FAQ: Group Tours to Baja Sur
Who comes on your trips? What is the age range?
Our trips are very diverse, and in the past have had travelers from more than 4 countries. For our young professionals’ trips, our age range is roughly 25 to 43, with most participants in the middle of that range at roughly 25 to 35.
What makes your trips different from your competitors?
First, our trips focus on small, local hotels and providers. We do not use “all-inclusive” resorts, as we believe that they are not the best way to experience the culture of our destinations and to benefit the local community, one of the goals of eco-tourism. Second, we strive to make our group trips affordable while including as many items as possible. You might find a cheaper trip, but you will find that most of the activities are optional and at added cost. We believe it is better value to include those items and facilitates our primary goals of giving you a fun experience in a group setting where you can meet new people.
Why Baja Sur? Do you do trips to other locations?
Baja Sur is one of the safest and most amazing places in Mexico, and in fact its one of the safest places in North America. In 2015 we are also offering group trips to Alaska, Trinidad & Tobago and Costa Rica, as well as a second dog-sledding trip to Maine. If you have any suggestions of places you’d like to visit with Greener Travel, please let us know.
Do I have to do all the activities? Can I get a partial refund if I skip one of the activities?
We try to make our trips accessible for travelers of most abilities and encourage all travelers to fully participate in the activities unless a traveler is afraid of a particular activity or cannot participate due to a medical condition or ability level. However, if you do not want to do a particular activity, you can opt out for any reason. Because we make our best efforts to offer an alternative activity for opting out travelers for no additional cost, we cannot generally offer a partial refund for opting out travelers.
Who will I be rooming with if I chose double-occupancy?
If you are joining the trip with someone you know, we will honor your requests to room together if you wish. If you are joining the trip by yourself, we will match you up with another same-sex traveler to share a room. If during the trip, you meet someone with whom you want to share a room with, we will try to honor your request at that time.
How much is airfare to Baja Sur? Can you help me choose my ticket?
Airfare to Los Cabos (SJD) from major metropolitan areas in the eastern U.S. and Canada is generally roughly $400 to $600, however, that depends on your origin and travel dates. We advise travelers to check rates prior to booking a trip with us, however, you should not purchase your travel before the trip has been “called.” At that time, we would be glad to give you advice on which ticket to purchase.
Are there insect issues to worry about?
Biting insects such as mosquitos are not a problem. A small bottle of travel-size insect repellent will suffice. There are bees on Espiritu Santo Island. They tend to congregate around fresh water. They are non-aggressive but if you are allergic you need to notify us and bring two epipens prescribed to you.
Will there be showers and toilets while we are camping?
Yes of course! This type of camp is low impact but includes the creature comforts you desire. There are private stalls with manual flush toilets and private stalls with solar showers.
What type of food will I eat and will there be bottled water?
You will eat chef-prepared delicious authentic food with a touch of Americana. Meals will be a mix of local fare such as beans, rice, chicken, and fish with a vegetable. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are provided as well as snacks, fruit, coffee, tea and juice. There are vegetarian and gluten-free options and fish substitutes if you do not eat fish. Please contact us in advance if you have special dietary needs. Purified ice water in five gallon jugs are available to refill your reusable water bottles.
What type of activities do we do?
This is a multi-sport adventure with a primary emphasis on snorkeling and free-diving. All skills are taught at the beginner level. You will see and do what most people dream about. Any one in good health and who can swim can attend this program. Although some people have snorkeled before, some of the women who participate on this trip have not had an open water experience. Everyone learns the basics in shallow water to allow them to get comfortable with their gear. Then we progress to deeper dives where people can learn free-diving to depths of 10 to 20ft and beyond if they are comfortable. Each site will provide beautiful fish-filled landscapes that everyone can enjoy floating on the surface or at 20ft!The program is tailored around the group’s interest and skill levels. All activities are optional. Activities will have participants hiking through desert canyons and mountainous terrain, exploring rocky beaches, swimming with wild sea lions and other mega fauna, riding in boats, traversing the countryside by van, and interacting with native people. Be advised caution is required on all activities. Rough, steep, uneven, slippery footing and unpredictable environmental conditions are the rule rather than the exception.
What are the physical requirements to participant?
We can accommodate a wide range of skill levels, physical abilities and personal interests. We help each other, too. There will be times when you will need to walk on uneven terrain, or step into a dingy from a boat. If you are open to being helped, our guides and the group will assist you. Just tell us what you need, or give us a call to discuss. You must be in excellent physical and mental heath with the ability to swim, and follow visual, and verbal instructions. Contact us if you have a concern.
Will I be able to call home?
There will be a company cell phone that you may use to call home to let loved ones know you made it to Mexico. Telephone and cell phone communication is not possible while we are out in the field. Some cell phone services like T-mobile, Sprint, and AT&T may get service at the airport or on the highway.
Is there medical care nearby?
Should a medical emergency arise, the participant will be transported to La Paz via boat to meet with EMS at the marina for transport to a hospital. La Paz does have an international airport should an air evacuation be needed. Due to the remoteness of the activities, medical care can be significantly delayed.
AmeriMed hospital is in Cabo San Lucas and a clinic is in Los Barriles.General Hospital de Zona con Medicinea Familiar #1.
Telephone 011-52 (612) 122-7377
5 de Febrero y H. de Independencia, La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico.
Cabo San Lucas (Los Cabos) (AmeriMed) Hospital
Telephone 011-52-624-105-8500
Los Barriles (AmeriMed) Clinic International Calls
011-52-624-141-0797
How safe is this adventure?
Green Edventures, our tour provider, has been leading student, college and adult groups to La Paz since the summer of 2009. They have never encountered any problems with violence in La Paz or threats of violence. La Paz is one of the most peaceful cities in Mexico and has a lower crime rate than many U.S. cities including Chicago, Detroit, and New Orleans. Most of the violence is occurring in border towns nearly 1,000 miles away from La Paz and Espiritu Santo. To minimize risk during adventure activities, Green Edventures has partnered with expert, well-established and reputable businesses in La Paz. Green Edventures works with partners and vendors to minimize risk through planning and hiring experience guides. Guides for technical activities are Rescue SCUBA Diver Certified and/or SCUBA Dive Masters and for all non-technical activities guides are First Aid/CPR certified. While on the island, we have 24-hour access to a boat and captain and VHF radio.
Are personal belongings safe left at the base camp or do things like passport, money, etc.. need to be carried with you at all times?
The island we stay on is Isla Partida but better known as Espiritu Santo Island, a World Heritage Site (aka world national park). It is the size of Manhattan, totally uninhabited and about 26 miles by boat away from La Paz. Our camp is a full service camp with a crew of at least five including a chef, two assistants, a boat captain, and local guide. Every detail is taken care of for you. Leaving your stuff at camp it is totally fine and you should! Theft has never been an issue.
About Baja California Sur
Baja California Sur is one of the most peaceful and pristine states in Mexico. It is considered a portion of North America. It is bordered to the north by the state of Baja California, to the west by the Pacific Ocean, and to the east by the Gulf of California, also known as the Sea of Cortez.
