16-day round trip whale watching in Baja California
16 days from €4,900 per person
driving – relaxation – nature – beach – whale watching
Itinerary
- Discover the beautiful surroundings of Baja California Sur at your own pace
- Take a day trip to Isla Espíritu Santo
- Snorkel with curious sea lions and spot the blue-footed Jan van Gent
- Meet grey whales, schools of dolphins and jumping rays
Day 1: Amsterdam – Mexico City
Today you’ll take your intercontinental flight to Mexico City, arriving that same evening. You’ll spend your first night at the Hilton Hotel.
Accommodation: Hilton Mexico City Airport Hotel | bed and breakfast
Day 2: Mexico City – San José del Cabo – La Paz
(approx. 200 km | 3-hour drive)
After breakfast, you’ll return to Mexico City airport. Here, you’ll board your domestic flight to San José del Cabo. On arrival at the airport, a rental car will be waiting for you to drive to La Paz. The rest of the day is free to spend as you wish; enjoy the beautiful beaches in the area or stroll along the promenade, which is just a few metres from the boutique hotel.
Overnight stay: Hotel Posada de las Flores, La Paz | bed and breakfast
Day 3: La Paz
La Paz, which means ‘peace’ in Spanish, is a fitting name for this tranquil capital of the Baja California Sur region. On this day at leisure, enjoy the cultural heart of the city at the Zócalo, the main square surrounded by historic buildings. La Paz is also the perfect place if you’re a real fish lover. Here, Mexican cuisine focuses on freshly caught fish, shellfish and crustaceans, all seasoned to perfection. Sweet treats are also on the menu here, such as dates cooked in honey and sugar.
Accommodation: Hotel Posada de las Flores, La Paz | bed and breakfast
Day 4: La Paz
Today, we’ll set sail on a boat trip to the extraordinary island of Espíritu Santo. The island of Espíritu Santo was first explored by Jacques Cousteau in 1974; he described the waters as ‘the aquarium of the world’. And with good reason – whilst snorkelling, you’ll find yourself in another world. Curious sea lions will swim around you, enjoying their interaction with people. You might even be treated to the sight of a pod of dolphins, leaping rays or even whales today. It is no wonder, then, that the area was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995. As well as the underwater world, you’ll see a variety of seabirds here; with a bit of luck, you might spot the blue-footed booby. In the afternoon, you’ll enjoy a picnic on the beach.
Overnight stay: Hotel Posada de las Flores, La Paz | bed and breakfast
Day 5: La Paz
Today you’ll have the chance to set off on your own in your rental car. Explore the local beaches or enjoy the peace and quiet of the charming colonial hotel.
Overnight stay: Hotel Posada de las Flores, La Paz | bed and breakfast
Day 6: La Paz – Loreto
(approx. 365 km | 5.5-hour drive)
Today you’ll drive towards Loreto, with the landscape changing from a cactus-filled desert to rolling mountains offering views of the sea. Once you arrive in this colonial town, you’ll see its stunning location on a beautiful, wide bay. Loreto was the first Spanish colonial town on the peninsula. Its history is still evident as you stroll through the picturesque streets. The town was, in fact, home to many Jesuits and Franciscans in the 17th century. Over the next few days, you’ll be staying at Posada de las Flores Loreto, a charming boutique hotel with many artistic details in the centre of Loreto.
Overnight stay: Hotel Posada de las Flores Loreto | bed and breakfast
Days 7 & 8: Loreto
You’ll have these days at your leisure in Loreto. As well as its charming town centre, Loreto is a great base for whale watching. Grey whales, in particular, swim in large numbers in these waters. This is due to the natural shelter that provides the ideal birthing ground and, consequently, the best place to see the animals up close. These whales can be spotted from mid-December to mid-March. Fishing is also popular here. You can catch marlin, yellowtail and other ray-finned fish. Diving is also possible here.
Accommodation: Hotel Posada de las Flores Loreto | bed and breakfast
Day 9: Loreto – Puerto San Carlos
(approx. 205 km | 2.5-hour drive)
Today you’ll drive on to Puerto San Carlos. This small village is home to a large number of crab and mussel gatherers. The village is entirely focused on nature. At the Villas Mar y Arena hotel, you’ll stay in a simple cabin where the sea view offers spectacular sunsets.
Overnight stay: Hotel Villas Mar y Arena | bed and breakfast
Days 10 & 11: Puerto San Carlos
If you’re in Puerto San Carlos in February, you’re likely to come across the International Grey Whale Festival. It’s an annual cultural celebration featuring live music, traditional dances and a competition for the most beautifully decorated boat. It’s also the perfect spot for whale watching, a visit to Isla Los Pájaros – home to many bird species – and a chance to go surfing. Make the most of these days off in this stunning location.
Accommodation: Hotel Villas Mar y Arena | bed and breakfast
Day 12: Puerto San Carlos – Todos Santos
(approx. 345 km | 5.5-hour drive)
After breakfast, you’ll drive on to Todos Santos. This coastal town with its white sandy beaches still retains the friendly atmosphere of a small town. It is home to many artists, so there are plenty of art galleries and a variety of restaurants to be found. You’ll be staying at Hotel Los Colibris Casitas, which offers stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and the palm-tree-lined oasis. If you’re lucky, you’ll not only see the whales from your casita but also hear the splashing as the males try to impress the passing female whales. A spectacle not to be missed. In addition, at certain times of the year, turtles are released onto the beach in front of Los Colibris. A unique place to stay!
Accommodation: Hotel Los Colibris Casitas | bed and breakfast
Days 13 & 14: Todos Santos
Over the next few days, enjoy your beautiful accommodation overlooking the ocean. Now is the time to leave the daily grind behind. No to-do lists here – just enjoy the surroundings, the climate and the hotel’s facilities. A wonderful place to completely unwind.
Accommodation: Hotel Los Colibris Casitas | bed and breakfast
Day 15: Todos Santos – San José del Cabo – Mexico City – Amsterdam
(approx. 110 km | 1.5-hour drive)
Unfortunately, your trip has come to an end. Today you’ll drive to San Jose del Cabo Airport, where you’ll return your rental car and board your intercontinental flight to Amsterdam, via Mexico City.
Day 16: Amsterdam
You’ll arrive in Amsterdam today
Travel price
From € 4,900 per person
- Based on 2 people travelling together
- Subject to the time of booking, accommodation availability and the travel period
Included:
- 14 nights’ accommodation, meals as stated
- 14-day car hire (Cat. G: Chevrolet Aveo or a comparable alternative, including insurance, two drivers and unlimited mileage – in the event of a total write-off of the car, an excess of 10% of the car’s value applies)
- all transfers and excursions as listed
- local taxes, where applicable
- entrance fees, where applicable
- Public levy Calamity Fund travel; €2.50 per booking
- SGR contribution of €5 per person per booking
- 24/7 our backup; locally and in the Netherlands
- comprehensive travel pack with small gift
Not included:
- International and domestic flights; we can book these for you if required
- Early check-in/late check-out, based on availability sometimes given by hotel. If you want to make sure you have this, please enquire with us about the extra cost.
- travel and cancellation insurance
Request a travel proposal - for a trip of Mexico
Would you also like to take this roundtrip? We can of course arrange the above trip for you, but we would also be happy to put together a programme based on your wishes and ideas. Please feel free to contact us, call +31 73 610 62 04, send an email to info@sapapanatravel.nl or request a tailor-made quote below. We will be happy to help you.
More inspiration - View our blog articles
-
Maní and the non-stinging Melipona bees of Yucatan
Just over an hour’s drive south of Mérida, the capital of the Mexican state of Yucatán, lies the picturesque town of Maní. On 18 October 2020, the town was awarded the title ‘Pueblo Mágico’ thanks to its historic church and beautiful colonial centre.
-
Journalist and travel writer Marcel Bayer
Marcel Bayer (1955) is a highly experienced traveller and connoisseur of Central and South America and the Caribbean. He made his first trip to Mexico in 1976.
-
Roundtrip Central America
Central America has plenty for everyone to discover. Curious about the possibilities for a round trip through this continent? I will tell you everything you need to know for an unforgettable trip.
-
Tekax - a boost of adrenaline in Yucatán
After the cave, we return to the upper world and move on to the next adrenaline-pumping activity. We climb a tower and look out over the vast Tekax landscape.
-
Mexico cooking workshop X-Batun
One of the best ways to get to know Mayan culture well is by tasting the local dishes. Yucatec cuisine, relies mainly on traditional Mayan dishes.