A Mexican peninsula extending into the Pacific Ocean from the south end of the U.S. state of California, Baja California provides some of Mexico's most dramatic sea and landscapes. This includes everything from vast and remote deserts, dormant volcanoes and wonderful old mission towns.
The first political capital of "old California" is found here as well as many remnants of the colonial past. Camping and hiking opportunities are plentiful, and much of the region is sparsely or even unpopulated. The "Baja" is also home to world class surfing, sailing and deep sea fishing destinations. Lastly, traditionally the peninsula has provided south-of-the-border fun for youthful miscreants from the USA in both the border region to the north and more recently at the far end of the peninsula in the resort towns of Los Cabos.
The Baja peninsula is one of the longest in the world and offers an interesting mix of cultures with a wonderful combination of Latino, Hispanic, pre-Hispanic and Anglo influences. It varies greatly even from the Mexican "mainland" with its own lifestyle and identity within Mexico.
Whale Watching The waters off Baja California are home to several species of great whales including Blue, Fin, Bryde's, Humpback, Orca, Sperm, and many others. This is perhaps the richest area in the world for whale and dolphin diversity. The world's entire population of Gray Whales breeds in the lagoons on the west side of the peninsula.
Diving and Snorkeling Excellent scuba, free diving, and snorkeling. Great white shark cage diving off Guadalupe Island. Hammerhead schools over a seamount near La Paz. The Sea of Cortez holds a fantastic diversity of marine life for accessible to divers and snorkelers. The convergence of tropical influences from the south and temperate conditions from the north bring together an amazing array of species. Local dive shops and charters are available.
Kayaking Week-long beach camping kayak tours of the wilderness islands in the Loreto Marine National Park. Local guides, access to prime whale watching and snorkeling. 360-378-5767 or 888-589-4253, whales@sea-quest-kayak.com Kayaking Tours from Loreto, Mexico.
Fishing This region has long been regarded as one of the best places for fishing. Marlin, sailfish, tuna, yellowtail, wahoo, roosterfish, and dorado are abundant in the blue waters surrounding the peninsula.
Cave Paintings Various archaeological sites can be toured in the rugged mountains.
The SCORE Baja 500 and Baja 1000 off-road races explore some of the more remote regions of the peninsula and attract participants and tourists from Mexico and the US.
Population: 106.202.900 Languages: Spanish, various Mayan, Nahuatl, and other regiona Currency: Mexican peso Currency code: MXN Local Times: Mexico - Federal District - Mexico City
Country Dialling Code: +52 Voltage: 127V 60Hz Electrical plugs:
Mexico forms a bridge between the slick first-world commerce of North America and the more chaotic Latin tempo of its southerly neighbour. Mexico is a traveller's paradise, crammed with a multitude of opposing identities: desert landscapes, snow-capped volcanoes, ancient ruins, teeming industrialised cities, time-warped colonial towns, glitzy resorts, lonely beaches and a world-beating collection of flora and fauna.
Shaped by the Mayan and Aztec civilisations, Mexico has suffered the destructive force of human nature. the Conquistadors, European colonial rule, civil and territorial wars, rebellions, dictatorships, recessions and earthquakes have all shaped Mexico into the story it tells today through it's varied sites, culture and infrastructure.
Mexico's buildings tend to resemble a quite unique combination of colonial and pagan architecture, blending together Art Nouveau, Baroque, Art Deco and Native American design into the structure of their churches and public structures. Mexico's culture displays a similar blend of the traditional and the modern.
Mexico is much more than just unique culture and fascinating ancient sites and cities. The country also boasts several hundred miles of beautiful coastline extending down through the Pacific and the Caribbean. Beach resort cities such as Acapulco, Cancún and those of the Baja California peninsula are accepted vacation havens. The countryside is also rich in archaeological treasures with pyramids, ruins of ancient cities and great stone carvings of ancient gods standing as testament to a country once ruled by the Aztecs and Mayans.
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