Baja California

A world apart: that’s perhaps the only way to define Baja California in Mexico.
This peninsula stretches for 1,700 km between the Pacific and the Sea of Cortés, and you could easily go from one coast to the other, since only 80 km separate them. But then you have to zigzag between mountain ranges, crossing deserts where you may meet no one for dozens of kilometers.

The region is renowned for its varied landscapes, from arid deserts to coastlines lined with magnificent beaches. It attracts many tourists, both Mexican and foreign, who come to enjoy its seaside resorts, practice water sports, explore its exceptional marine biodiversity or discover its archaeological sites and picturesque villages.

Baja California is also famous for its cuisine, including fresh seafood, fish tacos, ceviche and traditional Mexican dishes with a regional touch.

From arid deserts such as Sonora to rugged coastlines fringed by sandy beaches, the region offers an array of remarkable natural scenes. Majestic mountains such as the Sierra de Juárez offer breathtaking panoramas of snow-capped peaks and deep valleys. The paradisiacal beaches of Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada attract lovers of water sports and sunbathing. Islands like Espíritu Santo and Guadalupe are havens of marine biodiversity and unspoilt landscapes. The verdant oases, fed by underground springs, contrast magnificently with the surrounding deserts.

Baja California Sur, with its capital La Paz, offers a more relaxed setting for coastal tourism. All in all, Baja California is a destination rich in contrasts, where nature lovers and adventurers alike will find plenty to enjoy.

Whale-watching in the Sea of Cortés and Baja California (especially around Gerrero Negro) is one of the most exciting experiences you can have in Mexico, and the great attraction of the winter season. Thousands of gray whales come to mate and give birth to calves between January and April, before heading back north for the summer.

They can be seen from Cabo San Lucas, but the three best vantage points are Launga Ojo de Liebre Bay (30 km from Guerrero Negro), San Ignacio Bay (60 km from Guerrero Negro) and Puerto Lopez Mateos (Magdalena Bay).

San Ignacio

San Ignacio is a charming little town nestled in the heart of a fertile valley surrounded by mountains, offering spectacular scenery and a peaceful atmosphere far from the hustle and bustle of the city.

The town is famous for its historic Jesuit mission, Mission San Ignacio Kadakaamán, founded in the 18th century. This impressive mission, with its well-preserved colonial architecture, is an important cultural and historical landmark in the region. Its main interest lies in the fact that it is the starting point for hikes to discover the rock paintings hidden in the caves of the sierra.

La Paz

Capital of Baja California, La Paz is THE big city of the region. A white city with a Mexican soul, it offers simple pleasures such as strolling along the malecon (the waterfront) at sunset, discovering superb beaches such as Pichilingue Point. You can also take advantage of day trips to Espiritu Santo Island. Here, the big attraction is swimming with the sea lions.

Loreto

The oldest town on the peninsula, Loreto is perhaps also the best located. Nestled between the Sierra de la Giganta mountains and the Sea of Cortés, it offers breathtaking scenery and a remarkable wealth of natural beauty.

Separated by some thirty kilometers and a magnificent beach that is gradually being nibbled away by hotels, San José del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas are commonly referred to as Los Cabos.

Yet these two resorts in the extreme south of Baja California are very different. San José is more typical, with its colonial town center, small market under the “portales” and nice, inexpensive hotels facing the sea.

Cabo San Lucas is more Americanized and expensive, with its marina and luxury hotels facing the jagged rocks of the cape of the same name. These rocks, whose ochre color blazes at dusk, are home to numerous sea lions and sea lions.

The underwater world is a delight for divers, and big-game anglers will want to try their hand at marlin, swordfish and tuna. You can also rent a car to discover the surrounding area: some typical mountain villages and deserted bays are well worth a visit.

The rock paintings of the cuesta de la Higuerita, the cerro de Santa Marta or the cueva de la Natividad.

One of the main attractions is the 5,000-year-old rock paintings in the sierra.

The best way to get there is by donkey. This is the sanctuary of the rancheros, descendants of the Vizcaïno desert Indians. A 3-day hike is needed to discover the various sites and cross all the sierras.