What to Bring to Baja
The following information applies to your travels in Baja,
as well as at Pachico's Eco Tours
Important Documents
- Trip Insurance Documents
- Drivers License
- ID Card
- Passport
- Copies of your passport and documents. Store separately.
- Tourist Visa – Airlines will provide during your flight to Mexico. If you're driving into Mexico you will need to obtain one at the border.
Cash and credit card information
- Credit cards (Visa, Master Card and occasionally American Express are accepted by most larger restaurants and shops but not by the smaller ones. Few of the stores/restaurants in San Ignacio take credit cards. The gas station in San Ignacio does NOT take credit cards. Please make sure you bring enough cash for fuel after visiting the lagoon. (Credit card information provided for larger towns elsewhere in Baja)
- Cash – Pesos preferred (smaller bills are helpful when change is not available)
The amount of cash is subject to how much you will spend shopping, on meals, how long you will be in Baja, services in town and for tipping. If you are paying the balance of your trip upon arrival, you will also need cash to cover the bill. Pachico's Eco Tours does not currently have the ability to accept credit cards once you get here (PayPal credit card payments can be accepted in advance of arrival at time of reservation). We also do not keep enough cash on hand to break big bills. Please note that there are also no banks/ATMS in the town of San Ignacio. The closest ATMs and banks are in Santa Rosalia, or Vizcaino. Most establishments in San Ignacio do not accept credit cards. The gas station in San Ignacio does not take credit cards – Make sure you have cash for fuel after visiting the lagoon. Therefore, we recommend you bring US dollars/pesos with you. You can change your dollars into pesos at the airport, banks (closed on weekends and holidays) or possibly a store (you pay in US dollars and receive change in pesos). Travelers checks are NOT recommended as they are difficult to cash. Euros are also not widely accepted in Baja.
Please keep in mind the exchange rate does fluctuate. If you are using US dollars for payment (at places with prices listed in pesos), your exchange rate might vary between businesses. You will find that you receive the best exchange rate at a bank.
Gratuity
Many people ask, "should I tip the guides/captains/staff and how much?" Tipping is voluntary and any amount you leave is greatly appreciated! If you would like to leave your guides a generous tip showing appreciation for an excellent job, 10% of the trip cost is standard in the adventure travel industry. Gratuities are pooled and distributed among your trip guides and staff evenly. If you do choose to leave a tip, please leave cash only. No travelers checks, personal checks or credit cards can be accepted.
What to pack for Pachico's Eco Tours
The following list includes clothing for January through early April, the coolest time in Baja. It can be chilly so don't forget your heavy fleece jacket and hat. In early March strong winds are common and there is some chance of rain. Temperatures in April are hotter with possible day time temperatures reaching 90°F and rain is rare. Here you will find suggestions on what to bring on your journey to Campo Pachico and San Ignacio Lagoon. These are only suggestions that might complement your own comprehensive packing plan.
*Please keep in mind you will be traveling in the desert, so you will want to pack for warm days and cold nights. It is best to come prepared for any kind or weather. The last thing we want is you to be cold or wet and not enjoy your trip. You can always dress in layers and adjust for any weather.
Clothing
- Heavy fleece jacket (Nights & Mornings Are Cold! )
- Lightweight fleece jacket and/or sweatshirt
- Jeans or quick–dry pants – A few pair
- Convertible pants (Many of our guests suggest this!)
- Shirts – Long sleeve & short sleeve
- Shorts
- Warm sleep outfit (This is essential! Temps can drop down into the low 40°F )
- Long underwear
- Warm socks & extra socks
- Rain gear or wind breaker (jacket & pants) – This will ensure that you stay warm and dry on the boat!
- Sun Hat – with chin strap so it will stay on in the wind!
- Warm Hat – a beanie hat is perfect
Shoes
- Shoes that can get wet (Tevas, Chacos, Keen, crocs, water shoes, rubber boots)
- Flip flops are NOT recommended in the boat (they are great for wearing in the shower though! )
- Sneakers or hiking shoes
- If you are driving or have space in your suitcase rubber boots are great for getting to and from the boat! (Many of our guests suggest this!)
Toiletries
- Soap & shampoo (Biodegradable preferred)
- Wash cloth/towel (we provide towels if staying in a cabana)
- Wet-wipes (Baby wipes/pre-moistened face wipes)
- Lip balm w/ sunscreen
- Toothbrush & toothpaste
- Hairbrush
- Eye drops
- Extra contact lenses – if worn
- Moisturizer
- Sun Screen
- First Aid Kit
- Motion Sickness Medicine
- Benadryl
- Bring Toilet Paper for bathroom stops on the way to us! Many of the public bathrooms along the highway do not keep toilet paper stocked!
Miscellaneous
- Camera & charger
- Cell phone charger (if you are using your phone as your camera)
- Binoculars
- Flash light/headlamp (with extra batteries) – For trips to the bathroom
- Water bottle
- Sunglasses w/strap
- Spare Eyeglasses – if worn
- Dry Bag– For personal items you want to keep handy on the boat
- Hot Water Bottle – An old fashioned hot water bottle will keep you cozy during chilly nights!
- Journal
- Guidebook
- Spanish Dictionary/Phrase Book
- Magazine
- Novel
- Star Chart
- Small day or fanny pack
- Extra snacks. Although we provide plenty of food and some snacks, if you have a high metabolism, you may want to bring along a few of your own favorite snacks.
Not –so –necessary–to–bring List
- Cell phone – Unless this is your camera. You most likely will not have reception at the lagoon.
- We have a camp antenna mobile phone for use in absolute emergencies
(For reservations please use email) - Our emergency number is 615–103–0381 (From the US dial 011–52–1 first)
- There is no point in carrying all of your keys.
- Wallet/purse – Clean out before traveling, you can probably leave extra contents behind.
- Copies of your documents. Leave a copy of your passport, drivers license, credit cards, airline tickets, and any reservation information that you've prepaid at home (with a friend, or family member) in case of emergency.
- Leave a copy of your itinerary with someone back home. Include our emergency contact number.
Weather
Additionally, here is a link to the weather in the town of San Ignacio. While the weather in town, and at the lagoon are not necessarily the same (it does tend to be cooler at the lagoon, sometimes windier), this link will most often give you are pretty good idea of what type of weather you might find out at the lagoon.
San Ignacio, Mexico Weather (5 Day – 10 Day – Monthly Forecast)
Time Zone – Mountain Standard Time
The state of Baja California Sur where San Ignacio Lagoon and our camp are located uses Mountain Standard Time. *Please Note in Mexico Daylight Savings Time begins April 5 2015!