Baja Custom Tours: Location

Location

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The desert stretches out behind as the ocean slips in from the horizon to foam at your feet. The grand canopy of cobalt blue sky floats above and seems to bring silence down into the world.

It brings you back into the world. The modern world has only just touched this place. It's fingerprints are light. Nature still rules this vast place, this place where the mind and soul expand.

Baja California 2004


	Location Guerrero Negro is located halfway down the Baja peninsula, 450 miles from the U.S. and Mexico border. Nestled between the Vizcaino Desert and the Pacific, Guerrero Negro is on the border of Baja North and Baja South, and the largest city between San Quintin and Santa Rosalia. Named for the American whaling ship that sank off the coast around 1850, Guerrero Negro means "Black Warrior". The Black Warrior was one of many whaling ships coming to the area for the abundance of hunting near the whale breeding lagoon first discovered by Charles Scammon. Known internationally as Scammon's lagoon, the locals refer to the breeding ground as "Ojo de Liebre" which in English translates to the "eye of the jackrabbit". Besides the gray whales, Guerrero Negro's primary claim to fame is the extensive salt mining operation which is operated there – one the of the world's leading producers. Located on the Pacific ocean and being fairly flat has made Guerrero Negro a natural area for evaporation of sea water – leaving sea salt behind. Many of the residents work for the salt company – ESSA – which is run by the Mexican government and Mitsubishi. http://www.essa.com.mx/ Most of the land for ESSA and for the whale watching activities is located on ejido land. The local members of the ejido benefit from the lease with the salt company and they operate much of the whale watching concession. Visitors who come to watch the whales also enjoy local shops, bird watching, cave paintings, eco-adventures, and modern conveniences without the bloat and commercialization of cruise ships, large resort hotels, and crowds. Though Guerrero Negro is not a resort town, it’s approximately 10,000 inhabitants are very hard working and enjoy the interaction with tourists who come to see the whales. Motels are small, restaurants are usually family run, and this town is a true example of a Mexican town without undue influence from tourism. The whale watching industry has grown up in the last 20 years since the local fisherman noticed that the whales and their babies were curious about the boats. There are three designated whale watching areas around Guerrero Negro, each with different types of whale activity, boats, and tour providers. Guerrero Negro is a quiet piece of paradise that the guides of Baja Custom Tours have come to love and love sharing with others.