Explore the northernmost and most fascinating state of Mexico away from mass tourism on this Mexico rental car tour. Discover the bizarre landscape created by the heat and sea. Hike through barren cactus forests, stroll along picturesque beaches and explore mystical caves and rugged mountain ranges. In the winter months you will experience unforgettable whale watching on this Mexico trip. Let yourself be surprised and enchanted by this unique region of Mexico!
After arriving in La Paz, go to the rental car office in the airport to pick up your vehicle. With the keys in your hands you are off on your Baja California Sur adventure. Drive to you hotel in the small town of Ciudad Constitución. Overnight stay. (Meals: none)
Distance: approx. 210 km | Total driving time: approx. 2 1/2 hours
After breakfast, make your way to Adolfo Lopez Mateos and the Bahía Magdalena lagoon famous for its large population of migrating gray whales. Here, look for an available boat where you can enjoy a 2-hour boat ride (not included) in search of the region’s majestic gray whales. The Magdalena Lagoon is one of three lagoons in the Eastern Pacific, where gray whales meet every winter to mate and bring their offspring into the world. Experience these friendly giants up close as they glide gracefully through the water. With a little luck, you may even see dolphins or coyotes on the dunes. After the tour you drive to Mulegé. Overnight stay. (Meals: breakfast at the hotel)
Distance: approx. 350 km | Total driving time: approx. 5 hours
Enjoy the day exploring Mulegé which is thought to be one of the most beautiful towns in Baja California. Visit the Santa Rosalia Jesuit Mission built in 1705. Explore the coastline filled with unspoilt beaches and stunning turquoise blue water. Soak up the warm sun and enjoy a swim before continuing to your hotel in Guerrero Negro. Overnight stay. (Meals: breakfast at the hotel)
Distance: approx. 280 km | Total driving time: approx. 3 1/2 hours
Today, enjoy a spectacular whale watching adventure. During the whale watching season (December to March) stop at the Ojo de Liebre Lagoon which is located in the Vizcaíno Biosphere Reserve for a boat tour (not included). During their migration the gentle grey whales come to the protected waters of the lagoon to have their babies. Every season over 2,000 grey whales gather in the lagoon and it is an unforgettable experience to witness. The whales are quite friendly and come close enough to the boats to touch.
Outside of the whale season, stop at the salt flats located just outside Guerrero Negro where the largest salt making facility on the planet is located. The salt here is not mined, but extracted from ocean water by evaporation. The salt fields cover 33,000 hectares. Afterwards, continue to the Vizcaino Biosphere Reserve. The animals and plants of this territory have adapted themselves to the region’s extreme desert conditions with little rainfall, intense winds and an ecosystem which has produced thousands of endemic species of plants and animal life found nowhere else in the world. Enjoy the scenery of this stark landscape on your drive to San Ignacio. Overnight stay. (Meals: breakfast at the hotel)
Distance: approx. 150 km | Total driving time: approx. 2 hours
After breakfast you make your way to the beautiful mountain scenery of the Sierra San Francisco. Here you will visit the impressive rock carvings that the many rocky outcrops and caves have to offer and which probably represent religious rites, hunting rituals and acts of war. Taken all together, these paintings form the most important prehistoric rock painting complex on the entire American continent and as such were declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1993. Since the rock paintings are in good condition, they provide a fascinating insight into the way of life and beliefs of a millennia-old society. Explore the Cueva Ratón with its interesting rock carvings, which are located high up in the Sierra and offer you a fantastic view of the beautiful rugged canyon landscape and the coastal plain. This region is also the only place in southern Baja California where you can only find certain plant species that are emblematic of the Bajas flora. Then you continue to the unique copper mining town of Santa Rosalía, which was founded by the French. A particular attraction is the iron church, Iglesia Santa Barbara, designed by Gustave Eiffel, which is a prime example of early prefabricated architecture. The last stop of the day is Loreto. Overnight stay. (Meals: breakfast at the hotel)
Distance: approx. 275 km | Total driving time: approx. 4 1/2 hours
Today, enjoy a boat trip off the coast of Loreto. Make your way to the Desert & Sea tour office where you will meet up with your guide and group and be taken to the pier where you will board the boat for todays tour. In these waters you can observe dolphins, playful sea lions and in the winter months enormous blue whales migrate to this region. The boat trip takes you to the Isla Coronado which on one side has rugged rocky cliffs inhabited by sea lion colonies and on the other side a beautiful white sandy beach with spectacular views of the surrounding mountains. Relax on the beach in the warm Mexican sun and observe the sea lions as they swim along the crashing waves. Afterwards return to the mainland and make your way back to your hotel. Overnight stay. (Meals: breakfast at the hotel)
Enjoy the morning exploring Loreto, the oldest city in Baja California. Visit the Jesuit Mission built in 1697 which was the peninsula´s first permanent location. Or take part in one of the many outdoor adventures available such as hiking, kayaking, deep sea fishing, scuba diving or horseback riding. In the afternoon, continue to your hotel in La Paz. Overnight stay (Meals: breakfast at the hotel)
Distance: approx. 320 km | Total driving time: approx. 4 1/2 hours
During whale season (December – March) we recommend to go Adolfo Lopez Mateos and the Bahía Magdalena lagoon famous for its large population of migrating gray whales. Here you will recieve a short information session about these gentle giants before boarding the boat for today´s tour. Head out into the lagoon with your guide and enjoy a 2 hour boat ride in search of the majestic gray whales found in this region.
After breakfast you will be picked up from your hotel and brought to the docks in La Paz, where you will enjoy an exciting boat trip to the National Park Espíritu Santo Archipelago. This desert island complex is a must see in the Gulf of California. On this trip you have the opportunity to observe a variety of sea birds, including the famous blue footed booby, pelicans, cormorants and egrets. The waters around the island can surprise visitors with groups of dolphins, playful sea lions and with a little luck even whales. The highlight of today’s trip is the chance to snorkel or swim with the sea lions. After the boat trip relax for a picnic (lunch included) on one of the beautiful and isolated beaches of the islands. In the evening you will be brought back to your hotel in La Paz. Overnight stay. (Meals: breakfast at the hotel & lunch on the tour)
It is time to say “Adiós” to this beautiful, colourful and friendly country with its welcoming people. We hope you had a wonderful trip and we look forward to welcoming you back! After breakfast, drive to the airport in La Paz to return your rental car. (Meals: breakfast at the hotel)
– Pick up: Airport La Paz
– Drop off: Airport La Paz
– Unlimited mileage
– Taxes
– Full insurance
– A/C