La Bufadora
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La Bufadora is a marine geyser, or Blowhole located on the Punta Banda Peninsula in Baja California, Mexico. The spout of marine water (occurring every minute or so to varying degrees of height) is created when ocean waves and air are drawn into an underwater cave located in the cliffside, and the trapped air and water then explode upwards. This interaction not only creates the upward-shooting spout, but a thunderous noise as well.
La Bufadora is the second largest blowhole in the world, and can shoot upwards as high as 80 feet above sea level.
[edit] Legend
La Bufadora roughly translates as "The Blowhole" in English. Its name arises from local legend surrounding the marine geyser's origin. Folklore describes a baby whale entering the underwater cave over a century ago and becoming stuck (calves grow very rapidly in a very short period of time). The spout of water is from the (now-grown) whale’s blowhole (hence the name La Bufadora – or "The Blowhole") and the thunderous noise are its cries.
[edit] Tourism
La Bufadora regularly draws tourists visiting Ensenada, a city located roughly 30 km (20 miles) north of the attraction. Besides the marine geyser, the location also offers various restaurants, souvenir shops, and a recently added museum. Bed & Breakfast is now available for up to 8 persons at La Casa Verde in La Bufadora and other vacation rentals are available from the UPS office serving La Bufadora from Punta Banda now.
