Island hopping is the most hands-on and breathtaking way to explore your unique surroundings. Isla Espiritu Santo (or “Island of the Holy Spirit”) has been called, “absurdly beautiful, with wedding-cake white sands, nail-varnish pink volcanic rocks, clouds of yellow butterflies, and strange 300-year old boojum trees.” A magical place to explore, camp overnight, go hiking or admire the sunset and stargaze into the wee hours. Snorkel with friendly sea-lions who will swim out from the rocks to greet and play with you in the waters surrounding the small island of Los Islotes.

Camping: The amazing beaches surrounding the Sea of Cortez are an ideal setting for rustic camping in the untouched landscape, difficult to experience anywhere else. Punta Coyote and San Evaristo, approximately 6o miles away from La Paz, offer gorgeous settings directly in the foothills of the Mountain Range of La Giganta. Protected in an ideal location, campers will easily make use of their natural surroundings by enjoying long, peaceful walks, hikes or mountain biking. You might even catch a glimpse of a fast-moving lizard or road-runner!

Hiking: The Trail system at CostaBaja affords you panoramic sea views and adds pleasure to a simple stroll, an after-dinner stretch or a sunset walk to wind-down your day. Imagine starting your day with an invigorating walk or jog through trails carved through desert hills that rise up in remarkable contrast to the sea. Above you, birds perch atop towering cacti, and below, lizards dart from bushes to boulders.

Mountain biking, ATV or Horseback riding: Ride into the desert hills to discover this unique ecosystem, including towering cardón, the world’s largest cactus, which can grow to an astonishing 60 feet. The landscape around Baja promises some of the most breath-taking and unique views in this desert-to-sea region of Baja.

Day trips: Venture further to find even more history, culture and adventure. Take day trips around the Baja Sur loop to some of the sleepy towns and set your own pace. Or take a tour with one of the many companies that offer single and multi-day excursions throughout the region so you can relax and enjoy the sights. Immerse yourself in the countless eco-tourism opportunities and spend a few days discovering the diverse desert and mountain landscapes.

Cactus tours: The natural landscape of Baja California Sur provides botany aficionados with complex and varied cacti species; some dating back millions of years! Just outside the city of La Paz, tourists can take a cactus tour and wonder at the gigantic cardón, as well as pitahayas, choyas and numerous other cacti. Native trees also include the palo verde trees (green stick) and palo blanco (white stick), which flourish amongst mesquites and other indigenous plants.

Historical or Cultural tours: Join the ranks of historical adventurers, pirates and missionaries who made La Paz their home with historical or cultural site tours. This friendly seaside town remains surprisingly untouched by tourism and has retained its authentic, “old Baja,” small-town appeal. The spectacular Malécon (waterfront boardwalk) is full of colorful shops and markets, as well as artisans and musicians. Numerous historical buildings, which began construction in the 19th century, are ready to help admirers of this monumental city discover more about the rich and vibrant history of La Paz.