Fall / Winter 1998-1999

 

 
Build Your Own Baja Vacation - Choose from our menu of accommodations and activities located at premium places

 

Hotel Buenavista Beach Resort
The "Jewel of the East Cape," the Hotel Buena Vista Beach Resort, earns its name by offering Mediterranean style bungalows with private patios, hammocks, and morning coffee in relaxed luxury along the unspoiled white sand beaches which border the azure blue waters of the Sea of Cortez.
 
Crowne Plaza Resort
Located just 5 minutes from the La Paz Airport, the Crowne Plaza's 3 floors offer 54 beautiful 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom suites with tasteful decor and all the comforts of home. 3 flexible meeting rooms easily accommodate up to 1,000. Enjoy dining at Hacienda Restaurant and the lively . . .

 

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No trip to La Paz is complete without a snorkeling visit to the Sea Lion Colony at Los Isolotes Islands, the largest rookery in the Sea of Cortez
 
By Stephen Moore
Okay I'll admit it: I was just a little nervous. After all, I have seen Jaws the movie and have read Blue Water, White Death a book chronicling the horrific tales of shark attacks throughout the world. And this was my first time snorkeling in deeper water than I could stand up in. As a snorkeling neophyte I was more than a little worried about snorkeling with the sea lions, a trip I had been told is a La Paz hallmark.
 
As we made our way toward Los Isolotes, a small rock outcropping on the far side of Isla Espirito Santos, we could view the numerous small coves nestled within the finger like inlets of the island. One of the coves, adorned with a white sandy beach with the typical crystal clear aqua water of a tropical beach, would be our lunching spot. Many who take the trip chicken out and spend the day here. That's a shame. Not because this beach and calm shallows don't offer a great warm water snorkeling experience, but rather because the sea lion rookery is simply a must see. My traveling companion - my mother - and I decided to at least check out the rookery from the boat even if our trepidations kept us out of the water.
 
When we arrived at the rookery we were greeted by a chorus of wailing sea lions, some pups and females, and the large barking bulls. After circling the rock we anchored on the far side near a natural archway that seemed dark and foreboding. Our guide explained how safe this really was and that there are none of the sharks that I was nervously obsessing over during my anticipation of this trip. Our group consisted of several children (8-10 years of age), their parents, an older couple (70ish), and us. The children jumped out of the boat immediately showing us all the virtue of a young heart and the fearless mind of youth. Despite the exuberance of the kids, I was not yet convinced. But after the older couple climbed in and my mother donned her fins and mask and started for the ladder it became obvious that I was not going to get away with letting my fears tether me to the boat.
 
The best decision I made this year was the one I made to give it a go that day. We were rewarded with curious female sea lions and their pups dart . . .

 

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