Pichilingue/La Paz  Mexico
Known as one of the world's finest fishing locations, La Paz offers outdoor adventure ranging from snorkeling and diving to kayaking and windsurfing. Nested on the coast of the Sea of Cortez is a secluded, yet modern city on the dry, desert-like Baja California Peninsula

DURATION:  Approximately 2 and 1/2 hours
PRICE:   $42 Adult   $32 Child

Visit the seaside town of La Paz and some of the cultural highlights it has to offer. Travel through the thriving downtown area with its boulevards, shops, restaurants and mile-long waterfront promenade. Three stops will be made during your tour. Visit a pottery factory, and observe a weaver's display of local crafts. Stop at the public market. At the end of your tour, you will have the option to be dropped off downtown at the Artisans' Market and return to the ship via the shuttle bus, or you may choose to return directly to the ship with the tour.

NOTES:
Minimum age is 7 years.                                                                                     

DURATION:  Approximately 4 1/2 Hours
PRICE:   $85 Adult   $76 Child

Discover a site where the impressive volcanic rocks of the eastern Baja Peninsula plummet into the Sea of Cortés, where you can snorkel and enjoy an extraordinary abundance and diversity of sea life. Balandra is a shoal bay where you can clearly see the bottom in more than 20 feet of water. This bay features eight attractive inlets and beautiful beaches, one with the famous Mushroom Rock geological formation. Travel by boat for 30 minutes to get to Gaviota Island, where you will have the chance to snorkel among a wealth of colorful sea life, and then arrive at a beautiful sandy beach either to relax and bask in the sun, or hike to see breathtaking views of the surrounding islands and mountains.

NOTES:
Wear your swimsuit under your clothing; bring a beach towel, hat and sunscreen. Snacks, soft drinks and bottled water are included. Minimum age is 10 years.
                                                                                                             

DURATION:  Approximately 7 hours
PRICE:   $158 per person

La Paz and the surrounding islands are considered one of the best spots for scuba diving in the world. Depart in a dive boat heading for the same area as that of the Introduction to Scuba and those guests snorkeling at Los Islotes. The actual dive sites will be selected based on the best conditions on the day of your dive.

NOTES:
Scuba equipment is provided. Bring your C-card. Wear your swimsuit and bring a towel. Waiver release form must be signed. Dive sites will be chosen based on the current weather. Rough seas at times prohibit boats from going to Los Islotes. Not recommended for those prone to sea sickness. Lunch is included.

DURATION:  Approximately 2 1/2 hours
PRICE:   $56 Adult   $42 Child

Mexico boasts the largest variety of reptiles of country in the world. At the El Serpentario Reptile Center, you will find an outstanding collection of the four major classes of reptiles: snakes, lizards, turtles/tortoises and crocodiles. While the primary goal is to show and educate people about Mexican animals, the center also features many of the more fascinating reptiles from all over the world: albino cobras, giant pythons and curious lizards from four continents. A collection of spiders, scorpions, centipedes and other arthropods make their home at the Serpentarium. Travel 30 minutes by air-conditioned van to the Serpentarium, where you will have the opportunity to explore at your leisure after your naturalist guide shares his/her knowledge of the residents. Many of the exhibits are outdoors in pits landscaped with plants of a particular habitat. Reptile encounters and a live show will give you the chance to touch harmless specimens and talk with the friendly experts.

NOTES:
Minimum age is 7 years.

DURATION:  Approximately 4 hours
PRICE:   $52 Adult   $39 Child

Depart from Pichilingue, and as you travel to La Paz you will see the surrounding desert as an intriguing, unique and extremely beautiful ecosystem full of endless surprises. Over centuries, its flora and fauna have evolved endemic characteristics due to their relative isolation. Strange looking valleys contain cardon, cirios, elephant trees and thorny chollas forming a spiny green carpet on the sandy earth. Hawks, wrens, woodpeckers, roadrunners and Xantus hummingbirds live here, as well as desert bighorn, foxes, coyotes, pumas, desert mice and squirrels. In La Paz city, you'll take in the thriving downtown area with shops and restaurants in colonial-style houses. Learn about Sea of Cortez pearls whose colors and characteristics are found only here. Visit the cathedral and relax for a scenic drive to the beautiful beach at the end of the bay. Under a palapa, a complimentary soft drink or bottle of water will be served.

NOTES:
Minimum age is 7 years.

DURATION:  Approximately 7 hours
PRICE:   $170 Adult   $150 Child

Travel in the same boat with the snorkelers and certified Scuba divers to Los Islotes. While the snorkelers and divers are in the water, you will have a 20-minute lesson on board your dive boat. The divemaster will guide you step-by-step into the water, no deeper than 15 feet-perfect for beginners.

NOTES:
Scuba equipment is provided. Wear your swimsuit and bring a towel. Waiver release form must be signed. Dive sites will be chosen based on the current weather. Rough seas at times prohibit boats from going to Los Islotes. Not recommended for those prone to sea sickness. Actual dive time is 2 1/2 hours. Lunch is included. Bottled water and sodas are included. Minimum age is 10 years.

DURATION:  Approximately 2 hours
PRICE:   $58 Adult   $58 Child

Come and discover one of the Sea of Cortez' hidden treasures. From the pier you will be transferred via air-conditioned van to Balandra Beach where you will be assigned a kayak and given a short instructional briefing on the proper use and technique of your kayak. Once on the water, you will kayak along some of the most pristine waters in the area. The depth at times will be less than a foot, which makes it very easy to get out and walk if you so desire. Your guide will lead you into Paradise Cove with an abundance of local bird and marine life from herons to pelicans and frigate birds. Your kayak paddle will also take you deep into the natural mangrove forests into a world you might not encounter anywhere else. Upon returning to the beach, you will have a short amount of time to relax on the beach or explore the shoreline. Bottled water and sodas will be available.

DURATION:  Approximately 7 hours
PRICE:   $109 Adult   $79 Child

La Paz is one of the most beautiful locations for people who love eco-tourism (snorkeling and diving are the biggest attractions). The Sea of Cortez provides a large variety of marine life, such as sea lions, whales, dolphins, Cortez angel fish, and parrot fish, making this an excellent place for taking great photos. Los Islotes (Sea Lion Colony) is a National Park where beginners and experienced snorkelers can enjoy playing and swimming with baby sea lions. The water depths here vary between 5 to 45 feet. The sea lions live here all year and love to have people around. The dive masters and guides will be more than happy to provide information on how to use snorkel equipment.

NOTES:
Wear your swimsuit under your clothes; bring a towel and sunscreen. Snorkeling is from the boat. Use of wetsuit is included. Jellyfish may be encountered. Snorkel sites will be chosen based on the current weather. Rough seas at times prohibit boats from going to Los Islotes. Not recommended for those prone to sea sickness. Actual snorkel time is approximately 2 1/2 hours. Lunch is included. Minimum age is 10 years.

DURATION:  Approximately 6 1/2 to 7 1/2 hours (depending on local traffic conditions)
PRICE:   $89 Adult   $89 Child

Approximately 1 1/2 hours each way from La Paz, the oasis town Todos Santos is known for its lovely culture. Travel by motor coach or van to this beautiful town, boasting a view of the Pacific Ocean, green crops, palm groves, and mango and avocado trees. As you take in the natural beauty of the area and the colonial architecture, you will have time to visit the shops and art galleries. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant before you begin the journey back to Pichilingue and your waiting ship.