Baja for Adventurous Families

vacation activity level
RECOMMENDED FOR AGES 6+

B aja, with its breathtaking landscapes and exotic flora and fauna, has something to offer everyone in your family - regardless of age or interests. Our latest destination includes a little bit of everything: beautiful scenery, culture, wildlife, action and relaxation.

You'll kick off the adventure in Todos Santos, which has been officially declared a Pueblo Magico (Magical Town). Your first few days will be hard to top - they'll be spent hiking through gorgeous desert canyons, picnicking, horseback riding along the beach, surfing, and getting to know some of the locals.

From here, you'll travel to La Paz, the beautiful beachside capital of Baja. Your family will spend a day here kayaking and picnicking in the gorgeous and secluded Balandra Bay. This area is unbelievably scenic with its amazing natural rock formations, turquoise water and extraordinary wildlife.

Just when you think this adventure can't get any better- how does swimming and snorkeling with sea lions sound? At Los Islotes, a permanent colony of sea lions will greet you and (fingers crossed) play with you, diving, flipping, and twirling in the water.

Think you just won't be ready to go home yet at this point? Ask about our special February departure, which includes extra time for whale watching, too!

2010 Dates

Dates Adult Teen
(12-17)
Child
(<12)
03/13 - 03/19 $2,590 $2,490 $2,390
03/20 - 03/26 $2,590 $2,490 $2,390
03/27 - 04/02 $2,590 $2,490 $2,390
04/10 - 04/16 $2,590 $2,490 $2,390
04/17 - 04/23 $2,590 $2,490 $2,390

Triple Discount: $200 for child under 12 sharing with 2 adults

Discounts for More Traveling Customers: 

Starting at $130 per person for 6-10

Starting at $260 per person for 11+

Day 1 – Depart U.S. / Arrive Cabo San Lucas

Upon arrival at the airport, you will make your way to your guide. From here, you'll transfer to Todos Santos.

Days 2 and 3 – Todos Santos

Learn why many travelers arrive in Todos Santos and never leave as your family spends the next few days getting to know this Pueblo Magico.

arrow Desert Canyon Hike The scenery along this incredible hike is sure to make a lasting impression upon your kids. The incredible oasis effect that you'll witness and the three fantastic waterfalls are sure to make everyone in your family say "wow!" at some point or another. arrow Picnic lunch Give your legs a rest as you stop to take in your surroundings for lunch. The waterfall backdrop is so beautiful that your family might not want to continue on after taking a break... arrow Horseback beach ride How does riding horseback along the pristine, virtually empty beaches of Todos Santos sound? Fabulous? And when you add a guide who is an avid birder and naturalist, it gets even better. Riders of all skill levels can participate and have fun. arrow Surfing lesson Todos Santos offers some of the best waves in all of Baja! Surfers of every kind (beginners, too!) can give surfing a shot with the help of our skilled instructor. He even guarantees that everyone will stand up to ride a wave- at least for a few seconds! arrow Beach time Explore tide pools, take advantage of the viewing priviledges that low tide offers, stretch your legs along the shore, take a nap or participate in a group game: the possibilities are endless as you enjoy the gorgeous views of Todos Santos' beaches. arrow Activities with local kids The whole family will enjoy this fun cultural activity: visiting kids getting to know local kids while speaking a universal language - soccer. Everyone is guaranteed to learn something new as a fun game of soccer is enjoyed by all and a piñata is cracked open.

Day 4 – Todos Santos / La Paz

arrow Cliff walk Today you'll walk along the cliffs from Punta Lobos to San Pedro, enjoying spectacular views the whole way. It's amazing to gaze upon the stunning desert landscape and see it intermingling with ocean views. You'll also have the chance to learn all about the flora and fauna from your knowledgable guide. arrow Beach picnic After a long hike, you deserve a relaxing break! You'll stop on the beautiful beach, where a picnic lunch awaits your family. Enjoy your lunch and the views around you as you rest or play in this gorgeous setting. arrow Transfer to La Paz Take in the scenery as you drive to the small capital of Baja. Lonely Planet warns: "you’ll find the middle of nowhere is more beautiful than you ever imagined."

Day 5 – La Paz

Spend time exploring this quiet capital and its mix of old and new. Wander along the famous Malecón (the waterfront) and see what interesting sights you stumble across.

arrow Kayaking in Balandra Bay Today your family will spend the day kayaking among the amazing scenery of Balandra Bay, in the Sea of Cortez. This secluded bay is a great place for kayakers of all skill levels. Your family is sure to be wowed by the magnificent rock formations, clear water and lovely beaches here.

Day 6 – La Paz / Todos Santos

arrow Swimming with sea lions Imagine the look on your kids' faces as a sea lion pup swims up to them, looks them in the eye, and playfully dives and spins in the water, encouraging his new playmates to follow suit. This imagination will be a reality today as your family spends time getting acquainted with the sea lions of Los Islotes. As your family enjoys the scenery and the wildlife up close and personal today, it will be hard to tell who's enjoying the time with their new friends more - your kids or the sea lions.

Day 7 – Depart Cabo San Lucas (SJD) / Arrive U.S.

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Los Colibris

Los Colibris, which means "The Hummingbirds", is located in Todos Santos and is just a ten minute walk from the area's beautiful beaches. The property features two casas (houses) and two casitas (little houses) with a total of six comfortable bedrooms. Each building is configured and decorated in a unique way. The buildings all feature a kitchen or kitchenette with appliances, a dining area, a balcony, porch, or patio, ceiling fans, and gorgeous views of the ocean and lagoon.

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Serendipity

Serendipity, located on the ocean side of Todos Santos, is a beautiful property with gorgeous views. The casitas here each feature unique configurations, with the common factors of comfortable beds, air conditioning, and a full bath. Other highlights of Serendipity include a pool and jacuzzi, a central pavilion and a fireplace.

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Hotel Marina

The Marina Hotel is located alongside the Bay of La Paz, just a short distance from the old downtown area of La Paz. Most of the rooms here feature ocean views; all are clean and comfortable with air conditioning, a coffeemaker, flatscreen TV with cable, full bath and wireless internet access. Other highlights of the hotel include great views of the ocean and marina, pools, jacuzzi, restaurants and beautiful gardens.

Please Note:   Thomson Family Adventures will attempt to adhere to this itinerary as much as possible. However, certain conditions (political, climatic, environmental, cultural, or availability) may necessitate changes in the accommodations.

Why Baja?

arrow The Aquarium of the World Jacques Cousteau once called the Sea of Cortez “the aquarium of the world” and “the Galapagos of North America” due to its incredibly rich and diverse ecosystem; 39% of the world’s total number of marine mammal species and 70% of the world’s total number of marine cetacean species live or migrate though here. There's practically no place else on earth where you can see such a magnificent diversity of marine life, and the Sea of Cortez is home to a vast array of endemic and migratory species alike. It plays host to small animals such as the Flying Mobula (very similar to manta rays) and the vaquita marina (declared by the Natural Resources Defense Council to be “the world’s rarest, most endangered porpoise”) as well as to the world’s largest animal, the blue whale. Other whales found in the Sea of Cortez include the humpback, killer, pilot and grey. There are even resident populations of fin whales and sperm whales that do not migrate annually.

arrow Where the Desert Meets the Ocean One of the most striking things about the Baja peninsula is the incredible juxtaposition of the desert meeting the sea, where you can see a sea gull taking a rest atop a cactus, and the cactus growing contentedly among the sand dunes. The remarkable quality of air that this desert/ocean climate creates is one of the key reasons that Todos Santos has become such a strong magnet for plein aire artists.

arrow Wonderful, Warm People When you visit Baja with your family, you will have the opportunity to not only enjoy the great outdoor activities of the area, but to make friends with many of the local people who call the area home. The people of Baja are family-oriented, laid-back, and always ready to welcome visitors into the fold. Throughout the trip you’ll meet English-speaking locals who’ll share their love of the area with you, and your kids will also have the great opportunity to play a soccer game and enjoy a piñata party with local kids. More often than not guests find that they have not only had a great time with their families in Baja, but have returned home with many new Mexican friends as well.

arrow Easy to Get To Baja is easy to get to, with direct flights from several airports including Newark, Houston, Dallas, Atlanta, San Francisco, San Diego, Portland and Seattle. It’s a great destination for families who want to experience a completely unique, beautiful and totally different culture and environment just an easy plane ride from home.

arrow Surfing Hotspot Todos Santos has some of the most famous surf breaks in the Baja Peninsula, making it a great place to take that first lesson, or brush up on your form if you’ve already got your moves. Come on down and hang ten!

arrow The Last Frontier Within Mexico Baja is known as The Last Frontier and it truly is, in many respects. This isolated and unique ecoregion is home to the last populations of pronghorn antelope, puma, mule deer and mountain sheep in Mexico, and that’s not all. 10 million years ago the southern part of the peninsula was an island and this isolation has given rise to a large number and great diversity of endemic plant and animal species in the area. Over 23% of the plants and 10% of the animals found in southern Baja are endemic to the area. In addition to wildlife such as the babisuri (ring-tailed cats), mountain lions and Baja ground squirrels, a wonderful array of birdlife inhabits the lower Baja peninsula, including the endemic cape pygmy owl, Xantus Hummingbird and Belding’s Yellowthroat. The Baja pensinsula is truly one of great natural treasures of North America.

A kayaking adventure Dolphins in the Sea of Cortez Desert canyon hike! Pelicans boating in Balandra Bay Horseback riding along the water

Adventure Photos from Baja

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