Co-located in the Baja Outdoor Activities (BOA) office next to the El Moro hotel, Mexican-owned Katún (tel. 612/348-7758, www.katuntours.com [1]) runs guided tours of the Sierra de La Laguna [2] or combo kayak/bike trips for US$1,190 for seven days. And the weeklong Jesuits trail tour traces historic routes through the Sierra la Giganta, from the Sea of Cortez to the Pacific (US$1,199). Day trips of 10 to 30 miles lead riders along nearby desert roads and coastal trails or around the abandoned silver mines at El Triunfo [3] (US$50–70).
Katún also rents 2006 Giant Yukon bikes with front suspension for US$10 an hour, US$15 for four hours, or US$20 per day.
Baja Challenge (Obregón 460-1, btw Ocampo/Degollado, tel. 612/128-6089, www.bajachallengetours.com [4], 9 A.M.–11 P.M. daily; US$2–4 per hour) rents mountain bikes, cruisers, tandems, and Rollerblades and operates a five-kilometer mountain biking course across from the Hotel Marina.
Antonio Moller (tel. 612/123-1370) leads one-day and overnight trips into the Sierra de la Laguna from La Paz. Day trips (US$45–65 pp, min. 3 people) include transportation from La Paz to the biosphere, lunch at a local ranch, and a one-hour horseback ride. Student discounts available.
Eduardo’s Tours (tel. 612/166-1657 or 612/152-1213, www.eduardostours.com [5], US$85 pp) is another option for a day of horseback riding in the desert. The price includes transportation, a bilingual guide, food, drinks, and about two-and-a-half hours of riding time.
Several La Paz hotels, including the Costa Baja and Grand Baja resorts, offer spa services to guests as well as those who wish to visit just for the day. At La Concha Beach Resort, Nautilus Spa (tel. 612/121-6161, ext. 1452, cell tel. 612/127-1190) offers a full menu of massage services and body treatments as well as manicures and pedicures. Nautilus Spa has additional locations at the Hotel Marina (tel. 612/121-6323) and Seven Crown Hotel.
ATV tours have become a popular way to explore the Baja Peninsula, and La Paz has joined the crowd. Espíritu & Baja Tours (Obregón #774-A, btw Allende/Juárez, tel. 612/122-4427, www.espiritubaja.com [6]) offers a two-hour tour at Playa Tecolote for US$85 per person.
Links:
[1] http://www.katuntours.com
[2] http://www.moon.com/destinations/baja-cabo/cabo/east-cape/sierra-de-la-laguna/sierra-de-la-laguna
[3] http://www.moon.com/destinations/baja-cabo/cabo/east-cape/sierra-de-la-laguna/el-triunfo
[4] http://www.bajachallengetours.com
[5] http://www.eduardostours.com
[6] http://www.espiritubaja.com