Everybody knows that California's neighbor to the South is the Mexican state of Baja California, a place where the ocean and the desert coexist, resulting in striking landscapes along miles and miles of cool, blue water on one side and breathtaking mountains on the other. And don't forget wine country! But keep driving a little further south on the Baja peninsula and you'll get to another Mexican paradise: Baja California Sur, or "Baja Sur" for short.
All types of tourists will certainly find something to appreciate in this gorgeous state: there's something for those who want to get closer to nature or to history, but also for those that crave a little excitement and plenty for the ones who just want to relax and unwind. Baja California Sur is not only one of the "youngest" states in Mexico, it's also one of the biggest but, at the same time, one of the least densely populated in the country, so this could be your option if you're trying to escape the crowds and get some peace and quiet.
So, take a refresher on your online Spanish lessons, grab your sunblock and shades and get ready to take a tour of Baja California Sur.
Todos Santos is a small coastal town that was founded by missionaries and has been named "Pueblo Mágico" (magic town) by the Mexican authorities; it's easy to see why. Rustic granite and brightly-colored buildings line its streets, populated by artists who show their amazing work in its many galleries, art houses and theaters.
Art and nature coincide in the San Francisco mountain range, located in the municipality of Mulegé. Rock paintings that date back between a thousand and 7000 years depict red-and-black images of animals, tools, humans and their rituals. The indigenous people of Baja California, the cochimÃ?ÃÂ, are behind these ancient works of art, which appear inside of 250 caves in the El VizcaÃ?ÃÂno bioreserve.
Close by you'll find Mulegé, an oasis of blue and green among the arid landscapes of Baja Sur. Known not only for its bounty of fruits and vegetables, you'll get the best views of its white sand beaches and beautiful canyons from its famous lighthouse, which is only 45 minutes away from town on foot. We promise you, it's worth it!
Take a breath and revel in the beauty of Balandra. This almost completely circular bay looks out into the Sea of Cortez and is surrounded by sand dunes. The sea is even calmer here than in the rest of the gulf and it barely reaches above waist level, so you can pretty much cross it on foot. Just look out for the manta rays!
Baja Sur is also home to the Cabo Pulmo National Park, an answer to the overfishing and overexploitation of the region during the twentieth century. This is where you go to get closer to nature, but there's a lot of history involved as well. The park features the oldest of three reefs that lie off the coast of North America, estimated to be around 20,000 years old and home to a host of multicolored flora and fauna.
Baja Sur is not "just" mountains and beaches; there's also a little something for those that prefer an urban setting. La Paz, the state capital, has a cosmopolitan charm but also stays true to its name, which means, quite literally, "peace". Travelers can enjoy top-quality services in a safe, welcoming and tranquil environment, surrounded by beaches and all sorts of aquatic activities.
Party people will surely find their happy place in Los Cabos, one of the top tourist destinations in the country. This paradise is located at the very south end of the peninsula, between the calm, warm Sea of Cortés and the mighty Pacific Ocean, doubling the number of water-related activities that have made Baja Sur so famous among tourists. Luxurious hotels and trendy nightclubs are also part of the Cabo lifestyle.
As you can see, there are lots of things to do and places to visit in this wonderful, underrated state. And someone who can help you make the most out of your trip are our friends at Cabo Trek, a tourism company that values our connection with mother nature and works toward a responsible and humane interaction with it.
Whale watching is one of the most popular activities in the Baja Sur region, a place with a very rich marine life: it has the largest humpback whale population in the Pacific and each year they journey all the way to the coast in one of the most awe-inspiring natural events of the year. Gray whales and blue whales make appearances too! Whale-watching tours are not all they offer, though. You can also meet all kinds of sharks, sea lions and nesting turtles while scuba diving or snorkeling, too!
Cabo Trek focuses on small group tours in order to guarantee excellent quality service. Their guides are PADI certified scuba diving instructors and they have marine biologists, wildlife naturalists and skilled photo professionals among their dedicated crew, who will customize every tour according to your needs! Give them a visit here.
Disclaimer: Spanish55 is not receiving commissions from the above. Information is shared only to assist our readers. We recommend services that we have researched or that close friends and family have experienced. The content of this blog is not to be copied, adapted or shared without the written consent of Spanish55.
References: VisitMexico.com
All images: Pixabay
All types of tourists will certainly find something to appreciate in this gorgeous state: there's something for those who want to get closer to nature or to history, but also for those that crave a little excitement and plenty for the ones who just want to relax and unwind. Baja California Sur is not only one of the "youngest" states in Mexico, it's also one of the biggest but, at the same time, one of the least densely populated in the country, so this could be your option if you're trying to escape the crowds and get some peace and quiet.
So, take a refresher on your online Spanish lessons, grab your sunblock and shades and get ready to take a tour of Baja California Sur.
Todos Santos is a small coastal town that was founded by missionaries and has been named "Pueblo Mágico" (magic town) by the Mexican authorities; it's easy to see why. Rustic granite and brightly-colored buildings line its streets, populated by artists who show their amazing work in its many galleries, art houses and theaters.
Art and nature coincide in the San Francisco mountain range, located in the municipality of Mulegé. Rock paintings that date back between a thousand and 7000 years depict red-and-black images of animals, tools, humans and their rituals. The indigenous people of Baja California, the cochimÃ?ÃÂ, are behind these ancient works of art, which appear inside of 250 caves in the El VizcaÃ?ÃÂno bioreserve.
Close by you'll find Mulegé, an oasis of blue and green among the arid landscapes of Baja Sur. Known not only for its bounty of fruits and vegetables, you'll get the best views of its white sand beaches and beautiful canyons from its famous lighthouse, which is only 45 minutes away from town on foot. We promise you, it's worth it!
Take a breath and revel in the beauty of Balandra. This almost completely circular bay looks out into the Sea of Cortez and is surrounded by sand dunes. The sea is even calmer here than in the rest of the gulf and it barely reaches above waist level, so you can pretty much cross it on foot. Just look out for the manta rays!
Baja Sur is also home to the Cabo Pulmo National Park, an answer to the overfishing and overexploitation of the region during the twentieth century. This is where you go to get closer to nature, but there's a lot of history involved as well. The park features the oldest of three reefs that lie off the coast of North America, estimated to be around 20,000 years old and home to a host of multicolored flora and fauna.
Baja Sur is not "just" mountains and beaches; there's also a little something for those that prefer an urban setting. La Paz, the state capital, has a cosmopolitan charm but also stays true to its name, which means, quite literally, "peace". Travelers can enjoy top-quality services in a safe, welcoming and tranquil environment, surrounded by beaches and all sorts of aquatic activities.
Party people will surely find their happy place in Los Cabos, one of the top tourist destinations in the country. This paradise is located at the very south end of the peninsula, between the calm, warm Sea of Cortés and the mighty Pacific Ocean, doubling the number of water-related activities that have made Baja Sur so famous among tourists. Luxurious hotels and trendy nightclubs are also part of the Cabo lifestyle.
As you can see, there are lots of things to do and places to visit in this wonderful, underrated state. And someone who can help you make the most out of your trip are our friends at Cabo Trek, a tourism company that values our connection with mother nature and works toward a responsible and humane interaction with it.
Whale watching is one of the most popular activities in the Baja Sur region, a place with a very rich marine life: it has the largest humpback whale population in the Pacific and each year they journey all the way to the coast in one of the most awe-inspiring natural events of the year. Gray whales and blue whales make appearances too! Whale-watching tours are not all they offer, though. You can also meet all kinds of sharks, sea lions and nesting turtles while scuba diving or snorkeling, too!
Cabo Trek focuses on small group tours in order to guarantee excellent quality service. Their guides are PADI certified scuba diving instructors and they have marine biologists, wildlife naturalists and skilled photo professionals among their dedicated crew, who will customize every tour according to your needs! Give them a visit here.
Disclaimer: Spanish55 is not receiving commissions from the above. Information is shared only to assist our readers. We recommend services that we have researched or that close friends and family have experienced. The content of this blog is not to be copied, adapted or shared without the written consent of Spanish55.
References: VisitMexico.com
All images: Pixabay
