Baja Mexico Sea Quest Questions and Answers

What is the cost?

Baja Mexico Sea Quest is all inclusive from Los Cabos Airport (SJD)in Baja California Sur, Mexico. The land portion of the eco-adventure $1995. An interest-free payment plan is available until May 15th. Monthly payments will be determined by the date students enroll. Contact us for details at 1-888-622-4911.

What is included?

Tuition is all inclusive from Los Cabos Airport, Baja, Mexico with meals (lunch on arrival day to breakfast or lunch on departure day), lodging, transport, educational programs, equipment (snorkeling gear and wetsuit rental), guide service, carbon credits, and an electronic version of the program workbook and logs. Tuition does not include roundtrip airfare to San Jose del Cabo Airport, travel insurance or optional SCUBA or college credit. Ambassador Travel Agency will assist you with travel to Mexico. Typical airfare is about $550-750 from most departure cities but could be less or more depending of departure city or time of year.

College Credit.

To earn college credit, an additional assignment will be due and a letter grade will be issued. The credit is transferable to many colleges and universities around the US. If you have questions about credit transfers or the assignment please contact us and we will put you in touch with the right people at the University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point. Information about how to enroll for the credit will be provided to the participant upon enrollment in Green Edventures. Contact us Tara Short for more information 715-252-1238.

How do I get there?

Green Edventures uses Ambassador Travel Agency of Oshkosh to help teachers book their travel to and from our program destination. Flights arrive and depart from San Jose del Cabo (SJD) Airport. Green Edventures will meet you there and transport you via 15 passenger van to La Paz and then to our island camp on Espiritu Santo Island. Total travel time with stops is about 3-4 hours to get to the camp. The scenery is enjoyable along the way. Total car travel time is about 3 hours. La Paz does have an international airport, but airfare is significantly cheaper if you fly to San Jose del Cabo. Contact Cari at Ambassador Travel Agency if you would like to fly into La Paz and out of San Jose del Cabo.

Where will I stay?

Participants will stay 6 nights at Camp Sea Quest on Isla Partida, located on the northern portion of Espiritu Santo Island. The Beach camp can accommodate up to 25 participants. Tents sleep 2 and students are paired by gender. Tents have 2 cots, 2 sleeping bags, 2 sets of sheets and pillows and a bath towel for each participant. There is a full kitchen and cooking staff. There are two flush toilets (1 for males and 1 for females) with privacy walls, T.P and hand sanitizer. Participants bathe in their suits in the sea water and then go to a private shower for a fresh water rinse. The final night will be spent at a 3-star hotel in La Paz. Rooms will have 2-4 participants of the same gender.

Are there insect issues to worry about?

Biting insects such as mosquito's are not a problem. A small bottle of travel-size insect repellant will suffice. There are bees on Espiritu Santo Island. They tend to congregate around fresh water. They are non-aggressive but if you are allergic you need to notify us and bring 2 EPI Pens prescribed to you.

Will there be showers and toilets while we are camping?

Yes of course! This type of camp is low impact but includes the creature comforts you desire. There are private stalls with manual flush toilets and private stalls with solar showers.

What is your cancellation and refund policy?

If a participant cancels for any reason, the participant forfeits all monies paid. We do however, accept substitutions until March of the program year. Green Edventures reserves the right to deny substitutions. Contact us for details. Because we work with small, locally owned guides, this adventure requires year long planning and early financial commitments with our contractors to ensure they can work with us during their busiest time of year.

Do I need travel insurance?

Yes. Participants are required to purchase travel insurance. Contact Ambassador Travel Agency for more info (Click Here ) or purchase a policy through a preferred carrier of your choice. It is a good idea to purchase your insurance within 15 days of your deposit to receive the maximum benefits. Purchase a package that covers: trip cancellation, missed connections, travel interruption, travel delay, emergency medical treatment and emergency medical evacuation. Once your airline tickets are confined you can call the insurance provided to update your information.

What type of food will I eat and will there be bottled water?

You will eat chef prepared delicious authentic food with a touch of Americana. Meals will be a mix of local flare such as beans, rice, chicken, pork, and fish with a vegetable. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are provided as well as snacks. There are vegetarian options and fish substitutes if you do not eat fish. Purified ice water in five gallon jugs are available to refill your reusable water bottles.

How many participants will there be per week?

Group size will be limited to 25 participants but is typically 14 students and 2-4 adult group leaders. Our staff will consist of our program manager, an instructor, a local guide(s), and our local kitchen staff.

What type of activities do we do?

This is a multi-sport adventure with a primary emphasis on snorkeling and free-diving. Additional activities will have participants climbing through desert canyons and mountainous terrain, exploring rocky beaches, swimming with wild sea lions and other mega fauna, riding in boats, traversing the countryside by van, and interacting with native people. Be advised caution is required on all activities. Rough, steep, uneven, slippery footing and unpredictable environmental conditions is the rule rather than the exception.

What should I pack?

Keep it simple. Lightweight clothing and footwear is the norm. Don't forget sun protection like sunglasses, sun block and hat. See our complete desert packing list (provided) for details. While snorkeling you will need a rash guard top to protect you from sea jellies, rock scrapes, and other abrasions.

What type of currency will I need?

Mexican currency is the Peso ($1 US dollar is equal to about 10 Mexican Pesos). US Currency is accepted here don't worry about exchanging your money. $75 US in small bills ($5, $10, $20) is perfect for souvenirs and snacks. For emergencies (unexpected travel delays, medical emergencies) bring a pre-paid credit card that your parents can add funds to should the situation arise.

What travel documentation will I need?

You will need a passport. Apply at your local post office. Don't wait until the last minute, it does take some time. They cost $80-100 not including the cost of two head shots which must be submitted with the application. All participants traveling with a group leader will need to provide a permission to travel form signed by BOTH parents and notarized. Mexican immigration has strict rules about minors traveling without their parents or legal guardians.This form will be provided with special instructions for students of divorced or widowed parents and those traveling with one parent on this trip.

Are vaccinations required?

Vaccinations are not required, but check with your physician to be sure you are up to date on your shots. Tetanus, Hepatitis, and Typhoid are all recommended. Check the Center for Disease Control's web site for updates and recommendations.

Will I be able to call home?

There will be a company cell phone that your Group Leader will use to call a phone tree for your group upon arrival to let parents know you made it to Mexico. Telephone and cell phone communication is not possible while we are out in the field. Some cell phone services like T-mobile, Sprint, and AT&T may get service at the airport or on the highway.

Tell me about the weather. Will it be hot?

Yes it will be hot, but you will be surprised how comfortable the weather is. The days are hot and the nights are cool enough that you sleep inside your sleeping bag. The southern parts of the state have a dry, desert climate. The maximum temperature exceeds 40C (104F) in the summer and the minimum is less than 0C (32F) in the winter. You will be participating in a lot of water activities. Be sure to have plenty of sun protection including sunglasses, sun block, and light t-shirts. You must drink about 1 gallon of water per day to avoid dehydration.

What are the physical requirements to participant?

You must be in excellent physical and mental heath with the ability to swim, and follow visual, and verbal instructions.

Is there medical care nearby?

Should a medical emergency arise, the student will be transported with an adult chaperone to La Paz via boat to meet with EMS at the marina for transport to a hospital. La Pas does have an international airport should an air evacuation be needed. Due to the remoteness of the activities, medical care can be significantly delayed. AmeriMed hospital is in Cabo San Lucas and a clinic is in Los Barriles.

General Hospital de Zona con Medicinea Familiar #1.
Telephone 011-52 (612) 122-7377
5 de Febrero y H. de Independencia, La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico.

Cabo San Lucas (Los Cabos) (AmeriMed) Hospital
Telephone 011-52-624-105-8500

Los Barriles (AmeriMed) Clinic International Calls
011-52-624-141-0797

How safe is this adventure?

Green Edventures has been leading student, college and adult groups to La Paz since the summer of 2009. We have never encountered any problems with violence in La Paz or threats of violence. La Paz is one of the most peaceful cities in Mexico and has a lower crime rate than many US cities including Chicago, Detroit, and New Orleans. Most of the reported violence is occurring in border towns nearly 1,000 miles away from La Paz and Espiritu Santo. To minimize risk during adventure activities, Green Edventures has partnered with expert, well established and reputable businesses in La Paz. Furthermore, participants are never allowed to roam La Paz alone during daylight or evening hours. All students are with an adult chaperone at all times. The student to adult ratio is no more that 7/1.

Green Edventures works with partners and vendors to minimize risk through planning and hiring experience guides. Guides for technical activities are Rescue SCUBA Diver Certified and/or SCUBA Dive Master and for all non-technical activities guides are First Aid/CPR certified. While on the island, we have 24hour access to a boat and captain and VHF radio.

In order to provide a safe program for student participants, students will be given a strict code of conduct. Participants that ignore those policies may be expelled from the program and sent home un chaperoned at the expense of the participant. Participants who have a history of defiance for rules at school and/or breaking the law in the USA including underage drinking and tobacco use are discouraged from applying.

About Baja California Sur

Baja California Sur is one of the most peaceful and pristine states of Mexico's. It is considered a portion of North America. It is bordered to the north by the state of Baja California, to the west by the Pacific Ocean, and to the east by the Gulf of California, also known as the Sea of Cortez.

More Information:

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