plaing
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Seminar space in San Ignacio?
HI:
I am considering putting on a workshop/retreat in San Ignacio during the late winter. I just dont know if there is a medium/large room (approx
800-1000 sq. feet) that can be rented there for a 4 day period.
I was going to tie it into whale viewing at the end of the workshop. It is a rather meditative workshop where the room would need to somewhat private
and comfortable.
Does anybody know if a place could be rented that would have seats for 12-24 people in the town (or even at the lagoon if there is electricity or a
flat screen monitor that can be used for presentations).
Is the road still dirt to the lagoon? I was told it was paved now. In 2008 it was not. Any recommendations would be welcome and who I might contact
who could help me plan and organize a group in late March 2014.
Thanks a lot,
plaing
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David K
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Contact Ignacio Springs Bed & Breakfast for a possible location? The road was recently reported to be nearly 1/2 way paved to the lagoon.
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mtgoat666
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Kuyima has nice large palapa-style-bldg at the lagoon. Kuyima can also tell you what space may be available in town.
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tripledigitken
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Perhaps the Desert Inn would have a meeting room available?
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BajaBlanca
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A gorgeous location that is peaceful and outdoors is the garden at Casa Leree
Http://www.casaleree.com
Talk to Jane (Juanita to the locals).
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plaing
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The workshop I do will either be 2 full days or 4 full days but definitely needs to have bit of privacy since students can have emotional releases and
we will need to not affect other guests. There will also be some CD music so the place needs to have working electricity in the room.
If I remember correctly, the meeting room at the desert inn (in 2008) was very echoey, But it might be the only room for rent that is clean and decent
for gringos or others expecting a professional workshop experience.
The yurts at San Ignacio Springs might work, but the units seem to have a lot of furniture in them and we would need space to move on one particular
day. I seem to remember that March/april is booked solid there from the previous year, so Im not sure if its too late to book a yurt as a conference
room. The group size could be anywhere between 12 and 24 and logistically, I have never had to coordinate a group of this size with a hotel or whale
watch camp in another country. It needs to run smoothly and I have to have all itinerary worked out so I can price it accurately before I announce it.
Do you think the church would have a room that could be used? Seriously. Just need to know if the contact person speaks english.
By the way, what is the average overnight cost of the whale watching camps? And if we just drove out for the day with a rented van, what would the
price per person be? I am deciding whether to add 2 or 3 days out at the lagoon or just shuttel in from San Ignacio.
Any advice is welcome. You guys are great! Thanks again.
Phil
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motoged
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Phil,
I think you need to do some more thinking about all of this.
You want to bring in an unspecified number of people to a small town and are looking for an environment that is likely not to be found in that small
town.
As you predict that some people might be catharting, releasing built-up unresolved trauma, or just not liking the dust on the floor....you seem to be
expecting an Esalen-type environment that you just won't find in San Ignacio.
If I was staying in one of the yurts, I would not want to be tip-toeing around a personal growth workshop...
Where/how are you going to arrange lodging and meals?
What are your plans for transportation to/from/around San Ignacio?
I suggest you go there and do some of your own info-gathering....as that is more likely to give you far more "feel" for the viability of your project
in that locale.
As well, the variance in registrants is a real spread....plan for a number and work around that....
You seem to have an idea more than a plan. While some folks have offered great suggestions, your idea needs to get more focused than what it appears
to be at this time.
I offer these comments from over 30 years experience arranging conferences and workshops...."ya gotta be there to see what's what" and not rely on the
opinions of others who don't have a real clear idea of what your needs are.
Good luck with your tentative project.
Don't believe everything you think....
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rufflife
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Approximately 25 miles of the 36 miles out to the first camp at the lagoon (Pachico's) is paved at this time. The road crews are hoping to have the
paving project completed by the start of whale watching season, but the reality of that remains to be seen.
Not to be harsh, but you will definitely need to have a better idea of the number of people you will be bringing with you. There is a huge difference
when it comes to any place accommodating 12 people and 25 people.
Many of the people who are going to go whale watching out at San Ignacio Lagoon are also planning on staying in the town of San Ignacio at least one
night during their trip. You might have a hard time finding a lot of rooms available. For a smaller group, your odds would be better. Maybe start
with 12 people this year, and go with a larger number another year if things work out.
Regarding whale watching, if you are planning to stay out at the lagoon, you would need to book now. It is actually a little late to try and book
with a lot of the whale watching companies. However, you might still find some spaces for late March. For a group that size, you will also need to
reserve daily whale watching tours in advance. People are reserving their spaces earlier each year because of the limited number of whale watching
companies at San Ignacio Lagoon. Many of the return guests have begun to reserve their spaces a year in advance.
I wish you the best of luck.
[Edited on 10-17-2013 by rufflife]
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David K
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I simply offered someone to contact in San Ignacio, not suggesting a seminar inside a yurt. Their daughter has a new restaurant, just down the street
from Casa Leree (Juanita's motel)... naturally she is a contact, too. Ricardo at Rice and Beans may be able to rent you his restaurant there, as
well...?
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Juanita
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Location: San Ignacio, Baja California Sur
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One thing to bear in mind is that the whales usually are only beginning to arrive in Laguna San Ignacio at the start of January. My place, the garden
of Casa Leree, would not be private enough. Tootsie's restaurant opens at 1 p.m. at the earliest and would be a very private place, with both the
interior of the old building and the large back yard with its open view up the mesa appropriate for groups. Right in the center of the old town, too.
Good luck with your planning.
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rufflife
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You might be able to find some privacy in January, or April. I doubt you will find much privacy in March. I also doubt you will find any business
that is able/willing to cater to just your group during this time. Simply put - The businesses of San Ignacio and San Ignacio Lagoon make far more
off the whale watching crowd, than they would your group.
An overnight at the lagoon (with whale watching) can easily cost over $200 per person - if they have space available at this point. You might be able
to work a discount, but the company will need to know a head-count up front.
The companies that operate out at San Ignacio Lagoon are:
Baja Ecotours - bajaecotours.com
Kuyima (they have 2 camps) - kuyima.com
Baja Expeditions/Antonio's - http://bajaex.com/whalewatching/
Pachico's EcoTours - pachicosecotours.com
[Edited on 10-17-2013 by rufflife]
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plaing
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Hi Everybody:
Thank you for great idea and things to be aware about.
@motoged: I agree with everything you said. My idea just percolated the other night and I posted my thoughts on Baja Nomad first thing. The stage is
very tentative right now for the reasons you mentioned.
I was last in San Ignacio in 2008 doing just that, research. I visited the lagoon, Casa Leree and the Desert inn as well as the Springs. I spoke with
everyone but much has changed since then. Having been there before, I can tell you I was not expecting an Esalen experience in any way.
Based on your comments, I will eliminate the idea of the 4 day workshop since that would require electricity and powerpoint presentations on a
monitor. However, the other two ideas I had could take place at the lagoon (for a smaller number of students). Since no technology would be required
and the nature of the gathering would be much less disruptive to others that might be near by.
If we stay in San Ignacio, I remember that the outfits would take van loads out to the lagoon for a price $250 per van load in 2008. As others have
mentioned it may be too late to do this in March 2014
@ Juanita: Thank you for describing your Casa again. I met you when I last visited there and we spoke about your place there, although you probably
dont remember me. I agree that your wonderful casa would not work for what I had in mind but it is a wonderful place to stay. I loved your knowledge
of the area and its history.
As for this Tootie's restaurant, this could be a possibility if I hold my workshop from 9AM to 1PM each day. Then my group can disperse and do what
they want until the next morning. All we need is chairs for that. Two mornings total maybe three. Is there a way to shuttle in the afternoon to the
lagoon for a whale watch or is it too late in the day by then?
@ rufflife
Good points. If I go ahead and try to do this, I will opt for 12 people or less. I will contact the operators and see what they need for a deposit. It
may not be possible to put down that kind of money at this time and then none of this would matter for this season.
In 2008, I just showed up and stay for 2 days at Antonio's. I went once or twice each day, great experience. Obviously things have changed since
then. That is why I asked this forum first before I did anything else.  
Thanks Rufflife
After everybody's info and opinions I see more clearly the obstacles for planning this. I will contact the tour operators and see what their
accomdations would allow or not and see if its appropriate to continue my idea. Thanks everyone.
Phil
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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
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Are you legal???
Do you have, or will you get the proper immigration documents to conduct this seminar (business)????......even volunteers need to have their
immigration documents (residente permanente or residente temporal) endorsed for "work"......don't think you can do it on a tourist card.
If you charge a fee, will you register with the Municipality and get the proper documents from Hacienda???
Will your "students" have tourist cards????
Lots to think about......ain't the good old USA.
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captkw
Ultra Nomad
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This just plane stinks !!
[Edited on 10-18-2013 by captkw]
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David K
Honored Nomad
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| Quote: | Originally posted by bajaguy
Do you have, or will you get the proper immigration documents to conduct this seminar (business)????......even volunteers need to have their
immigration documents (residente permanente or residente temporal) endorsed for "work"......don't think you can do it on a tourist card.
If you charge a fee, will you register with the Municipality and get the proper documents from Hacienda???
Will your "students" have tourist cards????
Lots to think about......ain't the good old USA. |
Well, sure... I presume he/she ('plaing') is a Mexican citizen or has an FM3 work visa plus a permit to conduct such an activity... ??? I wonder...
???
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Juanita
Junior Nomad
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Location: San Ignacio, Baja California Sur
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The van driver I use charges $120 dollars for the day, or $1,500 pesos. If six people go, they each pay $20 dollars. If more than six, the
additional persons also pay $20, and the driver has more gain. If fewer than six, the riders pay more than $20, to make up the $120. Some drivers
charge more.
The pangas do go out a second time, if there are more visitors, but I don't know how late in the day is too late.
The contact for Tootsie's Restaurant is Toni Marcer, who created and runs it, tonilmarcer@gmail.com. The old colonial style adobe building has very
high ceilings. The main room was renovated, is beautifully decorated, and there is a good bathroom in the garden. The setting would be an asset to
your seminars.
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rufflife
Junior Nomad
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Daily tours at the lagoon are a lot easier to accommodate, than overnight trips. If you are only looking for day trips, you might have better luck.
Still, with 12 people, it will be better to reserve in advance.
Tootsie's would have plenty of space for your group to move around in her courtyard. She does have plenty of chairs. You might try contacting Toni
to see if she would be interested and what she would charge.
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DianaT
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| Quote: | Originally posted by bajaguy
Do you have, or will you get the proper immigration documents to conduct this seminar (business)????......even volunteers need to have their
immigration documents (residente permanente or residente temporal) endorsed for "work"......don't think you can do it on a tourist card.
If you charge a fee, will you register with the Municipality and get the proper documents from Hacienda???
Will your "students" have tourist cards????
Lots to think about......ain't the good old USA. |
If they don't have proper immigration papers, they will probably only have problems if someone complains. And if they are spending money in San
Ignacio, that probably won't happen.
Lots of people running businesses in Baja in small communities that don't have the proper immigration papers. Often they just work off of tourist
papers. But again, it usually takes someone to complain before there are problems. And that usually happens when their business appears to be
harming the business of a local, and in this case, I doubt that will happen.
On the other hand, you are correct and it is good to be forewarned. As I repeated, probably, probably and probably they won't have problems. It is
better if they follow the law.
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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
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Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
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| Quote: | Originally posted by DianaT
It is better if they follow the law. |
It is always better to follow the law. We would expect, and demand the same of anyone doing business in the US.
Just because it is Mexico is no excuse to not do the right thing.
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