Alonso Tours

Updated June 26, 2025

## Alonso Tours, La Paz (Baja California Sur): What They Offer, How They Operate, and How to Choose the Right Trip

Alonso Tours is a La Paz–based, family-run tour operator focused on small-boat sea expeditions in the Gulf of California (Sea of Cortez). Their trips center on La Paz’s signature experiences—Isla Espíritu Santo snorkeling (often with California sea lions at Los Islotes), seasonal whale-shark outings in the bay, and other day-adventures around La Paz’s desert-meets-sea coastline.

### Where they are and how to reach them
Multiple reputable listings place Alonso Tours in Pueblo Nuevo, La Paz, on Calle Sinaloa. There is a discrepancy in the street number across sources:

– The company website lists Sinaloa #60, Pueblo Nuevo, 23060 La Paz, with a local phone number published there.
– Yelp and other directories list Calle Sinaloa 50, Pueblo Nuevo (ZIP codes vary 23060/23090 across directories).

Actionable takeaway: confirm the meeting point directly by phone (the number appears on the company website) or in your booking confirmation. This avoids last-minute confusion if a car service or taxi needs a precise street number.

> Coordinates frequently used for La Paz center/meeting area context: 24.14692, −110.32754 (Calle Sinaloa / Pueblo Nuevo grid). Always rely on the meeting details provided in your final confirmation.

—

## Core Experiences

### 1) Isla Espíritu Santo – snorkeling & sea-life interpretation
TripAdvisor’s operator page and mainstream directories describe a full-day Espíritu Santo boat trip with snorkeling time, opportunities to observe seabirds, and stops at sandy coves. Multiple listings note that snorkel gear and lunch are commonly included on these outings (ceviche/sandwiches are frequently mentioned). Do verify specifics on your actual departure, as inclusions can change by season and regulations.

Alonso Tours emphasizes experienced captains and certified protected-area/marine guides on its own pages—important for both safety and environmental compliance within the Espiritu Santo National Park area.

Practical edge: Espíritu Santo is a designated protected area with wildlife rules that guides must follow (approach distances, time limits, group rotation in the water, etc.). Choosing an operator that highlights certified guides is a good proxy for responsible practice.

—

### 2) Seasonal Whale-Shark Snorkeling (La Paz Bay)
La Paz is known for seasonal whale-shark aggregation in shallow bay waters near El Mogote. A broad set of local operators—and customer reports tied to Alonso Tours—document guided swims when the seasonal window is open. Reviews in 2025 specifically mention guided whale-shark swims with Alonso Tours and praise in-water naturalist briefings.

For seasonality, general La Paz guidance places the window roughly November–April, subject to government closures tied to animal presence, weather, and visibility. If you’re targeting whale sharks, build flexibility into your itinerary and be prepared for last-minute rescheduling if authorities suspend access.

—

### 3) Balandra & Coastal Day Trips
Alonso Tours’ site features Balandra and other coastal pages highlighting guide experience on Baja Sur’s famed shallow bays and mangrove-rimmed inlets. Availability is often contingent on conservation limits and daily bay management; plan to book early during holiday peaks.

—

### 4) Sandboarding at Mogote (sunset departures)
TripAdvisor product detail for an Alonso Tours sandboarding experience references a Pueblo Nuevo meeting point and specific gate/yard visuals to help guests find the pickup. As with all third-party listings, treat meeting-point visuals as advisory and follow the final instructions in your confirmation.

—

## Booking & Pre-Trip Briefing

– Direct booking / phone: The operator’s official site lists contact phone and address for confirmations and last-minute questions. If address numbers differ across sites, rely on what the company sends you after booking.
– Third-party marketplaces: You’ll find Alonso Tours experiences and reviews on platforms like TripAdvisor and Viator. These are useful for recent traveler feedback and for date-specific availability, but inclusions and logistics can vary by platform. Cross-check the final voucher.

What typically to bring (verify per trip): government-issued ID (sometimes requested at harbor gates), sun protection (reef-safe sunscreen where permitted), a rash guard or wetsuit layer in winter months, a drybag for phones, cash for park fees/tips if not included. (These are general La Paz field norms; confirm your exact inclusions/fees at booking.)

—

## Responsible Wildlife Guidance (Why this operator detail matters)

– Certified guide teams: Alonso Tours’ site stresses certified protected-area guides. In sensitive sites like Los Islotes and the whale-shark zone, adherence to guide directives protects both guests and animals—and helps keep the area open.
– Seasonal rules change: Authorities periodically pause whale-shark access to reduce pressure or due to low animal presence. Good operators will reschedule or re-route rather than push into marginal conditions. (Seasonality guidance above.)

Context note on Baja megafauna: regional marine-wildlife experiences (from mobula rays to orcas in specific bays) are evolving under new scrutiny and proposals for tighter rules. While this is broader than La Paz whale-shark swims, it underscores why to book with operators aligned to science-led practices and to respect in-water limits. Guardian

—

## How to evaluate if an Alonso Tours trip fits your group

1) Mobility & comfort in open water: Whale-shark swims are active—guests often do repeated surface entries and short surface sprints. If your group includes non-swimmers or those with limited mobility, ask about alternative viewing from the boat or less intense itineraries (e.g., coastal cruising with beach time). Recent first-hand reviews highlight that guides set clear expectations and provide in-water support.

2) Gear & lunch inclusions: Espíritu Santo days often include snorkel gear and lunch; review your confirmation to avoid surprises (some listings explicitly mention ceviche/sandwiches on a beach stop).

3) Departure timing & wind: La Paz frequently has afternoon winds; many operators aim for morning departures to maximize calmer seas and visibility. If seas pick up, expect the captain to adjust the route for comfort and safety. (Operational norm reflected across La Paz trip logistics on third-party listings.)

4) Small-group preference: If you prefer fewer people in the water, ask about group size and rotation policy at the time of booking (especially for whale sharks), as this varies by day and permit constraints. Third-party reviews emphasize guided, orderly rotations when conditions allow.

—

## What’s clearly established vs. what to double-check

Established with sources:
– Alonso Tours operates sea expeditions out of La Paz focused on Espíritu Santo, whale-shark snorkeling, and coastal trips.
– Contact/meeting location is on Calle Sinaloa in Pueblo Nuevo; phone contact appears on the official site.
– Recent traveler accounts confirm active whale-shark swims and positive guide feedback during 2025.
– Espíritu Santo day tours commonly bundle snorkeling and a beach lunch stop; verify specifics per booking.
– La Paz’s whale-shark season generally runs November–April (subject to closures).

Double-check before you go (to avoid outdated info):
– Street number (Sinaloa #50 vs. #60) and the exact meeting point visuals—follow your confirmation.
– Inclusions (wetsuits, park fees, lunch, photos) and group size; these vary by platform/date.

—

## Bottom line

If you’re planning a Sea of Cortez day from La Paz—Espíritu Santo snorkeling or in-season whale-shark swims—Alonso Tours is a locally present operator with certified-guide language on its own pages and recent third-party reviews praising the staff and briefings. To reduce friction: confirm the meeting address from your final voucher, verify inclusions, and keep flexibility around whale-shark season windows and possible weather/permit holds.

Inclusivity note: if anyone in your group is not comfortable with repeated open-water entries, ask about less strenuous routes or boat-based wildlife viewing—the operator and guides can often suggest a plan that keeps everyone safe and included.

Possible internal link ideas (add only if you have these pages): a La Paz neighborhood guide (for dining near Pueblo Nuevo) and a Espíritu Santo ecology explainer. If you don’t have them yet, consider creating them and interlinking from this page for stronger topical depth.

Key Highlights

Alonso Tours

Location

Places to Stay Near Alonso Tours"I'll happily return to do another tour and will request the guides by ..."

Find and Book a Tour

Explore More Travel Guides