Columnist Paula Del Giudice: La Paz offers range of activities

Thursday, Jan. 31, 2002 | 10:17 a.m.

Paula Del Giudice's outdoors column appears Thursday. She can be reached at desertdenizens@aol.com.

The excellent fishing, water sports and laid-back atmosphere of a Mexico vacation may seem out of reach for those of us who live in the U.S.

However, it's closer than you might think.

I spent the weekend in La Paz, at the southeastern tip of Baja California, for a meeting with the National Wildlife Federation.

NWF was in La Paz to formalize agreements to work on border issues with Pro Natura, a similar conservation organization in Mexico.

Although I wasn't able to join the group for whale watching, snorkeling with sea lions and sea kayaking, I did learn enough about La Paz to make me want to go back to enjoy all of those things.

For those of us who don't speak fluent Spanish, a trip to Mexico might seem daunting.

However, most of those involved in the tourist industry in Baja cater to us gringos.

Flights to La Paz are limited. My airfare was $500 using four different carriers -- one for each leg of the flight. I flew into Mexico via Phoenix and back through Los Angeles. Fares in the $200-300 range are possible if you plan in advance.

Having a passport is a good idea, though not necessary if you have a certified copy of your birth certificate.

I missed a couple of the weekend expeditions that were planned to supplement the meeting agenda, but I heard raves from those who snorkeled for the first time and were able to spy on swimming sea lions.

Although the air and water temperatures are warmer than they are in Southern Nevada, the highs still were only in the 70s and low 80s, so the snorkelers had to wear wetsuits.

As I headed for the airport to fly home on Monday, the rest of the contingent was flying to northern Baja bays, where California gray whales are on their calving grounds.

The group that ran the trips to watch the whales is Baja Expeditions, with owner and creator Tim Means at the helm.

The whale watching tours run out of camps in San Ignacio lagoon from January through March. Other whale watching is available in March and April on the eastern Sea of Cortez side of Baja.

The southern Baja fishing is best during the late spring, summer and fall. Southern Baja sports world-class fishing for yellowfin tuna and striped marlin. Dorado and other species are also on the menu.

La Paz resorts may not offer the most luxurious of accommodations, but you can find hotels that are clean and affordable. Hotel Los Arcos housed our group, and its offerings were fine.

Check out all of the water-related adventures that are possible in La Paz on Baja Expeditions' website, bajaex.com.