We spent a couple days relaxing in La Paz, exploring the town, and getting our bearings. Then we set out to find a beach we'd heard about from our friends - Balandra Beach. It's about a 30-40 minute drive on the point north of La Paz. We had also saw that there was a Tecolote Beach further north and on the point between the mainland and Espiritu Santo. This was the jumping off point for some kayaking and day tours to Espiritu. We arrived to see a large sand parking lot with a few run down bars and restaurants. We decided to walk down the beach to check it out. The surf was very strong and not easy enough for us to wade around at that time of day. On the way back to our car we came dangerously close to a pack of wild dogs that can taken up residence behind one of the dunes. Not quite what we had expected from of Mexico beach visions so we hopped in the car and drove back to Balandra.
This is what we had been waiting for! Crystal clear waters and beautiful sandy beaches. We packed all of our valuables in our daypacks and set on the beach to explore. The tide was very low so we walk all the way around the point and onto the next beach and next beach.
It was a weekday so there weren't many people out and about. We diverted up the rocks to the top of the hill (It took about 30 minutes to get all the way on top) and looked out over the Sea of Cortes.
It was quite windy on top of the hill and I had to remind myself to continue applying sunscreen even if it was a bit chilly. The chill didn't last long as it reached midday and the rocks smoldered below us. We returned to these beaches on the point a couple times during our stay in La Paz and I liked how we could always take a different trail each time. The trails spidered over the mountains and were marked with rock towers to keep you on track.
We hiked down to the beach to swim and eat a snack. You could see out forever in the water and we spotted several different fish. I took a moment to swim around in a small cove and look at the fish below. That was enough excitement for the moment and I returned to the beach to grab a Pacifico beer and relax. It was after noon already so I figured a beer was in order. I spent the next hour watching the surf for feeding fish and also following the crabs as they scuffled to and from their holes in the sand. They are very sensitive to movement, so you typically only see them up close when you sit quietly and they emerge from their holes.
Even on vacation Matt couldn't sit still for long. He decided to go look for artifacts (he's an archeologist) and walked up the hill to a cave set back in the rocks. It was clear that looters had taken much from the site, but there were still remnants of shells and rocks used by prehistoric peoples. We sat in the cave for a bit, cooling off from the hot sun. I was thankful that we'd brought a couple liters in our packs, but I would have brought even a couple more for the entire day.
So our days on the beaches were spent exploring, swimming, and relaxing. It was nice to be on our own time schedule. We came back early afternoon some days and others we stayed out the entire day exploring. The beautiful landscape and peaceful sound of the tide was enough to lull us into vacation and relaxation mode.
Adventure Life is always an excellent choice when planning complicated, extreme, or exotic vacations or expeditions. They provide friendly professional services and advice and are enthusiastic and encouraging in helping us to prepare and thoroughly enjoy our trip. They handle all the details which greatly reduces the stress of planning a difficult trip. I'm very impressed with Adventure Life and definitely recommend them to friends and family.
Scott Trochim
2 days ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
4 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
5 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.