ABOUT BAJA, MEXICO

BAJA, MEXICO - 1,000 miles of that special BAJA spirit. Whether you drive the entire Transpeninsular Highway, fly into the tip, or arrive by ferry from mainland Mexico, get ready for an adventure. This land of quiet, colorful deserts, endless beaches, unexplained rock formations, missions, gray whales, brilliant clear skies and a unique people invites you for the unforgettable!

THINGS TO DO

The well-kept secret of Baja is told in the variety of things to do there. Fly in and concentrate your time in one area, diving or fishing in the summer, whale watching January to March. Kayak, surf, wind surf, cycle, golf, hike, fish, snorkel, sail or take in a special event: Carnival in late February or March, the Baja 1,000 in November, or any of the entertaining Mexican fiestas and, of course, the Mexico International Film Festival. Take a solitary drive through a rugged desert environment or cycle the 1,600 km and write home about it.

PLACES TO STAY

If you are looking for a place to stay, there are many choices. You can choose from luxury to budget hotels, all having ammentities to make your stay comfortable. A great cost effective way to have the best of both worlds is a timeshare or timeshare rental. Whether you are looking to spend your time basking in the sun on the deck of your Baja timeshare, or swimming in the pool at the local Marriott Resort, making the choice to visit Baja is a good one.

MONEY

Most prices in Baja are quoted in pesos, but tourist centers use both. Peso prices are indicated by the symbol N$ before the amount. In resort areas beware of prices being listed in US dollars. Tourist shops may take dollars but it is better to use pesos if you can. In small towns, shops often won't have change for anything over a $20 (20 peso note). American travelers checks are readily exchanged.

SHOPPING

Prices are fixed in stores and it is considered rude to bargain. When buying that Mexican blanket at a market or on the beach you can have fun bargaining. Vendors will speak English and will enjoy engaging you in a conversation. To get a better price insist on price negotiations in pesos. If you're simply not interested, just say so politely and they will leave you alone. If you are interested you should know your prices by having shopped in the stores. The secret of course is to not care whether or not you buy.

CLIMATE AND WEATHER

The Pacific coast of Baja averages 60-75 degrees F (16-24 degrees C). Summer temperatures can be 85 degrees F (30 degrees C), winter nights can drop to 48 degrees F (9 degrees C). Inland summer temperatures can be 110 degrees F (43 degrees C). The Baja Cape from La Paz to Cabo is warm year round with summers as hot as inland and winters a moderate 70-80 degrees F (21-27 degrees C).