Baja California Peninsula, Mexico
It was many years
before the Baja California Peninsula, bounded by the United
States to the north, by the Pacific Ocean to the west and by the Sea
of Cortes in the east, eventually appeared on both Mexico and the
world's tourist map.
A tour from north to
south of its 1,300 km length, through its arid landscape and dry
climate, is full of surprises. On the border lies Tijuana, a
first-rate tourist resort that receives hundreds of thousands of
visitors annually. Traditional attractions include its bullfights
and racecourse, as well as Rosarito beach with its cliffs, ideal for
diving and fishing, and the Port of Ensenada, which has gradually
become the cultural capital of the state of Baja California.
The south reflects all
the stages in the state's history, ranging from the cave paintings
in the Sierra de San Francisco produced by the hunter-gatherers and
the Jesuit missions, such as those in San Javier and Loreto to the
tourist complex at Los Cabos and the city of La Paz, an ideal spot
for a day's fishing, observing whales or organizing yacht, boat or
kayak trips to a nearby islands with some of the most beautiful
beaches in Mexico.
Baja California
North
Baja
California norte is set in the far
northeast of Mexico. Its shores are washed by the Pacific Ocean (to
the west) and by the Sea of Cortes (to the east). It borders on Sonora to the northeast, Baja
California Sur to the south and the
North American state of California to the north.
The region was
formerly inhabited by nomadic groups that left remarkable cave
paintings as a testimony of their presence. Religion subsequently
proved more effective than weapons in conquering the Indians and the
remains of Jesuit missions can still be seen throughout the state.
This is one of the
least humid areas in the world, with a dry, extreme climate. The
landscapes are unusual, since the blue shades of the sea contrast
with the desert and its steeply sloping mountain ranges covered with
cactus. This strip of land contains fertile valleys and gorgeous
beaches; its terrestrial and marine life is extremely varied while
its wines and seafood are among the best in the country.
- Tijuana was
founded in the late 19th century and for many years, was a
compulsory stopover for all those wishing to make the overland
journey to upper California. Regarded as a steppingstone to the
American dream, Tijuana grew and developed during the first half
of the 20th century until it acquired a total population of
approximately 50,000 inhabitants in the 1950's.
Few cities are as hospitable and cordial as Tijuana, which is an
ideal place to get away from it all and to enjoy traditional
tourist attractions. In addition to those that made Tijuana
famous, like Jai Alai, the bullfights, the greyhound races,
excellent restaurants, bars and discotheques and cabarets with
enormous dance floor, the city now boasts a number of cultural
attractions, such as those provided by the Tijuana Cultural
Center (CECUT).
With its nearly two million inhabitants, Tijuana is now the
gateway to a number of resorts spread along the border as far as
the Misión del Sol in the Valle de Santo Tomás. It is a
compulsory stopover on the way to the beaches and cliffs of the
Californian coast, which is ideal for diving, fishing and other
water sports, and the shortest way to the vineyards of Ensenada,
now the center of a thriving grape growing and wine making area.
It is also the closest point to the famous spa in the city of
Tecate, the lunar landscape of la Rumorosa and the spectacular
Sierra de Juárez as well as an ideal starting point for
exploring the extensive Baja California Peninsula.
A number of external factors contributed to its growth. The
enactment of Prohibition Law in the United States drew crowds of
visitors to Tijuana at a time where tourism was just beginning
to develop as a world phenomenon. Ordinary American citizens and
Hollywood stars alike regularly dropped into a city that at that
time had the largest saloon in the world, known internationally
as "La Ballena." Its luxurious counter, measuring nearly 100 m,
attracted thousands of thirsty tourists in search of
refreshment,
Baja California Sur
One of the states with
the lowest population density, with fewer than 400,000 inhabitants.
It was originally occupied by nomadic groups that left testimony of
their presence in cave paintings. Baja California Sur was
raised to the category of a state in 1974, when tourist resorts such
as Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo were developed.
Like its northern counterpart, a trans-peninsular highway cuts
through it from north to south.
In addition to the capes mentioned earlier, there are narrow
canyons, the Sierra de la Giganta, and, to the south of La Paz, the
state capital, the Sierra de la Laguna Biosphere Reserve, whose
abundant vegetation and conifers are inhabited by endemic fauna; you
can also swim in hot spring lakes. Visitors can ride mules or
bicycles to the missions and fertile ranches built by the Jesuits
over three hundred years ago.
- La Paz - As a
premier resort destination, La Paz possesses boundless natural
resources and maintains an authentic small town ambiance that
sets it apart from the highly developed mega-resorts found
throughout Mexico. La Paz is unspoiled, safe and inviting,
providing relaxing strolls along its seaside waterfront amidst
fiery sunsets. You can indulge in delicious local cuisine and
dance until the wee hours. Or explore historic museums and shop
for authentic Mexican arts and crafts. Try your luck and
experience legendary sportfishing for marlin, wahoo, tuna,
dorado and more. Snorkel with playful sea lions or scuba dive
with hammerhead sharks and giant mantas. Kayak alongside
friendly dolphins and whales or beachcomb in the tranquil bays
of Espiritu Santo Island.
Discover ancient cave paintings in distant canyons or venture
into challenging mountain bike terrain. Or just relax and do
nothing at all on an endless white sand beach and get
reacquainted with your inner self. It's all here waiting for you
in La Paz, Mexico.
- Loreto is a place that encourages you to commune with nature, play
water sports and take the Baja 1000 route in search of whales,
cave paintings and colonial missions. Because of its climate,
infrastructure and relative isolation, it is also ideal for
resting and forgetting about the pressures of everyday life. And
it is precisely this long isolation that preserved Loreto's
unusual attractions such as its beaches, clean sea and sky,
fragile environmental marine and semi-desert niches that have
subsisted and provide refuge for endangered species. From an
urban point of view, Loreto is remarkable for the contrasts
between its colonial heritage, the advance of modernization and
the fact that it has managed to preserve the simple, friendly,
cheerful atmosphere of small communities.
Loreto was once the capital of a piece of territory stretching
from California to Texas that included Sonora, Sinaloa and
Coahuila. Nowadays it is the heart of a natural paradise known
as the Sea of Cortes. Accidentally discovered in late 1533, Baja
California has a history that blends ambition, scientific
curiosity, evangelizing zeal and the challenges of nature. For
over 150 years, it was considered an island, and several
expeditions landed here in search of the pearls that originally
made it famous. They all failed because of the difficulties of
obtaining supplies, the resistance of the Indians and attacks by
pirates, until October 25 1697 when Juan Maria Salvatierra
created the first permanent settlement when he established the
mission of Nuestra Señora de Loreto. The mission constituted an
initial attempt at colonization, and served as the capital of
the territory until 1829 when an earthquake destroyed the city
and the capital was relocated to La Paz. It would be another 150
years, however, before Loreto was fully integrated into the
country's development, its international airport was built and
its trans-peninsular highway was built.
Located between the sea and the Sierra de la Giganta, the city
is approximately 400 km from the far south of the peninsula and
has a warm climate that fluctuates around 28ºC. Loreto Bay,
which includes Coronado, Del Carmen, Danzante, Montserrate and
Santa Catalina islands has been protected as a National Maritime
Park since June 7 2000. It provides refuge for mother-of-pearl,
starfish, sea urchins, fan coral, killer whales, blue whales,
dolphins and sea lions.
- Los
Cabos When nature blends sky blue with
navy blue, sculptures from the bottom of the sea come up to
observe the spectacle and stay there for centuries, admiring the
magnificent scenery. Los Cabos keeps watch over this gorgeous
paradise that does everything in its power to help visitors
enjoy the wonders of nature. The most popular stretch of the
nearly 33 km. tourist and nautical corridor lies between Cabo
San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo, an area regarded as one of the
country's major tourist complexes.
Los Cabos offers first-rate tourist service, including top
quality hotels and condominiums, superb golf courses, marinas
and restaurants. Wonderful facilities are available for fishing,
swimming and sailing. Playa Chileno is ideal for diving, while
the area between Cabo San Lucas and Cabo Pulmo is perfect for
surfing. In addition to being one of the most beautiful beach
destinations in the country, Los Cabos is renowned for its
sports fishing, since the junction between the Sea of Cortes and
the Pacific Ocean produces an abundance of fish such as grouper,
dorado, amberjack, marlin and sailfish, among others. Finally,
you can't leave without seeing the wonderful, unusually shaped
Punta Balandra, one of Los Cabos' distinctive landmarks.
Winter attractions including watching the whales reach the
waters of the Pacific from the western beaches of Cabo San
Lucas. Nature enthusiasts will enjoy Sierra de la Laguna, a
mountain range rising up in the north of the Los Cabos region,
which is home to a vast number endemic species of flora and
fauna. Los Cabos is located just 152 km outside of La Paz, the
capital of the state of Baja California Sur; take Highway 1
which joins up with Highway 19. You can also reach Los Cabos via
Pichilingue on two ferries from Mazatlán and Topolobampo, or fly
in from the La Paz International Airport and continue your
journey along the highway.
Baja California
Peninsula
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