BajaNomad - Looking for drivers and/or riders to join us for travelling to San Ignacio lagoon

Looking for drivers and/or riders to join us for travelling to San Ignacio lagoon

Whale-ista - 2-18-2013 at 10:31 PM

Looking for drivers and/or riders to join us for travelling to San Ignacio lagoon for whale-watching with the friendliest whales around. If you've never been it's an unforgettable experience. Beautiful location and wildlife.

I've lived in Ensenada and travelled to lagoon many times, since 1980s, by car and plane. It's a long trip, but definitely worth the drive.

We are teachers, and our group will be leaving San Diego/Ensenada March 1 or 2 (approx), return March 9-10, driving with a few vehicles. Room for 1 or 2 riders, or caravan if you are willing to drive.

We will be camping at lagoon. You'll need to provide personal gear and camping equipment, or arrange to stay at one of the camps. For various options see http://www.kuyima.com/whales/camping.html for examples of costs, lodging, etc.

If interested, or have questions, pls reply via post or email: lsaldanasd@netconnection.com

Thank you!

EnsenadaDr - 2-19-2013 at 12:05 AM

Where did you get the name Whale-Istanbul? Are you from Turkey?

Whale-ista - 2-19-2013 at 12:13 AM

Sigh...nothing that exotic. It was the Spell checker.

I entered "whale-ista" while registering, and spellcheck auto corrected it. Didn't notice til it was too late to change.

Trip tips

kenttagirls - 2-26-2013 at 04:53 PM

We are traveling to San Ignacio for the first time in a motorhome. We will be leaving San Diego on March 16th and would love some recommondations for overnight stops and the best place to leave the motorhome for 2 days while out at the camp.

Quote:

Originally posted by Whale-ista

Looking for drivers and/or riders to join us for travelling to San Ignacio lagoon for whale-watching with the friendliest whales around. If you've never been it's an unforgettable experience. Beautiful location and wildlife.

I've lived in Ensenada and travelled to lagoon many times, since 1980s, by car and plane. It's a long trip, but definitely worth the drive.

We are teachers, and our group will be leaving San Diego/Ensenada March 1 or 2 (approx), return March 9-10, driving with a few vehicles. Room for 1 or 2 riders, or caravan if you are willing to drive.

We will be camping at lagoon. You'll need to provide personal gear and camping equipment, or arrange to stay at one of the camps. For various options see http://www.kuyima.com/whales/camping.html for examples of costs, lodging, etc.

If interested, or have questions, pls reply via post or email: lsaldanasd@netconnection.com

Thank you!

Whale-ista - 2-26-2013 at 05:06 PM

It's been many years since I've done this drive, so I'll leave it to others who will have more current suggestions for overnight stops/hotels or campsites along the way in San Quintin, Catavina, Guerrero Negro etc.

It's a long drive (500 miles) to the town of San Ignacio, another 35-40 miles to lagoon.

Likewise, regarding where to leave RV in San Ignacio, if you arrange for transport to the lagoon the shuttle operators will have their recommendations or arrangements for places to leave your vehicle. Check any of their websites for details on these shuttles from town.

Have a fun trip!

David K - 2-26-2013 at 05:15 PM

The Baja Cactus Motel in El Rosario, 225 miles from the border, next to the Pemex gas station as you enter town. Inexpensive luxury and super-helpful owner, Antonio is a Baja Nomad and speaks English.

BAJA CACTUS MOTEL, EL ROSARIO:

Baja Cactus photos from July, 2011

Islandbuilder - 2-27-2013 at 10:02 AM

There are other folks on this board with a ton more experience than mine, but we did just finish our trip to San Ignacio, so I'll tell you how we chose to go.
We cross in Tecate, which is easy for us because we usually stay with friends in La Mesa the night before entering Mexico. The only issue you may have is the roads to Tecate on the US side are pretty curvy when compared to the freeway access to TJ.
You need to get a tourist visa to go past Ensenada. I've never been asked to produce ours, but there's enough stuff that we don't know about that can go wrong that I don't want to ignor something that I know about.
I would suggest parking on the US side (no earlier then 0800, because before that either the visa office or bank probably won't be open), walk across, get your visa from the office that is just before the actual border entry check point, then go back to your rig and drive over.
The road below Tecate is better then on the US side, and it will take about an hour to get to Ensenada.
I don't stop for gas or food until I'm at least as far south as San Quintin, which is more about my city driving issues than anything else.
DO NOT drive past El Rosario without a full fuel tank. There's a long stretch below there with no fuel stations.
There are several options for visiting the Laguna. We really enjoy the folks and the approach at Kuyima, but I believe that all the operators do a good job.
The road to the laguna is not paved all the way, but is about 75% done now. There are 2 sandy spots that will give your Motorhome, and some road bikes, trouble. So I suggest finding a whale operator that has some parking for your rig, and can give you a ride to the laguna.
Perhaps at one of the hotels or at the B&B with the yurts? (Baja Oasis?)
Sorry, I'm blanking on that one now.
If you have time, try and spend a night at the laguna, and take a walk out to listen to the world around you. I spent some time sitting on the beach just listening. There are nesting Osprey on platforms just inland from the camp, and between the not yet fledged immature Ospreys and the whales breathing in the laguna, it was a symphony that most humans never get to hear.
Have a great trip!

Whale-ista - 2-27-2013 at 10:07 AM

We've delayed departure til March 2 or 3 (making repairs to camper).

please let me know if you'd like to go to GN and/or San Ignacio for whale watching next week.

I'm still looking for riders/caravan joiners. I can carry a passenger and gear either north or south.

I will return to San Diego March 11.

Lori