12 Awesome Reasons to Visit the Baja Peninsula in Mexico
Head south from San Diego and you’ll cross into the states of Baja California and then Baja California Sur in Mexico. The Baja Peninsula is famous for many reasons, but especially for its endless sunshine, its astounding beauty, and its celebrity getaways — especially in Los Cabos. While we’re partial to the adventures in the Los Cabos region (for obvious reasons), we love the whole Baja Peninsula and think these are some of the best reasons why you should visit.
1. Fresh Seafood…and the Best Fish Tacos!
Being a peninsula surrounded by the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of California, Baja boasts some of the best seafood you’ll ever taste. The fish tacos are a must, but the diversity of seafood-inspired cuisine is truly impressive.
If you consider yourself a foodie, our seafood is definitely one of the reasons you have to come visit the Baja Peninsula!
2. Endless Sunshine All Year-Round
In Los Cabos, we average 350 days of sun each year…
Need we say more?
3. Baja is a Surfer’s Paradise
Ready to hit the waves? With an extensive Pacific coastline, the Baja Peninsula has some fantastic surf spots to enjoy. Whether you’re a total beginner or a world champion, you’ll love riding these waves.
Looking for lessons? We can help you learn to surf in Cabo with our professional instructors and top-of-the-line equipment.
4. Baja Boasts “The World’s Aquarium”
Called the world’s aquarium by the iconic Jacques Cousteau, the Sea of Cortez (or the Gulf of California) is home to an astounding array of wildlife. If you love natural wonders, then anywhere along this extensive stretch of coastline should be a great place to visit. Launch out by boat or by your own two finned-feet and you’ll soon see why this area is a marvel.
We especially love to explore Cabo Pulmo National Park at the southern tip of the Baja Peninsula. This protected area is ideal for enjoying the wonders of nature.
5. Whales and Whale Sharks!
The Baja Peninsula boasts some of the best whale watching you can do anywhere in the world. From November to March, you could sit on the beach and you’re almost guaranteed to witness whales breaching as they migrate. If you want to get closer to the action, you could take a whale-watching boat tour to see them up-close.
Whale sharks are quite fond of the Sea of Cortez. If you love snorkeling and seeing wild animals in their natural habitat, you may just be lucky enough to swim with these graceful, gentle giants.
6. Sea Lions, Turtles, and Other Marine Life
Marine life is abundant around the Baja Peninsula, with sea lions basking on rocks and turtles munching on coral reefs for lunch. The variety of colors and species of fish will astound you! If you’re not interested in snorkeling, join us in a glass-bottom kayak tour in Los Cabos so you can still enjoy those mesmerizing underwater views.
You won’t regret it!
7. Magical Beach Escapes (Lover’s Beach, Anyone?)
The beaches of the Baja Peninsula are out of this world. We have so many long stretches of golden sand, perfect for sprawling out on a blanket and basking in the sun (just like a sea lion!).
In the Cabo area, we have Lover’s Beach and nearby Divorce Beach. You can take from that what you will…
8. Hiking and Off-Roading in the Desert
Much of the Baja Peninsula is actually a mountainous desert landscape. That’s the extreme beauty of this place: the mountains meet the sea, with dry air on land and cool waters all around you.
If you enjoy hiking, we highly recommend a day tour to Fox Canyon in Los Cabos. The scenery is dramatic and it’s a wonderful alternative to all the other water-based activities we love so much!
Prefer the comfort of 4WD? Take a jeep out for a 4×4 excursion through the desert. The Baja Peninsula actually hosts the Baja 1000, which is one of the wildest, most challenging off-road races in the world! You don’t have to be that extreme, though, don’t worry.
9. Let’s Go Chasing Waterfalls
While Baja might be mostly desert, that doesn’t mean we don’t have oases. We’re talking about waterfalls pouring into crystal-clear lagoons where you can take off your dusty shoes and splash around to cool off.
When we say the Baja Peninsula has it all, we mean it. Feel free to contact us to inquire about the waterfalls — or anything else in Los Cabos!
10. Organic Farms & Delightful Wineries
Although the Baja Peninsula is mostly desert, we enjoy a high-quality climate for growing a variety of produce! One of our favorite local farms is completely organic and supplies many of the popular restaurants and accommodation options nearby.
And what better way to enjoy local produce than to pair it with a delightful local wine. The wineries of Guadalupe Valley in Baja Norte are plentiful and surprising. You might not think of Mexico when you think of wine…but you should!
11. Fewer Tourists, Despite These Reasons to Visit Baja!
Although destinations like Ensenada, La Paz, and Cabo San Lucas are growing in popularity for tourists, the Baja Peninsula is still not as busy as other areas of Mexico. The Yucatan Peninsula (especially Cancun) and the southern Pacific coastline (especially Puerto Vallarta and Acapulco) are much more popular areas of Mexico. Cruise ships, in particular, love those ports of call.
But the Baja Peninsula isn’t as busy as those other ports, despite the cruise ships we do welcome into Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada. We welcome tourists and love showing off our beautiful region to visitors. But you’re sure to enjoy a much more relaxing vacation on the Baja Peninsula than you might in the popular port destinations in Mexico.
12. Baja is Accessible But Feels a World Apart
With a few international airports on the Baja Peninsula, you can easily access whichever region you want to visit. If you’re heading to the north, fly into Tijuana International Airport, Mexicali International, or even San Diego International just over the US border.
If you’re coming to Baja California Sur, fly into Los Cabos International and enjoy that endless sunshine as soon as you step foot on terra firma. La Paz International and Loreto International are other options to consider.
We would love to have you join us here in Baja. Come revel in the natural beauty and astounding wildlife we enjoy!
And if you’re up for some fun, check out our Los Cabos adventure tours in Baja California Sur. We’d love to make your Cabo vacation a fantastic escape from the norm. Feel free to get in touch with any questions any time.
