BajaNomad - Whale watching, tours and motels in Guerrero Negro

Whale watching, tours and motels in Guerrero Negro

Stinson4118C - 12-23-2006 at 09:59 PM

Since you all seem so incredibly well informed and willing to help, I'll ask another question. Planning on crossing the border about noon, after flying in from KC, driving to El Rosario, then two nights in Bahia de Los Angeles and then a drive over to Guerrero Negro to check out the whales with my wife and daughter. Then I want to spend the night there and drive back to El Rosario, spend the night and then back to San Diego. Fly out the next morning. This runs contrary to my usual plan to drive 600-800 miles per day, but it will more conducive to Baja and to marital bliss. I think I have the motels figured out except in Guerrero Negro. And I have no ideas on the whale watching, but it is a huge part of why my wife wants to do this crazy vacation. So what suggestions do the experts have?

Diver - 12-24-2006 at 01:11 AM

Stay at Posada Vicente or Malaramino. Tours are offered from Malaramino or you can just drive to the whale watching area and make your arrangements there.

Bob and Susan - 12-24-2006 at 06:20 AM

I LOVE the Posada Don Vicente... boat and dog friendly...
good security, cheap
but...

it's JUST an overnite place...NOT a vacation resort!!!

Just past the Malaramino, which is outstanding and may be full at whale time, is a new hotel that you WILL be pleased with (and your wife)
I don't know the name :saint:

sorry

Neat sounding plan

John M - 12-24-2006 at 08:18 AM

Sure sounds like a credible plan to me!

We've stayed at Malaramino - They have taken reservations in the past for whale watching trips and it sounds as though you would be able to specifiy a date (or two?) for your excursion in advance, to insure a reservation. There are sometimes openings when folks don't show up for their booked "seat," but that is pretty iffy in the whale season.

Whales are incredible.

John M

David K - 12-24-2006 at 10:05 AM

Baja Spell Checker just called...

It's MALARRIMO

DianaT - 12-24-2006 at 10:31 AM

We have always just driven to the Lagoon and bought a ticket. Last time we wanted to go early---at the time they opened, but had to wait until more people arrived so the boat would be full.

It really is GREAT.

Diane

Diver - 12-24-2006 at 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
Baja Spell Checker just called...

It's MALARRIMO

I must have Mala - lexia. I can never get it right :lol:

Just copied it!

John M - 12-24-2006 at 11:08 AM

I kinda like Diver's spelling myself

John M

Bob and Susan - 12-24-2006 at 11:49 AM

that's what i did...too lazy to think today... :saint:

David K - 12-24-2006 at 07:05 PM

That's okay guys... Baja Spell Checker is just trying to keep us on our toes!

Guerrero Negro and Puertecitos continue to be the Baja places mis spelled the most (even in publications), with Los Barriles and San Quintin tied for third :lol:

Skipjack Joe - 12-24-2006 at 09:31 PM

Here's a list of hotels in G.R. We always stay at the Dunas. It's modestly priced and well kept ($22/night).

http://www.bajalife.com/guerrero/hotels.html

LaTijereta - 12-25-2006 at 08:35 AM

Stinson,
You will need to get on a 8am trip, that gets you back into the dock at noon. Mid week is rarely a problem, but weekends require a reservation these days. Then you have a 5 hour drive north back to El Roserio (We have done this on our weekend whale trips)
I recommend a late Feb trip, so you can see the calfs born.

awfulart - 12-25-2006 at 06:19 PM

http://www.malarrimo.com Suggest reservations, just in case. They require 50% deposit be made to their Wells Fargo Accout. You can reserve motel and Whale watching at this site. We are going Feb 3rd. I was told to go at !!:00 as it could be foggy and the whales are more active. E mail address malarimo is: malarimo@telnor.net or info@malarrimo.com

Good luck and don't try to drive to far in a day and no night driving, not safe.

Art - Valley Center Ca

Stinson4118C - 12-26-2006 at 11:12 AM

Thanks for all the great info. I've booked with Malarrimo, but still need to send them money in Chula Vista (is that spanish for cutesy view???) I plan to spend the night after the whale watching and then head to El Rosario the next morning. I wish I could see the whales in late feb or march but we run a greenhouse and have tens of thousands of baby plants to care for then. Everbodies advice is really helpfull. Drive times and what you can expect to accomplish in a day in Baja are especially helpfull. It's hard for a newbie to realize that 150 miles is a 5 hour drive!! I'll post a trip report when we return. Thanks Again!!

David K - 12-26-2006 at 11:19 AM

Have a great trip...

Chula Vista is a city between San Diego and Tijuana.

Tijuana to El Rosario is 225 miles and that can be driven in 5 hours usually.

Plan on 50 mph average drive if you are not towing or driving a big RV... then it is more like 40 mph.

DianaT - 12-26-2006 at 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
Have a great trip...

Chula Vista is a city between San Diego and Tijuana.

Tijuana to El Rosario is 225 miles and that can be driven in 5 hours usually.

Plan on 50 mph average drive if you are not towing or driving a big RV... then it is more like 40 mph.

There is also a small town named Chula Vista in Baja---just north of Vicente Guerrero---but I am sure the money is being sent to the Chula Vista in San Diego or it might never get there. :spingrin:

Quote:

It's hard for a newbie to realize that 150 miles is a 5 hour drive!! I'll post a trip report when we return.

I know the drive times seem slow----but it would be better for you to be a little late back home than one of the traffic statistics. :yes:

Have a great time, and look forward to your trip report---pictures, pictures, pictures.

Diane

Malarrimo Motel with Fine Dining & Bar

Summanus - 12-26-2006 at 12:14 PM

Located just inside Guerrero Negro, BCS... on the right as you drive in from the main highway.

It has the best ambiance, rooms, food, and bar in town. A plus is that it has a large capacity restaurant and bar that lends itself to meeting other like-minded Baja travelers. We have met many Baja amigos by a chance meeting here.

We have stayed at all the motels in Guerroro Negro since the highway was completed in 1973-74 and found this to be the best all-around choice for us. (Some of the more 'basic' motels back in the 70's were a real experience!) Malarrimo's has nice large rooms with a very nice touch of Mexico in each unit! Some units are very large with a sleeping loft for the kids. Sat. tv, but who cares? Very nice staff and clean bathrooms. Nice patio areas and great landscaping make this a fine choice after a long drive to get this far from either north or south. Rates are very reasonable at about $40 for a double. I think you will like Malarrimo's...a classic Baja stopover.

Here's some photos taken just after Thanksgiving 2006.

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also a nice patio

Summanus - 12-26-2006 at 12:16 PM

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David K - 12-26-2006 at 12:25 PM

I remember in July, 1973 (before the highway was finished) we stayed at the Dunas Motel... must have been the first one as my map of town only shows it along the entrance road. The eagle monument wasn't even erected yet... they did that fast for the Dec. 1 celebration!

Summanus - 12-26-2006 at 12:28 PM

David...we recall the Dumas Motel, too. A good, basic, clean place. Plenty good for those early days.

David K - 12-26-2006 at 12:30 PM

Thanks for posting photos of the rooms at Malarrimo... That always helps!

People would never believe how much Antonio put into Baja Cacatus unless they saw it!

Summanus - 12-26-2006 at 12:52 PM

David, I have photos of Antonio's motel too...somewhere. We misplaced those after staying there earlier this year and also on the way back in mid-December. My only complaint at BajaCactus was a small one...it was a trifle cold there in the early mornings! But, hey..it's a mountain valley village, no?

David K - 12-27-2006 at 09:41 AM

Yes, until he has the new room heaters working (maybe they already are?) it can be very cold... But, he always has lots of heavy blankets the past two winters we have stayed there...

[Edited on 12-27-2006 by David K]

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Summanus - 12-27-2006 at 09:43 AM

David and others, come to think of it, I did notice the mini-splits on the wall in our Baja Cactus Motel room. I wonder if they are set to be heaters as well as a/c units? Maybe someone can fill in on this?

David K - 12-27-2006 at 10:07 AM

Yes, when we stayed there last (Nov. 14, '06) on our way to the Baja 1000, the heater/ air conditioners were installed, but not yet operational. They are dual units with remote control.

capt. mike - 12-27-2006 at 10:44 AM

hey Stinson 4118C - is that your plane?
you should fly it south. i am from kansas too. hutchinson.

Stinson4118C - 12-27-2006 at 07:41 PM

Yes indeed, my plane is a 1948 Stinson 108-3 ( big tailed Voyager). I have about 120 hours total in any plane and only about 20 in this taildragger so I'm a little hesitant to fly south with it. But it's definitely going to happen someday. I'll try to figure out the U2U thing so we can yak.
On the Baja Cactus suggestion, I've emailed but haven't gotten a reply. Should I just get on the phone and call???? Thanks again everybody for all the great suggestions.

David K - 12-27-2006 at 09:22 PM

Yes, go ahead and call... Manuel is the night man and he speaks great English... Phone number at http://www.bajacactus.com

I have had some recent emails not get answered by Antonio... I believe it is the holiday season coupled with the family tragedy in November that has things the way they are...