Category Archives: Whale Watching

Looking for a Unique Vacation? Los Cabos, Mexico is a Great Destination.

It’s time to mix up your travel plans with a unique vacation to Los Cabos, Mexico, one of the fastest growing tourist destinations in the country.

Los Cabos is a beautiful, thriving municipality located at the tip of the Baja peninsula and divided into the areas of Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo, two towns surrounded by stunning coastal waters. The warm tropical climate and sandy beaches set the scene for an exciting stay in a natural oasis, but Los Cabos has many other hidden wonders to offer daring travelers with a taste for luxury and adventure.

What Makes Los Cabos a Unique Travel Destination?

Los Cabos WhalesNo matter where you stay in Los Cabos, travelers can relax amidst a landscape of carefully preserved natural treasures and exotic wildlife. This eternal summer land averages over 300 sunny days annually and maintains a comfortable temperature of approximately 86F. An intriguing contrast of sparkling beaches and desert plains littered with cactus plants provides miles of thrilling land to explore.

The mountains, deserts and canyons offer the perfect environment for unique and bold eco-tours, allowing you to traverse massive rocks, see cascading waterfalls and vibrant flora up close, and enjoy horseback rides through the hills. Los Cabos is unlimited in the opportunities it presents and every type of traveler will find memorable attractions that bring them back to Mexico again and again.

Los Cabos Attractions

Los Cabos has developed one of the most safe and inviting tourist infrastructures in the world, attracting visitors with Mexico’s rich cultural heritage and dedication to protecting its beautiful scenery. Los Cabos is home to some of the finest resorts and hotels, many of which are right on the oceanfront and offer convenient access to popular water sports. Los Cabos is a paradise for swimming, diving, surfing, sport fishing, sailing, snorkeling, kayaking and countless other marine activities. And of course, if you want to bathe under the sun for a natural golden tan, there are plenty of quiet beaches to enjoy.

Beneath the crystal waves, you can view a wealth of different species in the natural habitats where they make their homes, such as sea turtles, dolphins, starfish, eels and tropical fish. Whale migration is one of the most exciting annual attractions in Los Cabos, and each year from December to February you can see these majestic creatures as they glide through the water.

What you may not know is that Los Cabos is a premier destination for golfing. The breathtaking greenery, open desert lands and unforgettable coastal views provide one of the most unique golfing experiences in the world. Many of the golfing clubs are located along the Sea of Cortes, so you can perfect your game against the backdrop of jutting jetties, distant mountain ranges, swaying palm trees and dazzling ocean waters.

Los Cabos Offers Vibrant City Life

Get ready for a dynamic trip with diverse fining dining, exhilarating nightlife, artisan shops and chic boutiques all around. If you enjoy seeing local monuments and landmarks, El Arco in Cabo San Lucas is a popular natural rock formation at the southernmost tip of Baja, where the surrounding waves are ideal for diving, snorkeling, admiring the sea lions and whale-gazing. And don’t miss a day at the Estero de San Jose del Cabo, a protected estuary where over 250 species of birds can be spotted.

Depending on how you like to spend your time, Los Cabos has fun attractions ranging from winery tours to rugged buggy rides through local terrain. Los Cabos may be located at the tip of a peninsula, but its incredible vacation spots top the list of unique tourist destinations.

 

Top Adventure Travel Trips in Mexico

Adventure travel trips and tours in Mexico are one of our specialties at Journey Mexico. For those of you planning adventure vacations this summer, we’ve put together a list of our favorite adventure tours.

From pristine beaches and remote jungles to spectacular mountains, lakes and rivers – these travel adventures get to the heart of this grand destination: Mexico.

 

1)      Baja Multisport: Sea Kayaking and Hiking Trip

On this adventure trip you’ll visit both the Pacific Ocean and Sea of Cortez coastlines of Baja California, Mexico. Perfect for active travelers, it combines remote hiking and paddling in intact wilderness settings, plenty of wildlife viewing opportunities and visits to local villages.

This trip includes a full day Sea-Kayaking expedition in the Sea of Cortez. Experience the turquoise waters of the protected beaches of the Island of Espiritu Santo.  We will also visit the resident sea lion colony where you can opt to swim and snorkel with these marine mammals.

During our day hike, you will indulge in the seascapes of the rugged Pacific Coast of Southern Baja California. In this hike into the Sierra de la Laguna Biosphere reserve you will also experience the beauty of cascading waterfalls in the stunning cactus forests.  A visit to the fishing village of Todos Santos and a day of surfing provides a taste of the old Baja.

2)      Chiapas Adventure Trip – Ziplines, Waterfalls, and Ruins

On this fabulous adventure trip to Chiapas, Mexico, you will zip line through the tree-tops of the jungles and mountains of the region. Take in the magnificent beauty of one of the area’s waterfalls, measuring over 100 feet in height, and swim in the refreshing water from the falls. This journey also includes a visit to the archaeological site of Palenque, an ancient Mayan city known as one of the greatest achievements of ancient man, and to San Cristobal de las Casas, a charming colonial city where you can converse with the indigenous people of San Juan Chamula and Zinacatan, and learn about their colorful ceramics and textiles.

 

3)      Swim With Whale Sharks and Visit Ancient Ruins Trip

This adventure trip to the Riviera Maya in Mexico, is perfect for wildlife lovers. One of the highlights of this adventure includes swimming and snorkeling with docile whale sharks (ranging from 10 to 65 feet in length) on a secluded island. After a few days of nature immersion, explore the ancient Mayan ruins at the world renowned Chichen Itza. Your private guide will explain the significance of this archeological site and the achievements of the Maya civilization. You will also have the chance to cool off in a beautiful sinkhole before enjoying a picturesque lunch nearby. Accommodations at the Isla Holbox (a tranquil island 3 hours from Cancun) are in a quaint eco-friendly hotel.

 

 

4)      Copper Canyon Hiking Trip – Lower Rio Urique Wilderness

The Copper Canyon hiking trip is an expedition style adventure where hikers follow the Urique River as it winds through the Mexican canyon. This tour offers stunning views, trails through narrow slot canyons and a crossing of the magnificent suspension bridge at Vado de la Cueva. You will also visit the native communities and the historic settlements of El Fuerte, Cerocahui, Creel, Chihuahua, and Batopilas.

A train journey on the world famous Chihuahua al Pacifico Mexican railroad offers a panoramic view of the amazing transition between the Sea of Cortez and the canyons of the Sierra Tarahumara.

 

5)      Mainland Mexico Surf Trip

This surfing adventure trip is 10 days of non-stop surfing combined with luxury accommodations to relax and recharge in the evening. On this trip you will stay in 2 magnificent villas right on the water. You will also go on exciting road trips on private SUVs and take a private fight to some of the region’s best kept secret surfing spots.

An expert guide will be with you providing insider access and a professional photographer will shoot video and photos of the adventure.

 

6)      Oaxaca Cycling Excursion

This exciting tour lets you experience a bike tour like you never have before. During this cycling excursion you will not only see great bike routes but you will also discover Oaxaca’s amazing culture, food, and natural beauty.

You will visit Teotitlan del Valle, where the world-famous, traditional, woven, wool blankets and rugs come from, as well as other remote villages with XVI century churches, old plazas and vibrant markets and galleries.  On this tour, you will also see Monte Alban – an archeological site from around 500BC.

 

7)      The Volcano Mountain Climbing Expedition

This adventure tour is 10 days of amazing mountain climbing. Explore two Mexican volcanoes: The Malinche volcano, named after the Indian lover and interpreter for Cortez , and the Iztaccihuatl, the 3rd largest in Mexico famous for its shape of a sleeping woman.

In addition to exploring the mountaintops, caves, and glaciers of central Mexico, you will also visit the charming towns of Puebla and Cholula outside of Mexico City.

This trip also includes a visit to Teotihucan, a world-famous archeological site, and the Basilica de Guadalupe. This Basilica is the 3rd most important religious center worldwide.

8)      Yucatan  Adventure

This adventure trip on the Riviera Maya takes you through the jungles of the Yucatan Peninsula and brings you to incredible archeological sites designated as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. Visit the Mayan ruins of Uxmal, Chichen Itza, Celestun, Ex-balam and Sian Ka’an.

This ecotourism tour includes a visit to a local Maya family where age old traditions are still maintained. It also takes you to Tixkokob where locals still practice the age old tradition of Hammock weaving.

The Riviera Maya, with its turquoise waters and soft powder sand beaches awaits you.

 

We hope you embark soon on your adventure travel tour and discover the wonders that Mexico has to offer.

 

Mexico Awarded Best Destination Day Spa in the World by Travel + Leisure Readers

Mexico in Travel + Leisure's Reader's Choise Awards

The 2011 Word’s Best Awards mark the 16th consecutive year where Travel + Leisure has polled it’s massive database of readers, allowing them to determine the best hotels, cities, spas, and more. For the second year in a row, Rancho La Puerta in Baja Californa was named the Best Destination Day Spa in the World in this year’s Travel + Leisure: World’s Best Awards readers’ survey.

Originally opened in 1940 in a sheltered valley only an hour’s drive from San Diego, California, Rancho La Puerta quickly became the paradigm of all multi-day “destination spa” vacations that encompass health and wellness for mind, body and spirit. The property encompasses over 3,000 acres of land and includes world-class landscaped gardens, an organic farm, an internationally known cooking school, and mountainsides and meadows of great hiking and walking experiences. For more information about Rancho La Puerta, visit www.rancholapuerta.com.

Also making one of this year’s Travel + Leisure: World’s Best lists was the One & Only Palmilla, Los Cabos, also in Baja California. The One & Only Palmilla was voted number 48 in the World’s 50 Best Hotels list, and for good reason. The One & Only Palmilla was designed with one thing in mind: Luxury. To quote Travel + Leisure, “At the tip of Mexico’s Baja peninsula, One & Only Palmilla takes moonlight serenades seriously. The 172-room resort can arrange a Latin guitar trio to strum ballads on sandy coves facing the Sea of Cortés, atop a historic bell tower, or in a Casa Gardenia suite. For families, there’s a meandering river that connects the kids’ pool to an infinity pool overlooking the sea. Ride horses on the beach—on of the safest in Los Cabos for swimming—then kick back in red-tiled suites with shaded daybeds, ideal for siesta.”

Several other Mexican resorts and hotels were chosen for regional awards, featured in the cover story of the August issue of Travel + Leisure magazine, which hit newsstands July 22nd.

Our Mexico: Nature

Nature Travel in Mexico

Click Image for the Full Ad

Mexico is such a vast and visually stunning country that we at Journey Mexico have decided to showcase the nature, culture, adventure, and luxury experiences that await travelers in Mexico in a series of web-ads called Our Mexico.

We will release a new ad monthly, which we hope you’ll find beautiful enough to share with your friends!

This month’s ad focuses on Nature Travel in Mexico. You can view the full ad here.

Photos from a Recent Whale-Watching Trip in Baja California

Each winter, the Gray Whales of the Pacific migrate from the cold waters of Alaska to the tropical waters of Mexico to breed from December through April. As we near the end of March, we prepare to say goodbye to the Gray Whales, thank them for the up close and personal encounters they shared with us, and wish them safe travels on their long journey back to Alaska.

This year’s whale watching season was, like always, magnificent. Below are some photos from one of our recent whale-watching trips in Baja California.