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marv sherrill
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Whales - San Ignacio
Thinking of a trip to see the whales in Feb - need a couple of update answers:
Do hotels schedule trips out of San Ignacio and provide transportation to the Lagoon?
For the do it yourself person - how bad is the road and how long does it take to get there?
All there always pongueros there to take you out?
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mtgoat666
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There are tour operators in the village, and they will take you to lagoon in a van for day trips. I recommend Kuyima. Kuyima also has nice rooms at
lagoon if staying overnite at lagoon.
Road to lagoon is washboarded, but passable in most any vehicle. Trip time is 45 min to 1.5 hours
You can hire boat trips after arriving at lagoon, but holidays and weekends may have limited space
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DianaT
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| Quote: | Originally posted by marv sherrill
Thinking of a trip to see the whales in Feb - need a couple of update answers:
Do hotels schedule trips out of San Ignacio and provide transportation to the Lagoon?
For the do it yourself person - how bad is the road and how long does it take to get there?
All there always pongueros there to take you out? |
Have been out there on our own for the last few years. Last year they were working on the road---working to pave it. We don't know the result.
But, for us, it has not taken us more than 45 to 1.5 hours as Mtgoat says---depends on how many stops for photos.
There is no problem with getting a boat from Kuyima, or from some others.
We have not found the road that bad with our truck---but it can be washboardy---we just prefer to drive ourselves.
The first boats out are around 9am---go early, the wind can pick up and get really bad.
We plan on going out there again this year and maybe at GN and maybe again at Lopez Mateos. We find it a little different at each location---none
better, just different.
Diane
[Edited on 10-9-2008 by jdtrotter]
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David K
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Marv, we went to Discover Baja the other week for the whale talk & video... heard the road is paved for 10 miles and will be newly graded the rest
before whale season...
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DianaT
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| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
Marv, we went to Discover Baja the other week for the whale talk & video... heard the road is paved for 10 miles and will be newly graded the rest
before whale season... |
Do they want you to drive on the paved part? Last year when it was all beginning, we drove on the new pavement ont he way out, but realized that they
did not want traffic on that part on the way back.
We drove back strictly on the dirt road, including the diversion by the dump, but we also saw some people on the newly paved part. It was not well
defined. The detour entered town in a totally different area.
But, if you prefer not going with a tour, do not hesitate to head on out. It is a great drive.
Also, if you want a quiet cheap, and local experience, we suggest you stay at the Hotel Posada or another place in town. Avoid Rice and Beans---very
overpriced for what they offer, and very Taco Bell Style food.
Diane
[Edited on 10-9-2008 by jdtrotter]
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David K
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Hi Diane,
They didn't say it was closed off... but usually they keep you off of fresh pavement... after a couple weeks or less, there would be no reason not to
use what they made... Like the paved road to Asuncion that was ropped off last July '07.
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DianaT
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| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
Hi Diane,
They didn't say it was closed off... but usually they keep you off of fresh pavement... after a couple weeks or less, there would be no reason not to
use what they made... Like the paved road to Asuncion that was ropped off last July '07. |
David,
Part of the new part was older than a couple of weeks. It was strange. We headed out the way we have always headed out and even the worker waved us
on---but on the way back they diverted us with markers. It was an interesting drive.
As far as the Bahia Asuncion road, they tried to keep people off of it for a long time---but finally gave in. Now the first part of the pavement
looks like a very old road---worn and damaged, but the new part is great.
Such is the way of the newly paved roads.
Diane
As a side note, not everyone in San Ignacio is happy about the paving. The family that owns the Posada really lament the passing of the old ways;
They do not look forward to the "progress" the newly paved road will bring.
[Edited on 10-9-2008 by jdtrotter]
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woody with a view
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| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
Hi Diane,
They didn't say it was closed off... but usually they keep you off of fresh pavement... after a couple weeks or less, there would be no reason not to
use what they made... Like the paved road to Asuncion that was ropped off last July '07. |
asphalt (not sure what the stuff is in baja) is CURED/READY for traffic soon after it cools. like 24-48 hours. it's not like concrete that needs to
cure. as long as you don't do sharp uturns you can drive on asphalt (not sure if this is the same stuff in baja) the next day.
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woody with a view
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| Quote: |
As a side note, not everyone in San Ignacio is happy about the paving. The family that owns the Posada really lament the passing of the old ways; They
do not look forward to the "progress" the newly paved road will bring.
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silly, simple people. don't they know every inch of baja is being paved? or at least GPS co-ords and maps to EVERYWHERE are becoming passe'...?
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DianaT
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| Quote: | Originally posted by woody in ob
| Quote: |
As a side note, not everyone in San Ignacio is happy about the paving. The family that owns the Posada really lament the passing of the old ways; They
do not look forward to the "progress" the newly paved road will bring.
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silly, simple people. don't they know every inch of baja is being paved? or at least GPS co-ords and maps to EVERYWHERE are becoming passe'...?
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yes, they know, and grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
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thebajarunner
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This has been well covered- do a search
http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=23815#pid2171...
As to the road, only the first quarter mile out of S.I. was difficult, and that has likely been fixed.
Asphalt- as a 30 year developer of subdivisions the rule for asphalt, as mentioned above, is stay off until it is cool, then drive on it. Actually,
asphalt that is not regularly driven will deteriorate faster than that which is used.
Antonio is the best tip for the Lagoon.
Has the best food, the most laid back, the first one you come to and the least "attitude"
And, likely he will be your personal panga driver.
The drive out is too easy, not even like "the good old days"
Enjoy!!
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bajabound2005
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We second Antonio's ecotours for whale watching. When we went last February (early in the month) the new road was paved but not open to traffic. We
drove out to the lagoon and driving fast it's a good 1 1/2 hours or more. We only did $3000 (yes, three thousand USD) worth of damage to our SUV on
the washboarded road.
Don't go in February without having lodging reservations. Try the yurts at www.ignaciosprings.com
Friends don't let friends drink white zinfandel.
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Natalie Ann
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A few years back, we flew in... had no prior arrangements regarding who to go out with. There were pangueros with transportation where we landed, so
I assume they're there if you drive out.
Our trip was with JR's favorite, Cheema. The ride out to the laguna was not in a big fancy van like Kuyima's, but in an old compact car practicing to
become a dune buggy. The ride was a kick, as was the actual whale watching. We were not served food afterwards, but the price was waaaay below that
of Kuyima. 5 of us were extremely happy with our adventure.
Nena
Be yourself, everyone else is already taken.
.....Oscar Wilde
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Ken Bondy
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Marv
Lots of information here:
http://www.coleenbondy.com/personal/travel/baja_escape/Day3_...
Regards,
++Ken++
carpe diem!
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thebajarunner
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$3000 in damage??
| Quote: | Originally posted by bajabound2005
We second Antonio's ecotours for whale watching. When we went last February (early in the month) the new road was paved but not open to traffic. We
drove out to the lagoon and driving fast it's a good 1 1/2 hours or more. We only did $3000 (yes, three thousand USD) worth of damage to our SUV on
the washboarded road.
Don't go in February without having lodging reservations. Try the yurts at www.ignaciosprings.com |
Man, I am not doubting, just wondering?
Did you run off the road and into the ditch?
We went out last year, my F-150 ran the road at 60-70 mph with no strain,
one of our guys in an elderly Toyota van took it much easier, but suffered no damage.
Just curious? That is a pretty good road to inflict that kind of damage...
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marv sherrill
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Thanks for all of the responses - I have a much better idea about the conditions and services!!! Marv
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David K
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Marv, 'Ricardo' is the owner of Rice & Beans (restaurant, motel, RV park) on the right hand paved side road as you turn off Mex. 1 ... go back
west, parallel to the highway to get there... He can arrange tours... I stayed there in 2001.
The Ignacio Springs Bed & Breakfast is supposed to be a hoot to stay at on the river. Town was packed for the date festival last time we were
there, otherwise we were going to stay.
The La Posada is a little motel on the other side of town, very cute and dates back many years... I stayed there in 1985.
Casa Leree by the plaza is worth checking out, I here... drove by last year.
The Desert Inn (La Pinta/ El Presidente) is along the road into town...
I am sure they all can provide whale trips...
[Edited on 10-9-2008 by David K]
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thebajarunner
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One more thought
I cannot imagine why anyone who is even a little bit "Baja savvy" would want to take an arranged tour.
The drive out is really easy (except for the experience noted by Bajabound) and arranging a tour at the lagoon is about as complex as stopping at
Antonio's and asking how soon he can load you up.
Not sure why it has to be wrapped into a formal tour, that is just a waste of good money and takes some of the fun out of it.
IMO
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wilderone
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Ditto. We camped on the point at the shallow end, and drove over to the panguero's launch - made arrangements the night before. Turns out - right
there on the point - is an old indigenous habitation site.
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Debra
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I disagree Diane, I always stay at Rice and Beans and enjoy it, food and all (I love their scallops and shrimp, yum YUM!)
Marv,
Ricardo will radio ahead to Antiono so they will expect you and if you can drive yourself the road is wash board but as David said, very doable. If
you arrange a ride it will cost you $200USD we were told this past spring.
The panga trip cost us $30pp well worth it, don't get roped onto getting on one of the big boats!
They will also have lunch waiting for you when you come back if you wish. Cost $5pp and family style great meal. Enjoy!
Mean people suck!
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