For the nature lover, trendy Los Cabos, Mexico can offer a pleasant surprise.

Cabo San Lucas, located at the very south of the Baja peninsula in Mexico in the municipality of Los Cabos, is rarely associated with anything prefaced by the word “eco.” However, going there last month, we discovered there are plenty of things for a conscious nature lover to do while visiting this popular resort town.

image: Johanna Björk

For ocean lovers, a combined kayaking and snorkel tour is a must. Cabo Outfitters is a tour company run by a couple named Stacey and Casey. In addition to snorkeling and kayaking, they also offer a wide range of other tours.

image: Johanna Björk

The full-day tour to Cabo Pulmo, a national marine park, was once referred to by famed ocean explorer Jacques Cousteau as “the aquarium of the world.” It’s the location of the oldest of only three coral reefs on the west coast of North America and the northernmost coral reef in the eastern Pacific. Cabo Pulmo also has the largest variety of species of underwater life in the entire Los Cabos area.

images: Johanna Björk

If you don’t want to spend an entire day exploring the ocean, Cabo Outfitters 3 Bay Tour takes place right along the tourist corridor between Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo. As the name suggests, you kayak to three different bays on the Sea of Cortez, stopping to snorkel in two places. I was pleasantly surprised to see more beautiful fish and marine life than I ever had snorkeling in other places. At the end of the tour, you end up at Chileno, a tranquil white sand beach frequented by the locals.

image: Johanna Björk

We did a short bonus stop at a rocky beach in one of the bays and, as we were standing there, two giant humpbacks started jumping out of the water a few miles out to sea. Even though they were far away, it was a mighty sight.

images: Johanna Björk

I was lucky to be there at the beginning of whale season — which runs from January to early April — when the whales migrate down from Alaska and stay for a few months to have their babies. Inspired by our whale sighting on the kayak tour, we decided to go on a whale watching tour. Luis of Baja Wild can tailor any kind of tour experience in Los Cabos, and took us out to look for whales.

images: Johanna Björk

Although we did not get to witness another tandem jump, we saw a few humpbacks up close, got some tail fin action and even saw a newborn whale with its mother. On the way back to shore, many whale watching tours take you by the famous arch that you see in all the postcards, so you can scratch that off the must-see list and save a water taxi trip.

image: Flora Farms

When people refer to Los Cabos, this also includes, San Jose del Cabo, a smaller town located about a 30-40 minute car ride from Cabo San Lucas. If you go, a visit to Flora Farms is a must. This ten-acre organic farm, nestled in the foothills of the Sierra de la Laguna Mountains, has an on-site restaurant, bar and grocery. Working the soil, largely by hand, Flora Farms has been growing food without using pesticides or GMO seeds for ten years.

image: Flora Farms

After founding a local farmers market on the farm, 100 percent of the produce is now dedicated to local consumption through Flora’s Field Kitchen, Flora’s Grocery and the Culinary Cottage owners. That’s right, if you find yourself loving Mexican farm life so much you never want to leave, you don’t have to — the perfectly rustic, charming Culinary Cottages are available for rent or purchase.

image: Flora Farms

Just 8 miles north of Cabo San Lucas, Carisuva Ranch is a typical Baja Californian ranch with horses, goats, chickens, donkeys and cows as well and a fresh water well and a traditional desert hut. Their mission is to “educate through contemplation, interaction and understanding of the importance of preserving all ecosystems.”

image: Carisuva Ranch

The tranquil, off-beaten-path environs offer plenty of opportunity for relaxation, and the best way to truly commune with nature here is to go horseback riding. The sunset tour lets you discover spectacular ocean side cliffs, lush desert ranges, and private untouched beaches on horseback. At the end, you will get to enjoy a peaceful sunset over the Pacific Ocean.

image: Carisuva Ranch

Contemplating the incredible beauty of nature, it makes me even more motivated than ever to do my part to ensure that future generations will get to enjoy it like we can.

top image: Johanna Björk

The post The Conscious, Nature-Lover’s Guide to Los Cabos, Mexico appeared first on EcoSalon.