Bienvenidos a Baja Sur de Mexico!
Welcome to Mexico’s southern Baja. Endless miles of virgin beaches, friendly locals and the towering crags of the southern Sierra all merge to create the remarkable backdrop for a very unique and rewarding adventure of surfing, service, sand and sun. Standing on the cactus spotted bluffs, watch skillful local fisherman negotiate the crashing swells of the Pacific to fish just as their grandfathers did, while sea lions roar from the rocky shore below. Spot coyotes and foxes on a desert hike up the dry riverbeds that lead to the cragged peaks of the Southern Sierra. Bask in the golden morning light while paddling to catch some of Baja’s most beloved waves at Los Cerritos or strolling along the picturesque Playa de Las Palmas.
Tucked between these breaking waves and towering peaks is the small town of Todos Santos. Founded by Jesuit missionaries nearly three hundred years ago, Todos Santos is a gleaming jewel surrounded by Baja’s vast desert. Home to artisans, avid surfers, mango laden orchards, and friendly locals, Todos Santos has been recognized by the Mexican government as one of only 15 “Pueblos Magicos” or “Magical Villages” for its unique blend of history, art, and beauty. Behind the town’s sleepy surface and century-old brick and adobe facades, dwells a vibrant and close-knit community who will become your friends, teachers, and students throughout your stay here.
Make a Real Difference
As Todos Santos begins to outgrow its historical isolation, there is a pressing need for English language skills and sustainable development. Afternoons are spent working in the local community on a range of meaning service projects. Help the local children of Todos Santos become the community’s future leaders by tutoring English at a local after-school center. Work hand in hand with these excited children to clean up the local pueblos and beaches and tackle other environmental projects. Other days, pack up the vans and hit the road for a unique and innovative program working with the children of migrant workers at local farms. These workers and their families live with only the barest necessities and their spirited children eagerly await our arrival to play games, do art projects and share toys. Traveling to these camps is a rare treat and the heart warming smiles of the children are sure to be one of the highlights of the trip. There may even be a chance to help build and paint a new eco-center in town made completely out of recycled materials, then rally up a bunch of the local kids for a lively game of baseball.
Surf, Sun, and Siestas
While the afternoons are spent sharing smiles with local people, our mornings are spent riding the world-renowned waves of Los Cerritos. In the winter, these mighty breaks draw expert surfers from all over the globe, but during the spring and summer months the perfectly sculpted waves are perfect for surfers of all abilities. This program has something for everyone, whether you are an avid short boarder or are newly discovering the greatest sport in the world; surfing. While surf and service may be the focus here, you will get plenty of chances to soak up the other unique experiences of Baja, imagine kayaking crystal blue waters to commune with a local colony of sea lions or spotting parrot fish while snorkeling around the ruins of the “lost port”. Visit a remote village of mountain potters, who have been shaping their lives by making pottery for hundreds of years and learn the traditional Mexican way to make earthenware and better still, hot, delicious, homemade tortillas.
Return Home feeling Good
Leave Todos Santos with a real sense of accomplishment, not only in your finely honed surfing abilities, but also knowing that you have left a positive and lasting mark on a wonderful and deserving community. Mexico Surf n’ Service is an excellent blend of adventure and service for first time travelers looking for an exotic adventure surprisingly close to home and is also sure to amaze veteran globe trotters looking to experience a fantastic destination newly available as a Rustic Pathways destination.
Day 1- Tuesday USA to Los Cabos
Welcome to sunny and beautiful Baja! Once everyone has arrived at Los Cabos International Airport, we will load up the van and depart to Todos Santos. This scenic one and half drive north winds along dessert coast line with the sierra towering to the east. Upon arrival we will get settled into Villas La Mar, our home for the next week, and have a brief orientation as the sun sets in front of us over the Pacific Ocean.
Day 2- Wendnesday AM- Surfing at Los Cerritos
Our mornings are spent at the local beach break of Los Cerritos and the surrounding surf breaks. The waves here are great for all abilities, so don’t worry if this is your first time surfing or your hundredth time. If you do not wish to surf the entire time, there are bogie boards and about a mile of beautiful beach to explore and relax on.
PM- Fortalecer
This afternoon we will be starting our community service projects. We work mainly with two different organizations throughout our time. Wednesdays are generally set aside to work with Fortalecer, a local non-profit that is working with children living in the migrant agricultural camps outside Todos Santos. You will be part of a “classroom on wheels” that brings toys, games, art supplies and other materials to children with very little access to many of things we take for granted here in the United States. Some days, this project may run in the mornings and we will surf in the afternoons.
Evenings
Nights in Todos Santos are fairly laid back. There will be time to shop for artisan work in Todos Santos, email home, or relax at the villas. Most weeks there will also be the option to participate in a cooking course at the local Hotel California with Chef Dany Lamote. ($50)
Day 3- Thursday AM- More Surfing PM- Community Service Projects
Thursdays we will generally be working with La Palapa society on an afterschool program for local high school students in Todos Santos. You will focus your time tutoring English to these eager students, though we frequently also do art projects, play sports, and paint murals in the local community.
Day 4- Friday AM- More Surfing PM- Community Service Projects
We will generally continue our work with Fortalecer and the migrant worker camps on Fridays, though we may also work with the local Albergue or other local organizations addressing the needs of local students.
Day 5- Saturday AM- Surfing Los Cerritos PM- Community Service Projects
Saturday’s community service projects can range widely depending on the week and the needs in the local community. You may find yourself painting over graffiti alongside local students or painting beautiful public murals with local artists. You also may teach water safety to local children or participating in a local beach clean-up.
Day 6- Sunday Sundays are days of rest here and we will head off to the Sea of Cortez to explore the other coast.
Students will have two options today. For students that choose, there is an amazing optional boat trip to the Island of Espirtu Santo. ($65) This full day tour visits deserted beaches, views interesting rock formations and stops at a local sea lion colony to go snorkeling with them. Truly a once in a lifetime experience!
For students who do not want to go on the boat tour, the day will be spent visiting the local town of La Paz and local beaches.
Day 7- Monday AM- More Surfing PM- Community Service Projects
Monday afternoons will generally be spent working with La Palapa society on the afterschool program for local high school students in Todos Santos. You will focus your time tutoring English to these eager students, though we frequently also do art projects, play sports, and paint murals in the local community.
Day 8- Tuesday Return to the U.S
All Students will need to depart in the morning of the last day of their program between 12pm and 3pm. The entire group will depart Villas del Mar at around 8:15am and travel Los Cabos International Airfport for final good-byes.
** Due to the realities of international travel, Rustic Pathways reserves the right to change program itineraries. Rustic Pathways tries to ensure that we work alongside local community members as much as possible while participating in our projects and as a result the exact times and activities we do may change week to week as we adapt to the needs within the local community.
Below you will find a general packing list for both Spring Break and Summer Baja Service & Surf programs. This packing list provides a general guideline to make your packing easier, though please make sure to bring all essential items!
Baja Climate: Packing for Baja programs is made easy by the fact that the climate there is mostly sunny and warm. Students should expect to deal with a day of rain or two, though this is not very common. Daytime temps can get quite warm, with average daytime highs in the 90s.
PLEASE DO NOT OVER PACK OR FORGET TO BRING ITEMS THAT WE HAVE DEEMED TO BE ESSENTIAL! ALL STUDENTS MUST BE ABLE TO CARRY WHAT THEY BRING!
Carry-On Luggage: A small backpack is the best carry on bag
Essential Items:
Passport and Wallet *Travel Wallet or safety wallet is a good idea.
Photo Copy of Passport
Medications
Emergency Contact numbers for Rustic Pathways
Recommended Items:
• Sunglasses
• 35mm camera, digital camera, and/or disposable camera *Baja is a dessert environment, and much time will be spent at the beach. Please don’t bring a extremely expensive camera can easily get broken, lost, or stolen.
• Journal and Pens
• Good Book (trade with buddies)
• Toiletries
Checked Luggage: A medium sized duffel bag or large back pack work best - wheeled bags are OK as long as they are medium sized and can easily be carried like a duffle over rough terrain.
Essential Items:
2 Photo Copies of Passport
Sunscreen (enough for your entire stay) Pack in PLASTIC BAG
Contact lenses and accompanying paraphernalia. Pack in PLASTIC BAG
A nice outfit for working in the migrant worker camps
*must wear long pants or dress below the knees and a long sleeve shirt. All men should wear a collared shirt
Recommended Items:
Long Pants (1 or 2, suggested to have 1 lightweight and 1 jeans or heavier)
*Non-cotton pants that zip off into shorts work well
Underwear (5 to 7)
Socks (5 to 7)
T-Shirts and tank tops (4 to 5) *having a couple of quick dry shirts like capilene or polypropilene is very nice.
One nice casual outfit for going to Todos Santos
Rain Jacket (1) *A lightweight breathable shell (Gore-Tex etc) works well
Shorts (2 or 3)
Swim Suit (1 or 2)
Athletic Shoes *Shoes that dry quickly and are suitable for light hiking work best
Sandals and/or Flip-Flops *it is recommended to have a pair of strap on sandals that will not fall off in water (Teva or Chaco brand sandals work great)
Toiletries:
Non-Fragrance Shampoo and Soap in a Plastic Dish
Non-Fragrance Deodorant,
Toothpaste and Toothbrush PLASTIC BAG
Surf Board (optional) – Rustic Pathways boards are available however experienced surfers may prefer to surf on their own boards. Airlines typically charge extra to transport surfboards. Please make sure to check with your airline regarding excess baggage restrictions and make sure that it is well padded!
Travel Pillow *a pillowcase can be a great dirty laundry bag or a comfortable pillow if you stuff it with a sweatshirt. So you could bring two pillowcases, one for each purpose.
Deck of Cards
Picture of mom, dad, boyfriend/girlfriend, dog, to share with local students
Frisbee, Aerobee, Hackysack, Football, Soccer Ball or Volleyball
Musical Instrument (Guitars and Harmonicas - smaller is better)
Donations: Both the community service projects that we work with in Baja can benefit greatly from donations that we are able to bring from the U.S. Many of these items may be things that you or friends already have and there is no need to go and buy donations unless you choose to.
ESL Textbooks/CDs for Spanish Speakers
Easy games like Go Fish and Uno to learn basic English, colors and numbers
Children’s books
School Supplies – paints, markers, pens, pencils, paper, notebooks
Clothing – for men, women, children, babies
Cleats, Soccer balls, and other soccer gear
Frisbees, Basketballs, Volleyballs and/or other sports gear
Coloring books, Children’s toys, stuffed animals and Games
SURF Pacific waves at the world class surf beach
Cerritos
EXPERIENCE eclectic Todos Santos, home to a
growing community of artists, poets, and desert
wanderers, and discover the charm of a colonial
Mexican beach town
TEACH English and other skills to enthusiastic
elementary and high school students
VISIT remote mountain villages and learn how
to make tortillas and pottery using traditional
techniques
CREATE learning opportunities for the indigenous
children of migrant workers with hands-on
activities, music projects, and sporting events in a
unique classroom on wheels approach
EXPLORE spectacular coastlines and rugged cliffs
and watch sea lions, pelicans and fishermen
compete for fish
»Ages :14 and up »Length :8 days from the USA
»Cost :$ 1,295 + $ 1200 per additional week »Hours:Up to 18 service hours awarded »Departures : »Airfare :Airfare is not included in the above cost
SPRING BREAK
Departs Saturday
SPRING BREAK
Returns Saturday
March 8
March 15
March 15
March 22
March 22
March 29
April 5
April 12
SUMMER
Departs Tuesday
SUMMER
Returns Tuesday
June
10
June 17
June
17
June 24
June
24
July 1
July 1
July
8
July 8
July 15
July 22
July 29
August
5
August
12
SPACE AVAILABILITY COLOR INDEX: Updated Daily. Check back for latest updates.
SOLD OUT: No space available.
VERY LIMITED: 1 - 2 spots available.
LIMITED: 3 - 5 spots available.
Most Rustic Pathways trips interconnect,
allowing you to design your own perfect
summer program.
COMMUNITY SERVICE 
Bienvenidos a Baja Sur de Mexico! 
Make a Real Difference
Surf, Sun, and Siestas
