Baja California holidays
Baja California holidays at a glance
Baja is arid, sun-scorched and sparsely populated, cut through by canyons and dotted with colonial Jesuit missions and prehistoric cave paintings further inland. Most visitors head for the southern coast, though, where chalk-white beaches and clear aquamarine water sit in stark contrast to the desert behind them.
Loreto Mexico’s Gulf coast colonial town remains largely unspoilt and makes a strong base for exploring, and La Paz Mexico works just as well if you’d rather start further south.
The real draw is the marine life. Grey and humpback whales gather in Baja’s lagoons every winter to breed, some of the best whale watching Mexico has to offer, while the Sea of Cortés itself supports an ecosystem rich enough to pull wildlife lovers in from all over the world.
Why choose Journey Latin America for your holiday to Baja California
We’ve been planning trips to Central and South America for over 45 years, longer than any other UK specialist. Every holiday is built around you by a Travel Expert who has been to the places they recommend, with support from your first enquiry to the day you fly home.
Baja California combines dramatic desert scenery, spectacular marine wildlife and beautiful coastlines to create one of Mexico’s most distinctive travel experiences.
When to visit Baja California
With 300 to 360 days of sunshine a year and temperatures generally sitting in the 20s Celsius, this is very much a winter sun destination. January to March is prime whale-watching season, as grey and humpback whales gather in the lagoons and coastal waters. Hiking, kayaking, horse riding and golf all suit the comfortable temperatures for much of the year, though there’s a chance of hurricanes between June and November, most active from August to October.
These months are the driest and between December – January, the busiest too. You can expect plenty of sunshine and temperatures in the 20°Cs which are perfect for outdoor activities like horse riding and kayaking. Between January – March, gray and humpback whales congregate to breed in the sparkling lagoons.
June marks the beginning of the rainy season, with the possibility of hurricanes at its highest between August – October. However, this is still a lovely time to visit with plenty of sunshine and warm temperatures. May is an ideal month as the crowds of the peak season have gone home while the rainy season has not set in.
Top Things to do in Baja California
There’s no shortage of things to do in Baja California, on land or at sea. Blue whale watching in Loreto Bay, multi-day kayaking trips and time in the Vizcaíno Desert Reserve near San Ignacio all reward travellers with proper wildlife encounters and big open scenery.
Go on a sea-borne expedition to spot the shy blue whale, the largest animal ever found on Earth.
Todos Santos is a little town is about an hour’s drive from La Paz and 90 minutes from Cabo on the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula. It is situated in one of Baja’s rare oasis, and is surrounded by coconut palm groves with avocado, mango and papaya trees. The once isolated town has…
Visit the pretty colonial lagoon-side town San Ignacio, set in a desert oasis, base for whale-watching.
Accommodation in Baja California
Accommodation ranges from charming colonial-style properties to coastal hotels close to the Sea of Cortés and the region’s wildlife hotspots, among them Casa Natalia, Desert Inn, and Posada de las Flores in both Loreto and La Paz.
A charming, friendly and expertly managed hotel in the colonial plaza of San José.
A simple hotel with pool catering well for visitors to the whale watching town San Ignacio in Baja California.
Posada de las Flores is a delightful, authentic colonial-style hotel right in the centre of unspoilt Loreto
Posada del la Plores is a small hotel defined by authentic Mexican style and artifacts, right on the seafront in La Paz, Baja California.
A former Journey Latin America tour leader, Sally spent 7 years working, travelling and living throughout Latin America before returning to the UK to help people arrange their own adventures to this wonderful destination.
Tailor-Made Baja California Tours
Prefer to travel on your own terms? We’ll build a trip around your dates, your pace and the things you most want to see – whether that’s a first run at Machu Picchu, a family adventure mixing history and wildlife, or a food-focused journey through Lima and the Sacred Valley. Our Travel Experts can help shape it with you.
Self-drive Mexico: Discover Baja California and the Sea of Cortez
Places visited: Mexico City · Baja California
12 days from £3,000
FAQs about visiting Baja California
Baja California is one of the most popular destinations, and there’s plenty to think about before you go. Here, our specialists share their best advice.
- When is the best time to visit Baja California?
Baja is a very attractive winter sun destination, with temperatures in the 20s: comfortable on the beach and for energetic pursuits such horse riding, hiking, golf and kayaking.
For more detailed information visit our When To Go section.
- What language is spoken in Baja California?
The main language spoken in Baja California is Spanish.
- What currency do I need in Baja California?
Mexican pesos are the main currency used in Baja California. Notes can be withdrawn from the ATMs in La Paz and Loreto using a UK credit or debit card (limit about £100 per day. Tell your bank in advance you are going to Mexico).
- What is the time difference between Baja California and the UK?
The time difference between Baja California and the UK is GMT -7 hours.
- What does a visit to Baja California combine well with?
A visit to Mexico City (2.5hrs by air), Mexico’s colonial cities (Guadalajara 1hr 45 mins by air) and the Copper Canyon (flight or ferry to Los Mochis across the gulf).
- How do I get to Baja California?
The flight time from Mexico City is 2.5 hrs. You can also fly to Baja (La Paz, Loreto or Los Cabos) via the USA: Los Angeles, San Francisco and Houston.
- What key events are there in Baja California?
Whale-watching season is Jan-Mar.
Ready to start planning?
Tell us where you want to go, and we’ll take it from there. No obligation, no sales pitch – just a conversation with someone who knows the region inside out.