Baja
Release Baby Turtles
We were in Baja during November which happened to be the end of the season for releasing baby sea turtles. The season typically runs from mid June or July to October or mid November. There are several places that you can release baby turtles (on the mainland as well) but we were fortunate enough to do it in Todos Santos. We stumbled upon an “organization” that was right on the beach, talked to a woman that happened to be there when we were there and she told us she was gonna release some turtles that night. Baby turtles aren’t released daily, it just depends when they decide to hatch so if you’re in the area for a few days, check around with the different groups. Also, during this season is when whales start to migrate so while releasing baby turtles, you may also get to see some whales swim by!!
Whale Tours
When we were in Baja, everyone we ran into said you have to swim with Whale Sharks. We learned that Whale Sharks, aren’t a whale or a shark just a really large, docile fish that are amazing to swim next to!! We ended up doing a tour on Sebastian’s birthday in La Paz and it definitely ended up being a memorable day. There’s another whale watching tour that you can do either in Baja or at the Oaxaca beaches that was a highlight for us. We did our whale watching tour in Mazunte (a beach town in the southern part of the mainland) and were not disappointed. We cruised next to a massive pod of dolphins who were showing off for us by spinning up and out of the water, was greeted by a friendly turtle and watched as some whales came to the surface for air. Both were very cool experiences and highly recommended!
Mainland
Grutas Tolantongo
An overlander family that we met in Baja went over some of the places they were headed next. They showed a picture of these pools that were “built in” to the side of a mountain and from that point forward, I knew that was somewhere we had to go. This special place was Grutas Tolantongo and in person…it did not disappoint! The pictures don’t do it justice, but there’s a turquoise thermal river running through the mountain landscape which means, “hello” thermal pools, waterfalls and caves! There are places to camp as well as hotels on and near the property. If you’re not traveling by vehicle, you could take a day trip in from Mexico City. Definitely worth a trip!
San Jose del Pacifico
San Jose del Pacifico is halfway to the Oaxcaca coast high in the mountains. Because of its climate its considered the magic mushroom capital of Mexico and definitely has a hippie vibe. We did not do mushrooms but the amazing sunsets from up here had similar psychedelic effects… 😀
Monarch Butterfly National Park
We heard about the migration of the monarch butterflies and were really looking forward to experiencing this ourselves. Luckily, it was the height of the season when we visited in December. Every year, Monarch butterflies migrate thousands of kilometers from Canada & the US down to Mexico where they breed and start a new generation of butterflies. It was a beautiful green, mountainous area that was in the middle of nowhere. We ended up camping right outside the park, but day trips are also available. It was truly incredible to see thousands if not millions of butterflies swarm the trees and sky. A highlight for sure!!
Teotitlan
Oaxaca is a city that is vibrant and known for it’s incredible mole. It is a popular destination for good reasons but outside of Oaxaca is a small town called Teotitlan. Teotitlan is known for Zapotec rug weaving. If you are in to beautiful rugs, make a quick stop at Casa Vasquez for a demonstration on how these rugs are made. We learned how to prepare the wool, where the different colors come from and how each rug is hand weaved. Typically, each design has a symbolic meaning and we ended up purchasing a rug that symbolized good luck, family and life. A highlight for me and something I would recommend if you’re in the area.
Guanajuato
I feel like San Miguel de Allende is the popular sister while Guanajuato is the forgotten one. San Miguel is beautiful and has really interesting architecture and cool restaurants but it is touristy. If you’re looking for more of an authentic Mexican city, Guanajuato is where it’s at. It is just as vibrant as San Miguel but on a smaller scale. We loved walking the streets and taking the funicular up to enjoy the amazing views of this colorful city.
Guadalajara: Navidalia
If you happen to be near Guadalajara for the holiday season, you have to check out Navidalia. There is NOTHING (to our knowledge) that even remotely compares to this holiday extravaganza! It is truly a winter wonderland on steroids!! Think of it as a Disneyland for Christmas, but without rides. It represented many different cultures with traditions, food and even shows and we couldn’t recommend it enough!