MEXICO
Baja Adventure Week
Highlights
Kayak pristine coastline
Snorkel with sea lions
Whale Shark encounter
Stand up paddleboard fun
Yoga on the beach
Grey whale watching
Summary
One of our most popular trips. This trip has it all: warm winter weather, kayaking & SUP along sublime coastline, snorkeling with playful sea lions and massive Whale-Sharks, desert hiking, up-close encounters with momma and baby gray whales, a mix of comfortable hotels and deluxe camping, mouth-watering Mexican food and Mexican culture! Baja’s Sea of Cortez, known as ‘The Galapagos of the North’ is teeming with life above and below the water. February – early March is the season for Whale Sharks and gray whales. Getting a chance to connect eye to eye with some of the world’s largest creatures is a unique, life-changing experience.
At-a-Glance
Vaccinated travelers welcomed
Days: 7
Date: Feb 26 – Mar 3, 2024
Land Cost: $1,795 (airfare extra)
Single Supplement: $270
Group Size: 6 – 10
Minimum Age: 14
Level: Easy-Moderate
Overview
Day 1: La Paz, Mexico
Day 2: Kayaking, camping
Day 3: Snorkel w/ sea lions, camping
Day 4: Whale Shark encounter
Day 5: Gray Whale watching
Day 6: Desert Hike
Day 7: Depart
Day 1 – Arrive San Jose Del Cabo. Transfer to La Paz
Fly to Los Cabos International Airport (SJD). Arrive by 1:30 pm. Transfer 3 hours by van
to La Paz. La Paz is the capital of Baja California Sur, Mexico. It’s known for its seafront Malecón promenade with beaches, parks, and art. Visit La Paz Cathedral and Velasco Garden. Dine at one of the many restaurants overlooking the water.
Day 2 – Kayak Balandra Cove, Camping
Meet our local guides, have an orientation, then off to kayak Balandra Cove. This protected area has mangroves, a salty lagoon, dunes, extensive sandy beaches, small mountains, and capricious rock formations. We’ll kayak to our campground and set up our home for the next two nights. After lunch, enjoy some afternoon snorkeling or hiking along the Balandra Dunes. Our local guides will prepare a nice happy hour and delicious dinner. Evening laughter and stories around our spacious tents while under a star-filled sky.
Day 3 – Sea Lion Snorkel at Espiritu Santo
Transfer by boat to Isla Espiritu Santo - a Natural Protected Area and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On our hike, we are captivated by the contrast between the desert and the sea and the island's volcanic rock formations. Put on your snorkel mask and fins and get up and personal with playful sea lions. Return to Balandra Cove and enjoy Stand Up Paddle Boarding (SUP). If you're a beginner, no problem, the warm inviting waters make a perfect learning
classroom.
Day 4 – Whale Shark Adventure
Day 5 – Gray Whale Watching
Day 6 – Desert Hike
Day 7 – Transfer to San Jose Del Cabo
Note on Itinerary:
Although we do our best to adhere to the schedule listed above, this itinerary is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control.
Additional Information:
Please be sure to scroll through website tabs for information on:
- Pricing,
- What’s Included,
- General Information,
- FAQ’s
- How to Reserve.
Your Meaningful Trip awaits. Space is limited. Click to reserve today.
$1,795 land price.
International airfare is NOT included. (Rates quoted are per person, based on sharing double hotel and tent accommodations). Requests for single rooms are not available on this tour.
Single Supplement: $270.
For those requesting their own single room for ONLY the 4 nights hotels in La Paz. (we can not guarentee single tents for the 2 nights camping). This supplement is based solely on availability. Meaningful Trips will pair same-gender persons as roommates. If a roommate can not be found, you are required to pay a reduced Single Supplement fee of $200.
SAVE Big!
Gather your friends, family or outdoor group. Join this tour with 3 or more persons, and each person SAVES $100. (not combinable w/other discounts)
Payment Schedule and Cancellation Policy:
Payment
Deposit of $500 due at time of reservation, via check, Echeck or Zelle.
Final balance due 90 days prior to trip departure, via check, Echeck or credit card. (credit card processed thru WeTravel secure gateway has 2.9% service fee)
Cancellation
Because sometimes your plans change, if you cancel prior to departure (with written notice), cancellation fees are:
91 or more days… $0
61 to 90 days… $500
31 to 60 days… 50% of Trip Cost
0 to 30 days… 100% of Trip Cost
Included:
- 4 nights in La Paz Hotels
- 2 nights deluxe camping
- Kayak, SUP and Snorkel gear
- English-speaking naturalist guides
- Whale shark Encounter
- Gray whale watching
- Meals as per itinerary
NOT included:
- Airfare
- Travel Insurance
- Drinks
- Meals as per itinerary
- Guide and camp staff gratuity
Trip Insurance
Meaningful Trips highly recommends the purchase of comprehensive travel insurance that covers trip cancellation, delays, medical matters, and emergency evacuation. See our Link for Travel Insurance
Safety
Southern Baja is known to be the safest place in all of México. There have been no major problems, attributed to the drug war, in any area of Southern Baja. (see FAQ’s)
Visa and passport
Must have a US Passport valid for 6 months from the tour end date. Visa is not required for USA citizens. You will be given free Tourist Permit by the air carrier or at the airport.
Flights to La Paz
Our starting and ending airport is San Jose Del Cabo Airport (SJD). Please do not purchase any airfare until you have received word form Meaningful Trips that your trip is confirmed with the necessary minimum number of passengers. La Paz is 2 ½ hour drive from SJD airport. A private transfer is arranged for the 2 ½ hour drive to La Paz.
Weather
Winter is the ideal time to visit Baja. Average winter temperatures are around 75-degrees daytime, cooling down to ’50s at night. Water temperature is typically around 65 – 70 degrees. February and early March is the ideal time for momma and baby Gray Whales in the protected Pacific lagoons.
Lodging
This trip includes 4 nights in a comfortable hotel with all amenities, and 2 nights deluxe camping.
Activity Level: Easy to Moderate
This is an active trip offering a mix of activities from Kayaking to standup paddleboarding to snorkeling to hiking. The duration of activities ranges from 3 – 4 hours. Kayaking and SUP are suitable for active novices. Participants share stable double kayaks. For snorkel activities, participants should be comfortable in the water. Trip includes two nights of deluxe camping.
Additional Trip Information
Prior to reserving your tour, please carefully review our ‘Pricing’, ‘How to Reserve’ and ‘FAQ’ sections for helpful information on topics such as cancellation penalties, inclusions, food, water, and more.
This trip is subject to the booking information set forth in the Meaningful Trips Terms and Conditions. Please read this information carefully. Additional pre-departure information including a Packing List, Medical Form, and Liability Release Form is emailed upon sign-up.
Your Meaningful Trip awaits. Space is limited. Click to reserve today.
Some answers to common questions. Upon Sign-up, travelers receive a Packing List, Pre-Departure Info and Important Forms
Do I Need a Passport for Baja, Mexico?
Yes, a passport is needed and must be valid for 6 months after your trip date.
Do I Need a Visa for Mexico?
No. As a tourist with a US Passport. No visa required.
Are any vaccinations required for Baja?
No.
We highly recommend that all persons who travel internationally should be current on these three routine immunizations: Annual Influenza (flu) shot; Tetanus Booster (Tdap) (good for 10 years); and Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR). Additionally, Hepatitis A is highly recommended for all international travelers. Meaningful Trips are not medical experts. Always consult your own doctor and always refer to the CDC website for updated vaccination and country-specific information.
Is Baja Safe?
Southern Baja is known to be the safest place in all of México. There have been no major problems, attributed to the drug war, in any area of Southern Baja. It is always prudent to check with the US Dept of State for country-specific safety information. And, follow these basic safety precautions: make copies of important documents, be wary of public Wi-Fi, use caution when using ATM, use hotel safes when available, be aware of your surroundings.
Do I need Travel Insurance?
Meaningful Trips always highly recommends the purchase of comprehensive travel insurance that covers trip cancellation, delays, medical matters, and emergency evacuation.
When is the best time to go to Baja?
Winter (Jan, Feb, Mar) is the ideal time to visit the southern part of the Baja Peninsula “Baja Sur”. Average winter temperatures are around 75- degrees daytime and cool down to 50s at night. Water temperature is typically around 65 – 70 degrees. In February, a wetsuit is recommended for swimming with the sea lions; these can be rented.
When is the best time to see whales in Baja?
The best time to see whales in Baja is in February and March. Gray whales migrate from Alaska each year to the protected, salty bays on Baja’s Pacific coast. They arrive in February in time for the momma whales to birth and nurse the young calves. Later in MArch, the whales begin the migration back north.
The best time to see whales in Baja is in February and March.
How active is this Baja Adventure?
This trip is rated Easy-Moderate. This is an active trip, all persons with a spirit of adventure are welcome. Swimming ability and being comfortable in the water is a huge help. Each day may feature a different activity, typically 2 – 3 hours. Kayaking, SUP Stand Up Paddleboarding, hiking, and snorkeling. Beginners welcome on all. There will be 2 days that will include 3 hours of driving.
What are hotels and camping like in Baja?
In La Paz, we use modern, comfortable hotels with wifi, buffet breakfast, and all amenities. We will have 2 nights of deluxe camping on a private beach. Super large tee-pee style tents that can easily fit 2 persons, thick sleep pads included. (bring your own light-weight sleeping bag). Camp also has two toilet tents with flushable camping toilets, big shaded area w tables and chairs for our meals and happy hours.
What is the food like in Baja Mexico?
The food on this trip is amazing! Our La Paz hotel offers a bountiful buffet breakfast. In town, nice, highly-rated on Trip Advisor, restaurants are selected. Fresh seafood, is always on the menu. While camping, our camp staff will treat us to fresh and tasty breakfasts, lunches and dinners, and happy hour snacks too.
Is the water safe to drink in Baja Mexico?
Hotel water is filtered and safe for drinking. While camping we will be drinking clean, filtered water and juices.
STEP 1 – Click ‘Book Now’ and Complete Reservation Form to Hold Your Space(s). Email: Joe@Meaningfultrip.com
STEP 2 – Mail $500 Deposit via Check.
Reservation is guaranteed upon receipt of a $500 deposit per person. Deposits are held in Trust Account. Deposits are fully refundable for any reason if you cancel before October 26, 2023. After October 27, regular cancellation policy applies. Final Payment is due 90-days prior to departure and payable by Check, E-Bank Transfer, or credit card (credit card has 2.9% service fee).
Mail Check Deposit to:
Meaningful Trips
1416 NW 46th St
Suite 105-343
Seattle, WA 98107
Send An Email to Notify Us That You Mailed Deposit:
joe@Meaningfultrip.com
Upon reserving a trip and submitting a deposit, each traveler will receive:
- A Confirmation email
- Invoice
- Pre-departure Information
- Trip Application with Liability Release and Assumption of Risk
- Travel Insurance Information
- Packing List
- Medical Form
Terms & Conditions and Liability Release
At the time of Deposit, participants must read and agree to Meaningful Trips Terms and Conditions and Liability Release Form. Please read this information carefully.
Your Meaningful Trip awaits. Space is limited. Click to reserve today.