Mexico: The Great Gray Whale Migration and Baja’s Natural Wonders

After you enroll, we’ll ask you to provide or update your personal information and preferences, which includes your health information, lodging and meal preferences for your program.

Both a valid passport and a personal permit are required for entry into Mexico and returning to the United States. Non-U.S. citizens please check with Mexican Consulate and U.S. Immigration for individual requirements. The permit will be issued by the Immigration Bureau upon entering Mexico. Keep the permit with you. The Group Leader will be on hand to assist as needed.

A passport is required for this program. It must be valid for at least 6 months after your return date.

This information about travel documents pertains to participants holding U.S. passports. Non-U.S. citizens should refer to their country's requirements to ensure they have the necessary documentation for travel.

United States citizens don’t need a visa for any of the countries you’ll be visiting. Non-U.S. citizens should refer to their country's requirements to ensure they have the necessary documentation for travel.

No inoculations are required for Mexico. In Baja California, all drinking water and ice served in restaurants, homes, etc. is purified. DO NOT drink water out of the tap.

Arrival day is on Wednesday, January 14, 2026.

Meet the group at Courtyard by Marriott San Diego Mission Valley/Hotel Circle in San Diego, California

Start of Trip:  11:30 am Orientation followed by lunch and La Jolla field trip; 3:00 p.m. hotel check-in.

Getting to the site: Taxi cabs or private shuttles are the best means of transportation for your transfer from the airport and from the bus or train stations to the Courtyard Marriott Hotel where the program starts. Taxi cabs – recommended method –are parked right outside the airport terminal. One Way approx $20-$30 Uber or Lyft - check prices with App EZ Shuttle 800-777-0585. Super Shuttle 800-258-3826 Approximate shuttle prices: First person $15-$20 Second person $10-$15 DRIVING DIRECTIONS FROM NORTH: • Take I-5 S. • Merge onto I-8 E via EXIT 20 toward EL CENTRO • Take the HOTEL CIRCLE exit, EXIT 4A • Turn LEFT onto HOTEL CIRCLE SOUTH • Courtyard Marriott is on the RIGHT FROM SOUTH: • Take I-5 N. • Merge onto I-8 E. • Take the HOTEL CIRCLE exit, EXIT 4A • Turn LEFT onto HOTEL CIR S. • Courtyard Marriott is on the RIGHT

Getting to the site by train or bus: Bus-Greyhound Lines. Train-Amtrak Stations

Your trip ends on: Wednesday, January 21, 2026 in San Diego, California at Las Rosas Hotel & Spa

End of Trip: 12:00 Noon after transfer to San Diego.

Getting to the airport: Program ends mid-day in San Diego, offering two drop-offs: 1) San Diego Airport 2) Courtyard Marriott Hotel.

Information if you are purchasing your own airfare: Participants who have not purchased airfare through Road Scholar are responsible for making their own transfer arrangements to the first site at the beginning of the program, as well as from the last site at the end of the program. The Information Packet Road Scholar sends in advance of the program includes details needed to make your transfer arrangements. If you wish to purchase airfare through Road Scholar, please call (800) 241-1404. Please note: In the unlikely event Road Scholar must make changes to the program's arrival or departure details, we will notify all participants as soon as possible. Participants who have purchased Road Scholar airfare are protected against airline change fees; however, anyone who has not purchased Road Scholar airfare will be required to make their own adjustments and may incur fees imposed by the airline.