The Sea of Cortez in Mexico was already on our list prior to Covid, but once travel opened up again, we knew this was where we wanted to go for our ten year anniversary. The fact that the Todos Santos Eco Adventure owners, Bryan and Sergio Jauregui, had their own love story in this idyllic place made it that much sweeter. Bryan met Sergio on a family vacation with her sisters when he was their kayaking guide. They fell in love, and Bryan left the United States to join him in 2000. They married two years later (we learned they were also celebrating their anniversary at the end of November). Now together they offer adventures across the state of Baja California Sur with activities as far-reaching as watercolor painting and mountain biking to surfing.
For us, the main reason to visit the Sea of Cortez, though, was for the wildlife encounters. During our trip, we snorkeled with sea lions at Isla Espiritu Santo, and the next day we swam with whale sharks. The sea lions were as interested in us as we were with them, and they lived up to the moniker of “sea puppies”.
I thought the sea lion swim was surely the highlight of the trip, but it was easily overshadowed by the whale sharks the next day. It’s impossible to describe what it’s like to watch these majestic creatures glide effortlessly through the water beneath or beside you while you swim hard to keep up. Suffice it to say, it’s worth traveling to Baja California Sur during whale shark season for this experience alone!
Both tours were scheduled as day trips from La Paz with TOSEA’s knowledgeable and warm-hearted guides, and it was surprisingly affordable. We intend to go back between mid-December and March, when migrating gray whales visit the Sea of Cortez as well. There’s no swimming with them, but it is our understanding that they often come right up to the boat to say hello!
Todos Santos Eco Adventures arranged all activities for us including a nature walk and catered lunch at their exclusive Camp Cecil de la Isla. We did not have the opportunity to stay at Camp Cecil as originally intended due to some regulation issues following Covid, but we hope to include that upon our return as well as this appears to be the true definition of Glamping!
Instead we stayed at Hotel Catedral La Paz, a lovely hotel with a beautiful pool deck overlooking the city and the world’s best bartenders, Norberd and Julio, who spoiled us with exquisite drinks, magic tricks, and the most fantastic banana, ice cream, and popcorn dessert! Between the location, service, and breakfast included, this hotel was a total bargain, and we would love to go back there as well.
Baja California Sur has some incredible food in general–after all, they’re known for their fish tacos–but if you really want a delicious meal, you must stay at Bryan and Sergio’s small hotel in Todos Santos, Los Colibris Casitas, and take a cooking class with Chef Iker and his assistants Chef Eleazar and Adriana. This was much more than a cooking class; it was a party! Lucky for us that we had a stunning suite to return to after a late night of margaritas, dining, and dancing.
The final part of our Baja anniversary tour was two nights in Cabo San Lucas where my husband booked a charter with our friends in hopes of catching a marlin. I stayed behind to read, checking my phone as they sent updates and pictures. I began to feel anxious when I didn’t see any photos of John holding a marlin, but it all turned out all right as he hooked the last (and biggest) catch of the day.
I’ve mentioned a few times going back to Baja California Sur. It’s on our itinerary page as a group tour option. Email me at erica@wildlifeandwateradventures.com if you’d like more information.
(All photos on page by John or Erica Keckley)
Wildlife & Water Adventures 