Baja California Sur: A Journey Through Desert, Sea and Wildlife

Welcome to La Paz ! You’ll arrive in La Paz, the enchanting capital of Baja California. Upon exiting the airport, you’ll pick up your rental car.

Overnight stay at a hotel in La Paz

Early in the morning, you’ll board a lancha headed for a natural gem with crystal-clear turquoise waters, designated as a nature reserve: Espíritu Santo Island.

Encounter with Sea Lions. With luck, dolphins or sea lions will accompany your boat. A colony of about 300 sea lions lives on the islets north of the island. You’ll approach them gently before entering the water to swim with them.

Picnic on a Turquoise Cove. After exploring, your boat will drop anchor in a secluded cove. You’ll enjoy a simple yet delicious lunch, seated on the white sand facing the sea.

Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Sea of Cortez is renowned for its exceptional marine biodiversity.

Overnight stay at a hotel in La Paz

Today, you’ll set off at your own pace toward Balandra Beach. Along the way, let yourself be captivated by the mangrove landscapes, cactus fields, and coastline stretching to the horizon. Be sure to stop and admire the turquoise waters and the strange rock formation known as the “stone tree.”

Balandra: A Fragile Gem. Designated as a protected area with limited access, Balandra welcomes you at the crack of dawn. Its white sand, shallow waters, and iconic “stone mushroom” make it a place frozen in time.

Overnight in a hotel in La Paz

After breakfast, you’ll set off for La Purísima, a hidden gem located in one of Baja California’s most beautiful landscapes. The 350-km drive takes you through the Baja California desert: a mesmerizing succession of arid plains, spectacular rock formations, and forests of giant cactus. Upon arrival, La Purísima welcomes you; this village remains one of the most authentic in Baja California, off the beaten path.

Overnight in a hotel in La Purísima

Today, explore La Purísima at your own pace. The day begins with a selection of relaxing and immersive activities, guided by your hosts, Doña Lilia and Don Lalo, local icons of rural hospitality.

Experience the Oasis. A 5- to 6-km hike along a trail leading to the canyon and Cerro El Pilón, a spectacular natural promontory. Kayaking on the oasis’s canals or a refreshing swim in the fresh waters. Visit their small traditional ranch, enjoy a cup of homemade coffee with milk, and have lunch on-site.

Local Flavors. Participate in the artisanal production of local cheese, the baking of traditional bread, or the making of cane honey.

Overnight stay at a hotel in La Purisima

After breakfast, you’ll head back to Loreto, a charming colonial town nestled between the Sea of Cortez and the Sierra La Giganta mountains.

Arrival in Loreto. Loreto was the first capital of the missions in Baja California. Weather permitting, you can swim in the Sea of Cortez, a sanctuary of marine biodiversity where sea turtles, sea lions, and occasionally hammerhead sharks coexist.

Overnight stay at a hotel in Loreto

This morning, an early start for an off-road adventure in the Sierra La Giganta, the rocky backbone of Baja California.

Hike in Tabor Canyon. Departure for a 3-hour guided hike through a lush green canyon, a true oasis nestled between the cliffs. During the rainy season (September), natural pools with emerald-green waters appear: the perfect opportunity for a refreshing swim in the heart of nature.

Visit to the San Javier Mission. In the early afternoon, drive to San Javier, a small, isolated village in the mountains, accessible via a winding dirt road. You’ll discover one of the region’s most beautiful Jesuit missions, founded in 1699 and rebuilt in 1744. Stroll through the century-old citrus groves behind the church, and treat yourself to the empanadas sold in the village square. A moment suspended in time.

Overnight stay in a hotel in Loreto

This morning, meet the fishermen from the Loreto ecotourism cooperative on the beach. You’ll set sail for a private excursion to Coronado Island, a volcanic gem that Jacques Cousteau dubbed the “World’s Aquarium.” 

Encounter with marine wildlife. Sail out to meet dolphins and, with luck, blue whales. Free swimming on a secluded beach with crystal-clear waters.

For the more adventurous, there’s the chance to swim with a colony of sea lions: a moving and safe experience, unforgettable for any nature lover. Lunch with your feet in the sand awaits you.

Overnight stay at a hotel in Loreto

Today, you’ll leave the mountains of the Gulf of California behind and head to Bahía Magdalena on the Pacific coast.

Drive to Puerto San Carlos. This step of the journey takes you to the heart of a unique ecosystem: lagoons, dunes, mangroves, and above all… gray whales. Between January and April, they migrate by thousands from the Bering Sea to give birth in these calm waters.

Arrival in Puerto San Carlos, a peaceful fishing port dedicated to whale watching. Whale watching is one of the most powerful experiences you can have in Mexico and the main attraction during the winter season.

Overnight stay in a hotel in Puerto San Carlos

Every year, between January and April, these marine giants stop here to breed. The observation is often breathtaking: mothers and calves sometimes come within a few meters of the boat. A rare, silent, and powerful encounter.

Heading to Todos Santos. After this marine interlude, you’ll continue south along the peninsula. In the late afternoon, you’ll arrive in Todos Santos, a colonial village with bohemian charm, designated a “Pueblo Mágico.” You’ll pass by the Hotel California, immortalized by the Eagles, before heading to your accommodation. A perfect transition between untamed nature and refined cultural life.

Overnight stay in a hotel in Todos Santos

Explore at your own pace. Stroll through the historic center, visit the local art galleries, or head to the freshwater lagoon lined with palm trees, which stands in striking contrast to the powerful waves of the Pacific. 

To enhance your stay, we can arrange:

• Surfing or local cooking classes
• Guided hike to Punta Lobos, among cliffs and wild beaches
• Horseback riding or mountain biking along coastal trails

Overnight stay at a hotel in Todos Santos

This morning, you’ll head to Santiago, a small, peaceful village located at the entrance to the Sierra La Laguna Biosphere Reserve.

Cañon de la Zorra: Untamed Nature and Crystal-Clear Waters. Follow the trails leading to Cañon de la Zorra, a geological treasure where a waterfall cascades into a natural pool. Perfect for an easy hike followed by a refreshing swim in a dreamlike setting. The Sierra La Laguna is a haven of biodiversity. At the end of the day, relax at your lodging or take a stroll through the narrow streets of Santiago.

Overnight in a hotel in Santiago

Today, meet Rogélio and his family, who run an eco-friendly ranch in the hills above Santiago. You’ll take part in a workshop on making homemade tortillas, before exploring the small artisanal leather workshop where you can craft a leather souvenir. A traditional lunch is provided, served on the cool veranda.

Hike with Rogélio. A certified guide and nature enthusiast, Rogélio will lead you along a marked trail through the canyons to a series of natural pools. Take a moment to relax, swim, and enjoy the guaranteed panoramic views.

Drive to Cabo Pulmo. In the late afternoon, head to Cabo Pulmo National Park, a treasure trove of marine biodiversity designated as a nature reserve. 

Overnight stay in a hotel in Cabo Pulmo

Wake up to a view of the Sea of Cortez. Enjoy a free day to explore the seabed of one of only three living hard coral reefs in the Northern Hemisphere.

Cabo Pulmo, the world’s aquarium. Here, there’s no mass tourism. You’ll find yourself in a preserved ecosystem, where diving and snorkeling are done in harmony with nature’s rhythms. Multicolored fish, turtles, manta rays, harmless sharks: every dive is a total sensory experience, which we can organise to your preferences.

Overnight stay at a hotel in Cabo Pulmo

Your final morning in this natural paradise. You’ll head to La Paz Airport, returning your rental car along the way.

As the plane takes off, the peninsula recedes before your eyes: wild beaches, fertile oases, ochre mountains, whales, and reefs.