General Baja Gear List, Weather and Travel Info
Gear List : You bring--camping gear, clothes, snorkeling gear, wetsuit. Complete list available w/ registration. All campsites are beach front and scenic but primitive (i.e. with no "facilities”) so some previous backpacking-type experience is suggested.
Weather: Although warm, sun-filled days are the rule, winter weather in Baja can vary. Expect cool evenings in the mid 50s and pleasant daytime temps from the mid 60s to low 80s. On rare occasion, storm systems passing to the north sometimes sprinkle us with scattered showers, so we recommend bringing light rain gear (which can double as windbreaker). Water temperature in winter averages in the mid 60s, refreshing for a short swim, but we recommend wetsuits.
By Springtime, the air temps should warm up by another 10 degrees or so, and the water could rise into the high 60s to low 70s.
Baja Travel Info/Logistics Overview
Getting to Loreto:There is usually only one flight each day into Loreto Airport (LTO); it leaves from Los Angeles (LAX). You'll need to get to Loreto at least one day prior to the start of the kayak trip. We'll meet you at the Loreto Airport and taxi you to our hotel. We'll have a brief pre-trip orientation and hand out dry bags, so you can pack up your gear and have it ready to go in the morning. The hotel that you stay at has a security room and they will let you leave luggage and extra clothes for you to return to at the end of the trip. We usually take our passports and money along and no one has ever had any problem with their things.
TWO IMPORTANT TRAVEL REMINDERS
1. BOOK EARLY. Flights to Baja, especially over Christmas time fill quickly and the cheap seats go months in advance. The longer you wait to book, the more expensive the ticket.
2. HAND CARRY YOUR LUGGAGE FROM YOUR L.A. FLIGHT TO THE AEROCAL CHECK-IN COUNTER.
DO NOT trust AeroCal to check it through, or it may not arrive for several days. (Yes this has happened to us more than once). This means you'll need to arrive in LAX in plenty of time to get you and your luggage over to the international terminal.
The last morning you're on your own to breakfast and shop in town before catching your plane. The taxis are easy, plentiful, and inexpensive. Often people like to take a couple extra days to explore the area on their own, arrangements can be made for mule rides or a tour of a beautiful mission in the mountains or to see cave paintings. Re-entry to the work-a-day world is sometimes easier after being in town for a day or two. Moving too quickly from the magic of the desert beach to the demands of 21st century USA can strain the recharging process. Que será.
INFO ABOUT LODGING IN LORETO
For those who wish to make their own reservations, below are some suggestions. You can also try www.loreto.com for more info.
Travelers on the Sea of Cortez Coastal Route and Mag Bay Whale Watching Combo trip will need lodging for three nights: the date of arrival in Loreto (Sunday) as well as the nights before and after the Whale Watching trip to Magdalena Bay (the following Friday and Sat.).
HOTEL PLAZA LORETO in downtown, easy access, nothing fancy but adequate with a convenient location. $51 single / 62 double . www.loreto.com/hotelplaza/
HOTEL OASIS Ocean front, high end, digs. $93 single/130 dbl.. 011-52-613-135-0211, 800-497-3923 loretoasis@prodigy.net.mx
SUKASA SEASIDE BUNGALOWS Also oceanfront. US $65/single. www.loreto.com/sukasa Email: sukasa@prodigy.net.mx
EL MORRO MOTEL & RV downtown, basic but clean. $35 single /45 double / FAX 011-52-613-135-0788
IGUANA INN Four spacious bungalows in the heart of Loreto. Web: www.iguanainn.com
HOTEL LUNA LORETO, New hotel.. $65/double/night: www.hotellunaloreto.com
LA DAMIANA INN
Phone: (011) 52 613 135 0356. Email adamianainn@yahoo.com
Others: Budget (HOTEL JUNIPERO, HOTEL SALVATIERRA and POSADA SAN MARTIN,
