El Acuario Natural
Vive la aventura de tu vida al explorar el famoso Mar de Cortés, llamado por el legendario biólogo marino Jacques Cousteau, el acuario natural. Conocido como el “Golfo de California”, este diminuto mar es el hogar de prósperos ecosistemas y de diversa vida marina endémica y hogar de especies migratorias. Mientras estés en este paraíso, podrás tener la oportunidad de observar ballenas jorobadas, ballenas grises de California, mantarrayas, delfines y tortugas marinas. Estas son solo unas pocas de las más de 40 diferentes especies marinas que viven en esta área.
Una costa llena de colores
Pasaremos unos días explorando el hermoso litoral costero y nadando en las aguas turquesa del Mar de Cortés. Tomaremos el sol, navegaremos, nadaremos y practicaremos kayak y snorkel en un excelente recorrido a través del golfo. Descubrirás los colores brillantes del paisaje de Baja, mientras observas como el mar se transforma de un color turquesa brillante a un verde esmeralda, además admiraras las sorprendentes piedras rojas de la isla Espíritu Santo y te relajaras a lo largo de playas doradas.
¡Una gran aventura en Baja del Sur!
Alista tu traje de baño y prepárate para una aventura marítima. Desde el aeropuerto de San José del Cabo conduciremos directamente hasta la Reserva Nacional Cabo Pulmo. Aquí podrás nadar con amigables leones marinos y peces de colores y podrás practicar snorkel en las cálidas y cristalinas aguas sobre el único arrecife de coral del Mar de Cortés. Navega la isla del Espíritu Santo en un kayak y descubre extrañas formaciones rocosas mientras remas y acampas a lo largo de playas de arena blanca. En esta paraíso considerado por la UNESCO como reserva de la biosfera, aprenderás sobre los principios de “no dejar huellas” que ayudan a preservar este importante ecosistema. Caminaras más adentro de la isla para descubrir vistas espectaculares del golfo y observaras la gran variedad de especies de aves que habitan el área. Finalizaremos el día nadando en aguas cristalinas y compartiendo historias sobre las aventuras diarias mientras observas estrellas fugaces cruzar el cielo despejado.
Luego de explorar el Mar de Cortés, cruzaras hasta el lado del Pacifico del sur de Baja y disfrutara dos días de surf y caminatas en el área del pueblo de Todos Santos. Exploraras el área en una caminata mañanera, luego te dirigirás a Playa Cerritos para refrescarse en las hermosas aguas azules del océano Pacifico. Para añadirle un poco de adrenalina, toma una lección de surf y aprende a atrapar olas en este famoso rincón del surf.
Quién puede venir?
Este es el programa es perfecto para aquellos que buscan descubrir lo mejor de los ambientes marinos de Baja. Si buscas aventura, sol, encuentros cercanos con la vida marina y una semana de relajación en una hermosa playa, acompáñanos en este increíble viaje a Baja.
Upon arrival at the Los Cabos airport you will be greeted by Rustic Pathways Staff and transported to the Cabo Pulmo Resort in Cabo Pulmo. In the late afternoon get settled into your rooms and have a brief orientation about the week’s activities. There will be team building games to help the group get to know one another, as well as time to meet your guides.
Day 2
(Wednesday)
Snorkeling in Cabo Pulmo
After breakfast go snorkeling in the crystal blue waters of the Cabo Pulmo National Marine Park, where you are likely to observe sea lions, colorful fish, and the only coral reef in the Sea of Cortes: it is an experience you will not forget! Come back to the Cabo Pulmo Resort for lunch and then spend the afternoon enjoying the picturesque beaches of the Sea of Cortes, playing games, and having some laughs with your fellow travelers.
Day3 (Thursday)
Travel to Isla Espiritu Santo
Get an early start to your day and after some breakfast head to La Paz where you will board a boat that will take you to the protected biosphere reserve of Isla Espiritu Santo. Spend the afternoon learning paddling techniques and safety tips for sea kayaking in preparation for your adventure the next day. After dinner, get settled into your tent and then gather around a campfire or relax with your new friends as you gaze at the starry sky above the island.
Day 4 (Friday)
Kayaking around Espiritu Santo
Get ready for a full day of kayaking activities. After breakfast board your kayak and start exploring the bays, inlets, and rocky coastline that forms the island of Espiritu Santo. At lunch time head back to the base camp for some rest and a bite to eat. Take the time to learn about the Leave No Trace principles which are important in protecting this biosphere reserve, and then get back in your kayak to continue exploring the island, or if you wish to explore the area by land, hike the trails that lead you to the other side of the island. Spend a second night camping on the island, enjoying the clear skies and shooting stars.
Day5 (Saturday)
Last Chance to Kayak
Before heading back to La Paz, kayak one last time around Espiritu Santo. After lunch board the boat that will take you to La Paz. After getting settled into your hotel, take a stroll down the La Paz boardwalk, visit the souvenir shops along the way, stop at an internet cafe, or purchase a calling card and call home to tell your family about your amazing adventures.
Day6 (Sunday)
Travel to Todos Santos and Surf
Sunday morning you will travel from La Paz to the town of Todos Santos. After settling in at the Pescadero Surf Camp and enjoying a delicious Mexican lunch, head down to Playa Cerritos for an afternoon surf lesson. The surf break is appropriate for beginners as well as experienced surfers. If students do not wish to surf the entire time they may explore the mile-long stretch of beach or grab a boogie board and enjoy the ocean. In the evening there will be free time at the surf camp for students to rest and enjoy time with friends.
Day7 (Monday)
Desert Hike and Last Surf Session
On your last day in Todos Santos you will take a morning desert hike in the local area and then stop for some fish tacos before heading to the beach for an afternoon surf session. In the evening, students will go into Todos Santos and have the opportunity to use the internet or shop at some of the unique shops in town. The group will then have a final group dinner in Todos Santos. At night return to the surf camp to pack-up and clean your rooms in preparation for an early departure the next morning.
Day8 (Tuesday)
Heading back Home
After breakfast depart from the Pescadero Surf Camp to the San Jose del Cabo airport and board your flight back home.
***PLEASE NOTE: The itinerary above is not set in stone and may be changed by the staff running this program as they see fit. It is designed to give you a good idea of the day to day schedule and activities that the students will be participating in.***
Below you will find a general packing list for the Sea of Cortes Explorer program. 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 an extremely expensive camera that can easily get broken, lost, or stolen. A waterproof camera is an excellent option to take for all the water activities.
• Journal and Pens
• Good Book (trade with buddies)
• Toiletries
* Make sure everything you pack in your carry-on complies with the new carry on regulations of the TSA: http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/ai rtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm
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 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 La Paz and 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:
o Non-Fragrance Shampoo and Soap in a Plastic Dish
o Non-Fragrance Deodorant,
o Toothpaste and Toothbrush PLASTIC BAG
* Beach towel
* Extra bathing suit
* Rash Guard Top (this is highly recommended for additional sun protection, as students will be spending a lot of time on and in the water)
* Personal First Aid Kit (suggested)
o Band aids
o Triple Antibiotic Ointment
o Medical Tape
o Moleskin or preferred blister care
o Preferred Mild Pain Reliever
o Antihistamine (Benedryl or preferred type)
o 2 Non-adherent, sterile dressing
o 2 Gauze dressing
o Swimmers ear
* Spanish/English dictionary
* 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
* Frisbee, Aerobee, Hackysack, Football, Soccer Ball or Volleyball * Musical Instrument (Guitars and Harmonicas - smaller is better)
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS-Latin America
SEA OF CORTES EXPLORER PROGRAM
1 - How long is the flight to this country? 1A – Direct flight from Los Angeles to San Jose del Cabo takes approximately 2 hours 30 minutes. Direct flight from Houston to San Jose del Cabo takes approximately 2 hours 45 minutes.
2 - Will there be a flight leader to this country? 2A – No. All students traveling to Mexico programs must make their own travel arrangements to meet the group at the airport within the specified time. Likewise, students must make their departure flights within the specified time that the group will be at the airport. A Rustic Pathways staff member will have each student’s itinerary and will be waiting at the San Jose del Cabo airport for each student’s arrival.
3 - Do we need to get visas for this program? 3A – Students from the United States and Canada will be automatically issued a 180 day tourist card upon entry into Mexico.
4 – What Mexican state(s) does this program pass through? 4A- During the Sea of Cortes Explorer program students will be in the state of Baja California Sur. They will arrive in San Jose del Cabo and travel to a number of locations within the state, as this is a touring and adventure program. Some of the locations to be visited within Baja California Sur include Cabo Pulmo, La Paz, Isla Espiritu Santo, and Todos Santos
. 5 - What immunizations do we need to get for this trip? 5A – Rustic Pathways does not make recommendations regarding immunizations. We strongly suggest that you consult with a travel doctor or your family physician for medical recommendations based on the area where the student will be traveling (as listed above). You can also check the Center for Disease Control website at www.cdc.gov for more information. Yellow fever vaccinations may be required to enter Mexico if you have traveled to some international destinations prior to your trip to Mexico. Please check the Center for Disease control website for more information.
6 - How does this program connect to other programs? 6A – If connecting with a Mainland program, Tuesday morning students will depart from Todos Santos for the San Jose del Cabo airport and take an internal flight to Guadalajara (if connecting to the Service in El Pueblo program) or Mazatlan (if connecting to the Copper Canyon Train Journey) in order to meet up with the group that will be traveling to the student’s respective program.
If connecting with another Baja program, students will travel from Todos Santos to Santos to the San Jose del Cabo airport and wait with Rustic Pathways staff for the arrival of the other students.
7 – How long is the drive from the San Jose del Cabo airport to this program? 7A—Because this is a touring and adventure program there is no base house; however the first location the group travels to is 2 hours and 30 minutes from the San Jose del Cabo airport. The furthest away the group will be at any given point from the San Jose del Cabo airport is approximately 3 hours. All driving times are dependent on weather and other driving conditions.
8 – What is the climate in the region where this program takes place? 8A—The Sea of Cortes Explorer program travels to a number of different locations; however, the climate remains the same throughout most of the trip. Students should be prepared for hot, dry weather with daytime highs in the 90s. There is also the possibility of rain once or twice a week during the afternoon.
9 - Is this a good program for students interested in practicing their Spanish? 9A—The Sea of Cortes program does not include formal Spanish language instruction, nor does it contain any Servicio comunitario aspect that would facilitate the use of language skills.
10- What service projects will I work on and how are the projects identified?
10A- The Sea of Cortes Explorers program does NOT contain any Servicio comunitario activity or project.
11 – How physically strenuous is this program?
11A- The Sea of Cortes Explorer program is appropriate for most physical activity levels. Students should be prepared for light physical activity during the snorkeling and hiking activities and for more strenuous physical activity during the kayak and surfing activities.
12- What costs are not included on this trip? 12A—The majority of costs associated with the program are included on this trip. Students should have extra allowance money if they wish to buy souvenirs of their travels and adventures in southern Baja. Students should also bring extra money if they wish to use the internet, call home, or purchase additional snacks or drinks.
13 – What are the optional activities available at an additional cost on this program?
13A- Optional activities will be determined closer to the departure date and students will be notified of any activities that involve additional costs. Please note that optional activities are subject to change. Occasionally Rustic Pathways staff identify new opportunities throughout the summer that we feel will enhance the students overall experience. Optional activities may also be canceled.
14 - What kind of food will we be eating? Where?
14A—Because this is a touring and adventure program, students will be eating at a number of different establishments, including hotels and restaurants. The majority of food will be typical Mexican dishes. For breakfast this may include cereal, eggs and beans, and for lunch and dinner it may include tacos, enchiladas, or tostadas.
15 - Can we cater to specific diets? 15A-Rustic Pathways can cater to most dietary needs on this program. There will be ample access to fruits, vegetables, rice, beans, and grains for those who are vegetarian. Vegan diets can be accommodated, but with a little more foresight and planning as this is not a diet commonly encountered in Mexico. Please know that while we are happy to accommodate alternative diets, many of the special diets common in the United States are not common in other parts of the world and travelers must be patient and understanding in having these needs be met. Please contact mexico@rusticpathways.com with any questions regarding special diets or allergies.
16 - Will the kids be drinking bottled water? 16A—Water in Mexico is NOT potable, so students should not drink tap water. Rustic Pathways will provide purified drinking water to students and bottled water is available for purchase at local supermarkets and grocery stores.
17 - What will the accommodation on this trip be like? 17A—During their time on the Sea of Cortes Explorer program, students will stay at a number of accommodations which will vary in level of comfort. For example, the first night the group will stay at the Cabo Pulmo Resort, followed by two nights of camping on the island of Espiritu Santo and end the trip staying at a surf camp near Todos Santos. While the number of students per room will vary from place to place, at all places of accommodation boys and girls will sleep in separate rooms.
18. What are the bathroom facilities? 18A- Hotel and resort rooms have private bathrooms, with running water, American style toilets and showers. Hot water is available in most accommodations. When camping on Isla Espiritu Santo there are no regular toilets or showers. The portable toilets that are available are brought to and from the island by the tour operators and the showers consist of special bags of water that are specifically designed for camping and showering outdoors.
19 - How many girls and boys are usually on this trip? 19A – We expect a good mix of boys and girls however the exact numbers vary from week to week.
20- What is the ratio of guides to students? 20A- Rustic Pathways generally strives to maintain a ratio of approximately 1 guide for every 5 students. Our guides go through a rigorous selection process including interviews with our program managers and a full background check.
21-Is your staff qualified in First Aid?
21A- Because safety is our number one priority, all of our programs have staff that is certified with First Aid and CPR training. Many of our guides are also qualified Wilderness First Responders, EMTs, Wilderness EMTs, or Life Guards.
22 - How often (if at all) will students be able to do laundry on this program and what will it cost?
22A—Students should pack enough clothes and personal items to last through the end of the Sea of Cortes Explorer program. If students are arriving to the Sea of Cortes Explorer program from another Rustic Pathways program, there may be the opportunity to do laundry as the group passes through La Paz. Laundry is approximately $8.00 USD per load, this includes wash and dry.
23 - How often will they have access to phone and internet?
23A-Students will have the option of accessing the internet at internet cafes in La Paz and in Todos Santos during their week on the program. They will also be able to purchase international phone cards from the guides or at local convenience stores which can be used to call home from the public phones in the town.
REMA en kayak hasta la isla del Espíritu Santo, considerada como reserva de la biosfera por la UNESCO, y descubre las increíbles formaciones rocosas.
BUCEA con amigables leones marinos y peces de colores en las cristalinas aguas que Jacques Cousteau una vez llamo “el acuario natural”.
BUSCA en el horizonte los majestuosos saltos de las ballenas y los juguetones delfines que vienen a veranear en el Mar de Cortés.
ACAMPA y camina a lo largo de senderos y hermosas playas en la isla del Espíritu Santo y luego refréscate con una reconfortante zambullida en el mar.
SURFEA las renombradas olas de Baja California en Playa Cerritos.
DESCUBRE las maravillas acuáticas en la Reserva Cabo Pulmo.
»Edad :14 en adelante »Duración :8 días desde USA the USA
7 días seguido de otro programa de Rustic Pathways »Costo : $ 1,995 »Tiquete aéreo :El valor del tiquete aéreo no está incluido en el costo anterior
Salida los Martes
Regreso los Martes
Julio 14
Julio 21
La mayoría de los programas de Rustic Pathways se conectan entre sí, permitiéndote diseñar tu propio itinerario de programas de verano.
El Acuario Natural
San José del Cabo conduciremos directamente hasta la Reserva Nacional Cabo Pulmo. Aquí podrás nadar con amigables leones marinos y peces de colores y podrás practicar snorkel en las cálidas y cristalinas aguas sobre el único arrecife de coral del Mar de Cortés. Navega la isla del Espíritu Santo en un kayak y descubre extrañas formaciones rocosas mientras remas y acampas a lo largo de playas de arena blanca. En esta paraíso considerado por la UNESCO como reserva de la biosfera, aprenderás sobre los principios de “no dejar huellas” que ayudan a preservar este importante ecosistema. Caminaras más adentro de la isla para descubrir vistas espectaculares del golfo y observaras la gran variedad de especies de aves que habitan el área. Finalizaremos el día nadando en aguas cristalinas y compartiendo historias sobre las aventuras diarias mientras observas estrellas fugaces cruzar el cielo despejado.
Luego de explorar el Mar de Cortés, cruzaras hasta el lado del Pacifico del sur de Baja y disfrutara dos días de surf y caminatas en el área del pueblo de Todos Santos. Exploraras el área en una caminata mañanera, luego te dirigirás a Playa Cerritos para refrescarse en las hermosas aguas azules del océano Pacifico. Para añadirle un poco de adrenalina, toma una lección de surf y aprende a atrapar olas en este famoso rincón del surf. 
Quién puede venir? 
