Native Trails MyTrails 2025 3 Aguascalientes Experience the possibilities, Mexico, the country of the large soul and the countless facets; cultural diversity, pre-Columbian civilizations, the unique Copper Canyons, the transition between the desert and the sea along the grandiose Baja California peninsula with its endless dream beaches ... Our MyTrails 2025 brochure contains more than 1000 travel modules to present you the incredible diversity of a journey through Mexico. We hope that our manual will help you to combine the right hotel with the best itinerary for your customers; a tool connecting the Mexican tourism industry from Aguascalientes to Zacatecas with the European tour operators and travel agents. In the past years, our work has convinced renowned companies in Europe, the USA and Mexico. That is something we are proud of, and we hope that the eleventh edition of our MyTrails‘ Mexico will contribute to the further promotion of tourism in Mexico. Discover Mexico! Your Native Trails Team EDITORIAL
4 IMPRESSUM Editor: Olaf Bock von Gersum Layout: Christian Herrmann Sales: Lizbeth A. Romero Montes Printed by: Betta Press, Tel.: +49 (0) 160 95 600 434, http://www.bettapress.lv Collaboration: Birgit Grund, Michael Leukel, Claudia Jung, Isabelle Jules, Dr. Heiner Kleine, Claudia Zuñiga, Janine Jeuthe, Nadine Hoffmann, Anika Ronneberger, Carlotta Dittes, Elena Leukel, Marcel Münkel, Chantal Szymkow, Diana Barrera, Annemarie Hüttenrauch, Alma Ramírez, Candelaria Camacho, Wilma Herrada, Carolina Bernal, Omar Escalante, Janeth Pampín, Yelika Alvarado, Ana Álvarez, Alice Fourmond, Marher Martinez, Mariola Kosmala, Anna Svajgovic
CONTENT © Native Trails GmbH & Co KG All rights reserved. EDITORIAL.................................................................................. 3 Content....................................................................................... 5 Aguascalientes............................................................................. 9 Baja California. ......................................................................... 13 Baja California Sur.................................................................... 27 Campeche................................................................................... 47 Chiapas...................................................................................... 61 Chihuahua.................................................................................. 81 Ciudad de México........................................................................ 93 Coahuila.................................................................................. 113 Colima..................................................................................... 119 Durango.................................................................................. 123 Estado de México...................................................................... 129 Guanajuato.............................................................................. 137 Guerrero................................................................................. 147 Hidalgo.................................................................................... 153 Jalisco. ................................................................................... 157 Michoacán. .............................................................................. 171 Morelos.................................................................................. 179 Nayarit. ................................................................................... 185 Nuevo León.............................................................................. 191 Oaxaca. ................................................................................... 199 Puebla..................................................................................... 215 Querétaro................................................................................ 227 Quintana Roo........................................................................... 235 San Luis Potosí........................................................................ 257 Sinaloa.................................................................................... 265 Sonora.................................................................................... 271 Tabasco................................................................................... 273 Tamaulipas................................................................................ 279 Tlaxcala. ................................................................................. 281 Veracruz. ................................................................................ 285 Yucatán. .................................................................................. 297 Zacatecas. ............................................................................... 317
Native Trails MyTrails 2025 6 Aguascalientes
Native Trails MyTrails 2025 7 Aguascalientes
Native Trails MyTrails 2025 8 Aguascalientes Capital Aguascalientes Area 5.589 km² Population 1.065.416 P Feria Nacional de San Marcos P Guava fields P Museo Nacional de la Muerte
9 AGUASCALIENTES http://vivaaguascalientes.com/ E Excursions 1 Vineyard Santa Elena 2 Bodega Origen 3 Railway Museum 4 Museo Nacional de la Muerte 5 Museo José Guadalupe Posada 6 Guayaba Plantation 7 City tour Calvillo R Restaurants 1 Restaurant Quinto Barrio 2 Restaurant Rosa Mexicano Cocina 1 Visit of the Vineyard Santa Elena Duration: 01:30 h · Level: Easy Aurelio García Herraíz, originally a chemist by profession, is today passionately devoted to developing the long wine-growing tradition of the federal state of Aguascalientes and perfecting its products. Together with like-minded people, the enologist aims at creating wines of unique character by constantly improving the technologies and using only the best grapes. When you today visit the winery with its wine cellar and vineyards and take part in a degustation, you will find a mixture of tradition and modernity that, supported by the forces of nature, yields exquisite and unforgettable wines – be sure to ask for the Sophie Blanco!
Native Trails MyTrails 2025 10 Aguascalientes 2 Visit of the Bodega Orígen Duration: 02:00 h · Level: Easy Wine-growing has a long tradition in Mexico, especially in the federal state of Aguascalientes, where wine has been cultivated for more than 400 years. At present, young winegrowers, e.g., Pablo Alonzo Pérez, renew their vineyards and are experimenting with different grapes. The result is wines of excellent quality such as the “Primus”, a mixture of Tempranillo, Syrah and Cinsault. During a degustation and the tour of Bodega Origen, you will learn interesting details about the regional methods of cultivation. The large cellar contains the usual oak barrels, but also a concrete egg as a supplement to the conventional ways of maturation – it is better suited for micro-oxygenation and superbly enhances the fruity components of the grapes. 3 Visit of the railway museum Duration: 01:30 h · Level: Easy The fascinating railroad museum is accommodated in the old station of the town. Learn all about the history of the railroad in Aguascalientes – labor disputes, derailments, the first railroads in Mexico, and, of course, the history of the famous locomotive No. 40. The station building further features the historic waiting room and the old ticket offices, photographs of railroad men, and the old telegraph station. 4 Visit of the Museo Nacional de la Muerte Duration: 01:30 h · Level: Easy Visit the Mexican National Museum of Death in Aguascalientes. In the exhibition halls in a colonial building of the University of Aguascalientes, more than 1,200 exhibits related to the subjects of dying, death and transience are on display. Mexico formalizes and exploits death as no other country does. Prehistoric as well as recent artifacts, e.g., death masks, skulls and toys, testify to the worldly end in ways sometimes ludicrous or playful, sometimes powerful and tragic. 5 Visit of the Museo José Guadalupe Posada Duration: 02:00 h · Level: Easy The Museo José Guadalupe Posada was opened in 1972 and was the first state-run art museum of Mexico. It is accommodated in a 19th-century building in the heart of Aguascalientes. Supplemented by changing exhibitions, the museum shows works by graphic artist José Guadalupe Posada and his mentor Manuel Manilla in two large halls. The more than 3,000 exhibits include original etchings and prints, zincographies, reproductions on paper, and photos. Particularly inspiring is the “La Catrina” copperplate of 1912 that impressively depicts the symbol of the day of the dead. 6 Visit of a guayaba plantation Duration: 01:30 h · Level: Easy The origin of the guava – a plant of the myrtle family is tropical Central America. During a visit of the plantations and the processing plants of Calvillo, you get interesting information about the cultivation of this fruit with its intense sweet-sour taste. In the little factory, chocolates, jams and guava bread are produced. Did you know that guavas have six times as much vitamin C as oranges? 7 City tour of Calvillo Duration: 01:00 h · Level: Easy Nahuatl Indians whom the conquerors had driven from their homes were the first, in 1771, to settle in present-day Calvillo, after they had received the land as a present from the wealthy land owner Don José Calvillo. The fertile land with old haciendas is mainly used for fruit plantations, especially guava, which is processed to liquors and sweets. Under architectural aspects, the town has much to offer: the church of Calvillo’s patron saint “El Señor del Salitre” featuring the second-largest dome of Latin America, the neo-Gothic church dedicated to the Virgin María de Guadalupe with its altarpiece decorated with gold leaves, or the colonial municipal palace with its murals. Let sink in your impressions of Calvillo and discover filigree embroidery and cloths handcrafted according to old local traditions.
Native Trails MyTrails 2025 11 Aguascalientes 1 Restaurant Quinto Barrio Duration: 02:00 h · Price: $$ The popular and lively Quinto Barrio food court in downtown Aguascalientes invites you to a relaxing visit with friends. The state-of-theart market hall has a variety of restaurants so you can choose from Mexican cuisine, Italian pizza and pasta, kebabs, burgers and Asian dishes. Delicious local craft beer is also offered. Enjoy a crispy pizza or choripan at Hell's Kitchen and try the colorful ice cream sandwiches at Restaurant Poptails. From the terrace you have a beautiful view of colorful street art works. 2 Restaurant Rosa Mexicano Cocina Duration: 01:30 h · Price: $$ The restaurant Rosa Mexicano Cocina welcomes guests with a colorful ambiance that combines traditional Mexican elements, such as the umbrellas hanging from the ceiling in the many shades of bougainvillea. Chef Jorge Arvizu, known for his authentic Mexican cuisine, implements creative ideas to the traditional recipes, which are prepared with fresh ingredients, some over a wood fire in the open restaurant. The menu includes delicious specialties such as tacos de pescado, mole poblano and carnitas; and those with a sweet tooth can grill the finest marshmallows in a molcajete directly at the table with great dedication. H Hotels AGUASCALIENTES Casa del Jardin ****, 9 rooms, F. Ledesma No. 106, Zona Centro, CP 20078 '+52 449 3183604 http://hotelcasadeljardin.com/ Fiesta Americana Aguascalientes *****, 191 rooms, Calle, Los Laureles No. 401, Col. Las Flores, CP 20000 '+52 449 9100500 https://www.fiestamericana.com/hoteles-yresorts/fiesta-americana-aguascalientes Francia Aguascalientes ****, 74 rooms, Av. Francisco. l. Madero 113-A, Zona Centro, CP 20000 '+52 495 9103050 http://www.hotelfranciaaguascalientes.com CALVILLO Casa Bugambilias ***, 8 rooms, Malecón de Rio Norte No. 104, Col. López Mateos, CP 20802 '+52 495 9560095 http://www.casabugambiliashotel.com.mx/
12 Capital Mexicali Area 71.446 km² (3,6%) Population 2.844.469 (2,8%) P Ensenada P Wines of Santo Tomas P Bahía de los Ángeles P Exportadora de Sal P Cataviña
13 Baja California BAJA CALIFORNIA E Excursions 1 Sandboarding 2 City Tour Mexicali 3 Chinese Quarters in Mexicali 4 City Tour Tecate 5 Brewery Tecate 6 La Rumorosa 7 Transfer from San Diego to Tijuana 8 Transfer from Tijuana to San Diego 9 Archaeological site El Vallecito 10 Border Viewpoint Tijuana 11 Nightlife in Tijuana 12 Sightseeing Tour Tijuana 13 Restaurant Nórtico Bar 14 Campo Turístico Cerro Prieto 15 Geothermal Power Station Cerro Prieto 16 Hot springs of the Guadalupe Canyon 17 Cañon de Guadalupe 18 Bodega L.A. Cetto 19 Bodega Decantos 20 Bodega Monte Xanic 21 Bodega Casta de Vinos 22 Museum Vid y el Vino 23 Bodega El Cielo 24 Hike Laguna Hanson 25 Wine from Valle de Guadalupe 26 Hussong's Cantina 27 UABC - Faculty of Marine Sciences 28 Sightseeing Tour Ensenada 29 Sea Kayaking La Bufadora 30 Geyser of La Bufadora www.bajacalifornia.travel 31 The Wine from Santo Tomás 32 Salt Mining San Felipe 33 Visiting the Condor Project 34 National park San Pedro Martir 35 Walking-tour with birdwatching 36 Lesson how to throw a lasso 37 Valle de los Gigantes 38 Museum of Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo 39 The plantation of San Quintín 40 Boat Tour Bahía de San Luis Gonzaga 41 Cacti of Cataviña 42 Boat trip Bahía de los Ángeles 43 Sierra La Libertad walking-tour 44 Whale Sharks at Bahía de los Ángeles 45 Desert mission San Borja
Native Trails MyTrails 2025 14 Baja California 1 Sandboarding in the dunes of Cuervitos Duration: 02:00 h · Level: Difficult The Cuervitos Dunes near the USMexican border offer you a very special experience – sandboarding, a sport not very well known yet. On a modified snowboard, you glide down the high sand dunes. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced snowboarder, you should absolutely not miss this fun. And if you are already an advanced snowboarder, you can look forward to many take-offs for spectacular jumps. 2 City Tour in Mexicali Duration: 02:00 h · Level: Easy The second-largest city of the Baja California is slowly approaching the one million mark. With the Colorado delta and the USA constituting limits to its expansion east- and northwards, the town lives on the cultivation of cotton and on international industrial companies that profit from the reliable Mexican workers and the low salaries. Visit the Plaza de Toros Calafia, the adjacent Town Hall Square with the “Monumento La Ciudad que Capturó el Sol,” and the Casa de la Cultura, a historical building of 1915. The autonomous university includes a small museum that exhibits remnants of various epochs and noteworthy moments of the city’s history. 3 Visit the Chinese Quarters in Mexicali Duration: 01:30 h · Level: Medium In the early 20th century, several thousand Chinese came to Mexico to work for the Colorado River Land Company and build an irrigation system in the delta of the large river. For political and economic reasons, many of the foreign workers did not return home, but settled down in a neighborhood of Mexicali. During the prohibition, “La Chinesca” was the borough of Mexicali where nearly all casinos, bars, brothels, and opium dens were located. The summer heat and the necessary discretion led to the creation of a large tunnel and smuggling system that linked the basements of the establishments and extended as far as neighboring Calexico (USA). You explore the remainders of this system on a tour and learn details about the “blood brotherhood” of Asian people in Mexicali, who keep to their cultural traditions still today, albeit enriched with the Mexican style of life. 4 City Tour of Tecate Duration: 01:00 h · Level: Easy You visit Tecate, a small Mexican town amidst a mountainous desert region. Although located directly south of the US border, Tecate is fairly placid – enjoy the everyday activities in Parque Miguel Hidalgo, the zócalo of the town, and enter one of Tecate’s most famous bakeries to taste the sweet pastry and hearty bread, which are formed by hand and baked in old brick ovens according to long-standing traditions. Your tour ends in the Museo Comunitario de Tecate, where you get additional information about the history of the town and the Kumeyaay Indians. 5 Visit of the Brewery Tecate Duration: 02:00 h · Level: Easy Next to tequila, beer is the most popular alcoholic drink in Mexico. One of the two major companies presently dominating the market is Cervecería Tecate in the North of the Baja California. Looking back on 60 years of history, it is a brewery rooted in tradition. Its output is more than 20 million liters (40 million pints) of beer a month. The bottles and cans show a black eagle (formerly against the background of Tecate Peak) and “Tecate” in the classic, red script. A guided tour through the plant and the small museum, followed by a degustation, gives you a vivid impression of the brewery and the beer. R Restaurants 1 Restaurant China House 2 Restaurant El Lugar de Nos 3 Restaurant Caesar's 4 Restaurant Chepil Cocina Mexicana 5 Restaurant Oryx Capital 6 Restaurant Villa Ortega's 7 Restaurant La Cocina de Doña Esthela 8 Restaurant Villa Marina Ensenada 9 Restaurant Manzanilla 10 Restaurant Yiyo's Mariscos 11 Restaurant Molino Viejo
Native Trails MyTrails 2025 15 Baja California 6 Visit La Rumorosa Duration: 03:00 h · Level: Medium La Rumorosa – the Whispering One – is the name of a fascinating section of Autopista 20 between Tijuana and Mexicali. Especially motorcyclists love the winding road at the edge of the Sierra de Juárez which climbs almost 1,000 vertical meters (more than 3,000 ft.) over a distance of some 25 km (15 mi.) [air line: 10 km [6.2 mi.]] between the bifurcation of the lanes to the place where they meet again. There is probably no other road in the world that passes such an unreal landscape of weather-beaten and impressive rock formations, all this enhanced by the murmur of mysterious melodies that are produced by the strong winds incessantly blowing through the clefts between the rocks. Bays offer opportunities for photo stops, and the short walk to the Casa de Piedra, from where you have a magnificent panoramic view of the bizarre rock landscape surrounding you, is unforgettable. 7 Transfer from San Diego to Tijuana Duration: 01:30 h · Level: Easy Transfer from the Californian metropolis of San Diego to the adventurous Mexican sister city of Tijuana. 8 Transfer from Tijuana to San Diego Duration: 04:00 h · Level: Medium Transfer from the adventurous Mexican border town of Tijuana to the Californian metropolis of San Diego. 9 Visit of the archaeological site of El Vallecito Duration: 01:00 h · Level: El Vallecito is located in a valley near the town of La Rumorosa and offers a remarkable diversity of cave paintings, which cover the ceilings and walls and show stylized humans as well as geometric figures. The small paintings in shades of red, and black and white partly have mystical and religious meanings; they testify to the settlement of ethnic groups such as the Kumeyaay, hunters and gatherers, who had used the rocky shelters for storage and as workshops. During your tour, you can admire the six thematic groups that are open to visitors, among them the so-called “Indian Cave” and the “Rooted Man.” 10 Visit of the Viewpoint at Tijuana's Border Duration: 01:00 h · Level: Easy In the early 1990s, the US government built a fence between San Diego and Tijuana; as a reinforcement of the border, it extends 40 m (45 yds.) into the sea to prevent its bypassing at low tide. Whereas many families from the poor quarters meet in the small park south of the fence, legal and illegal immigrants gather north of it to see and wave to their beloved ones – at least from a distance. There is no other place where the separation of the two worlds is so intensely felt as at these fence posts sprayed with graffiti. 11 Clubbing on the Avenida Revolución in Tijuana Duration: 04:00 h · Level: Medium The city of Tijuana with its Avenida Revolución – a party lane that became famous during the Prohibition in 1919 – is notoriously infamous. Here, clubs and bars line up and provide every visitor with their money's worth. Especially the large Las Pulgas disco, with regular live performances by famous Mexican musicians and fair prices, invites you to enjoy the perfect club night out. Enjoy cool drinks at the rhythm of racy, Mexican club beats and be carried away by Tijuana's vibrant nightlife. 12 Tour of Tijuana Duration: 02:00 h · Level: Easy Rancho de Tía Juana (Aunt Jane’s Ranch) or Tiguan (near the water) – what is the origin of Tijuana? However this may be, on your tour you will discover an emerging metropolis that is well-known for its shopping facilities and large investment projects. Visit the Avenida Revolución with handcrafted products from Mexico, design articles, and many bars for price-sensitive visitors. You must not neglect to stop by the Jai Alai Arena – where the fastest ball game in the world is played.
Native Trails MyTrails 2025 16 Baja California 13 Restaurant Nórtico Bar Duration: 02:00 h · Level: Easy The Nórtico Bar is one of the most innovative bars in Mexico and proves that cocktails know no bounds. It is part of the Oryx Capital restaurant, where chef Ruffo Ibarra serves excellent fusion cuisine. In the back of the restaurant there is a hidden door and you can also take the “secret passage” to Nórtico after a delicious dinner. The bartending team of this chic and modern location is constantly striving to expand its knowledge, experiment and create new, unique cocktails from fresh ingredients. Try the Agua Caliente Cocktail, the Mexican Old Fashioned or the El Conquistador; of course there is also the classic Margarita. 14 Visit of the Campo Turístico Cerro Prieto Duration: 02:00 h · Level: Medium The Cerro Prieto is a dormant volcano, which rises as an isolated mountain over an active fault that is an extension of the Gulf of California. The region is ideal for short hikes, and once on the summit, you enjoy wide views over the plains more than 150 m (492 ft.) below you and, westwards, to a mountain range that rises to over 1,000 m (over 3,500 ft.). As is the custom here, you collect some stones to lay out your name on the floor of the volcanic crater. 15 Visit of the Geothermal Power Station Cerro Prieto Duration: 02:00 h · Level: Easy You are today visiting the secondlargest geothermal power plant in the world. Situated in the immediate vicinity of the Cerro Prieto volcano, it started being operative in 1973 after 15 years of construction. After two extensions, its present nominal capacity is 720 MW. Although even the geothermal production of energy is not entirely free from environmental impacts, they are comparatively small. During your visit you will learn how Mexico makes advantage of its location on the Pacific ring of fire to cover its energy consumption in the most environmentally friendly way possible. 16 Excursion to the hot springs of Cañon de Guadalupe Duration: 02:00 h · Level: Medium The cattle traders Don Guadalupe Loya and Don José Murillo discovered the Cañon de Guadalupe during an expedition in 1867. Amidst the Sonora Desert, at the foot of the Sierra de Juárez and bordered by the hostile, parched Laguna Salada, there are waterfalls, refreshing natural pools, hot mineral sources, and marvelous palms, all surrounded by rugged rock formations. This unique oasis fascinates visitors in particular with the pools filled with mineral water of different temperatures – especially in the cooler seasons, this is an invitation to take an evening or night swim and enjoy the view to the distant desert plains and the overwhelming starry sky. 17 Hike to Cañon de Guadalupe Duration: 03:00 h · Level: Difficult Discover the Canyon de Guadalupe during a hike. Passing palms, small waterfalls, and huge granite rocks, you follow the path upstream towards the Sierra de Juárez; cacti and ocotillos, but also endemic blue palms – which have become rare over time – line the way. If you are very lucky, you will spot a group of bighorn sheep, impressive animals that live in the mountains above the Canyon de Guadalupe. Climbing the heights that alternate with the watercourse will reward you with great views to the dry Laguna Salada as well as to the palm-covered oasis – the starting and end point of your hike. 18 Visit of the Bodega L.A. Cetto Duration: 02:00 h · Level: Easy Luis Alberto Cetto is already a thirdgeneration family member to lead the old-established winery that his grandfather founded in 1928. The family’s large vineyards lie in San Vincente, San Antonio de las Minas and Tecate in the fertile Valle de Guadalupe and yield more than 14,000 metric tons of grapes a year. Many years of experience, grapes like Nebbiolo, and innovative techniques of wine-growing as well as economical irrigation systems combine to ensure the company’s growth and success: Their high-end wines are meanwhile exported to more than 20 countries. During a degustation, you can assure yourself of the high quality that satisfies even demanding palates.
Native Trails MyTrails 2025 17 Baja California 19 Visit of the Bodega Decantos Duration: 02:00 h · Level: Easy Situated on the slopes of the Valle de Guadalupe, the Decantos Winery impresses the visitor by its stylish and yet highly purposeful architecture. When Alonso Granados, the son of a real estate broker, bought the vineyard, it was just an investment, but in 2015 he broke off his law studies to become a wine-grower. Granados cultivates mainly Carignan grapes, a varietal of excellent quality that is among the oldest and most expensive ones in the region. A special production method without any mechanical pumping in the entire process from grape processing to bottling yields onevarietal, fruity and wonderfully harmonious wines, which you will taste during a degustation. 20 Visit of the Winery Monte Xanic Duration: 02:00 h · Level: Easy Monte Xanic welcomes lovers and connoisseurs of wine with exquisite wines and a wonderful view of the Valle de Guadalupe with its Mediterranean microclimate. Since the early 20th century, passion and hard work, combined with old vinicultural traditions and modern technology, have been essential components to produce innovative high-quality wines that have already won many medals in international competitions. Learn interesting details about the history of the Monte Xanic winery, the influence of the near Pacific and the unique soils of the Baja California. Be it Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot or Petit Verdot – complete your visit with the degustation of Monte Xanic’s excellent wines. 21 Visit of the Bodega Casta de Vinos Duration: 02:00 h · Level: Easy Its location and mild climate make the Valle de Guadalupe a perfect place to grow vines. Sergio Castañeda Piña and his family began to produce wine in as few as 14 barrels in 2010, but the wine-grower’s infinite passion was quickly rewarded by a rapid increase in demand. Be it Chardonnay or Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon or Nebbiolo – international competitions regularly swamp him with the highest prizes. The subterranean wine cellar of 2,400-m² (25,800sq.ft.) provides the wines with an ideal climate for maturation – in an environment created of granite, slate and clay that also constitute the soils yielding the grapes. Do not miss the Casta Blanca during your degustation! 22 Visit of the Museo de la Vid y el Vino Duration: 01:00 h · Level: Easy In one of the most important viticultural areas of Mexico, the Museo de la Vid y el Vino gives you the opportunity to learn about the history of wine. Amphorae, winepresses, filling machines, and other objects illustrate how viticulture and wine production evolved from the beginnings some 6,000 years ago to the wines of today. Visitors with an interest in art will find themselves at home in a dedicated area with paintings and other works of art revolving around the common subject of wine. 23 Visit of the Bodega El Cielo Duration: 02:00 h · Level: Easy The winery “Vinos El Cielo” lies in the heart of the Baja Californian wine-growing district, the Valle de Guadalupe, and is embedded in a fascinating mixture of desert and cultivated landscape. Vineyards account for 22-hectares (55-acres) of the total of 29-hectares (72-acres), which are also used to grow fruits and vegetables and are surrounded by flower plantations and olive groves. The sustainable cultivation yields finest grapes, which are used to produce traditional, but also – by mixing varietals - innovative wines. Look forward to the degustation! The wines, especially those of the Línea Estrellas, mature in French oak barrels and convince national as well as international connoisseurs by their high quality. 24 Visit of Laguna Hanson Duration: 04:00 h · Level: Medium On a hike in the Parque Nacional Constitución de 1857, you discover the fascinating Laguna Hanson, which was named after a rancher who lived and worked on nearby Rancho el Rayo. The shallow lake at an altitude of more than 1,600 m (over 5,200 ft.) lies amidst sparse forests of high pines, wide wetlands, and extended meadows. Large granite boulders and the mighty granite formations impart an extraordinary charm to the landscape. Keep your eyes peeled: Apart from coyotes, cows and free-range horses, you may – albeit rarely – spot cougars, bighorn sheep, and the California condor.
Native Trails MyTrails 2025 18 Baja California 25 Visit of a Winery in the Guadalupe Valley Duration: 02:30 h · Level: Easy The Valle de Guadalupe wine region is located in northern Baja California and is also known as the Valley of Calafia. The climate is Mediterranean with very hot, dry summers, during which the nights are tempered by a cooling coastal wind. The mild autumn is followed by a rainy season between November and March. These are the ideal conditions for viticulture, which has been practiced here for more than 100 years. There are now over 150 wineries in the valley, most of which are open all year round. In a relaxed rustic atmosphere, you can enjoy the best Mexican wines with a view of the vineyards. 26 Hussong's Cantina Duration: 02:00 h · Level: Easy Hussong’s Cantina in Ensenada, the oldest and best-known bar in the Baja California, has welcomed visitors since 1892 and is still housed in its original premises. It offers a relaxed and authentic ambience: The peanut shells simply end up on the floor as they did a hundred years ago – don’t worry, after a bit of habituation you will like it. Look forward to a relaxed evening in motley company with tasty cocktails and live music. Have a look at the historic photos hanging on the walls and discover the faces of famous guests such as Marilyn Monroe or Steve McQueen. 27 Visit of the Faculty of Marine Sciences Duration: 02:00 h · Level: Easy Situated directly on the Pacific Ocean, the Faculty for Marine Sciences is ideally positioned for its research. It is one of the faculties of the Universidad Autónoma de Baja California that are located in Ensenada. The faculty was founded in 1960 with the intention to educate oceanologists; nowadays it also offers studies in biotechnology and environmental sciences. Accompany us on a tour and learn on which issues the research of the maritime environment is focused in Mexico; the importance of this field can hardly be overestimated in view of the global problems. 28 Trip to Ensenada Duration: 06:00 h · Level: Easy Today you visit the port of Ensenada, also known as the “Cinderella of the Pacific.” Founded in 1542 and situated about 130 km (80 mi.) from the US border, Ensenada is a popular destination because of its large range of leisure activities. From January to March, you can observe migrating grey whales directly from the beach, whereas the waters of Bahía Todos Los Santos allow fishing and surfing the whole year round. The port of Ensenada is much frequented by cruise ships and yachts on their way to the Gulf of California. 29 Sea Kayaking in La Bufadora Duration: 03:00 h · Level: Difficult The fascinating coast of the Baja California near Ensenada is ideal for kayaking adventures. Due to the surging billows, more or less strong currents and the nature of the coast, our excursion with sea kayaks is suited in particular for athletic travelers. It consists of three stages: After you have passed the surging billows, you find yourself in a more tranquil part of the bay directly facing La Bufadora, the famous sea geyser. As you paddle further into the open sea, kayaking becomes more demanding, because near the many groups of islets, the current increases and the waves become higher. Steer your kayak skillfully along the rocks and enjoy the views of the picturesque bluff. 30 Visit of La Bufadora Duration: 01:00 h · Level: Easy Marvel at the largest sea geyser in North America. Offering a unique view of the Pacific and the fascinating coastal agaves, the drive alone to La Bufadora, which is situated south of Ensenada, is an experience you would not want to miss. The geyser-like effect is caused by air that is pressed into the bottom of the sea and the edges of the cliffs when the waves hit the tapering cleft; when the water flows back, the air is decompressed and produces jets about 20 m (65 ft.) high – and even 30 m (nearly 100 ft.) in case of heavy swells. La Bufadora is a popular destination for Mexicans, and the way to the attraction proper is lined with countless stands offering all sorts of things for sale.
Native Trails MyTrails 2025 19 Baja California 31 Visit of the Santo Tomás Winery Duration: 01:30 h · Level: Easy The hills of Santo Tomás announce your reaching the largest, and one of the oldest, wine-growing regions of Mexico. Once you have passed the gate of the Santo Tomás winery, an employee will receive you to take you on an individual tour through the modern and exceptional architecture of the processing plant. After the tour, a good wine will, of course, be waiting for you. 32 Excursion to the Salt Extraction Plant San Felipe Duration: 02:00 h · Level: Medium Near San Felipe, nature provides optimum conditions for the production of pure sea salt. The water of the Gulf of California or Sea of Cortés is crystal clear and pure so that the strong insolation allows a salt with natural minerals and a high proportion of essential trace elements to be obtained. You visit the extended evaporation basins of the salt mine and learn all about the different processes of production. The fine salt crystals formed by the interplay of water, sun and wind enjoy a great demand on the market because they are an enrichment for every kitchen and a must when it comes to preparing the glass for a margarita. 33 The Condor of Sierra San Pedro Mártir Duration: 04:00 h · Level: Medium Accompany us to meet the research team headed by Juan Vargas and Catalina Porras and learn all the relevant facts about the fascinating reintroduction program for California Condors (Gymnogyps californianus) in the Sierra San Pedro Mártir National Park. The largest bird of Northern America, a species of the group of New World vultures, can reach wingspans of up to 3 meters (10 ft.). The majestic scavengers were considered extinct in the wild for 5 years, and only 27 of them were living in zoos in the early 1990s. Thanks to a joint effort of academic institutions and especially the San Diego Zoo, it was possible in 2014 to celebrate the first two young condors that have been born in the wild for a long time. 34 Hike in the national park San Pedro Mártir Duration: 05:00 h · Level: Medium Like a forest island, the San Pedro Mártir national park lies amidst the Sonora Desert at an altitude of more than 2,000 m (6,500 ft.). Surrounded by granite rocks, the 650-km² (1,605-acre) park, which was founded in 1947, impresses the visitor by its huge, clear pine forests (Jeffrey pine and Pinus quadrifolia or Parry pinyon). Sporadically, you will also find oak trees on your hike (April to November). If you are lucky, you will see bighorn sheep, coyotes or even a puma, let alone the majestic California condor, which is now living in the Sierra again. 35 Bird Watching Sierra San Pedro Mártir Duration: 04:00 h · Level: Medium The Rancho Meling is located in an ornithologist’s paradise. At times more than 50 bird species call the surroundings of the ranch their home. Countless hiking trails give you the opportunity to observe red-shouldered hawks, lesser nighthawks, yellow-bellied sapsuckers, California thrashers, and Western screech owls. The ranchers made it their business to cultivate and protect nature and thus preserve it as an experience for humans and animals. 36 The Lasso Lesson Duration: 01:00 h · Level: Easy The Rancho Meling has been a family-owned farm for more than 100 years and is a real treasure in the mountains of the Sierra de San Pedro Mártir. During your visit of the 10,000-hectare (about 25,000-acre) cattle farm, the rancheros demonstrate the art of lassoing. A good technique for precise throws, much practice and some skill are of decisive importance to catch cattle or sheep with a hemp or leather cord. Only those having full command of the technique on firm ground will be able to use it on horseback. Watch the pros before you try your hand at the rancheros’ work yourself – the sheep are peaceful, not fearful, and already waiting for being caught.
Native Trails MyTrails 2025 20 Baja California 37 Excursion to Valle de los Gigantes Duration: 02:00 h · Level: Easy During your excursion to the desert south of San Felipe, a special experience is awaiting you: The “Valley of the Giants” is home to enormous cardón cacti, which are solely found in the Sonora Desert on the Baja California. At a rate of about two centimeters (a short inch) a year, they can grow to as much as 18 meters and more (about 60 ft.) and are thus the tallest cacti in the world. Their lifespan is remarkable, too – a cardón can be up to 400 years old and older. Standing next to those giants, which raise their branched arms to the bright blue sky, and surrounded by the inhospitable and even hostile desert landscape, humans fast become aware of their limits. 38 Visit of the museum Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo Duration: 01:00 h · Level: Easy Although very small, the museum Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo in San Quintín will give you copious insights into the history of Baja California. From bones of dinosaurs and fossils from the region, e.g., cretaceous ammonites, through remains of mammoths and mastodons to arrow-heads and other finds dating back to the original population – the collection offers an interesting overview of the development of this unique peninsula. And the modern history of the area is not missed out, being represented by information about adventurers and European immigrants. 39 Visit of the plantations of San Quintín Duration: 02:00 h · Level: Easy The valley of San Quintín lies in a semi-desert with Mediterranean climate and is perfect for the yearround cultivation of fruit and vegetables. During your visit of the fields of the Rancho Los Pinos, you see the tomato and cucumber plantations, the greenhouses, and the packing machines for shipping the produce all over the globe. 40 Boat Tour Bahía de San Luis Gonzaga Duration: 02:00 h · Level: Medium The Bahía de San Luis Gonzaga is the picturesque starting point of your boat tour. On the water, at a certain distance from the beach, you get the best view of the wide arc of the bay and the mountains rising behind it. You pass the narrow canal that separates Isla Willard, a rock island, from the mainland and continue northwards to Isla San Luis and a chain of smaller islands that have their specific features each. All those islands are of volcanic origin and have been included in the UNESCO Natural World Heritage list. 41 Excursion to Cataviña Duration: 03:00 h · Level: Easy On a half-day hike through the Boulder Field of Cataviña, you can admire the giant cardón cacti and other desert plants such as the bizarre Cirio plant. Huge, golden yellow granite rocks and the ruins of an abandoned hacienda complete the picture and are perfect subjects for photographers. 42 Boat trip Bahía de Los Ángeles Duration: 05:00 h · Level: Medium Boat trip to observe the flora and fauna of this unique bay. Apart from many birds such as blue-footed boobies, ospreys and pelicans as well as marine mammals such as dolphins and sea lions, you just need a little bit of luck to see – depending on the season – fin and blue whales or even whale sharks. You will take a short walk on one of the islands and have the chance to discover its fauna, in many cases endemic to those islands.
Native Trails MyTrails 2025 21 Baja California 1 Restaurant China House Duration: 01:30 h · Price: $$ At Calzada Justo Sierra, the China House restaurant invites you on a Mexican-Chinese journey through time; based on a long tradition of Chinese immigrants, residents of Mexicali as well as customers from the neighboring USA enjoy Cantonese cuisine at its finest in a relaxed, family like atmosphere. Signature dishes include aromatic Kung Pao chicken and a variety of seafood and vegetable creations, such as fried calamari with asparagus. The China House is perfect for a visit with friends or family. Upon request, the freshly prepared, delicious dishes are served in large portions for sharing. Enjoy a delicious menu and let yourself be fascinated by the colorful crab chips! 2 Restaurant El Lugar de Nos Duration: 02:00 h · Price: $$ Opened in 2012, El Lugar de Nos is located in Tecate. The colorful, with handicrafts lovingly decorated rooms with rustic wooden furniture and traditional tiled floors create a cozy atmosphere which invites you to linger. Enjoy the regional specialties of Chef Mariana Manzano in this relaxed setting. In addition to juicy steaks and aromatic lamb dishes, the menu also includes fresh salads, pasta and pizza. The aromatic ingredients come from local farms and the open kitchen invites you to watch. Delicious cocktails and fruit juices are also offered. 3 Restaurant Caesar's Duration: 01:30 h · Price: $$ Caesar's is not only Tijuana's oldest restaurant, but also the place where Cesare Cardini invented the Caesar Salad in the 1920s. The traditional restaurant is located in the old center of Tijuana. Elegant, classic decor and historic photographs on the walls bring the unique history of the place to life. Enjoy stylishly presented European dishes such as Beef Wellington, duck with orange sauce or homemade pasta. Especially the specialty of the house should not be missed. Upon request, the current or the original version of the Caesar Salad will be freshly prepared for you at the table. 43 Hike in the Sierra La Libertad Duration: 04:00 h · Level: Difficult The hike into the mountains of the Sierra La Libertad is strenuous, but simply marvelous. Lined with ocotillos and elephant foot trees, the path winds upwards, gentle sections sometimes alternating with steeper ones. The views are fascinating – the deep blue sea extending to the horizon, golden brown islands floating on it, and the village of Bahía de Los Ángeles lying at your feet. Following the motto “the journey is the reward,” you can fully enjoy each minute of the walk. 44 Whale Sharks in the Bahía de los Ángeles Duration: 03:00 h · Level: Medium Whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) are the largest fish in the world. They can be up to 15 m (c. 50 ft.) long and weigh up to 10 tons. They are peaceable and curious. Each year from June to September, you can observe the sharks in the Bahía de los Ángeles with certified boaters and – given the appropriate permission – even snorkel with them. Whale sharks are also called “gentle giants” because they feed exclusively on plankton. 45 Visit of the desert mission of San Borja Duration: 01:00 h · Level: Medium In the loneliness of the Sonoran Desert, surrounded by a fascinating mountain landscape, lies the mission of San Francisco Borja, which the Jesuits established in 1762. Characterized by many succulents and other plant species, the scarce desert vegetation creates a bizarre environment and offers – like the desert birds – countless subjects for photographers. The ruins of the abandoned mission, the cemetery from the times of the first padres, and the infinite loneliness – a true adventure.
Native Trails MyTrails 2025 23 Baja California 4 Restaurant Chepil Cocina Mexicana Duration: 01:30 h · Price: $$ The restaurant Chepil Cocina Mexicana in Tijuana is centrally located on a lively street. The colorful facade and the interior with Mexican clay tiles, colorful fabric applications and rustic wooden furniture create a warm atmosphere. Enjoy Tacos al Pastor with marinated pork and pineapple or enchiladas in spicy mole sauce. Fresh ingredients such as avocado, lime and corn take center stage. Homemade hibiscus Agua Fresca is also available. A culinary and cultural experience! 5 Restaurant Oryx Capital Duration: 01:30 h · Price: $$$ The modern Oryx Capital restaurant is located on Boulevard Agua Caliente. Brick walls and contemporary artworks create an urban, rustic ambience that invites you to spend cozy evenings with friends. Enjoy the fresh, innovative cuisine of Chef Ruffo Ibarra in a relaxed atmosphere. An exquisite fusion of Californian and Mexican flavors is served. In addition to rib eye steak and tuna sashimi, burgers with grilled octopus are offered. Guests can also enjoy local craft beer and fruity margaritas at the restaurant bar Craft Beer. 6 Restaurant Villa Ortega's Duration: 01:30 h · Price: $$ Puerto Nuevo is a small community of 1,500 people who mostly live on fishing and is famous as Mexico’s lobster village. Numerous restaurants offer the crustaceans, and they are rooted in a long tradition: In the 1950s, only few families lived at those cliffs overlooking the Pacific. The men daily put to the sea with their pangas to catch lobster, and when they returned, their wives discerned them already far at the horizon. They then hurried home to prepare fresh tortillas and cook rice and beans for the hungry fishermen and added the freshly caught lobsters fried in hot lard – as the salary was low, rice, beans and lobster were the only food the people could afford. Go and taste for yourself in the Restaurant Villa Ortega’s what made this former poor people’s meal the famous delicacy of today. 7 Restaurant La Cocina de Doña Esthela Duration: 01:00 h · Price: $$ Discover Doña Esthela's authentic homemade cuisine in the Guadalupe Valley. The family-run restaurant welcomes you in a rustic setting. Owner Esthela Martínez has been passionate about cooking for more than 20 years. She uses regional ingredients, often from her own cultivation. Look forward to traditional Mexican dishes prepared on-site. Highlights are machaca, homemade bread, the lamb speciality Borrego Tatemado and the still-warm delicious corn cake. 8 Restaurant Villa Marina Ensenada Duration: 01:30 h · Price: $$ The Villa Marina restaurant, located slightly north of downtown Ensenada, offers culinary specialties from Baja California, with a focus on fresh seafood and excellent grilled dishes. The restaurant is located directly on the Pacific coast and boasts a spacious terrace, an open bar and stylish, modern furnishings with a maritime flair. The menu combines flavors from the Baja peninsula with high-quality ingredients: ceviche, grilled red snapper, shrimp tacos and juicy steaks are just a few highlights. These are accompanied by an exquisite selection of wines from the Valle de Guadalupe. The relaxed atmosphere and breathtaking ocean view make every meal a special experience. 9 Restaurant Manzanilla Duration: 02:00 h · Price: $$$ In Manzanilla you can enjoy sophisticated Mexican cuisine with Mediterranean elements. The elegant restaurant was opened in 2000 by the renowned chefs Benito Molina and Solange Muris. In the preparation of their creations, great importance is attached to sustainability and the use of regional products. These include fish and seafood obtained daily directly from local fishermen, aromatic olive oils, fresh herbs and wines from the Guadalupe Valley. You can also look forward to high-quality Kumamoto oysters and abalone from local aquaculture. The gourmet menus are served in a stylish ambience that combines antiques with modern design.
Native Trails MyTrails 2025 24 Baja California 10 Restaurant Takeaway Yiyo's Mariscos Duration: 01:00 h · Price: $ Enjoy an octopus dish straight from the grill, ceviche, crab, cocktails, giant Venus clams in a hot chilli sauce and much more of what the sea has to offers at the stall of Yiyo’s Mariscos. For many years, this had been among the number one places in Ensenada to enjoy fresh seafood while strolling on the Malecón, or as a stopover on a journey through Baja California. You will have to find your own way through the throngs of customers – at Yiyo’s, there’s always something cooking up. 11 Restaurant Molino Viejo Duration: 01:30 h · Price: $$ Besides excellent steak dishes, the restaurant Molino Viejo offers you delicious meals of the maritime cuisine with regional ingredients – especially fresh vegetables from the production of “Los Pinos.” In the restaurant’s sushi bar, you can assure yourself of the diversity of the Pacific – the sea breams, local oysters, and especially the “Almejas San Quintín” are truly excellent. The experience is crowned by the magnificent view of the bay and the volcanoes across.
Native Trails MyTrails 2025 25 Baja California H Hotels BAHÍA SAN LUIS GONZAGA Alfonsinas Eco Hotel ***, 25 rooms, Despejes s/n Bahìa San Luis Gonzaga, Ensenada , CP 22970 '+52 664 2313517 http://alfonsinas.com/ BAHÍA DE LOS ÁNGELES Costa del Sol ***, 9 rooms, Km. 66 Carr. Parador-Bahía de Los Angeles, CP 22980 '+52 200 1249110 https://www.facebook.com/people/Costa-delSol-Hotel-Sportfishing-Bahia-de-los-Angeles/100064233633571/?sk= about Villa Vitta ***, 27 rooms, Blvd. Costero s/n, CP 22980 '+52 664 6418619 http://www.villavitta.com CATAVIÑA Misión Cataviña ****, 42 rooms, Carr. Transpeninsular Km. 179 Tramo San Quintin - Punta Prieta , CP 22964 '+52 616 1216293 https://misionsantamariahoteles.com/en CAÑON DE GUADALUPE Guadalupe Canyon Oasis *, 14 rooms, Carr. Federal km 28, Mexicali Tijuana, CP S/N '+52 686 2091464 http://guadalupecanyonoasis.com/index.html ENSENADA Corona Hotel & Spa ****, 92 rooms, Blvd. Lázaro Cárdenas No. 1442, CP 22800 '+52 646 1760901 https://www.hotelcorona.com.mx Holiday Inn Express & Suites Ensenada Centro ***, 100 rooms, Av. Blancarte No. 151, Centro, CP 22800 '+52 646 1528470 https://www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/hotels/ de/de/ensenada/tijen/hoteldetail Torre Lucerna ****, 148 rooms, Carr. Tijuana Ensenada Km. 108 5 No. 2501, Zona Playitas, CP 22860 '+52 646 2222400 https://hoteleslucerna.com/lucerna-ensenada/ MEXICALI Fiesta Inn Mexicali ****, 148 rooms, Blvd. Adolfo Lopez Mateos No. 1029, Industrial Centro Cívico, CP 21000 '+52 443 3108137 https://www.fiestamericanatravelty.com/fiestainn/hoteles/fiesta-inn-mexicali RANCHO MELING Rancho Meling ***, 16 rooms, Carr. Hacienda el Observatorio Km. 50, Delegación de Punta Colonet, Muncipio de Ensenada, CP 22800 '+52 646 1087945 http://www.ranchomeling.com SAN QUINTÍN Misión Santa María ***, 56 rooms, Camino Plaza Santa María s/n, CP 22930 '+52 616 1659008 https://misionsantamariahoteles.com/ TECATE Rancho la Puerta *****, 86 rooms, Carr. Federal Mexicali-Tijuana Km. 136.5, CP 21520 '+52 665 6549155 https://www.rancholapuerta.com/ TIJUANA Hampton Inn by Hilton Tijuana ****, 176 rooms, Av. Universidad 1951-133, Col. Otay Universidad, CP 22427 '+52 664 2104700 https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/tijtohx-hampton-tijuana/ Lucerna ****, 173 rooms, P.º de los Héroes 10902, Zona Urbana Rio Tijuana, CP 22010 '+52 686 5647000 https://hoteleslucerna.com.mx/es/ensenada VALLE DE GUADALUPE Adobe Guadalupe Vineyards & Inn *****, 6 rooms, Parcela A-1 s/n, Valle de Guadalupe, CP 22750 '+52 646 1552094 http://www.adobeguadalupe.com/ Banyan Tree Veya Valle de Guadalupe *****, 30 rooms, Camino Vecinal No. 179 Ejido El Porvenir Valle de Guadalupe, CP 22755 '+52 646 9780103 https://veya.banyantree.com/en/destinations/ valle-de-guadalupe Maglén Resort ***, 56 rooms, Carr. Ensenada-Tecate KM 90.8 Fracc Las Lomas, Ruta del Vino, CP 22766 '+52 646 1521284 http://www.maglenresort.com/
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