Every time we go on vacation it takes a couple days to unwind and relax completely. We left Montana with a flurry of emails, check-ins with family, and "To Do" lists laid out on the kitchen table. I think I have thought of everything but undoubtedly something will arise outside of my contingency plans. "Which is OK!" I have to tell myself. We got to the airport at o'dark thirty and hopped on our plane, exchanged plans in Salt Lake and then arrived in Cabo that afternoon around 3pm. We flew into Los Cabos airport (SJD) outside of San Jose del Cabo not to be confused with Cabo San Lucas Airport (CSL) farther south. The atmosphere was very relaxed in the airport with a terminal full of gringos heading out on vacation. Customs was not a problem and we were quickly out the door and in the middle of a throng of taxi drivers. We walked directly to the National Car Rental shuttle which took us a on a 3 minute drive outside to the National office. We rented the basic compact car which was a nominal fee per day. The part that shocked me was the mandatory insurance by the Mexican government. Our rental fees for the week were under $50 but the cost of the insurance was listed at a couple hundred dollars. They also make you sign your life away to accept the basic insurance instead of the "standard" National insurance they recommend at double or triple the cost.
So after a short time at the rental car office, we hit the road in our Hyundia "mini mi amor" (picture above) and navigated our way up the coast to La Paz, the capital of Baja. We took the shorter but slightly slower route in order to check out the coast and avoid tolls along the other faster highway. It took us a little under three hours to get to our hotel and a few wrong turns but we made it! I hadn't factored in driving into the city at night (we arrived around 7pm) and also that my navigator couldn't keep his eyes open after after an hour in the car (he hadn't slept the night before). We arrived to our hotel Posada LunaSol and breathed a sigh of relief that we were there. I gave the desk attendant my name and reservation information but after about ten minutes of searching their database, he informed me that our reservation was not in the system. I showed him my email confirmation, he contacted his manager, and after some back and forth it was sorted out quickly. They had a new reservation system and our reservation had somehow not transferred over properly. Whew! We stayed that night in the family room for six and the following day they moved us to our balcony suite (which I highly recommend - room #12). I didn't think it would make that much of a difference having a balcony, but as you can see below we spent quite a bit of time in the hammock and rocking chairs outside for the next week.
It became a breakfast tradition to have coffee and cereal on the balcony.
After a long "hard" day at the beach, we'd return to chill out with margaritas on the balcony. The hotel had wifi so we were able to connect with family and friends at the end of the day too.
Matt soaks in the last of the sunset on the balcony. It took a few days but we finally slowed our pace to the rhythms of Mexico. We're on vacation!
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.