My small rituals for my big adventures.
- Aug 6, 2025
- 3 min read
Having the privilege of exploring the Baja California peninsula is a gift.
Whether it’s walking among sand dunes, exploring ancient ruins, horseback riding to the caves of our ancestors, heading out in a small panga in search of encounters with ocean giants, going fishing, birdwatching in wetlands, or wandering through vast salt flats... every outing is unique — but there's one thing that never changes for me:
The way I prepare for each encounter with nature.
Today, I want to share what I always carry in my backpack— not just as a guide or traveler, but as someone who deeply loves this place and wants to experience it with both respect and safety.
Even if you're joining a guide or someone who knows the area well, it's important to cultivate self-reliance — mostly for your own comfort. So here's my list of must-haves to enjoy every adventure to the fullest, broken down in a practical checklist you can follow step-by-step:
Protection & Comfort
Biodegradable (reef-safe) sunscreen, SPF 50
Hat or cap
Sunglasses (polarized if possible)
Light, comfortable clothing (bonus points for UV-protection shirts)
Swimsuit (yes — even in the mountains, you might find springs or creeks to cool off!)
Microfiber towel (they’re small and very absorbent)
Toilet paper, tissues, or wet wipes (keep them in a small reusable zip bag to save space)
Hydration & Snacks
Purified water in a reusable bottle (aluminum bottles keep water cooler for longer)
Non-perishable snacks: dried fruit, nuts, protein bars, etc.
Electrolyte powder (I love Liquid IV — you can find it on Mercado Libre and Amazon in lots of flavors)
Tech to Capture Memories
Camera (depending on the trip, your phone, a professional camera, or a waterproof option like a GoPro or Insta360)
Waterproof case or 360 protection for your phone
Small power bank
Notebook or app to take notes or keep a nature journal
Headphones (I can’t live without music — they go everywhere with me)
Safety & Preparation
Basic first-aid kit (band-aids, alcohol wipes, antihistamines, gauze, motion sickness pills, medical tape, etc.)
Multipurpose knife (Swiss army-style)
Whistle
Flashlight (bonus if it’s solar-powered)
Local nature guides (trifold formats are light and easy to carry)
Trash bag, preferably made from recycled materials(Remember the golden rule: take only photos, leave only footprints! Always pack out your trash — and if you can, help by picking up a little more.)
As far as my choice of bags goes, I usually end up bringing my camel bag, it holds 2 liters of water (which I use as a back up or for sharing since I also bring my Hydroflask water bottle), as well as pretty much everything else I mentioned in the list if I pack it just right. For longer adventures I take a larger pack, preferably one with a waterproof pouch for my electronics.
But more than the gear, what I carry is presence.
There’s something beautiful in understanding that every journey is a chance to listen, observe, and learn from the land, the sea, and the wind.
To stay open and ready for the unexpected — whether it’s a whale, a cloud shaped like a heart, or a story shared by a local...
I’ve shared countless times how much I love being out in nature, but it’s also important to remember that Mother Earth is wild and unpredictable, and we might face surprises — so let’s always be prepared.
I know this blog post is a little different from what you usually see here, but I truly believe that being ready for our wild encounters is part of honoring the experience!
And you? What do you bring when you head out into nature?
Let me know in the comments if there’s something else you'd add — let’s help each other out!
See you again next Wednesday...
With salt on my skin and a well prepared mind,
Sirena
I am loving your writing! You are such an inspiration. One day you and your Mom must come visit us in Turkey! Hiking galore, adventures galore, castles, ruins, amphitheaters galore!