once youve completed the adventure yourself. Since we built our van in 2020 for under $4,000 (heres how) weve traveled to nearly every single national park in the United States, traversed the Baja Peninsula, and circled the US looking for the best American foodie stops. Go on a whale watching trip 7. After some light breakfast with a coffee and some date bread, a typical local cake made with dates, off I drove back to Loreto, just to find a place to stay before setting off to my next destination.