Spanish Immersion 4 nights & 3 Days Whale Watching with Turtle Tagging

If you want to reawaken your inner child and experience one of the most exhilarating encounters of your life, this place is the closest to heaven that I could possibly imagine. Top three best experiences of my life.

This is such a special place and an incredible experience. We stayed for 3 nights and did 2 days of whale watching which was perfect. Each outing was unique as you never know what exactly will happen and we were blown away by the whales (sometimes literally as that's how close you are to the blowhole)! I kept my expectations low as the whales are free to do as they please and there are no guarantees that they'll interact with you. Happily, this trip totally exceeded my expectations and we had several close encounters. We loved our cabin which had it's own private bathroom and beautiful view of the lagoon. The sunsets and starry night sky were unbelievable. We enjoyed meeting our fellow travelers and the wonderful owner, Pancho, the guides, Adrianna and Pamela, and the fantastic support staff. They work hard to make sure that you have a great experience while at the same time protecting the whales and the entire unique ecosystem. Cannot recommend them highly enough.

We had an amazing experience visiting the San Ignacio Lagoon with Pachico’s. Pancho, Adriana and Pamela were wonderful hosts and exceptionally knowledgable about the whales and the overall ecosystem of the lagoon and surrounding areas. The encounters with the whales exceeded all expectations. The lodge and accommodations are clean and comfortable with beautiful sunsets and views of the lagoon. We can’t wait to go back!

Whale Watching Wonder This is such a special place and an incredible experience. We stayed for 3 nights and did 2 days of whale watching which was perfect. Each outing was unique as you never know what exactly will happen and we were blown away by the whales (sometimes literally as that's how close you are to the blowhole)! I kept my expectations low as the whales are free to do as they please and there are no guarantees that they'll interact with you. Happily, this trip totally exceeded my expectations and we had several close encounters. We loved our cabin which had it's own private bathroom and beautiful view of the lagoon. The sunsets and starry night sky were unbelievable. We enjoyed meeting our fellow travelers and the wonderful owner, Pancho, the guides, Adrianna and Pamela, and the fantastic support staff. They work hard to make sure that you have a great experience while at the same time protecting the whales and the entire unique ecosystem. Cannot recommend them highly enough.

Wonderful Experience We had an amazing experience visiting the San Ignacio Lagoon with Pachico’s. Pancho, Adriana and Pamela were wonderful hosts and exceptionally knowledgable about the whales and the overall ecosystem of the lagoon and surrounding areas. The encounters with the whales exceeded all expectations. The lodge and accommodations are clean and comfortable with beautiful sunsets and views of the lagoon. We can’t wait to go back!

Exceptional! Pachico’s delivered a whale watching triple crown: seeing, touching, experiencing. Our guide, Adrianna, and our captain, Pedro, were exceptional: they knew whales, gave us appropriate and thorough information, and were respectful of the whales and environment in a way that left me feeling like I’d had an exceptional experience and hadn’t harmed the environment. These guys are good at what they do.

A whale of a time! My very favorite moment was when we were out in the boat surrounded by friendly whales (six of them right next to us and many more within a half mile) and petting one of them, and another nudged in to be petted. We went back and forth petting the one and then the other. The captain was skilled, experienced and sensitive to the whales. The whales are incredibly graceful, and even when they surrounded us, they were gentle with us and the boat. We saw everything you could imagine: nursing calves, courtship and mating, spyhopping, fluking, breaching. We even got a bonus bird-watching experience in the mangroves. Each time we went out whale watching with a local captain and an experienced marine biologist aboard. Pachico's attracted some lovely people from around the globe, whose company we enjoyed on and off the water.

Whale world The gray whales and other marine life were fantastic. Our guides and captains were so helpful. There are many whales camps at the lagoon. Good water boots are provided to wade out to the panga boats. Pachico's is about a half hour boat ride from the whale protection area in which the 90 minute time for the boat is monitored. We had lunch on a wild beach near the whale area each day. There are no bathrooms where the packed lunch is served on camp tables, there are bushes to go behind. Then you reboard the boats, have the afternoon 90 minutes with the whales, and then the 25-30 minute boat ride back to Pachico's camp. At the camp, the cabins have comfortable beds. The shower water is heated by solar panel, and the electricity for a few light bulbs in the cabin is also solar. In the dining cabana, there is a (cell phone) charging station supplied by solar panels, and WiFi. The toilets are composting toilets. It was an amazing place to be.

Looks great. Heard about it on YouTube Travel Beans

Amazing family run operation with a rich history of the area. Great tour guides and accommodations are really nice. Highly recommend staying here to go see the whales!

Excelente atencion. Gracias a Victoria, Adriana y a nuestro capitan Don Fernando

Fabulous experience A once in a lifetime type of experience...learning about and getting up close to magnificent gray whales, and often their babies. Being able to observe and touch these wonderful gentle giants does something magnificent to one's heart! The two guides, Alex and Victoria were knowledgeable, fun and made one feel both safe and welcome. Two great people.

Looked after like family and experienced the most incredible whale watching. Pancho and his family looked after us from the moment we arrived. Alex Romero guided us with Juan to experience the most incredible life changing interaction with the grey whales. My daughter is vegan so the cook took time to prepare different food for her every meal. Could not recommend Pachico ecotours enough.

Whale watching with Pachico’s We couldn’t even imagine how many whales we would see up close and personal; what an amazing experience! We saw males, females, babies, spy hops, and breaches; all so close to our panga. The staff were all very friendly and knowledgeable. The meals were excellent! As a bonus, we also saw sea lions, dolphins and a bird tour through the mangroves. Alex, Adriana, and Capitan Juan took great care of us. A truly memorable experience!

Excelente paseo, pudimos ver cómo 10 ejemplares de esta ballena

Everything about this experience was perfection! The staying quarters are comfortable and have beautiful views, the food was fresh, local, and amazing, the staff were knowledgeable, unbelievably friendly and accommodating and the best part of course was how conscious they are of how negative interactions could impact the whales and environment they live in. They truly care about the whales, we are in their space not vice versa, just how it should be. I was very blessed to be able to meet friendly whales.

Best whale watching tour. Great food. Friendly staff. Loved this experience. Rooms are very comfortable.

Experience of a LifeTime Pachico's Eco Tours not only hosts a truly amazing experience through kind, knowledgeable staff, amazing food, and cozy quarters, but they are consciously creating space to see the sights and interactions of a lifetime. I can't say enough about the experience.

I recently returned from the Pachicos EcoTours (March2019) and cannot imagine a better experience. From the first, Pachicos became our home because of the exceptionally warm, kind and knowledgeable staff. The whale watching was outstanding, imagine a mother and baby gray whale coming to your boat for direct contact. The accommodations are lovely, clean and simple. This is the original, local tour founded by the family of the man, Pachico, who made the first friendly contact with the gray whales. Thank you for an adventure of a lifetime!

Pachicos made our first encounter with the whales an amazing experience,we were there last week 3/24 were blown away with how close whales came to the boat,the experienced staff,their knowledge of the eviroment and wild life,my kids were thrilled to have had whales so close and be able to touch them.Cant wait to be able to go back.🤘😎

Un campamento en medio del desierto para salir a ver ballenas, muy amables y las instalaciones hacen que la pases super bien!!!

Excelente Servicio y la comida mas deliciosa que he comido ..😊

La mejor experiencia en ballenas

The experience of a lifetime. We enjoyed Pachico's hospitality from March 9 to 16, 2017. The whale-watching was superb, and being a long-time Baja family run operation added to the Pachico's experience. The respect for the whales, the environment, and the Baja was exceptional.

TRIP OF A LIFETIME, Pachicos Ecotours I recently returned from the Pachicos EcoTours (March 2019) and cannot imagine a better experience. From the first, Pachicos became our home away from home because of the exceptionally warm, kind and knowledgeable staff. The whale watching was outstanding, imagine a mother and baby gray whale coming to your boat for direct contact, a magical experience. The accommodations are lovely, clean and simple. Respect for the environment, the whales, and our comfort was profound. This is the original, local tour founded by the family of the man, Pachico Mayoral, who made the first friendly contact with the gray whales. Thank you for the adventure of a lifetime!

Breath taking encounters were pure joy! Pachico's Eco Camp was delightful. The cabins all had great views and were clean and nice. Loved the composting toilets and serious recycling there. The restaurant and bar was homey with the shell floor and local arts and crafts for sale. The people who live and work here are mostly family and all are super passionate about the whales and their environment. Ruby, Ranulfo and Victoria were all wonderful! But the whales stole the show every day!!!! To have a whale and her calf come right up to the side of your boat and let you touch them is magical. And when they blow water out their blow hole onto your face....well, there is nothing better...This was an experience of a lifetime. Highly recommended!!!!

Мечты сбываются Бухта в Сан Игнасио оказалась нашим вторым пунктом"большого китового тура",где,наконец то сбылась наша мечта-потрогать кита!Сами туры организованы отлично-сбор в 9.00-9.30,небольшой брифинг о правилах поведения с китами и мерами безопасности и вперёд.Тур на человека стоил 55$.Добраться до офиса можно либо самостоятельно на авто,либо существует трансфер за 35$ из Сан Игнасио от места проживания и обратно.Так же предоставляются желающим эко-домики на берегу бухты,кто желает провести несколько ночей и выполнить несколько выходов в бухту к китам.Мы были 27 и 28 февраля-невероятное количество резвящихся молодых китов,прыгающих и высовывающих головы,ну,и конечно,большие китихи с китятами.Все капитаны лодок являются профессионалами и мастерами своего дела.А Руби сделала всё возможное,чтобы наш отдых превратился в праздник(несмотря на наше полное незнание языка).Она-Женщина с большой буквы,очень интересная,общительная и привлекательная.ОДНОЗНАЧНО ВСЕМ РЕКОМЕНДУЮ К ПОСЕЩЕНИЮ!

PACHICO’S ECO CAMP GRAY WHALE WATCHING AT SAN IGNACIO LAGOON This camp has recently had a change in management, which now involves all of Pachico’s sons and daughters. They are updating the website and other information. You can find their other excellent reviews (5 stars) by searching “Pachicho’s Ecotours” on Trip Advisor. In the 1970’s, Pachico Mayoral was the first fisherman in the area to notice that gray whales were seeking contact with humans. He found they sought being stroked and played with. These creatures were considered “killer fish” based on their behaviors when hunted prior to a moratorium in the late 1940’s. He became a leader in protecting the whales and establishing environmentally responsible guidelines for interacting with them and conserving the land around the lagoons. You can see documentaries about him by Googling his name. Pachico himself founded this company, which is run by his daughters and sons since he passed away in 2013. We were thrilled that we ended up experiencing whale watching with this “first family” of whale watching and conservation. We stopped in Guerrero Negro, another whale watching area, a few days before and went on a watch with Mario’s Whale Watching Tours, and the experience was first rate. We had a mother and her calf approach the boat and linger to be pet and to play with the boat. Upon reaching the town of San Ignacio, we had a difficult time finding a similar tour lasting four or five hours. All of the websites I consulted were for tours out of eco-camps at the lagoons themselves (as opposed to from the town), and the sites had little information about costs (which is also true for Pachico’s), or else they cost many thousands of dollars for multiple days and included flights from the US and transfers from La Paz or Loreto. We decided to drive out to the lagoon and see for ourselves what was available. The drive is down an excellent paved road until the final 5.5 miles or so, when it reverts to a dirt road, rather poor, but easily though slowly passable with a compact rental car. The scenery is spectacular and changes with every turn of the road. At what seemed to be the end of the road, there was just a cluster of homes and one small store. When I asked the store proprietor in my very poor Spanish about tours, she took me to the door and motioned toward Pachico’s. She told me to see “Rubi.” We drove to Pachico’s and met Rubi right away. She is one of the best things about choosing to tour with this company! She is bright, flexible and efficient, possesses a wealth of information about whales, history, ecology and conservation, as well as being lots and lots of fun. She has worked in San Ignacio Lagoon in several of the camps and as a community organizer, so provides information about the local people and their developing village. Oh, and she speaks great English! We ended up booking a casita with full bath for several nights, receiving a discount because it was shoulder season (early February). The view of the lagoons and their encircling mountains takes your breath away. You could sit on the deck of the casita, or look through the bank of windows in your unit, for days. And the night stars are like nowhere else—bright and sharp in the cool night air. The casitas and clubhouse/dining area are all permanent buildings made of reclaimed wood and other environmentally sound materials. Many of the other eco camps in the area use tents for their lodgings and main buildings. I’ve read in a number of reviews that these tents can be drafty, so we appreciated how snug we were when the wind was blowing outside. This was shoulder season and the camp wasn’t busy, so the prices were rock bottom. The cost for two nights and days and one three hour whale watch trip, along with all of our meals and happy hour each day, came to about $400 US for the two of us. This has got to be one of the best deals on the planet, and it provided the highlight of our trip. Pachico’s is in a remote location, which is one of the things that makes it magical. Internet is spotty, and there is little formal “entertainment,” though there is always good conversation with knowledgeable people in the main cabin. It really makes you think about the privilege of being in a unique spot where nature is in charge. One of Pachico’s sons, Angel, was our guide for whale watching. Once we reached the lagoon, Angel stayed a bit away from the small cluster of pangas already there. Almost immediately, whales began swimming around our boat. Soon, a mother and calf came over to us and began brushing the side of the boat. Sure enough, she let us pet her and her baby, continuing to circle the boat and interact. Being so close to one of these gentle giants was a privilege we’ll never forget. If you have whale watched off of Cape Cod or elsewhere in the Northeast, you will be overwhelmed by the numbers of whales, their proximity, and their antics. Pachico’s also offers daily whale watching trips, for those not interested in staying on site. One tour is whale watching in the morning with lunch on a beach and an afternoon of exploring the mangroves and their abundant wildlife. Another offers an hour and a half with the whales, with lunch on the beach and a return to the whales in the afternoon. There are also three hour tours. A wonderful couple from southern California stayed while we were there. They are guides and boat captains for whale watching off the US coast and work with another Pachico son, Pancho. The clubhouse became not only the dining area but the place for long conversations about the day’s sightings and all manner of other things. We were sometimes joined by Rudolpho, another son, who has an impressive amount of knowledge of the whales and the area and Anselma, a daughter, who turned out to also be the proprietor of the store in the village! The CA couple went on a watch with Rudolpho and had a similarly fulfilling time of interaction with several whales and their young. They happened to know a worker/guide at one of the very expensive camps and stopped to visit with her. She said that company’s excursions had not resulted in whale encounters in the past few days, unlike our experiences. I feel strongly that the whales, who local fishermen such as Angel sometimes know by name, actually recognize the boats and their captains. It only makes sense to go out with people who descend from the whales’ first human “friend,” Pachico Mayoral. The maximum time with the whales is regulated by law and enforced by an officer on a boat on the lagoon, and is 1.5 hours. Pachico’s tours take about ½ hour to get to the ideal watching spot, but then have that same time with the whales. The scenery on the trips out and back from the lagoon, as well as the birds, sea lions and dolphins that accompany you, complete the embarrassment of natural riches that is San Ignacio. Don’t hesitate to book with these wonderful people. If you have questions, ask them. They are honest and fair, and will work with you to create a perfect and affordable trip that you will remember for a lifetime! You leave feeling like members of a wonderful family.

Such a full of life experience San Ignacio Lagoon is amazing and our experience here was fantastic. Small groups in boats, getting personal with whales, the birds and sea shells and whole experience went well. We rented a car in Loreto and drove over taking our time and seeing places along the way. About 5 1/2 hours of driving time but we stayed overnight near Mulege and looked around in the town of San Ignacio (dates are a specialty) and there is a museum .We had a 3 night package and I am glad we did because one day had winds that didn't allow us to go out. Lots of beautiful nature in this area. The Internet is not available at the camp so email and wait 3,4 or 5 days for a reply, very nice folks there.

Should be on everyone's bucket list Words and pictures can't describe this experience. We were so excited to go on this trip and all expectations were met - yes the whales are the true show here but everything about Pachico's added to the great time. We couldn't have been happier with all aspects of the camp - food, staff, huts, etc. We will definitely return to Pachico's. They go out of their way to make your trip pleasurable.

Excellent staff, good food...but whales are the stars We have been on many whale trips in the USA, off coast of Oregon and California. And have seen many whales. However, this experience was beyond expectations. There are whales everywhere. As you might expect from these amazing creatures, they all have different personalities. Some cruise by and take a peak, others just cruise by, and others come up to the boat for a close encounter. Mothers with calfs are perhaps showing off their young. Some of the young ones like to show tricks...sky-hopping and rolling. We were fortunate enough to see several boats have close encounters with the whales and people stroking them for several minutes. We saw this on 3 different days. We also had our own close encounter with a mother and calf. They are amazing. We all need to do more to protect our oceans and these creatures. Pachico's is a great advertisement for being environmentally friendly. Solar power, composting toilets etc. In the evenings after dinner we sat with the staff chatting and on occasion singing. Great people, great place, great whales. Recommend a minimum of 2 days of whale watching. And thank you to the people of Pachico's.

Such an Amazing Experience! We stayed for three nights in a premium cabana with attached bathroom. The cabana was spacious and clean and withstood the winds well. The food was good and varied. The staff were all excellent. Jorge is the camp manager and makes sure all your needs are taken care of. The guides, Henry, Lupita and owner/guide Jesus are passionate about their love of whales and it shows. The other guests were also all passionate about nature, and everyone got along well. I thought we were just lucky, but I realize that if you come all that way (5-6 hr drive from the nearest airport), you must really have to love animals. And if you love whales you can't miss going to this place. Suggestion: it can get quite windy and a bit wet in the viewing pangas. Definitely bring a light rain jacket with a hood. Hats and sunglasses should all be on straps. Wear and bring strong sunscreen and chapstick. The Pachico website is very thorough about what to expect and what to bring.

Trip of a lifetime! We spent 2 days whale watching with Jesus, Jorge, Renolfo and the rest of the wonderful staff at Pachico. I couldn't say enough about them. So warm and friendly. And with a genuine love for the whales. If you're looking for a luxury suite and 5-star meals, this may not be for you. But if you want to experience the grays up close and personal in an environment that's comfortable and fun, this is the place to be.

Three phenomenal days with Jesus and his amazing crew. Pachico's reputation is well deserved. We booked the cabana package (with bath) for three full days. The food was varied, fresh, wholesome, and well prepared. Happy hour lasted hours and was included. The cabins simple but oh-so-convenient right on the lagoon. But the main reason to be there, of course, was the whales. San Ignacio and Pachico's takes conservation very seriously, treating the whales with such respect. They include both a morning AND afternoon session, each a full 90 minutes, and separated by such on a secluded beach. The captains and guides are top rate; we delighted in hours of up-close encounters with moms and babies, breaching, spy-hopping, rolling, logging, ... We must have been able to gently touch the inquisitive whales dozens of times. The camp staff was equally skilled and friendly. A bucket list trip for any animal lover, equal to safari in Africa. A room tip: 3 of us shared room 6 (a double and single). This room and room 7 are large, windowed, with a full porch. Try to get one of these!

DO NOT HESITATE ! Awesome Awesome Awesome does not say it all As others have said this was a little out of my comfort zone...Initially but not anymore ! We selected the Cabana with composting toilet and shower. AN AWESOME choice for us! Upon arrival at the camp we were greeted by Jorge who was welcoming and throughout our stay he provided EXCEPTIONL information / food / and hospitality :). EVERYONE at the camp was awesome from kitchen staff to boat drivers, naturalists and Henry the intern who ROCKED ! These people know their stuff and the Margaritas were YUM ! Were there whales ? YES !!! And yes, they are as friendly as what you hear. We were lucky enough to PET, RUB, AND Love ! While not guaranteed IT HAPPENS ! And it is life changing to be so honored ! You go out and have two sessions per day with the whales. In between a GREAT lunch is provided on a beautiful beach ! The pangas (boats) are comfortable, low enough to the water to be able to splash and pet the whales. I strongly suggest to bring sunscreen and water shoes as depending on the tide you may have to wade to or from the boats. We were very lucky with the weather and had warm with no wind. I UNDERSTAND this is unusual and wind can be an issue. We spent 4 days here and I would have loved more! We flew to Loreto. RENTED AN SUV....we were glad we did when we reached the dirt road. Drove day 1 to San Ignacio TOWN. Spent one night, enjoyed the plaza and Mission. THIS WORKED GREAT as we wanted off the road before dark. The next morning we had breakfast, explored a bit and then did the trek on THE DIRT ROAD to Pachecos. You cannot get lost on the dirt road :). I had concerns prior to leaving home. If you have any questions please message me. I am more than happy to help.

Bucket list item - check off Amazing experience from arrival to departure. Went out on three boat excursions two mornings and a afternoon. Touched whales, can not explain the entire experience. Its a must do! For me it is a check of of the bucket list. Flew into Loreto, stayed overnight there then rented a car and drove to San Ignacio Bay. The drive is a experience, if you drive it must be in the daylight and you are driving down a sandy road with no signs to the end. The hut were OK (we are so spoiled). We were oceanside the food was delicious. The guides on the boats are experienced, they know where to go and they are respectful of the whales and other local boats in the area. We only stayed two nights. I suggest staying longer and taking the wildlife tours. You will not be sorry. Also rent a FWD if you can, we did it in a Jetta........ The drive from Loreto is over the Baja Peninsula mountains to the Pacific side, it is 5 hours give or take. Have a great time.

Does Jesus really need another 5 star review? 🙂 I first visited Pachico's camp in the early '00s... looooong after he had begun his work with the ballenas gris... and it has been a goal since to return and actually go out on a boat and share in this incredible experience. So, finally, after many years my girlfriend and I fulfilled this dream. It was so worth it!! I know this is supposed to be a review about Jesus Mayoral's camp/company vs the other outfits on the laguna, but I can't fairly comment on the others as I haven't experienced them... I can say, however that, as a long time Baja adventurer and world traveler, our Pachico's Eco Tours experience surpassed all of our already-high expectations. The accommodations were spartan but cozy, the solar showers were hit or miss (amazing that hot water is even an option in remote Baja now!) the food was amazing (caught in the the laguna that day) the communal building (where meals are served and guests gather to socialize and share their experiences) is beautiful, the boats are.. well, boats... mainly, I think what makes choosing Jesus' tour so special is that his dad helped found the framework/groundrules for the whole unique, highly-protected, un-touristy, whale-first experience in this laguna. Jesus will be the first to tell you that he cannot guarantee a puppy dog, pet the whale interaction, but that is exactly what we got. A baby boy literally spent over an hour with us, pushing his nose up against the boat for us to pet, opening his mouth and sticking out his tongue, spewing his delicious "puppy breath" all over us.. as his 40 + ft mother floated under the boat. It was simply mind blowing. We all cried. And on a side note, we also loved picnicking out on the barrier islands and in the beautiful mangroves. In short, every moment... motoring out across the beautiful laguna in the morning and evening, seeing the whales spout and breach all around us, beaching on the islands and exploring them at lunch, napping in our cabana at sunset overlooking the laguna and distant mountains, eating delicious food with the warm staff and fellow guests...and, luckily, having a long, intimate encounter with a baby boy and his momma (and learning an amazing amount of detail about the whales from Jesus' entire life on the laguna)... all of this made for one of the hands down best experiences of our lives. Thank you Jesus! See you again soon! John and Jess

Amazing, incredible, wonderful!!! Our experience with Pachicos was absolutely incredible!! We stayed for 2 nights in the cabañas - on arrival in the afternoon of our first day we were greeted by Jorge who gave us a quick tour of the site and showed us to our cabañas. We then had some dinner and enjoyed a couple of Margaritas (the Margaritas were amazing but warning - they were large and rather strong!!). As we sat with our drinks watching the sun set we saw dozens of pelicans fly past the windows! That night I was absolutely blown away by the stars - with no ambient light from nearby towns the sky was absolutely alight with them!! I have never seen anything like it! The following morning we went for a short walk before our first tour and found a selection of sea birds (including a large number of pelicans) on the shoreline eyeing up some nearby fisherman who looked as though they had just returned from a trip!! As we travelled out to the lagoon for our first tour we were fortunate to see a few dolphins before seeing our first grey whale. We went toward the end of the season so the only whales left were mothers an calves getting ready to leave on their migration. We saw many pairs before we were approached by our first calf. The calves are curious and he or she swam round the boat (and even pushed the boat round for a short while) looking in at all of us and letting us reach over and touch her! Mum stayed nearby but did not come as close to the boat! We had a few other interactions and saw a number if breaching whales as well! The number of boats in the bay was low and at no time did I feel the whales were being harassed - the boats never approached the whales but just stop nearby and wait to see if the whales approached us!! We stopped for lunch on a beautiful deserted beach before heading out for much of the same in the afternoon!! That evening, we had another lovely meal and a few margaritas with the staff of Pachicos - a wonderful end to a perfect day! The following morning we went out once again on the boats. Although we saw many whales on this tour, none approached the boat and interacted as closely as the day before. We did see some amazing behaviours but if you want to increase your chances of an interaction I would recommend more than one trip out!! The guides were knowledgable and passionate about what they do!! The food was well prepared, the margaritas were good, the cabañas were comfortable with stunning views but most importantly the interactions with the whales was without a doubt one of the most amazing experiences of my life - and at no time did I feel like my experience was at the expense of the whales - interactions were on their terms!!! A fantastic experience!!!

Bringing a tear to my eye just remembering the wonderful experience. This was so worth the 12 hour flight to L.A., over night stay there, two hour flight to Loreto and then 5 hour drive to the lagoon. We arrived as the sun was setting, were welcomed with a delicious margarita and after a lovely meal I was presented with a freshly baked birthday cake. All the amazing things that you read in the reviews of Pachico's are true. The whales didn't disappoint us and we spent over an hour on the first day with a mother and her baby, who were certainly enjoying the interaction with us as much as we were with them. We spent two days and three nights with Jesus and his team and the respect that they show the whales (not to mention the joy that they obviously still feel from the encounters with these amazing creatures) is inspiring. The cabanas are basic, but you are only there to sleep and waking up knowing that there is a delicious breakfast waiting before your day on the lagoon is certainly a great start to the day. I could go on and want to be there again NOW!

Wonderful Experience I Will Never Forget Awesome time whale watching with the wonderful group of people that run Pachico Ecotours! This operation is state of the art and I couldn't have imagined going whale watching with any other company. Their staff is customer service oriented, knowledgeable, and just out right good people. Their camp is absolutely beautiful, the facilities are impeccably clean, the food was fresh and delicious, and I've never slept better at night. The entire experience was mind blowing out on San Ignacio Lagoon and nothing in my life to date can compare to the awesomeness of what we saw and participated in. I really never thought that a whale would ever conscientiously want to engage with a human on a boat, but many of them did indeed! We got to pet many babies and some of the people even got to pet the mothers! To witness a HUGE mother whale bringing her baby over to your little panga boat (sometimes on her back) and encouraging the social interaction left me awestruck and marveling at the wonders of our world. Thank you Jesus for the work you do, the wonderful staff you employee, and for making a lifetime dream turn into a reality of such quality nothing will ever compare.

Incredible experience!!! If you want to understand and experience the wildness and remoteness of the Baja desert and San Ignacio Lagoon there is no better place than Pachico's! The drive is amazingly beautiful and I don't think one would have the same sense of place by flying in. The staff is so gracious and happy (our guides and captains were extremely knowledgeable and respectful of the whales), food was delicious and cabanas were a perfect step above camping to protect us from the wind. The mama whales do really come right up to the boat with their babies!! There really are no words to describe the love and joy one feels as the baby opens his/her mouth to show you his/her baleen and let you rub their lips. The trust and forgiveness of these whales to offer us their most precious possession after we slaughtered them and drove them to near extinction in this same lagoon lead me to a profound insight. If they can forgive us (whales are as or more intelligent than we are) I can forgive the the wrongs I have been holding onto in my life which seem so petty in comparison. Not many trips offer this kind of experience and I believe it is due to the inter-connectedness the guides and captains at Pachico's have with the whales.

Truly amazing! Great food, wonderful staff. Basic cabins and well kept bathroom facilities. If you are looking for a hotel, stay in San Ignacio or Santa Rosalia. But if you want to be on the edge of the lagoon and experience some real life whale watching, stay at least 2 nights and take the tour both days. The whales are amazing, up close, just unbelievable.

Pachico's Eco Tours - WOW!!!!!!!!! 5 stars!!!!! I just returned from a 4 day trip which included 2 full days of whale-watching in Laguna San Ignacio with Jesus and his wonderful team. I flew from LAX to Loreto and drove to the camp. A very easy drive and the directions from the team were A-1. I cannot express how truly amazing this experience was. The camp is fabulous and very well organized - I had a tent which they provided all fully set up and they have cabanas too. The whale watching was insane - many many whales that come right up to the boats and literally hang out with you. It will blow your mind! I traveled on my own and was made to feel very welcome - I also met some wonderful people. I can't wait to go back - a truly unique experience.

Whale interaction..five stars ! Flew from LAX to Loreto and then drove to the camp. Mexican roads tend not to have many signposts, so it is possible to get lost. Due to recent hurricane damage in the south of Baja, the road crews have been transferred south. So the last five miles or so from San Ignacio town are not paved and have to be taken very slowly, or you have your teeth fillings shaken out ! The Cabanas are on the compact size and could do with more shelf space, although new larger ones have been built. As this is an " eco camp", there is no mains electricity, shower and tap water is restricted (it all has to be shipped in, and after use, be shipped out) the " eco toilet" is different, but yet functional and efficient. The food, scrambled eggs features in breakfasts, is actually very good and cooked very well. Quality fish and scallops appear on dinner menus, it's very well thought out, and Georges is very helpful with the food. Then of course, we come to the whales. Or rather, they seem to like to come to us. I've done whale watching trips off Vancouver Island, Hawaii, Kaikoura New Zealand and the nearest you almost ever get to a whales, due to local restrictions, can range from 1000 feet to 100 yards. At San Ignacio Lagoon, I touched several mother whales and two calf whales. One mother whale and calf gently pushed our boat sideways for about 25 yards before submerging beneath us. You are almost guaranteed to see loads of whales, and have a very good chance of touching whales and/or their calves. Just be careful when leaning over in the boat to touch a whale, that the camera around your neck doesn't get dunked in the salty sea water. It has happened. You need to allow for at least a three day visit to ensure you have a good chance of an encounter. After all, this is the whales' world, not Sea World.....three shows a day. It's their choice. When a whale comes close, and you can look into its eye, you realise there's intellect there. Finally, what's it like to touch a whale. The flesh feels surprisingly soft and like a wet car tyre inner tube, just be careful of the barnacles though. And yes, although it takes time to reach the camp, I'd go back there again. Thoroughly recommend it.

Not the closet ... You can see by the fantastic reviews that you will not be disappointed with this tour but be aware that Baja Discovery fly you into a dirt strip right by the lagoon and have their camp overlooking the whale watching area. Not saying BD are better, just that access and closeness to whale watching is the best. Definitely go for an experience of a lifetime.

Truly Amazing! This has to be one of the most amazing eco tours on the planet. I stayed for 3 days at Pachico's and would have been happy to stay longer. Each day was unique and incredible. It was truly awesome to see a Mama whale nudge her baby toward the boat. I petted and even kissed baby whales -- the whole experience was unbelievable and impossible to articulate. Manuel was the boat "Captain" my first day and Jesus the following two days. Both men are seasoned fisherman who know the waters and the marine life well. There was no doubt we were in good hands. I decided to take this trip on relatively short notice. So I made my reservations with Pachico's and told them I planned to fly into Loreto and take the bus from there. They made the whole process very easy, even telling me exactly what to expect on the bus ride to San Ignacio. Since I was traveling solo, I stayed in a tent at the camp. I'm not really much of a camper, but I was very comfortable in the little tent they set up for me. Pachico's provided everything, including air mattress and plenty of warm blankets. The entire staff was caring and wonderful. And the food was excellent! And on top of all of that, I met some really great, fun-loving, adventurous people there. I will definitely be back -- hopefully next year!

Whales, Whales and More Whales This adventure was fantastic. Everyone in our boat touched a whale and was able to study the whales up close and personal. Pachico Ecotours was the best ever. Jesus, the owner, was able to tell us about the whales because he lived there and was raised be a Whale tour guide father. He was very familar with the whales and their journey to Baja. I can not say enough about the quality of treatment you will receive it you go down to visit the Whales. FANTASTIC!

The absolute best We went here to see whales - we saw them and so much more. It is very hard to put the experience into words - everything about it was mind-blowing. The situation of the camp is beautiful, the people who looked after us were warm and charming, the food was delicious ...... I can't fault any of it. I even liked going to the loo in the middle of the night because the stars were so clear and bright. We learned a lot about the grey whales and the other flora and fauna of the lagoon from Jesus - he really does know his stuff. The experience of coming into contact with 'friendly' whales is unbelievably moving. This was part of our best ever holiday - we loved it so much that we are going to do it again next year. Every day was different and absolutely wonderful.

Unique This place is wonderful. Everythins seems to blend into a unique experience: The place, the cabanas, the staff...and of course the whales. We stayed for three nights, which I think is adequate. The place itself is rather difficult to get to, but worth the travel (we came via Mexico City-Loreto Airport, and drove from there). Just being at the camp is great, because you meet some great people to share your stay and experience with, which, apart from the whales, made this trip so memorable. Also the staff is a great part of the experince: Kind, attentive and fun. We will definitely be back.

Perfect in every way You see the videos and think, "these are the well-selected cuts of a handful of rare experieinces with the whales." Nope. Every day (of the 3 we spent at Pachico's) was full of crazyamazingbeautifullifechanging interactions with the whales. Get your expectations up as high as you want, you will still be blown away. This trip will change you. Oh, AND everything else is amazing too! Jesus and Sabrina make sure everything is easy to sort out getting there and while you are there the food, views, etc are breathtakingly beautiful. The sun goes down, the wind kicks up and the stars are blinding (and go right down to the horizon line). No way you are disappointed with choosing Pachico's. My wife and I will be back next year (and probably every year after that). We wouldn't dream of even looking at another option for whale watching down St. Ignacio way. Why would we? Pachico's is perfection.

A Whale of a time! This was one of the most amazing experiences I've had. I am more than happy to say that it met with all my hopes & expectations; interacting with the whales on a one-to-one basis was simply amazing. Jesus & his team made it it an unforgettable experience that I would recommend to anyone & everyone that would listen to me. When I want to see whales again, I will go back with the excitement of a 40 yr old child. The facilities could use a coat of paint.

Emotional Even thinking about this now, 2 months after going, I'm welling up. My family (me, my husband Ed and my 2 year old Max spent a month on Baja Whale Watching. It was an amazing month. One if the highlights was hanging out with Jesus, his family and Jorge. We were treated with warmth and care and had a wonderful time. And I haven't even mentioned the whales! Countless sightings over two morning trips. We were also fortunate enough to tickle and scratch two adults and a Calf. The Calf just kept coming back for more and the mother a whale of a whale gently nudged the boat, rolled over and let us tickle her tummy. Amazing place, great time, very emotional!

The Original is Still the Best!! This is our second straight year visiting Pachico's Eco Tours on Laguna San Ignacio. Jesus & Sabrina Mayoral are the proprietors, having taken over the business from Jesus's father Francisco, who is nothing short of a legend in the whale watching community, and the man who started it all (see picture below). Francisco was the first local fishermen to ever have an encounter with a "friendly" gray whale. I have visited the Laguna four times: 1992, 2008, 2013 & 2014. The first two visits were made in late January and even though the whale sightings were plentiful, it was a little early in the season for the mothers to allow their calves close to the panga. The last two years we visited in the middle of March, and the results were out of this world!! We had so many opportunities to touch and even kiss the whales that it's impossible to convey our excitement! My wife Cindy & I chose a one night stay in the bungalows, sandwiched between two full days of whale watching, and would highly recommend you do the same. The facilities that the Mayoral family have put together are nothing short of amazing. The bungalows are roughly 12' x 12' with a pair of twin beds, and although relatively sparse, are a very cozy & welcome relief from the cold winds that tend to blow nightly over this portion of the peninsula. The composting eco-toilets are always a conversation starter. Their use of fresh sawdust, trucked in from nearby Santa Rosalia, is the secret to these totally odorless toilets!! In fact that fresh sawdust gives los banos a rather pleasant "woodshop" fragrance. The two solar showers always plenty hot and the water pressure surprisingly strong. My how good those felt at the end of a long day on the laguna. This year brought some welcome additions to the camp. During the off season, Jesus & staff have added a stand-up bar to the "earth-mother" (main gathering/dining room) which includes a beverage cooler that keeps those Pacifico's icy-cold!! In fact they were the coldest beers we had during our entire 10 days in Baja. All of our meals were deliciously prepared and beautifully presented, always served with hot handmade tortillas!! Jorge, the former owner & chef of "La Palapa", one of San Ignacio's favorite restaurants, is now in charge of the food & beverage operation at Pachicos, and he's doing one hell of a job there!! Back in 1992 it took almost 3.5 hours to get to the Laguna on a terrible wash-board road. In 2008 they were just beginning to pave the road in and it took us a little over 2 hours. Last year, it took us just over 1 hour to reach Pachico's, and this year (2014) it took us roughly 45 minutes from San Ignacio. By next season the road may be paved all the way, but then again who really knows....after all, this is Mexico. A huge plus for us is that Pachico's is literally the very first operation you see when you finally reach the laguna. There are several (6) other tour operators lining the eastern shoreline of the laguna, the furthest of which takes an extra 20-30 minutes to reach by car. We would much rather keep our drive time to a minimum, and spend more time travelling by panga to the whale watching area. I my opinion, Pachico's is not only the closest, cleanest & has the friendliest staff of all the tour operators, but their panga captains are the most knowledgeable as well. They each seem to know exactly how to position their craft for an optimal whale watching experience. Jesus told me that his father's philosophy was to motor near the oncoming mother & calf and then put the motor in neutral and just drift, allowing the whales to approach us rather than us chase the whales. There is something magical about the sound of an outboard motor that attracts the whale calves. They always seem to approach the stern (rear) of the panga first, to inspect where that enticing sound was coming from. Once entranced by the motor's hum, they would stay along side our boat for between 20 and 60 minutes, allowing us all to both touch and kiss them repeatedly, and after all...isn't that the main reason you traveled this far from home in the first place??? Without a doubt, the Original is Still the very Best and we will be back next year!!!!!! Cindy & I give Pachico's, and the entire Mayoral family the highest rating possible!! This review is in memory of the late Francisco Mayoral...."Pescador mas fina!" Adios

Wonderful Tour We went on the tour On March 25th and had the most wonderful experience! We stayed in San Ignacio at a place Jesus and Sabrina advised us to go since I wasn't sure about the rustic cabin experience they offer. The town was lovely as well as our accommodations at Hotel La huerta. We drove 45 minutes from the town out to the lagoon and got there very early. We were able to eat breakfast there with some of the people who stayed there the night before in the cabins. They really enjoyed it. Once out on the water, it was exactly like what you see in the images-whales coming to your boat that you can pet them! There were so many! I will definitely be coming back! We actually brought our GoPro camera and caught underwater footage of the whales that came to us. I highly recommend doing this and Pachico's tour!

INCREDIBLE!! Our visit to Pachico's camp on San Ignacio Lagoon exceeded all of our expectations! We arrived just in time for happy hour and were welcomed by Sabrina, Jesus and Jorge. Sabrina showed us around the camp. Our cabana was comfortable. "Rustica" but everything you need. The composting method used in the eco toilets was actually quite effective. A nice surprise not to have any bad odors in the hot sun! Everyone was incredibly friendly and shared storied of the whale watching they did earlier that day. We couldn't wait to get out on the water the next morning. We stayed two days and I'm glad we did. We saw lots of whales and were lucky enough to pet a few of them. It really is an amazing place to visit. We met so many other people who enjoyed the lagoon and shared our love for these amazing whales! I would wholeheartedly recommend Pachico's Ecotours. The panga captains were experienced, the staff prepared delicious meals and there was always cold Pacifico and vino tinto at the end of the day!The experience is unforgetable.

Great Experience Even with most of the road over it was a bit of an adventure to get here from Loreto Airport , through the fog. Once there we were made very welcome, food was good, accommodation as advertised as basic with cold showers and and shared eco toilets. But of course we came only for the whales and they did not disappoint...loads of spy-hopping, close encounters and then finally on our last afternoon a close up friendly encounter with a baby Grey.Came right up to the edge of the boat several time and my son got to pat him/her, which was amazing.The journey was well worth it, especially to enjoy these amazing creatures in such pristine conditions, with no buildings/few other boats. Go for at least two days to up your chances of a "friendly".

Awesome whale watching experince We arrived at Pachico's on 2/15 around 3 p.m. We set up our tents on the beach and enjoyed beachcombing before joining the happy hour and dinner the night before our full day of whale watching. Jorge who seems to run the bar and the restaurant could not have been nicer. We had a choice of two dinners-scallops or fish and based on reviews from our party of 8 everyone enjoyed their meal immensely. The next morning after Jesus provided information about the migration and habits of the gray whales we headed out to see them. What an amazing experience! Everywhere you looked there were whale spouts, whales breaching, and whales coming up to breathe right next to the boat. Lots of mother and calf pairs as well as single whales. Jesus shared a depth of love and knowledge of these beautiful creatures throughout the day and I enjoyed hearing about his environmental activism on behalf of Mexico.

Absolutely Fantastic! Our two families of four arrived at Pachico's camp in the late afternoon. We were warmly greeted by Jorge and entered the quaint diningroom/bar/hangout building. The atmosphere was immediately comfortable and friendly. The main building and cabanas are artistically painted on the exterior. We opted to pitch tents on the beach a couple hundred yards away. There are cold showers and meticulously kept compost toilets. We had a very "happy" happy hour and delicious dinner. We were traveling with 4 teenagers who were catered to nicely. In the morning, we had a yummy breakfast, followed by a brief meeting about the gray whales and what to expect on our trip. Our guide, Jesus, is the son of "Pachico" and runs the operation. He is very affable and knowledgeable having grown up there. They don't take more than 7 or 8 people on the two pangas they operate. After about a 20 minute ride, we arrived at the whale watching area. Water spouts, spy hopping, breaching and momma and baby whales everywhere! After 90 minutes, we stopped on a pretty beach for lunch and then had another 90 minutes to take in the whales. It was a wonderful experience and we walked away wanting more. I highly recommend Pachico's for your whale watching adventure!!! Gracias Jesus!!

Simply the best! We had the most amazing time in San Ignacio Lagoon with Pachico's Eco Tours. I know its been said over & over but you simply can not imagine how wonderful this place is until you have experienced it yourself! You will not find kinder people than Jesus & his family. The small eco-camp is a huge part of what makes this place so special. You are able to meet other like minded travelers & get to know them. The food is outstanding. The cabins simple but comfortable. Watching the sun rise & set over the lagoon = stunning. Spending the day playing with whales = indescribable! This goes so far beyond simply whale watching. There were whales in every direction around the boat. They would scratch their backs on the bottom of the boat, pop up beside the boat to be petted & kissed, and spy hop all around. We saw males, females & calves & interacted with so many of them! Its been 4 months & I still can not believe the amazing interactions we had. Before our trip I debated long and hard about whether or not driving the extra ways to San Ignacio would really be worth it or if we could simple go to Magdalena Bay since it was so much closer. I am so glad we chose to drive to San Ignacio! We had countless interactions with "friendlies". San Ignacio is the BEST place to visit gray whales & Pachico's is the best base to experience it from! I will warn you though that after a visit to San Ignacio all other whale watching will seem subpar! We saw blues in Loreto, humpbacks in Cabo, & Orcas off the San Juan Islands. None of them came remotely close San Ignacio. Pachico's will be an experience few things in life will ever come close to! Make sure to give yourself at least two full days with Pachico's since the weather can greatly effect how the whales interact.

Follow Jesus to the Whales If you haven't cruised a panga through the rolling waters of san ignacio lagoon in a jaunt to see the gray whales in their southern range, you better expand your bucket list. This is one of the most intimate places for encountering whales in any place I have ever been, especially during March, when the juvenile whale calves are beginning to get active and increasingly curious. We spent four hours on the lagoon and we weren't ready to turn back. Perhaps had our best encounter in the last five minutes when "Blondie", a young curious gray whale came bounding up to the boat with her mom in tow, looking for a rub under the chin. They both spent the entire time circling the boat, looking for attention from their panga riding peers.There were 395 whales in the lagoon during the time we were there, peak season for the mothers and juveniles. We watched as males courted the females in their efforts to expand the herd for the coming year and with a gestation period of 11 months, next year's calves may be awaiting your arrival.