I used this site in preparation for my first trip to LaPaz, November 13. I had great experiences in LaPaz. Stayed at the Hotel Lorimar for 213 pesos per night - very quiet, secure and convenient, especially for a lower-end hotel.

Ate breakfast at the Terrace Restaurant of the Hotel Perla for about 40 pesos. The best restaurant I found was the Bismark for about 70 pesos, and exceptionally good food. Excellent coffee house at Calle Esquero and Calle 16 de Septiembre, also close to the market.

Cab fares from the airport are fixed, but you can call a local company and be picked up for 100 pesos, and also return to the airport for the same. You can walk to most places in town. In town taxi fares should be negotiated.

Diving was another issue. I dove with Scubaja with a certain reservation. The boats were good, although very expensive at $120US per day using your gear. But I was not checked for diving certification, and several dives were unaccompanied by a divemaster, which could easily pose a safety issue in certain conditions. And a lot of divers per boatload.

They have an advantage of a Japanese speaking staff. Unlike many dive operators there was a great preoccupation with money. The longer trips to Los Islotes include a good lunch. They were long days: 8AM to 6PM.

Snorkeling in the outer harbor with Tiburon Ballena (whale shark) was very special and highly recommended. Would not recommend the package rates including lodging which they offer. No provision for washing and hanging your own gear - you have to haul it to the boat each day, but they will pick up clients at some hotels in their van. They have an advantage in having an email address, but don't make very good use of it in providing information to clients.

My next visit will be Loreto, and can't wait to return to the Baja. I'm following the route taken by Steinbeck in the "Log of the Sea of Cortez," and have mostly completed the northern end of the trip he did in 1941.

Dear Señor Metcalf:

Upon doing a general search in Yahoo!, I came across a review of our company, Scu-Baja, in La Paz, Baja California - written by a Sr. John Funk.

Upon reading Señor Funk's report, I was disappointed to find his negative commentary regarding our company. We are a quality oriented dive company, offering excellent camping, snorkeling and dive packages to the discriminating traveler. I request the opportunity to clarify some items regarding Sr. Funk's comments of his dive experience with us.

First, this Sr. Funk says that he was not checked for his diving certification. Safety is our most important issue and we are very careful to check certification. Also, he said that several dives were unaccompanied by a divemaster. Sometimes divers have a tendency to wander off by themselves, but under normal circumstances I can assure you that they are always accompanied by a trained professional. Regarding his comment of many divers per boatload; our specialized, high-speed boats have a capacity of between 10 to 12 persons per boat - by law we cannot exceed these numbers.

He mentions that the days were long, starting at 8am and ending at 6pm. Normally we end the day around 4pm, but we stopped this particular day to play with whale sharks and manta rays. This spontaneous stop delayed our return to La Paz by two hours, but it was a decision that (we thought) delighted all of our clients.

Señor Funk also mentions that he would not recommend the package rates including the hotels we offer. How can he make this comment when he did not stay at one of the four fine hotels we offer? How does one criticize that which one has not even tried?

Next, the gentleman complains of having to wash and hang your own gear, that you have to haul it to the boat yourself - that we only pick up some clients at some hotels. We pick up each and every client from the door of their hotel, we put their gear in the van and then onto our boat. As far as washing and hanging your own gear, we prefer to handle and wash all gear with fresh water once we return to the marina. We also provide fresh water on the boat to rinse your gear.

Finally, the señor says "they have an advantage in having an email address, but don't make very good use of it in providing information to their clients." Normally, we have a good tracking system and response time with our emails following up on our inquiries on a daily basis. We know like most companies entering the new millennium that the tool of email only works when used properly and wisely.

I hope that you will publish this on your web site, and thank you in advance for your time and attention.

Sincerely,

Enrique Castillo