RANCHO LA PUERTA
Less than 30 minutes from the U.S. border is one of the most renown health Spas in the world. Rancho La Puerta has been the secret hideaway of the rich and famous for over half a century, and most of it's business is from past clients.
A small part of Rancho La Puerta's success might be given to the fact that it is located close to the United States. The Spa is located just outside of the Mexican town of Tecate, which straddles the U.S. Mexican border 2 hours east of San Diego. A larger part of their success is based on their goals to provide the ultimate Spa experience.
The resort prides itself on it's excellent facilities and holistic programs which have been designed to renew even the most tired bodies and spirits. Much of the food available during the mealtimes is grown on site, and nutrition is a big part of their ideals. The spa offers minimum stays of one week.
Rancho La Puerta is surrounded by rolling hills and open spaces, and guests are encouraged to leave the main grounds to explore the natural beauty of the area.
For more information on RANCHO LA PUERTA check out their web site.
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LA BUFADORA
There are several different places in the world where nature offers a "blow hole" experience. But few, if any, can match the experience provided by La Bufadora, south of Ensenada, in Baja California, Mexico.
It takes the right combination of rock formation, tide level and swell direction for a blow hole to offer it's magic. And the elements are all perfectly aligned at "La Buf". Incoming swells force sea water into a small opening at the base of the cliff here. The opening narrows as it enters the cliff, forcing the water to spray up and out into the sky. With the right combination of swells and tides the spray can reach over 100 feet high or more. La Bufadora even puts on a great show with small waves.
The viewing areas for this spectacle have been recently refurbished, and there are plenty of levels to enjoy the show. Public restrooms are also available.
At least half of the fun to any trip to La Bufadora is checking out all of the vendor's stalls on the way form the parking lot to the blow hole. Dozens and dozens of shops offer almost every conceivable type of curious, as well as food items. If you don't get offered a free sample of a Churro here you are the exception!
La Bufadora is a perfect half day excursion from Ensenada, located about 20 minutes south of town on the main highway, then west at green and white sign.
For further information on the area near La Bufadora check out the ENSENADA section of Baja Expo.
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EL TRIUNFO
Over a hundred years after silver was discovered in the southern Baja mountains at San Antonio, silver and gold were discovered in a nearby mountain area, soon to be called El Triunfo (The Triumph). The year was 1862, and the fever grew quickly as minors from other parts of Mexico and the United States set up camp to find their fortunes. Many of the miners who missed out on the California gold rush of 1849 came to El Triunfo for a second chance at striking it rich, along with those who had hit pay dirt in California, and wanted to try their luck again.
By 1865 this once-sleepy cattle ranch became a boom town of approximately ten thousand souls. It was, at the time, the largest settlement in all of southern Baja! After 60 some-odd years of mining, El Triunfo finally closed its operations in 1926. Today, as the Baja traveler visits the area, it seems difficult to picture this quaint collection of brick buildings as anything more than just another quiet Baja village. The buildings that are located right on Baja Highway One are very scenic, but the empty ghost-town feel of the area makes it hard to believe that over 400 people still call El Triunfo home.
The tall chimney and surrounding brick buildings just in from the south side of the highway are the remains of the old smelter. The interior ceilings of the smelter buildings are lined with dried smoke remnants several inches thick from the many decades of operation. As we enter the new millennium, mining on a very small scale still takes place today in El Triunfo, a small reminder of the grand history of this very special Baja town.
El Triunfo can be reached by taking Baja Highway One south of La Paz approximately 30 miles. The highway runs right through town!
For more information on the main towns near El Triunfo drop by the LA PAZ and BUENA VISTA sections of Baja Expo.
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BAJA CRUISE SHIPS
If you haven't been on a cruise ship, you gotta try it. And taking a cruise to Baja is the perfect combination of convenience and culture. For those who like the idea of enjoying the many aspects of Mexico, but still want to have that comfortable travel format, a cruise in Mexico is the perfect combination!
Mexico offers 3 completely different cruise experiences. For those with only 3 or 4 days to spare, the cruises to northern Baja are a great way to experience the flavor of Mexican cruising without committing a lot of time or money. For a more involved cruise, the Mexican Riviera offers 7 to 10 day cruising adventures that will give you memories of a lifetime. And if you want to experience a bit of the Caribbean, Mexico can accommodate you with it's delicious Yucatan cruise destinations!
There are several reasons people who take a cruise return year after year. One of the reasons is the convenience. Can you imagine visiting several different destinations, taking a variety of excursions, and only having to unpack your luggage one time? Welcome to cruise life!
Finances are another good reason to take a cruise. With the expanding inventory of cruise ships, and never-ending competition within the industry, prices are often down-right cheap. Throw in unlimited food, entertainment, fun people and exciting ports of call...well it's gets pretty hard to justify staying home.
For more information on cruises to Mexico drop by the CRUISE SHIP section of Baja Expo.
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LOS ISLOTAS SEALS
Swimming with the seals in Baja is an amazing experience. There are few places in the world where you can put on a mask and snorkel, dip your head under water, and have these amazing creatures swim right up to you.
Los Islotas is a small island north of La Paz in southern Baja. The seal colony that resides on the island is a fairly friendly group, and they actually seem to enjoy meeting human beings. They will often swim right up to your mask, and then dart away at the speed of anchovies at the last minute.
There are several "rules of the road" for swimming with the seals. It is important to be aware of the relationship between the mother seals and her pups. Get to close to a pup when mom's watching and mom might just poke you with her snout. Yikes! Also it is important to remain offshore of the island, and to not set foot on the island. This is a natural habitat for these fine creatures, and staying clear of their home is a good way to show your respect.
Water temperatures in the area run in the 80's during the summer season, and drop down into the mid 60's by winter. The weather is usually warm and clear all year long.
Panga boats to Los Islotes are usually available at Playa Tecolote, northeast of La Paz.
For more information on Los Islotas and check out the LA PAZ section of Baja Expo.
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BAJA HOT TIPS