The best way to start traveling to Baja California is maybe from the South, for that you should take a ferry either in Los Mochis or Mazatlan, and for sure one of your first impressions when you arrive is that looks like you are in a different kind of México.
First you will feel a very strict controls in the harbor, policemen with dogs are going to check your vehicle and luggage, it seems you reached to another country but is just another state of Mexico. The point here is to keep the península free of narcos, specially with Sinaloa just in the other side of Cortes Sea.
I had to wait for Manu to cross the police control approximately 2 hours. Then started our amazing times in Baja California traveling through one of our favorites place in the world.
There are plenty of locations that have to be visited, but let´s start recommending you the top 7 for us:
1. Cabo San Lucas
Is in the southern part of Baja California Sur. We chose an off-road path to get there, crossing by Cabo Pulmo which is one best place for diving in the world, and some magical villages where you can eat very tasty fresh fish. On this region you can stop by Hotel California which inspired the popular song from the Eagles. Cabo San Lucas has a very American style, it will confuse you and make you forget you are still in Mexico. Maybe too many gringos buying the land and building fences all around this natural place.
This area is very famous for swimming with sharks, there we can recommend you to contact our friend Jorge who can give you chance to have the best life experience diving with this some of the biggest animals you can find in the ocean: www.solmarv.com Manu had the unforgettable moment swimming with whale shark and a family of dolphins.
2. La Paz
In the capital town of Baja California Sur is located the most important university for biology for oceans, you can find this place very Cosmopolitan with students from all around the world. We also could try the best taco fish, don’t miss it please, and experience local cantina and where we tried the famous drink Double Canala, tomato juice with vodka and species in company of Mariachi.
3. Camping in Playa Coyote and Bahía de los Angeles
Those are my two favorite spots for free camping in the whole península. Nothing better that start your day opening the zip of your tent and see the sun rising from the sea. But the best is that is not any sea, in front we have the Mar de Cortes or better know as the aquarium of the world. We just arrive there, set our tent and seat looking to the sea, and suddenly we start to see seals, whales, whale shark and dolphins, wherever you look you will find some of them. Life is al around and you will not resist to take your snorkel glasses and jump into the water.
4. Laguna San Ignacio
It´s time for change the sea so we head to the Pacific ocean. First we pass a night in the Oasis de San Ignacio before to hit the desert off road to the Laguna San Ignacio. Incredible natural places, salt lakes and desert pictures. Our friend Jorge send us to meet Rubi, he and his family has over there a place to rest just in the shore of the ocean, you can imagine what kind of sunsets we had there. But the best was when the father of Rubi took us with small boat to see Grey whales that by this time of the year were arriving from Alaska to give born to a new generation.
5. Coco´s Corner
After the strong rain that turn our road in a muddy pool we arrived to Coco´s Corner. It was a long and difficult day, to go through few kilometers it took us countless hours. But Coco receive us and we forgot all the accumulated fatigue in a minute. This guy is a special person, a legend who you must meet if you pass by. Stop to say hello and to learn some good lessons for life. He is leaving for 30 years in this lonely corner, during this time he lose his two legs but is a big heart what he need to walk through life. He always is open to receive visits and will not charge a single dollar if you want to pass a night with him, take one the old motorhomes that people donate him so you can spend one of your best nights in the desert, drink a beer under the stars and listen to his incredible stories. Very inspirational person.
6. Hussong´s Cantina
In Ensenada there is a place you can´t miss if you really want a mexican party night. Cowboys, póker, margaritas cocktails and special Mariachis who plays Pink Floid or Rolling Stones songs.
7. The wall of Tijuana
The border towns are always different, but Tijuana is unique. Its Wall that separate Mexico from USA is full os stories of love and dreams from people in both sides. Some of them sad and others happy stories. Stay for a while in the mexican side and take a look to the messages the people have written in the wall.
Scott
Baja Cantina – Marina del Rey in the South Bay/Beach Cities area has been certified as a wheelchair accessible restaurant and been given a WJAR 3 rating by WheelchairJimmy.com – America’s most trusted wheelchair traveler.