📍 Mexico

BAJA CALIFORNIA: DESERT CACTUS MEETS COBALT SEA FRONTIER

Cardón forests piercing desert sky, whale spouts rising from calm lagoons, reef life teeming in cobalt depths. Baja California rewards the bold.

≈ 13
Days
2300
Km
10
Stops
📖 6 min read 🔄 Last updated: 2026-01-17

Follow the Baja Peninsula between deserts and coast, from Ensenada's vineyards to Cabo Pulmo's protected waters. Let cardón cacti draw the road, watch for gray whales in lagoons, then dive into the Sea of Cortez. Here, sand solitude meets sea of striking clarity.

Your day-by-day itinerary

1
Day

Tijuana

border pulse launches baja adventures south

Tijuana - Photo 1Tijuana - Photo 2Tijuana - Photo 3Tijuana - Photo 4Tijuana - Photo 5Tijuana - Photo 6Tijuana - Photo 7Tijuana - Photo 8
8 photos
Day 1
🔍

Discover

1
Walk on Avenida Revolución and discovery of art galleries and local shops
2
Visit to the traditional Mercado Hidalgo market to taste fruits, cheeses and Mexican confectionery
3
Exploration of Centro Cultural Tijuana, nicknamed 'La Bola', to discover regional history
4
Discovery of Plaza Santa Cecilia, one of the oldest squares in the city
🎯

Activities

→
Excursion to Rosarito to enjoy the beach and seafood
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 100 km
Travel time: 2h
2
Day

Ensenada

guadalupe valley vines cascade toward pacific

Ensenada - Photo 1Ensenada - Photo 2Ensenada - Photo 3Ensenada - Photo 4Ensenada - Photo 5Ensenada - Photo 6Ensenada - Photo 7Ensenada - Photo 8
8 photos
Day 2
🔍

Discover

1
Walk on the Malecón and discovery of the monumental flag
2
Ascent to El Mirador viewpoint for a view over the bay
3
Visit to the Museo de Historia de Ensenada to discover the indigenous tribes of the region
🎯

Activities

→
Excursion to La Bufadora, natural marine geyser 30 meters high
→
Tasting of local wines in surrounding vineyards like Bodegas de Santo Tomás
🚗
Next stop
⏱️ Long drive (5h+)
Distance: 540 km
Travel time: 7h
3
Day

Bahia De Los Angeles

desert bajada tumbles into cortez blue

Bahia De Los Angeles - Photo 1Bahia De Los Angeles - Photo 2Bahia De Los Angeles - Photo 3Bahia De Los Angeles - Photo 4Bahia De Los Angeles - Photo 5Bahia De Los Angeles - Photo 6Bahia De Los Angeles - Photo 7
7 photos
Day 3
🔍

Discover

1
Whale shark observation between June and November in the bay
2
Kayak or boat exploration of the 16 islands of the bay
3
Visit to the Sea Turtle Research and Conservation Center
4
Discovery of the small local museum tracing the history of the region
🎯

Activities

→
Fishing boat trip in the Sea of Cortez
🚗
Next stop
⏱️ Long drive (5h+)
Distance: 440 km
Travel time: 6h
4
Day

Bahia Tortugas

fishing village clings to pacific headlands

Bahia Tortugas - Photo 1Bahia Tortugas - Photo 2Bahia Tortugas - Photo 3Bahia Tortugas - Photo 4Bahia Tortugas - Photo 5Bahia Tortugas - Photo 6Bahia Tortugas - Photo 7Bahia Tortugas - Photo 8Bahia Tortugas - Photo 9Bahia Tortugas - Photo 10
10 photos
Day 4
🔍

Discover

1
Discovery of the colorful center of Bahía Tortugas and meeting with the locals
2
Walk to the beach at the bottom of the pier to admire the view of the bay
🎯

Activities

→
Mini-cruise to Isla Natividad to observe the wild coast
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 245 km
Travel time: 3h30
5
Day

San Ignacio

gray whale mothers nurse in lagoon sanctuary

San Ignacio - Photo 1San Ignacio - Photo 2San Ignacio - Photo 3San Ignacio - Photo 4San Ignacio - Photo 5San Ignacio - Photo 6San Ignacio - Photo 7San Ignacio - Photo 8
8 photos
Day 5
🔍

Discover

1
Visit to the Rock Art Museum housed in an 18th century theater
2
Discovery of Mission San Ignacio and its 18th century baroque altar
🎯

Activities

→
Excursion to San Ignacio lagoon to observe gray whales (February to March)
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 270 km
Travel time: 4h
6
Day

Loreto

mission bells echo across sierra giganta

Loreto - Photo 1Loreto - Photo 2Loreto - Photo 3Loreto - Photo 4Loreto - Photo 5Loreto - Photo 6Loreto - Photo 7Loreto - Photo 8Loreto - Photo 9
9 photos
Day 6
🔍

Discover

1
Exploration of Loreto Bay National Marine Park
2
Visit to San Javier Mission and Loreto Mission
3
Discovery of Loreto's historical museum and its six exhibition halls
🎯

Activities

→
Kayak excursion around Isla Dansante to observe seals and fish
→
Whale watching from December to March
🚗
Next stop
⏱️ Long drive (5h+)
Distance: 360 km
Travel time: 5h30
7
Day

La Paz

sea lions bark beneath malecón sunset glow

La Paz - Photo 1La Paz - Photo 2La Paz - Photo 3La Paz - Photo 4La Paz - Photo 5La Paz - Photo 6La Paz - Photo 7La Paz - Photo 8
8 photos
Day 7
🔍

Discover

1
Excursion to Espíritu Santo Island to observe sea lions and manta rays
2
Gray whale watching in Magdalena Bay (December to March)
3
Discovery of El Rosario cactus sanctuary
4
Relaxation on Balandra beach and its turquoise waters
+1 Places visited
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 135 km
Travel time: 2h
8
Day

La Ventana

kiteboard winds rip across channel waters

La Ventana - Photo 1La Ventana - Photo 2La Ventana - Photo 3La Ventana - Photo 4La Ventana - Photo 5La Ventana - Photo 6La Ventana - Photo 7La Ventana - Photo 8La Ventana - Photo 9La Ventana - Photo 10
10 photos
Day 8
🔍

Discover

1
Marine wildlife observation: whale sharks, turtles and multicolored fish
🎯

Activities

→
Kitesurfing session on beaches renowned for their constant wind
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 100 km
Travel time: 1h30
9
Day

Cabo Pulmo

living reef pulses with hammerhead patrols

Cabo Pulmo - Photo 1Cabo Pulmo - Photo 2Cabo Pulmo - Photo 3Cabo Pulmo - Photo 4Cabo Pulmo - Photo 5Cabo Pulmo - Photo 6Cabo Pulmo - Photo 7
7 photos
Day 9
🔍

Discover

1
Scenic route along the coast of the Sierra de la Laguna
🎯

Activities

→
Diving in Cabo Pulmo National Marine Park
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 100 km
Travel time: 1h30
10
Day

San Jose Del Cabo

estuary birds amid gallery town charm

San Jose Del Cabo - Photo 1San Jose Del Cabo - Photo 2San Jose Del Cabo - Photo 3San Jose Del Cabo - Photo 4San Jose Del Cabo - Photo 5San Jose Del Cabo - Photo 6San Jose Del Cabo - Photo 7San Jose Del Cabo - Photo 8San Jose Del Cabo - Photo 9San Jose Del Cabo - Photo 10
10 photos
Day 10
🔍

Discover

1
Participation in the Thursday evening 'Art Walk' in local galleries
2
Discovery of the historic center and Plaza Mijares
3
Swimming on the beaches of Playa Santa María and Costa Azul
🎯

Activities

→
Surfing session on the waves of Costa Azul
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 10 km
Travel time: 15min

🗺️ Itinerary map

🗺️ Nearby itineraries

COMPLETE ADVENTURE ACROSS BOLIVIA: FROM THE ANDES TO THE AMAZON

📅 22 days 🛣️ 4525 Km

ANDEAN ADVENTURE AND NATURAL WONDERS OF BOLIVIA

📅 14 days 🛣️ 1806.5 Km

BOLIVIA: BETWEEN SACRED LAKES, ANDES AND SALT DESERT

📅 16 days 🛣️ 2097.7 Km

🛡️ Travel advice - Mexico

Check official recommendations

UK Foreign Travel Advice →

❓ Frequently asked questions

What weather should you expect?

Dry Season (November-April): Peak tourist season with minimal rainfall, comfortable temperatures (20-28°C), and perfect beach weather. Highest prices but ideal conditions for all activities.

Shoulder Season (May, October): Good weather with brief rains, moderate prices, and fewer crowds. Excellent value while maintaining comfortable conditions for most regions.

Hurricane Season (June-September): Hot, humid weather with potential storms on Caribbean and Pacific coasts. Lowest prices and lush landscapes, but weather monitoring essential.

Regional Variations: Northern deserts hot year-round, central highlands mild, coastal areas tropical. Timing depends on specific destinations and preferred activities.

How many days should I plan?

We believe you will enjoy this itinerary best by dedicating between 10 and 16 days. The next step will allow you to adjust the duration of your stay.

What to discover in Mexico?

Vibrant culture with ancient civilizations, incredible cuisine, and diverse landscapes. Experience Maya heritage, beautiful beaches, and authentic Mexican traditions. The country offers cultural immersion with natural beauty and culinary excellence. Mexico provides complete cultural experiences with historical significance and natural wonders. ⚠️ SAFETY NOTE: While major tourist destinations (Riviera Maya, Puerto Vallarta, etc.) are generally safe with good security, some regions have elevated crime risks due to organized crime. Avoid border areas with high violence rates and check government travel advisories for current regional conditions. Stick to tourist zones and use reputable transportation.