A Baja Bubble JourneyTM 

Our Bubble JourneysTM are designed for small groups who want to travel privately. You choose your dates and who you want to travel with. Our trips are led by our friendly and knowledgeable guides who open doors to exclusive and often spontaneous experiences of discovery.  These trips are perfect for couples, families, or a group of friends.

Explore the Historic Towns of San Javier and San Miguel Comondu 

The perfect complement to a beach vacation in Loreto, this imaginative Loreto-based tour takes you into the mountains for a look at authentic Baja village life. The trip is led by your own private Baja guide who makes sure to tailor the focus of the trip based on your interests. Perhaps you are keen on learning more about Baja cuisine and culinary traditions?  Or maybe you love geology and nature. Perhaps learning about the period of Spanish colonialism and mission history is high on your list.  Whatever the case, our knowledgeable and bilingual guides will enrich your trip.  Let us know ahead of time of your particular interests so we can find the best guide match!

Images & Videos

San Javier Mission in Baja California Sur
exterior view of San Javier mission in baja
woman making authentic mexican tortillas
people on a walking tour of San Javier mission
people touring san javier mission baja
town of san javier in baja mexico
small aqueduct at san javier mission in baja
lemon tree in front of an old mission in baja
historical images and documents in san javier mission
girl in old tree in baja, mexico
people sitting at tables inside san javier mission
San Javier Mission in Baja California Sur
exterior view of San Javier mission in baja
woman making authentic mexican tortillas
people on a walking tour of San Javier mission
people touring san javier mission baja
town of san javier in baja mexico
small aqueduct at san javier mission in baja
lemon tree in front of an old mission in baja
historical images and documents in san javier mission
girl in old tree in baja, mexico
people sitting at tables inside san javier mission

Itinerary

Collapse all days

Day 1

Explore San Javier, Mission Tour, Travel to San Miguel de Comondu

Meet in Loreto at 8:30 AM for a short orientation, then load up and head to the mountains.  Our first stop is the mission town of San Javier, accessed by a paved road just 45 minutes from Loreto.  Over 1400’ (420 meters) above the sea level the air is cooler than Loreto and the sky is usually a lovely pale blue.  Explore the town on foot while learning about the missionaries that built the mission church in the early 1800’s that you see today.  We also visit some special friends in town who give you a glimpse of life in this quiet village.

We have lunch at a local ranchero and continue our drive west, winding through the mountains on dirt roads.  Sometimes we’re lucky and the grader has been through recently, and other times it can be a bumpy ride.  By later afternoon we arrive at San Miguel de Comondu.  Comondu is the name of the Municipality that was created in 1971 by Presidential decree and today, it is the 7th largest municipality by area in all of Mexico. While some 80,000 people live here, over half are in the inland city and municipal seat of Ciudad Constitución, a large agriculture center. 

By contrast, tonight’s village has about 150 inhabitants, most of whom make their living off the land and in small-scale business enterprise.  One ambitious local, in love with her town and heritage, is Jacqueline, who serves as both the town’s informal ambassador and owner of a small hotel called Hacienda Don Mario.  This is our home for the night where we also enjoy a bountiful dinner of local fare and learn more about the towns history.

ACCOMMODATION : Hacienda Don Mario
MEALS INCLUDED : Lunch, Dinner

Day 2

Cultural Exploration of San Miguel and San Jose de Comondu, Return to Loreto

This morning we learn about life in this out-of-the way village. It may start with breakfast when we have piloncillo or ‘panocha de gajo’ which is a flour tortilla with fresh goat cheese.

The main highway once passed close by here, but in the 1970’s it was moved further west, leaving San Miguel and San Jose de Comondu more isolated.  This has helped preserve their way of life and the charm of the town.  Agriculture is important here and figs, dates, olives and mangos are a few of the crops grown.  

There is also a legendary grape here – the first to be exported from old world Spain to new world Mexico and thus has historical significance.  It is known as the missionary grape as it was brought across the Atlantic from the Canary Islands by the Jesuits.  From South America the Jesuit missionaries migrated north along with the vines as it was used to make their sacramental wine.  It remained in Mexico for decades and again moved north with the missionaries to Texas and New Mexico, and finally, in 1769, to California where it was grown with great success.   Today the grape is known as the Pais in Chile, where it has played a prominent role and also sometimes called the Negra Peruana.  In Argentina it known as the Criolla Chica and in North America is still recognized as the Mission.  

San Miguel is a town of traditions, and we may visit locals making cheese from goat’s milk, or weaving mats from a local palm.  Nearby San Jose de Comondu was the site of the fourth mission built by the Jesuits and had one of the biggest mission churches.  It met a sad end when a Spanish general blew it up.  However one of the naves has been preserved as a beautiful stone chapel and is well worth a visit.

Another highlight today is a hike to an intriguing geologic formation known locally as the prism. Some 14 million years ago volcanic lava cooled to create symmetrical columns that we visit. 

After a lunch of local fare we begin our 2-hour drive back to Loreto, passing through spectacular mountain scenery and learning more about the natural and cultural history of the area as we go.
By late afternoon we are back in Loreto.

MEALS INCLUDED : Breakfast, Lunch

Dates & Rates

Supplementary Information

Daily Departures available for private groups October 1- January 10 and April 1- June 1:

2 guests $990 per person

3-4 guests $815 per person

5-8 guests = $650 per person

Single Supplement: If you are a solo traveler and wish to have your own hotel room an additional single supplement of $60 is required. Please inquire at time of booking if you have any questions.

Tour Includes:

  • Full services of our Adventure Consultants
  • Professional bi-lingual guide
  • All meals and beverages as indicated on the itinerary
  • Hotel accommodations between activities as dictated by the itinerary
  • All transportation while on tour
  • All kayaking, camping and snorkeling equipment
  • All entrance fees and National Park fees
  • Taxes

Tour Does Not Include:

  • Airfare
  • Transportation to and from the airport
  • Hotel accommodations before and after tour
  • Gratuities
  • Items of a personal nature

ALL PRICES IN US DOLLARS. We will do our best to adhere to the itineraries and trip descriptions listed on our website. However, tour itineraries or sub contractors (such as taxi, cruise boats or hotels) may change slightly due to reasons beyond our control including but not limited to Acts of God, wind, waves, inclement weather or other. We always welcome you to call us to clarify any item - often this is the best way to fully clarify expectations - call us collect or on our toll-free number. You will be sent pre-trip email with latest details within a month of your tour - it is your responsibility to check in with us prior to your trip to see if you have all the information you need. We will always do our best to provide you with the best possible tour and to fully meet your expectations to the best of our ability.

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FAQ & More

How do I get to Loreto?

Please see our Baja Travel Guide for tips on getting to and from Loreto.

Are your tour prices in USD?

Yes, all of our tour pricing is in US Dollars.

What’s the weather like in Baja?

Please check out this great website Weather Underground for temperature averages in Baja.

What are your Terms and Conditions?

Please see our full Terms & Conditions HERE.

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