Whale-ista
Super Nomad
Posts: 2009
Registered: 2-18-2013
Location: San Diego
Member Is Offline
Mood: Sunny with chance of whales
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Baja Whale-watching Tips (short list of contacts)
I'll be doing a presentation in San Diego tonight on tips to traveling south to see whales in Baja.
As part of the presentation I've put together this list of helpful information: car rental, sources of maps, insurance etc., and a few places to stay
during the trip: en route, in towns near the lagoons, and at the lagoons themselves (Ojo de Liebre and San Ignacio).
I discuss only the northern lagoons- not Magdalena Bay, which is beyond the driving time of many visitors from San Diego who have only a few days for
their journey.
This list is far from complete- it represents what I can fit on one sheet of paper to give away at my presentation tonight, near Old Town in San
Diego. (Miles are estimates- during the presentation I'll discuss more about driving safety in Baja.)
If you want to join us tonight, Feb. 9, details and RSVP here:
https://www.facebook.com/events/870988753017511/
And if you'd like to add to the list with your own favorites- thank you!
Lori
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Baja Whales Travel Basics (As of February 2016)
MAPS, INSURANCE, TRAVEL INFORMATION
Discover Baja- in San Diego (619) 275-4225
Offers discounts at various hotels and restaurants with membership $39/year
Sells auto insurance (REQUIRED), pre-paid FMM cards, guide books etc.
Auto Club of Southern California, membership required. Visit offices- various locations- for Baja maps for members
RENTAL CARS
Cal Baja Rental Car
info@cabaja.com
Phone: 1.619.470.RENT (7368)
HOTELS/CAMPING/SPORT FISHING
San Quintin
(about 200 miles south of border)
Don Eddies: (pets allowed)
Located 3 miles off main highway near inlet; popular with sports fishing crowd.
http://www.doneddies.com
RV parking, hotel, restaurant
USA 866-989-6492
01152-616-1651132
01152-1-616-1192966
Mexico: 616-1651132
616-1192966
Los Olivos Campground and Hotel Jardines (pets allowed)
011 52 (616) 165 6060
carmen@hotel-jardinesbaja.com
Operated by same family, located 1 mile off main highway.
Very popular restaurant next to hotel.
El Rosario
(about 245 miles south of border)
FILL GAS TANKS HERE- last gas for 185 miles; have lunch at Mama Espinosas, stay at Cactus Hotel. Other options are available including RV parking.
Next hotel is 70 miles of very curvy/narrow highway south- as with other areas, not recommended to drive after dark due to "open range" and wildlife.
Town of Cataviņa
(about 300 miles south of border)
Mision Cataviņa (pets allowed)
200-124-9123
Nicely restored hotel with full bar, restaurant, pool.
Beautiful gardens behind, with local desert plants.
Other smaller hotel options also available, and RV parking at Santa Inez with very basic facilities.
Gas is available- sold from containers. Be prepared to pay more vs. Pemex.
Next gas: town of Jesus Maria
Next hotels: Guerrero Negro
(about 420 miles south of border)
Malarimo Hotel (no pets allowed)
An "established" hotel with long history- no pool
RV parking behind- $15/night
Full service hotel, restaurant, WiFi
Hotel TeraSol (pets allowed)
New, modern & comfortable full service hotel, restaurant
WiFi, secure gated parking. 011-52-(615) 157 0133
Next stop: whales!
Ojo de Liebre lagoon*
(about 440 miles south of border)
Turn off Hwy. 1, about 6 miles south of town, travel 12 miles to the Visitors Center. Camping: $10/night
Palapas, rustic bathrooms/showers (warm water subject to available gas); fire rings; restaurant; limited water- bring your own for camping/cooking.
English guide-Shari Bondy, Palapa #1
Next town: Vizcaino, about 60 miles south of GN
Good place for gas, groceries, only ATM until Santa Rosalia
Next town: San Ignacio
Beautiful oasis, palm groves, historic mission
(about 500 miles south of border)
Hotel La Huerta (pets allowed)
mercadolahuertasanignacio@hotmail.com
From USA 011 52 615 154-0016.
Leave town and drive about 30 miles of paved road, 10 miles rough dirt/sand/gravel/washboard to get to...
San Ignacio Lagoon*
(about 550 miles south of border)
Kuyima Campground $12/night
Nice ecotourism facilities: solar/wind powered restaurant, meals served family style. English speaking guides available.
*At both lagoons, pangas are available. Latest charge was $45/person at both lagoons for outings of 1.5-2 hours.
THIS LIST IS FOR CONVENIENCE ONLY. Contact information may change- check before departure.
Hotel reservations recommended during peak whale watching season, especially if traveling with large group and/or pets (only limited rooms are offered
for pets at most of these places).
Have fun, travel safe- post photos!
\"Probably the airplanes will bring week-enders from Los Angeles before long, and the beautiful poor bedraggled old town will bloom with a
Floridian ugliness.\" (John Steinbeck, 1940, discussing the future of La Paz, BCS, Mexico)
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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
Member Is Offline
Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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Insurance & Whales
Insurance - Bajabound - bajabound.com
Easy on-line purchase
Whale Tour - Whale Magic http://www.whalemagictours.com/
[Edited on 2-9-2016 by bajaguy]
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Bajaboy
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4375
Registered: 10-9-2003
Location: Bahia Asuncion, BCS, Mexico
Member Is Offline
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I would recommend eating at La Parcela 12 after leaving San Quintin. Some of the best and affordable food in Northern Baja.
And I don't care much for Mama Espinosa's. Just east of the restaurant (Mama's) are some incredible tacos. I also enjoy eating at Las Pasaditas on
the south east end of town. Otherwise, good info.
[Edited on 2-9-2016 by Bajaboy]
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Udo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6346
Registered: 4-26-2008
Location: Black Hills, SD/Ensenada/San Felipe
Member Is Offline
Mood: TEQUILA!
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Assuming that all the mentioned restaurants are near San Quintin?
After leaving San Quintin...that covers a lot of area.
Just east of the restaurant...La Parcela 12? If you mean Mama Espinoza, east would put you in the hills.
Quote: Originally posted by Bajaboy  | I would recommend eating at La Parcela 12 after leaving San Quintin. Some of the best and affordable food in Northern Baja. And I don't care much
for Mama Espinosa's. Just east of the restaurant are some incredible tacos. I also enjoy eating at Las Pasaditas on the south east end of town.
Otherwise, good info.
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Udo
Youth is wasted on the young!
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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
Member Is Offline
Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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Parcela 12
Parcela 12 is just south of San Quintin, on the east side of the highway if you are headed south
https://www.facebook.com/pages/La-Parcela-12/338499866201067
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Udo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6346
Registered: 4-26-2008
Location: Black Hills, SD/Ensenada/San Felipe
Member Is Offline
Mood: TEQUILA!
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Thanks, Terry...
Now the original post location makes sense. I'll put it on my short list of restaurants to visit.
Udo
Youth is wasted on the young!
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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
Member Is Offline
Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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I'm not sure if this referrers to El Rosario or San Quintin......" Just east of the restaurant are some incredible tacos. I also enjoy eating at Las
Pasaditas on the south east end of town.".........however with the mention of Mama Espinoza I am assuming El Rosario.
| Quote: Originally posted by Udo | Thanks, Terry...
Now the original post location makes sense. I'll put it on my short list of restaurants to visit. |
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