Baja California is a long thin peninsula running
parallel to the west coast of the Mexican mainland, separated by
the Gulf of California or Sea of Cortez. It is divided into two
states, Baja California Norte in the north and the southern region
of Baja California Sur, and extends from Tijuana on the American
border down to Cabo San Lucas at the peninsula's tip.
Baja is a wildly beautiful place of unusual scenery
and dramatic colour changes, of exquisitely azure bays and miles of
fine white beaches, rocky cliffs giving way to dry mountainous
slopes covered in a stunning display of cactus plants. The interior
is harsh and undeveloped, while the coast is dotted with attractive
resorts and modern towns. The warm waters are rich in marine life,
and the protected waters on the Pacific coast are an important
breeding ground for whales. Most resort tour operators arrange
whale watching trips from January to March.
A journey down the trans-peninsula highway conveys
many surprises, from the bulging and frenetic activity of the
modern city of Tijuana, to the oasis town of San Ignacio with some
extraordinary cave paintings nearby. From the peaceful laid-back
village of Mulegé to the tranquil port of La Paz, and the charming
traditional Mexican town of Todos Santos in the south, there are a
great variety of places to explore and enjoy. The UNESCO-listed
Sierra de la Laguna Biosphere Reserve, in the mountains south of La
Paz, is a wonderful playground for hikers, mountain bikers and
nature lovers. The Baja Peninsula also boasts the best seafood and
wine in Mexico.
There is an efficient bus system between Tijuana and
Los Cabos on the Trans-peninsula highway. Car and passenger ferry
services connect Baja to the Mexican mainland and there are
airports at Tijuana and near Los Cabos. Car rental companies can be
found in the larger cities and at airports. Within the towns there
are plenty of taxis and collectivos (shared taxi vans) for
hire.