The whale shark and Espiritu Santo Island sighting agenda in La Paz closed completely saturated by the end of December 2024, according to reports from tour operators.
Ezequiel, a tour seller and member of the Puerto de Ilusión Experiencias Turísticas cooperative, confirmed that there will be no operations on January 1.
“It is from January 2 when this is filled with tourists, businessmen and visitors from all over the world, in addition to national tourism,” he said.
Service providers say that the rental of tours has dropped a lot, but it has improved considerably in these last two weeks of the year
The seller added that many national tourists return several times, attracted by the whale shark, the gray whale and excursions to Espiritu Santo Island.
In the municipality of La Paz, gray whale sighting has gained popularity thanks to the proximity of Puerto Chale, from where accessible tours are offered to the population.
The first specimens of this species have been sighted in Los Cabos. Even Governor Víctor Manuel Castro Cosío shared images of whale calves observed in the waters of southern California on social media.
The first whales are already beginning to arrive in the waters of Baja California Sur! Let us responsibly enjoy these wonders of nature, whose best time for sighting is between January and April.
How much do trips to Espiritu Santo Island cost?
Meanwhile, the whale shark sighting season is underway. According to Ezequiel, the first days of the year there are no more bracelets available for the payment of rights to board up to a thousand people a day.
Prices range from 1,200 pesos per person, although local customers receive discounts by presenting their voter ID with a domicile in La Paz.
“It depends on each operator. There are those who want to earn a month’s wage in a single day and charge up to 10,000 pesos,” he commented, referring to dishonest practices that harm national and foreign tourists with inflated prices.
Ezequiel also stressed that the vendors work on commission, while the companies set the prices and organize the trips with guides authorized by the environmental authority.
Natalie, a French citizen who was at the site, expressed her interest in the trip to Isla Espíritu Santo, for which she had already booked.
“I want information so I can be on the island as soon as possible this New Year,” she told this media.
Operators rest at the end of 2024
At the end of the year, the tour operators of the boardwalk will take a short break, anticipating that the first half of January will bring better sales in a season that they expect to be “oversaturated.”
Those interested in scheduling trips should go to the counters located in the Ignacio Bañuelos Cabezud alley, in front of the tourist dock or “fiscal dock,” where authorized sellers provide information on personalized plans and packages.
Source: oem
