BajaNomad

Grocery Store and Hotel in Cataviña ?

cupcake - 12-30-2024 at 03:45 PM

Is there any place to buy groceries in Cataviña? Cans of sardines, ravioli, bread, cheese? Things that don't need to be cooked?

Is there an inexpensive hotel in or near Cataviña?

I know there are public buses that stop at Cataviña both north and southbound. Any tips on coming and going via these buses?

Any bad experiences with dogs at Cataviña or Rancho Santa Ynez?

[Edited on 12-30-2024 by cupcake]

BooJumMan - 12-30-2024 at 04:04 PM

Its been a few years, I have been bypassing Catavina a lot lately...but there is a "new" store there. Its a mini market, larger than an OXXO but smaller than a Calimax. I remember something about them having rooms there as well. Its called "Pinos Mart Catavina".

You also can stay at the Desert Inn across the street, but it is not inexpensive.

And, I must be lucky or something, I've never had a bad experience with dogs in Baja in 40 years.

[Edited on 12-30-2024 by BooJumMan]

cupcake - 12-30-2024 at 04:11 PM

Thanks for the info! Good to now about the Pinos Mart Catavina. Hopefully they are still open.

I've been through Catavina a number of times over the years, usually on a public bus. I've always wanted to stop there, as the entire area looks so amazing and sparsely populated. It looks like a person could walk the dirt road from Catavina to Mision Santa Maria. I think David K drove this road a few years ago.

[Edited on 12-30-2024 by cupcake]

cupcake - 12-30-2024 at 04:42 PM

https://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=92441

Searching online for the Pinos Mart lead to the above linked Baja Nomad thread, with good info on places to stay.

There is an online report of the Pinos Mart being open in 2022.

[Edited on 12-30-2024 by cupcake]

AKgringo - 12-30-2024 at 05:21 PM

Will you be heading north, or south, and what is your schedule? I am south of you in Guerrero Negro and don't have a schedule, or destination in the near future. I just came down here to drive around and see what I can find.

I live out of my SUV (a Honda Element this time) and I have a large dog, but I should be able to haul one more person with whatever you could board a bus with.

bajatrailrider - 12-30-2024 at 05:49 PM

Did the Gas station ever open there ?

cupcake - 12-30-2024 at 05:55 PM

Thanks to both of you.

I hope to be heading south on a public bus from TJ in the next few days, but I don't have an exact day or schedule.

I appreciate your offer, AK, but I should be able to reach Catavina by public bus.

cupcake - 12-30-2024 at 05:58 PM

Quote: Originally posted by bajatrailrider  
Did the Gas station ever open there ?


I don't know, but today while searching for info online, I came across a map that shows a Pemex next to the Pinos Market, though that could just be wishful thinking.

mtgoat666 - 12-30-2024 at 08:02 PM

Quote: Originally posted by cupcake  
Quote: Originally posted by bajatrailrider  
Did the Gas station ever open there ?


I don't know, but today while searching for info online, I came across a map that shows a Pemex next to the Pinos Market, though that could just be wishful thinking.


They built that new gas station over 5 years ago. It never opened… The c-store is nice, for basic c-store junk foods.

There used to be a very small grocery store on north side of town, on east side of 1,… is it still there?

You asked avout inexpensive hotel,… the fancy hotel doesnt cost much by usa standards, especially if out of whale season. Out of season rates arent bad, and it is a nice hotel.

David K - 12-30-2024 at 08:58 PM

Quote: Originally posted by cupcake  
Thanks for the info! Good to now about the Pinos Mart Catavina. Hopefully they are still open.

I've been through Catavina a number of times over the years, usually on a public bus. I've always wanted to stop there, as the entire area looks so amazing and sparsely populated. It looks like a person could walk the dirt road from Catavina to Mision Santa Maria. I think David K drove this road a few years ago.

[Edited on 12-30-2024 by cupcake]


I did the road to Mission Santa María in 1999, 2003, 2007, 2010, and as a passenger with TMW in 2022. Photos of all trips at www.vivabaja.com It is a brutal road and would take you many hours to hike in. It takes up to 5 to drive in! See our last trip at www.vivabaja.com/msm2022

wilderone - 12-31-2024 at 12:27 PM

There is (or was) a restaurant at Rcho Santa Ynez - they have coffee, sodas, beer too. And there is a restaurant at the Hotel Mision in Catavina. Pick up groceries in TJ, or get stuff at the meal stops during the bus ride. Maybe a meal stop between TJ and Catavina - El Rosario? Usually some chips and some vendors as well for "to go". Bring zip lock bags. Yes, you can walk the 15 miles from Catavina to Mision Santa Maria - would take 2 days there, 2 days return with a pack on your back. Unless you're a fast walker and can do 15 mi./day. You can pack food for a couple days before you start your trip - protein bars, dried fruit, tuna in a pouch, nuts, jerky. Happy trails.

KurtG - 12-31-2024 at 02:52 PM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  
Quote: Originally posted by cupcake  
Thanks for the info! Good to now about the Pinos Mart Catavina. Hopefully they are still open.

I've been through Catavina a number of times over the years, usually on a public bus. I've always wanted to stop there, as the entire area looks so amazing and sparsely populated. It looks like a person could walk the dirt road from Catavina to Mision Santa Maria. I think David K drove this road a few years ago.

[Edited on 12-30-2024 by cupcake]


I did the road to Mission Santa María in 1999, 2003, 2007, 2010, and as a passenger with TMW in 2022. Photos of all trips at www.vivabaja.com It is a brutal road and would take you many hours to hike in. It takes up to 5 to drive in! See our last trip at www.vivabaja.com/msm2022


In a conversation with Graham McIntosh quite a few years ago he told me that he had hiked into Santa Maria. I was on the 2010 trip with David and others and it was a memorable trip, the water/mud in the bog area was deep and there was a bit of winching involved. A good time despite my not feeling well, turned out to be a mild respiratory infection. David generously shared some ice cold OJ which helped keep me going. A good trip with a good and interesting group.

4x4abc - 12-31-2024 at 04:31 PM

the hike from the hotel in Catavina to Mision Santa Maria is 25 Kilometers following the old Hampe track

David K - 12-31-2024 at 05:56 PM

Quote: Originally posted by KurtG  
Quote: Originally posted by David K  
Quote: Originally posted by cupcake  
Thanks for the info! Good to now about the Pinos Mart Catavina. Hopefully they are still open.

I've been through Catavina a number of times over the years, usually on a public bus. I've always wanted to stop there, as the entire area looks so amazing and sparsely populated. It looks like a person could walk the dirt road from Catavina to Mision Santa Maria. I think David K drove this road a few years ago.

[Edited on 12-30-2024 by cupcake]


I did the road to Mission Santa María in 1999, 2003, 2007, 2010, and as a passenger with TMW in 2022. Photos of all trips at www.vivabaja.com It is a brutal road and would take you many hours to hike in. It takes up to 5 to drive in! See our last trip at www.vivabaja.com/msm2022


In a conversation with Graham McIntosh quite a few years ago he told me that he had hiked into Santa Maria. I was on the 2010 trip with David and others and it was a memorable trip, the water/mud in the bog area was deep and there was a bit of winching involved. A good time despite my not feeling well, turned out to be a mild respiratory infection. David generously shared some ice cold OJ which helped keep me going. A good trip with a good and interesting group.


Good memory, good trip, good friends!
At the peninsular divide, I took this group photo:


L to R: BajaTripper, Zully, CG, Baja Angel, Kurt G, Neal Johns, Baja Bucko, Art, Mia, HB Murphy, and Zoom.

KurtG - 12-31-2024 at 07:29 PM

There are about sixty lbs less on my frame now than in that pic.

LancairDriver - 12-31-2024 at 09:26 PM

Been quite a while since I drove through Catavina when "Gotta Peso" a US citizen, was still there hitting up passers by for a peso or two with a few tall tales. He survived there for a long time living in the junk cars there. I heard he was deported to San Diego to get some medical care. He was not quite the celebrity as Coco was, but still an interesting Baja character.



David K - 1-1-2025 at 12:29 AM

Quote: Originally posted by KurtG  
There are about sixty lbs less on my frame now than in that pic.


Congratulations!!!
I also am lighter by about 30lbs.
Happy New Year!