Why Go?Baja is the earth’s second-longest peninsula – over 1200km of the mystical, ethereal, majestic and untamed. Those lucky enough to make the full Tijuana to Los Cabos trip will find that the Carretera Transpeninsular (Hwy 1) offers stunning vistas at every turn. The middle of nowhere is more beauti-ful than you ever imagined, and people are friendly, relaxed and helpful – even in the border towns. Side roads pass through tiny villages and wind drunkenly along the sides of mountains. Condors carve circles into an unblemished blue sky. Some people simply sip drinks and watch the sun disap-pear into the Pacific. Some choose to feel the rush of adren-aline as they surf that perfect wave. Others walk through sherbet-colored canyons or stare up at the night’s canopy of scattered-diamond stars. Whichever way you choose to take it, you’ll discover some of Baja’s many joys.

Baja California

When to Go

Jan–Mar Flowers bloom, whales and whale sharks play, and big waves delight surfers.

Aug–Sep Beaches all but empty, but it’s hot – even in the shade.

Oct–Nov Party-goers, don’t miss Sammy Hagar’s birthday bash or the Día de Muer-tos fiesta.

F DNOSAJJMAMJ

Cabo San Lucas°C/°F Temp Rainfall inches/mm

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10/50

20/68

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8/200

16/400

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Best Tours¨¨ Whale Shark Mexico

(p722)

¨¨ Ecocat (p734)

¨¨ Sergio’s Sportfishing Center (p707)

¨¨ Malarrimo Eco Tours (p712)

¨¨ Ecoturismo Kuyimá (p715)

Best Places to Stay¨¨ Bungalows Breakfast Inn

(p735)

¨¨ Posada La Poza (p737)

¨¨ Casa Natalia (p730)

¨¨ El Ángel Azul (p725)

¨¨ Palapas Ventana (p728)

Tijuana . . . . . . . . . . . . 698Ensenada . . . . . . . . . 705Guerrero Negro . . . . . 712San Ignacio . . . . . . . . . 713Santa Rosalía . . . . . . . 715La Paz . . . . . . . . . . . . .722San José del Cabo . . 730Cabo San Lucas . . . . .732Todos Santos . . . . . . .736

©Lonely¨Planet¨Publications¨Pty¨Ltd

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Baja California Highlights1 Kayak at Espíritu Santo (p722) as the big Baja sun drops into the bay

2 Sip, swill and savor the bucolic delights of the Ruta del Vino (p703) in northern Baja’s unspoiled Valle de Guadalupe

3 Take the plunge at mystical Las Sirenitas (p729), in Cabo Pulmo, home to the Sea of Cortez’ only living coral reef

4 Marvel at the hundreds of ancient cave paintings at the Sierra de San Francisco (p714)

5 Cross the world’s most crossed border in Tijuana (p698) to eat, drink or shop to your heart’s content

6 Get up close to whale sharks in the quiet waters of La Paz Bay (p722)

7 Take a sunset cruise in Cabo San Lucas (p732) as the sun plunges into the Pacific

8 Peruse the galleries on arty Boulevard Mijares in the heart of San José del Cabo (p730)