BY PEDRO BENITEZ-CRESPO
As Mark Twain once said, “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So, throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor, catch the trade winds in your sails, explore, dream, discover.”
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I took his word and embarked on an amazing adventure to explore this beautiful part of the country, harboring the largest peninsula in Latin America and a protected UNESCO World Heritage Site.
I will start by saying that UnCruise Adventures is a cruise line with a fleet of small ships, typically carrying between twenty to sixty passengers. This means the company is very much inclined towards prioritizing intimacy, authenticity, and a connection with nature, allowing for a more personalized and flexible journey since the smaller size enables access to ports and areas that larger vessels cannot reach. This is why everyone can enjoy wildlife viewing, kayaking, paddle boarding, and even embark on excursions led by expert guides who are well-versed in the local ecosystems.
During my adventure, I was on the ship with thirty people, so I had breakfast, lunch and dinner with everyone, hung out at the lounge every night and also got to explore the Sea of Cortez with all of them, which was a very enriching experience for me. The other passengers were all Americans ranging from the age of 30 up to the early 80s.
The guests met at a hotel in San José del Cabo, where we were then taken to La Paz by shuttle. We hopped on the ship, were led to our cabins, got comfortable, and had some drinks followed by a lovely welcome dinner where we got to know everyone on the ship, as we prepared to set sail a couple of hours later that night.
We sailed north, all the way up to the colorful town of Loreto and back to La Paz, anchoring in several islands in between, which include Isla Danzante, Isla Espíritu Santo, and San Francisco, just to name a few. We had the opportunity of slipping into a wetsuit for us to greet the very playful sea lions, while other guests saw them from the skiff. I highly recommend this activity.
If one felt adventurous enough you could swim with the impressive whale shark. This was definitely a breathtaking experience being next to a thirty-foot underwater creature. I could literally touch this stunning pelagic fish which in my case was a female.
We also got to relax and soak up the sun on pristine beaches, drinking local beer. On two tiring yet enriching hikes we learned about the flora and fauna of the region and crowned the expedition atop a mule accompanied by a local ranchero family, the Romeros, who gave us a tour of the protected island they inhabit.
During this voyage, we had the opportunity to taste the delightful wines of the Valle de Guadalupe region, the proud Mexican wine country of the Northwestern part of this nation. We also dined on local fresh produce such as a mouthwatering yellowtail fish or amberjack, heavenly mahi-mahi, as well as other exquisite products from the area.
Perhaps the most memorable part of the cruise was the sense of community that developed among the passengers. Almost all of them had done another cruise with the company. Most of them went to either Alaska or the Galapagos Islands. And since it was a small ship, there was a feeling of camaraderie and friendship. We shared stories, laughter, and even a few late-night cocktails under the stars and a full moon that we were lucky enough to enjoy.
I must add that the company has a strong commitment to responsible tourism ensuring that every activity and/or encounter with nature is conducted with the utmost respect for the environment. Another practical thing about UnCruise Adventures is it includes all excursions, meals, and beverages at an upfront cost, eliminating hidden fees and allowing guests to fully immerse in the expedition without worrying about anything else.
As the cruise came to an end, I felt a twinge of sadness. It had been a week of pure joy and relaxation, and I wasn’t quite ready to return to reality. But I also felt grateful for the experience and the memories that would stay with me forever. My first cruise had been a truly magical experience, and I know it won’t be my last. As the ship slowly glided towards the dock in La Paz, and I stepped onto solid ground once again, I carried with me the promise of future adventures, knowing that the memories made at sea would forever linger in my heart, urging me to set sail once again.
For more information on UnCruise Adventures lookup: https://uncruise.com/pages/baja-adventure
