Baja Mexico 3-Day Coastal Expedition
Boating, Snorkeling, Hiking, Beach Time
SEPT 11-13, 2026
Wild and Rugged Coasts of Baja, Mexico, Starting and ending in Tecate, CA, USA
Join three local scientists for a deep dive into the coastal habitats of the spectacular Punta Banda Peninsula just three hours south of the border. Environmental Scientist Francisco Castro, Geographer Gerry Chavez and Anthropologist Mike Wilken will lead you on a fun and educational adventure on both land and by sea, where you will:
- Learn first-hand about the many marine mammals, birds and other organisms that make their homes in our coastal ecosystems as we cruise in small, private “panga” boats along rocky shorelines and islands, including snorkeling (optional), hikes to pristine tidepools and walks and easy swimming at a beautiful sandy beach and estuary.
- Find out how spectacular cliffs, rocky and sandy coastlines show us the ancient processes that formed the land, with the help of tectonic action and the great Pacific Ocean, eventually forming the Punta Banda estuary.
- Hike through the rare and endangered succulent coastal scrub landscapes and learn about plants and animals that have evolved and adapted to the arid coastal climate over thousands of years, supporting ancient populations who were the original human inhabitants of these lands.
- Stay in a vacation beach house on the sandy bay strand, with time for easy ocean swimming, beach walking or just relaxing on the sand.
This three day trip begins in Tecate, USA, where you will meet your guide and cross the border into Tecate, Mexico. From there you will travel about three hours by van to our beach house (home base) in Punta Banda, passing through the Guadalupe Valley and Ensenada along the way. The beach house will be our home base as we will travel each day to our coastal activities. On our final day, after an awesome hike and tidepooling, we will head back to Tecate, where you will walk back over the border to your parked car.
The $680 cost includes a 3 day guided expedition with van transportation starting from the Tecate border and provided throughout the trip. You will be accompanied by your knowledgeable, seasoned (and of course fabulous!) bilingual guides. Two breakfasts, two picnic lunches and one dinner will be provided, one lunch and one dinner will be at local restaurants or homes and are not included in the cost of the trip. Lodging, boat excursions, and entrance to hiking areas are all included.
The trip includes optional ocean snorkeling and some challenging hiking. Boat trip may include splashing, ocean wave motion (bring Dramamine if you need it) and direct sun (bring hats and sunblock). Please make sure you are able to hike along sea cliffs and get in and out of a small boat. Snorkelers will need to have basic swimming experience and be able to climb up and down a ladder into a small boat. Bring your own equipment or rent it for an additional fee—visor, snorkel and fins: $43 USD, plus wetsuit: $85 total. You are also welcome to opt out of any activities if you are not comfortable with them.
The beach house is basic, includes bedding and towels, nothing fancy but is just steps away from a long, beautiful, swimmable sandy beach.
ITINERARY:
1st Day: Travel to Punta Banda Estuary, stay at the Beach House on Ensenada Bay.
9:00 Pick up group at Tecate in the morning, drive to Ensenada
11:30 Stop at supermarket in Ensenada for shopping (beer, snacks, etc.)
12:30 Lunch in Ensenada (Punta Morro)
2:00 Leave for Punta Banda estuary
3:00 Arrive at beach house, unload, get settled.
4:00 Hike in estuary (1.5 hours) with explanations of estuarine ecology and wildlife.
5:30 Return to beach house, settle in. Relax, Walk on beach, step into hot springs coming up through sand, learn about ocean birds. This is also a great beach for swimming, sandy, mild waves and no wetsuit needed.
6:30 Dinner at beach house.
2nd Day: Boat trip to Bufadora blow-hole, coastal caves, Todos Santos Islands. Snorkeling, hiking. Surprise dinner.
8:00 Breakfast
9:00 Drive to Campo Kennedy
9:45 Arrive, overview of boat safety, logistics
10:00-12:30 Boat tour: we will have 2 boats to explore coasts, including sea caves, bufadora, Todos Santos Islands and optional snorkeling. Life vests will be provided.
12:30 Return to Campo Kennedy, prepare sashimi, picnic lunch.
2:00 Options: Relax or hike in local area with focus on ethnobotany, natural history and coastal ecosystems.
4:00 Return to Van, drive back to beach house, with stops along the way to learn about natural history of bayside environments.
4:45 Arrive beach house, enjoy beach.
6:30 Dinner (Puerto Escondido private home or Restaurant Bufadora)
3rd Day: Hike through spectacular coastal cliffs to tidepools along the shore
8:00 Breakfast
9:00 Pack up, load up van
9:30 Drive to Campo 5
10:00 to 2:00 Hike in Campo 5, spectacular cliffs and landscapes, tidepools, marine and terrestrial environments, with picnic lunch along the way.
2:00 Leave for Ensenada.
3:00 Stop in Ensenada area for bathrooms, snacks, drinks.
3:45 Leave for Guadalupe Valley, Tecate
5:30 Arrive in Tecate, walk across border to US
