Join us for 4 days/3 nights in La Paz, Mexico for some amazing adventures on and in the water. La Paz is a magical place that feels more like a small Mexican seaside village, than a full-fledged city. Natural wonders and marine life abound, some right off the Malecon (beach walk) in the Sea of Cortez.

We will be staying in a locally owned boutique hotel in the center of Old Town (La Paz Centro), a short 5-minute walk from the La Paz Cathedral and 10-minute walk from the Gulf of California and the beautiful malecon featuring public art right on the beach. Our hotel is rated excellent for service, rooms, and they have a beautiful modest-sized pool... if you can find a moment to enjoy it. Our daily excursions include getting up close and personal with gray whales, snorkeling with whale sharks, and swimming with sea lions off a small island before having a lunch on a beautiful remote beach. La Paz is host to many excellent restaurants that are surprisingly affordable with a fine dinner including a drink often being just $30 or sometimes less. Join the group for dinner or set out on your own, whatever you prefer. The best restaurants in La Paz are within a few blocks of our hotel. We will be transported by luxury van between our tours, airport, and hotel. This is a very popular trip with some participants having come for all three past tours I've lead to La Paz over the last three years.

Although you are welcome to get to La Paz however is best for you, let me recommend flying out of the Tijuana Airport by parking on the US side and utilizing CBX. These flights are cheaper and less than 2 hours, where most flights from the US are at least 6 hours but often 8 or more hours.

CBX - Cross Border Express

Flying out of Tijuana costs way less and is much faster. It is about 110 minute flight versus an 8 hour or more flight to La Paz from SAN or LAX or somewhere else in the US. CBX (Cross Border Express) allows you to park in the United States and walk across a pedestrian bridge into the Tijuana airport. There is a $38 fee round trip to do this. You can use Uber, taxi, or park on the US side (Street parking $15/day, Economy Lot $20/day, Covered Lot $35/day). I highly recommend reserving you parking well in advance and getting to the airport 2.5 hours or more before departure time. Try to carpool! We will facilitate this closer to departure. Here is a link to the website and a short intro video-

https://www.crossborderxpress.com/en/about 

Recommended Flights- Volaris Airlines

Thursday February 16, 2024

Depart 2:07pm (non-stop) Arrive 5:01pm

Monday February 19, 2024

Return 5:31pm (non-stop) Arrive 6:29pm

Money and Time Saving Tips- 

1.) If you have a credit card that doesn't charge foreign exchange fees (many don't), buy your tickets in Mexican Pesos on the Volaris website and save $10+

2.) Buy your CBX ticket when you buy your flights. It's just easier.

3.) Buy your airline tickets as soon as you know you can go.

4.) If you think you might come with us on another Mexico trip in 2024, join the Volaris Club. It gives great discounts and will give you a carry-on bag for free.

5.) Consider buying a changeable ticket. They aren't much more expensive. This could allow you to add a day or two to your trip.

Add a Day or Two!

La Paz is amazing. You will want to stay longer. I will be! You can just explore La Paz more or go on an Ocean Safari in nearby La Ventana (just 20 minutes south of La Paz) or visit the artist enclave of Todos Santos (Just an hour south of La Paz). I'm always open to exploring more and am happy to facilitate additional activities and an extension of your hotel stay as well as join in for those that add a day or two.

We are going into nature to experience some of the most remarkable mega fauna on the planet. There is no guarantee that you will actually be able to pet (or even more remarkably kiss) a gray whale or snorkel with a whale shark or for that matter even swim with a sea lion. Sometimes winds in the Gulf of California pick-up and cause the Port of La Paz to be closed for days. It's possible that a storm could blow in from the Pacific Ocean as well. Cold water could cause the whale sharks to move to warmer waters in places unknown. As your trip organizer, I will be watching the weather closely and be in constant contact with local experts on what is going on with the wildlife that we are going to La Paz to see. I will be managing our trip every moment that we are in Baja. It's possible if not probable that everything will go exactly as planned. It's also possible that we may change our schedule due to changing conditions. I have a few excellent Plan B's up my sleeve that may include seeing and even swimming with wild orcas or riding horses on the beach and afterwards enjoying an afternoon relaxing around a beautiful pool on a remote rancho. If one or more of the activities included in this trip must be substituted for whatever reason, a replacement activity will be organized but there will not be a refund, partial or full. It is my goal to make your trip to La Paz amazing and unforgettable so that you (like many that have gone on past trips) return with me again and again.

In 2023, everyone had multiple chances during multiple encounters with numerous whales to pet and even kiss a number of gray whales. In 2022, almost everyone had a chance to pet gray whales but only some where able to actually kiss a whale. Trips in 2021 and 2022 went exactly to plan and the weather was perfect. In 2023, the port was closed due to wind and the whale sharks disappeared for the first time in recorded history due to the cold water these winds brought. So, we instead enjoyed a beautiful day riding horses on a remote beach and exploring the artists enclave of Todo Santos. Just FYI- gray whales are found on the Pacific Ocean side of the Baja Peninsula while whale sharks are found in the Gulf of California right off the coast from La Paz. Despite just being 60 miles apart, the weather is often completely different between the two coasts.

By registering for this event online, you agree that this reservation is non-refundable. I suggest purchasing travel insurance. If you do need to cancel after payment of your initial deposit or final payment, the trip is transferable with prior notice (as soon as possible) to Jeffrey Lehmann. We will help to try and fill your spot. 

By registering for this event online, you understand and realize that participation in the event and activities held could include actions or tasks which might be dangerous to you. You agree to the fact that participation can cause possible harm or injury to you. You release Jeffrey Lehmann, any additional organizers, or fellow participants from all liability, costs, and damages which could arise from participation in the event and activities. You agree to accept financial responsibility for the costs related to any and all emergency treatment when registering. Again, you may want to seriously consider travel insurance. If you do not agree to this release, please do not register for this tour. In addition, you will be asked to sign a formal release (either electronically or in person) before participating in this tour.

I hereby grant permission to Jeffrey Lehmann and Barnstormer Productions any and all of the foregoing to use any photograph, video, or other record of my image for any purpose whatsoever, including (but not limited to) telecasts, universal electronic mediums (ie. streaming services, mobile devices, and the internet), printed material and the press.

I have read this agreement and by signing up for this tour fully understanding its terms and that I have given up substantial rights by agreeing to this and have agreed to it freely and without inducement or assurance of any nature and intend it to be a complete and unconditional release of all liability to the greatest extent allowed by law. I also agree that if any portion of this agreement is held to be invalid the balance, notwithstanding, shall continue in full force and effect. 

Airport pick-up & Hotel check-in. Sunset and drinks at Harker's Board Company.. Group Dinner Restaurant TBA.

Morning- snorkel with whale sharks. Afternoon- lunch on Balandra Beach and snorkel with sea lions.

Morning- drive to Magdalena Bay to see gray whales on extended 3 hour tour. Afternoon/Evening relax & explore city.  

Fun free day: sleep in, explore La Paz, meet for brunch, or lay by pool... until transfer to the airport.