BajaNomad

Cabo airport to East Cape

Santiago - 1-7-2025 at 07:43 AM

We are taking this road for the first time in a few weeks, small SUV. Instruction provided by the rental property very clear, seems straightforward. Any issues or suggestions from those of you familiar with the area?
Thanks

Map from Airport to Villa del Faro.jpg - 161kB

surfhat - 1-7-2025 at 09:36 AM

The Palo Escopeta may not have the ocean views the coast road does, but it sure saves time when heading to areas north of Vinorama.

Just slow down when driving by the few ranchos along the way to keep the dust factor for the locals down as much as possible. The same goes for when approaching a vehicle coming at you from the opposite direction.

Crawling at times is a sign of respect or was years ago. It is a beautiful desert drive in its own way. Stop and smell the desert roses, figuratively and literally, as in enjoy the view.

My friends and I decades ago found a special place in the bend of an arroyo that had a magnificent fig tree molded into the rock wall.

We found it by accident exploring trails that were barely a road when the Palo Escopeta Road could lead one astray all too easily.

That spot had a magic all of its own. We went back a few times and brought lunch and a few cold ones to admire the perfectly smooth tree limbs flowing like water in and out of the rock wall.

The ocean breezes made it all the way inland funneled by the arroyo's walls. The shade made it all the better. Shade and a breeze can get you by just fine without real air conditioning.

Somewhere I have a few photos of this 30' high rock wall. Fig trees ability to grow and survive the way they do is a magic of their own.

Is the Villa del Faro Pino's old compound? I don't recall a lighthouse with exception of a couple of miles further north, actually east more than north, near a select secret surf spot that only breaks a few times a year, if even that often. haha

I hope you get a break from the predominant wind patterns on the East Cape that draws sailboarders every winter season. They tend to blow for a few days, take a break for a day or two if your lucky, and blow like crazy again.

Happy and safe travels. Much has to have changed since my time on the East Cape, but that the coast road has not been paved the whole way yet, is hopeful.

[Edited on 1-7-2025 by surfhat]

[Edited on 1-7-2025 by surfhat]

[Edited on 1-7-2025 by surfhat]

David K - 1-7-2025 at 12:00 PM

Jim (or anyone else) , why is that map route preferred to the more direct coastal road? More pavement?
Have a super vacation!

Paulclark - 1-8-2025 at 06:10 PM

I drive the Palo Escopeta road regularly as I live in Castillo de Arena, which is 6 miles north of Vinorama/10 miles south of Cabo Pulmo. It is the best route to San Jose for those that live between Los Frailes and Vinorama.

The coast road south of Vinorama follows the coast and has spectacular views but is in very poor condition from Vinorama to La Fortuna. There has been money raised to have a private grader improve that section and they are currently working on it.

Villa del Faro is currently a boutique hotel located at El Tule and is not Pino's old compound which is located in Vinorama. The lighthouse in front of Villa del Faro has been in operation for more than 30 years.

Currently the Palo Escopeta road is in good condition and Vinorama to Hwy 1 takes 40 minutes. It is a great road to explore as from Palo Escopeta you can turn north, travel to El Trinidad and then East to Los Frailes. Another route is to turn south at the school and travel to the coast at Terra Nova. There are lots of arroyos to explore, roads to travel and old trails over the mountains.

There are archeologists exploring the middens on the East Cape dunes and area north to Cabo Pulmo.

Enjoy your drive and do some exploring. There is good beach access along the coast. The best swimming beaches are El Tule, just north of Villa del Faro, Los Frailes with good snorkeling along the north end hill and a good hike to the top of the hill. Probably the best snorkeling in the Baja is at Arbolitos, which is 2 miles north of Los Frailes or in Cabo Pulmo.

Enjoy your trip.

Santiago - 1-9-2025 at 07:28 AM

Thanks, great advice.

surfhat - 1-9-2025 at 09:15 AM

Thanks Paul for a too many years long update on my favorite part of the East Cape.

Fish Camp, as we used to call it in order to keep it a secret, haha, that is the joke, is now a boutique hotel?

I still find myself tracking hurricanes just off the mainland that might send some waves into that small swell window. It is very particular to a swell direction and now even more exclusive.

There was a huge S SW swell that was in the large Hawaiian category in the 90's that had me in Vinorama and a few others from town driving north hoping to find something we could ride. Tule was 1'-2' that day. Easy 15' a few miles back toward town.

I hope when it does break, there is still public access. Have any photos of the Tule Boutique Hotel? Hard to imagine from its days of being a fish camp. Those fisherman lived a hard life and put up with much more hardships than we did, even when feral camping.

I always knew what time of day and where to go for some fresh fish straight off the boat when it was on my menu for the day.

Thanks for the memories Paul.

Santiago - 1-9-2025 at 09:31 AM

Speaking of fish, I plan to have a 'surf' rod setup (7.5' spinner with 30# braid) and an 8 weight for daybreak while SWMBO sleeps. I presume the usual crocs, kastmasters, swim baits etc and surf/salt flies are appropriate? Winter time so not sure what will be around.

Paulclark - 1-9-2025 at 05:23 PM

The "Fish Camp" name is not used anymore....except by a few people who have been around for a long time. Now it is "Boca del Tule" and when the storms push around the corner it is packed with surfers. The hotel website is: https://villadelfaro.net/

surfhat - 1-10-2025 at 11:33 AM

Thanks Paul for the hotel contact. Good to see the arroyo is still open.

It looks like the Federal Zone protections still work for public access.

What a treat it would be to stay there during a swell. Unimagined heights of luxury from decades ago.

I recall having to drive up to Pulmo for a restaurant meal once in a while. The original low slung shack of a restaurant was classic with fishing gear and assorted flotsam collected off the beach.

When camping for months at a time any cooked meal is much appreciated, even more so with a couple of cold ones.

Thanks for the memories.

That was it without taking the coast road back toward town.

Skipjack Joe - 1-11-2025 at 04:01 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Santiago  
Speaking of fish, I plan to have a 'surf' rod setup (7.5' spinner with 30# braid) and an 8 weight for daybreak while SWMBO sleeps. I presume the usual crocs, kastmasters, swim baits etc and surf/salt flies are appropriate? Winter time so not sure what will be around.


I have caught yellowfin croaker type of fish there from sandy beaches using Kastmasters. There were also Porgies to be caught occasionally. You might get lucky and find some ladyfish.

Things start to get better in early March when the big schools of sardinas start to show up. I've caught fish with a flyrod in the summer months but not in the January time frame.

Good luck.