
San Juan de la Costa, Baja California Sur, Mexico
San Juan de la Costa: Desert Monasteries & Marine Wonders
A three-day journey into the remote heart of Baja, combining desert monasteries, isolation, mountains, sea, snorkeling, and slow travel
Itinerary
Day 1
07:00 — Departure from La Paz
Meet Leonardo and begin the journey early in the morning.
After a quick briefing and equipment check, we leave La Paz and begin making our way toward the coast.
For up to 2 guests, the journey takes place directly with Leonardo in his own expedition vehicle.
For larger groups, Leonardo leads the way while the rest of the expedition follows in Jeeps or 4x4 vehicles arranged as a small guided caravan.
Before departure, all vehicles receive a route and safety briefing to keep the group coordinated throughout the day.
07:30 — La Parcelita
Our first stop is La Parcelita, a classic local stop where we pick up breakfast before continuing deeper into the route.
This is not where we sit down to eat.
Breakfast comes with us.
The real dining room is further down the road.
08:30 — Breakfast Above the Sea
We arrive at our first coastal viewpoint.
With the desert behind us and the sea opening ahead, we stop for breakfast while observing the surrounding coastline and looking for signs of marine life.
This is the first opportunity to slow down, take photographs, and begin experiencing the scale and solitude of the landscape.
Breakfast with a view — no tables required.
10:00 — The Boat
Continue along the coast to one of the route's distinctive landmarks.
We take time to explore the area, photograph the landscape, and discover a place that most visitors to Baja never encounter.
There is no checklist here.
We stop because the place gives us a reason to stop.
10:30 — Tarabillas
The journey continues to Tarabillas for a short walk along the beach.
Desert, rock, sand, and sea come together here, creating an ideal setting for exploring on foot and capturing the changing character of the coastline.
There is no need to rush.
Part of the experience is allowing time for unexpected discoveries along the way.
12:00 — The Coast Beyond Tarabillas
We continue deeper into the coast toward another remote beach and its surrounding viewpoints.
Depending on conditions, we explore elevated observation points and search for different perspectives over the coastline.
The exact amount of time spent here varies according to weather, light, tides, wildlife, and the rhythm of the group.
13:00 — El Portugués
Our route brings us to El Portugués, where dunes and an expansive beach create another completely different Baja landscape.
There is time for photography, walking, and exploring the surrounding area before continuing toward our lunch destination.
14:00 — Bota Fuego
We reach one of the day's most memorable viewpoints for a well-earned break.
Here, surrounded by desert and sea, we prepare an informal outdoor lunch over the fire.
Freshly grilled choripanes are served with avocado, tomato, chimichurri, and condiments, accompanied by fruit, snacks, and cold drinks.
This isn't a restaurant stop.
The place itself is the dining room.
There is time to eat, rest, photograph the surroundings, and enjoy the isolation before beginning our journey back.
Simple food. Fire. An extraordinary location.
15:30 — The Road Home
We begin our return toward La Paz, but the journey isn't necessarily over.
Interesting light, wildlife, landscapes, or unexpected discoveries may invite short stops along the way.
The route remains flexible enough to make room for those moments.
17:30 — Arrival in La Paz
Estimated arrival in La Paz.
After more than ten hours moving through desert tracks, beaches, dunes, viewpoints, and remote coastline, we return to where the journey began.
One day beyond the familiar roads. A completely different Baja.