Baja California Desert in Los Cabos, Mexico

Histories from the conquistadors tell that they found a fierce warrior-women army commanded by mythical queen Calafia, when they arrived in the peninsula. Whether or not they existed, truth is that the settlemet of this land wasn´t easy for the Spanish crown because it is distant and it has an extremely dry weather. Nowadays even when it is located right south of a densely populated area, Baja remains somewhat isolated, far from exploitment and development, keeping its natural abundance with zeal.

Baja is the longest peninsula on earth and it comprises several climates, depending on latitude and altitude. North and South extremes have a tropical weather with a regular rainy season, while there might not rain at all for years in the central area. Two mountain ranges stand along the peninsula: San Pedro Martir and La Giganta, with high mountain sub-climates on its summits where it snows from time to time, and dividing the great desert plains in two parts.

Vizcaino desert lies on the western part of the ranges and runs along the Pacific coast, thus having a more humid and cool weather than San Felipe desert, which is on the Sea of Cortez side, with a very hot and dry weather, and almost no vegetation. Right north from Los Cabos area the desert becomes a savannah offering spectacular landscapes of valleys and mountains. There you will find unique species of flora and fauna, both endemic and introduced.

One of the most representative plants around Los Cabos is the Cardon, a voluminous cactus holding several branches reaching up to 65 feet in height, 25 tons in weight and living for hundreds of years. Just as any other cactus, the Cardon stores water in the rainy months. Its flowers are big, eye-catching and white. Natives used its fruit as food and its pulp for medicinal purposes.

Baja Desert is also home to a peculiar animal that seems to be the breed from a deer and an antelope. It is the Berrendo of Baja, the only surviving species from the antelocaprid order. Berrendos are awesome for a number of reasons, but the main ones are that they eat plants that are venemous for other animals, besides they reach a speed of 53 miles per hour, for more or less two hours, becoming the fastest animal in long distances on earth.

These two natural wonders are only samples of what you will be able to see in tha Baja Desert. There are several ways to organize your excursion of observation. You can do it in one or more days by jeep, by ATV or by air. Take enough water with you and prepare to live the experience of Nature at its best!