 A beach within reach. The Gulf of Santa Clara is a small, peaceful port town known for its sand dunes and white beaches. Boat trips are organized here with destinations to the mouth of the Colorado River and the Islands of Montague and El Pelícano. Sole and totoaba fishing are available and visitors may enjoy the company of sea-lions swimming around in search of food. The sand of the gently sloped beaches is fine, and it is possible to camp or park trailers in the neighboring areas. It haas grown in large popularity for ATVing and off-roading with sandrails and four-wheel drive vehicles.
 One of the driving factors behind the popularity is that the Sea of Cortez is warm, while the Pacific Ocean is cold. The gulf water stays at an average of 72.86°F through the fall and into the winter, so people will come. Already during certain times of the year, people do come in thousands. Semana Santa, or Holy Week, in Mexico coincides with spring break vacations in the United States, which have long been a popular time for U.S. and Mexican tourists to gather on the beaches of Mexico. In past years, an average of 30,000 people have turned out for Easter where games, live DJs and bands are usually on hand the Friday and Saturday of that week.
 The 934,756 hectare Biosphere Reserve of the Upper Californian Gulf and the Colorado River Delta incorporate unique habitats such as marshes and fresh water zones along the coastal board, as well as marine zones and wintering and resting sites for migratory birds. There are at least 80 species of land birds and marine birds that are migratory and residents. Some of these are fishing eagle, the white and brown pelicans, seagulls, sea quails, ducks and geese. Here there is a high diversity among the reptiles in comparison to other deserts (Desert Iguana, chameleon, lizards and snakes). About 75% of the total types of vegetation in Mexico can be found in this reserve.
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TRAVEL ADVISORY: On June 1, 2009, U.S. citizens returning home from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean or Bermuda, by land or sea, will be required to present one of the travel documents listed: U.S. Passport, U.S. Passport Card, Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL), Trusted Traveler Program Cards (NEXUS, SENTRI or FAST enrollment cards). Many of these documents are already available. |
