Baja California Sur road trip
11 Days
Baja California Sur road trip
11 Days
Destinations: La Paz – Espiritu Santo Island – Balandra – Wale Shark Swimming – San Rafaelito – Los Cabos – Todo Santos.
Highlights
- From as little as $250 USD per person/day
DAY 1 - Self drive from La Paz Airport to your Hotel in La Paz
- Self drive
DAY 2 - Explore Espiritu Santo Island
Today you will visit one of the most representative places of Baja California, Espiritu Santo Island, which is part of a chain of rocky islands that extend southward along the western edge of the Gulf of California. Early in the morning you will be welcomed at the fiscal dock of the city of La Paz by your English-speaking guide and the crew of the boat, you will receive an explanation of the day’s activity and you will be provided with a life jacket, the experience begins with a one and a half hour ride across the main bay of La Paz to the island where you can enjoy incredible views.
Once you arrive, the boat will make some stops at strategic points to learn a little of the history of the “Pearl Islands” so named by Hernan Cortez upon your arrival to this destination, you will be able to appreciate different local fauna such as birds, turtles and with a little luck, sea lions and dolphins. Enjoy the amazing landscape of rock formations formed by alternating layers of lava and volcanic ash, steep cliffs rise above the turquoise waters where you will have time to snorkel. You will also visit a beach where you will enjoy a delicious lunch and free time to relax on the beach. After a few hours of enjoyment and rest you will depart to the La Paz pier where you will finish the day’s experience.
- Approx. 8 hours
DAY 3 - Whale Shark Swimming and Whale Shark Sighting
This experience is available from October to May. The meeting point is at a dock in the city of La Paz to board a boat and head to “el mogote” a refuge area for whale sharks because that is where the food they eat accumulates and where they are normally found. Once on board the boat you will be assigned a life jacket, a local certified English speaking guide will introduce himself to you to tell you about the specific regulations and the dynamics of the activity.
Once at the site you can make several dives to swim and if possible get close to one of the largest fish that inhabit the Gulf of California. The average time of stay is two hours since there is a regulation of time and people in order to reduce the impact that the activity generates. After this time of activity you will return to the starting point.
- Approx. 3 hours
DAY 4 - Balandra Beach & San Rafaelito - Night at Punta Arena
Today you will start your experience departing by boat from the dock of the city of La Paz to the beaches of Balandra just twenty five minutes north of the city, aboard a boat you will travel around the bay to your first stop, the Gaviota Island where you can see different types of birds of which you will be given a brief informative talk, then you will visit a small colony of sea lions called San Rafaelito where you can snorkel and hopefully swim with a sea lion very close to you.
Thirty minutes later you will arrive at Balandra where you will set up on the beach, set up an umbrella and table for refreshments. You will have time to enjoy and relax on the beach, swim, take a nap or simply contemplate the scenery. Once rested if you wish you can walk up a path on top of a hill to contemplate the breathtaking panoramic view of the bay of Balandra, when you return you will board the boat and take the way back to the city of La Paz, with a little luck you might see some dolphins swimming in freedom. The experience is approximately 5 hrs. After this experience you will drive to Punta Arena de La Ventana where you will spend the night.
Rated 5-stars by more than 1,500 travellers on Tripadvisor.
(4.8)
travelers
Victoria O.
September, 2022
Two Weeks in Mexico
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Kris S.
April, 2022
Enjoyed using Rutopia
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Melissa W.
July, 2022
Adventures in the Yucatán!
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Cat839
April, 2022
Great experience with this agency, totally recommend!
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Sue G
June, 2022
Mayan Site Tour in Yucatan Penninsula Mexico
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Varadarajan
July, 2022
Fantastic Will do it again
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Elena R.
April, 2022
A literally perfect trip to the Yucatan peninsula
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David
July, 2022
Journey to Mexico City, Cholula and Cuetzalan
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DaniEla
March, 2022
Just wonderful!
We had an amazing trip excellent organized by Jorge and supervised by Melina from Rutopia. We spent 10 days in Mexico, starting in Ciudad de Mexico where we visited the amazing Teotihuacan and then we flew to Yucatan for the amazing sites of Chichen Itza, Uxmal, Ek Balam, Tulum, Merida, Valladolid and the great Island Holbox. The trip was perfectly organized, the hotels were very good, and the guides were carefully chosen. We highly recommend Rutopia and especially Jorge!
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Bikø J
November, 2021
Chiapas, Neri and her family
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Alexhcros1500
March, 2021
Super local agency
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Mikel D
April, 2021
The best moment lived in Mexico
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Claudia A
September, 2020
Super organization, great accommodations and nice team
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pascalrichard0304
March, 2020
Circuit in Yucatan
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Sabrina N
March, 2020
Perfect
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DAY 5 - Los Barriles and Punta Arena de La Ventana beaches
Los Barriles is an excellent beach for kitesurfing and windsurfing. If water sports are not your thing, you can sit and watch the kite surfers pirouette and enjoy the sun and the beach. It is very close to town and all the restaurants. The public beach space is very large, you can find several spaces to set up your tent, even some spaces between the plants. There is very good snorkelling on the beach, it is worth bringing a bizor.
Punta Arena is another very nice public beach where you can camp freely. It is wild camping, there are no amenities, but the view is worth it. You can see Cerralvo Island in front of you.Totally pristine beach so you can do any activity. Some say they have seen dolphins on the seashore. At night it is quite dark so you have to be well prepared and there is also a lot of wind.
DAY 6 - Snorkelling in Cabo Pulmo
Cabo Pulmo is a natural protected area designated a natural world heritage site by UNESCO, important for the conservation of oceans and hard coral reefs.
You can’t miss an experience in the Navajas reef, appreciating white coral and diverse tropical fish. Snorkel in Chopitos or Carrizal, shallower areas, to observe hard and pink coral. You will also be able to find marine animals.
DAY 7 - La Zorra Canyon and Santa Rita's pristine hot springs
The Zorra Canyon, it is an ANP (Natural Protected Area), it is a beautiful oasis and well of fresh and clean water fed by a lagoon. You can walk to the bottom of the waterfall and enjoy the view, you can swim in the waterfalls. Your guide will give you the indications to go down and up to the top of the falls being very careful. During the return trip you will pass by several pools, if you like you can swim according to the indications of the guide). At the end of the tour you will arrive at the Sol de Mayo waterfall, the sound of birds singing will welcome you, you can swim and enjoy the place.
Then, explore one of Baja California’s off the beaten path natural wonders, Santa Rita’s stunning freshwater pools and hot springs are for you. Located not far from the beautiful Sol de Mayo Waterfall, Santa Rita is a true hidden treasure in the rugged landscapes of the Sierra de La Laguna canyons. Surrounded by native desert flora and fauna, including palm trees, Santa Rita feels like a tranquil oasis. The cool freshwater pools are perfect for an invigorating dip, and the mineral-rich hot springs are a relaxing treat. The best time of year to visit Santa Rita is during the winter months, when the weather is cooler and more pleasant. Keep an eye out for local wildlife while enjoying this tranquil Baja gem.
DAY 8 - Los Cabos
Relax full day in Los Cabos.
DAY 9 - Paddle boarding at Arco, Playa del Amor and Snorkeling
Today you will enjoy the Cabo San Lucas Bay, paddling along its shores on paddle boards, accompanied by a local guide passionate about their region, who will share with you a personalized experience. They will be close to you at all times, giving you tips to paddle better. This tour starts at Playa de la Empacadora (also known as Corsario), where you will be provided with the equipment and given instructions on how to use it. You will paddle to the famous Cabo San Lucas Arch, enjoying and learning about the rock formations and beaches along the way. Upon arrival at the Arch you will take a few minutes to enjoy its majesty, observe the sea lions, and take pictures.
On the way back, you will stop at Playa del Amor, where you can walk to enjoy the view of the Pacific Ocean and its powerful waves at Divorcio Beach, as well as have a snack to recover energy. Then you will continue to Pelican Beach, where you can rest and snorkel in one of the best reefs in Los Cabos. Finally, you will paddle back to Empacadora Beach to finish the tour.
DAY 10 - Todo Santos
You will have a free day to enjoy the beaches in Todos Santos, famous among surf lovers, and if you want you can take a lesson so you do not stay with the desire to learn, we help you to organize it.
Todos Santos is a small town which makes it ideal to enjoy its beaches or stroll through the cobblestone streets and visit its museums. The magic it hides is to feel like you are stepping back in time.
Create your Mexican adventure!
Our team will help you with free destination advice, activity ideas and provide full costings.
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Yucatan Peninsula
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- Cultural immersion
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Culture & Natural Immersion
- Explore subterranean world
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- Swimming with beautiful turtles
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- Swimming with Whale Sharks