BajaNomad - Rancho Buena Vista

Rancho Buena Vista

OLDFEZZYWIG - 6-30-2006 at 07:29 PM

Looking for info on Rancho Buena Vista . Just got back from the east cape stayed at Palmas De Cortez for the eight year . Service was sub par and seems to get worse every year and more expensive . I had 2 captains who could not catch a trout in a fish hatchery . Every day the lunches and drinks on boats where screwed up . Hell one day I was on a boat and they did not load my beer in the cooler I ordered . Can you believe fishing with no beer on your vacation !!!!
The other guys I was with one day had no water to drink on their boat . I took a walk up to Ranch Buena Vista looks nice .
If anyone has any feedback on this place I would appreciate it . I did have fun in Cabo at Melia San Lucas great place .
Regards

Roberto - 6-30-2006 at 08:06 PM

Just what does beer have to do with fishing and being out on the water, anyway?

I run my own boat, and drinking is not allowed. Wanna know why? Because, if we have an emergency, I don't want to have to haul some drunk-ass "fisherman" ashore - potentially risking my life or that of someone else on board to do it. Save the drinking for when you are ashore, and enjoy being on the water.

For the rest, Beuna Vista is (or was) in a different class than Palmas de Cortez, or any of the Van Wormer places.

OLDFEZZYWIG - 6-30-2006 at 08:42 PM

I doubt the five beers I ordered will make me a 250 pound man a drunk ass . Thanks for your useless input .

Roberto - 6-30-2006 at 09:26 PM

You're more than welcome. :lol:

Your answer is perfectly consistent with the picture you painted by your question.

And, keep doubting that - I would like to see a 250 pound man, in a rough sea after five beers. I'm sure it would help. :lol:

[Edited on 7-1-2006 by Roberto]

Al G - 6-30-2006 at 10:31 PM

Oldfezzwig,
Drinking and fishing is not a match for fun. I do not agree with Roberto cut and dry attitude. His opinion is his.
most of the time I take a couple beers for the ride in. Most real captains will have ONE with you if it has been a successful day.
For the real Question, Rancho Buena Vista (Spa) has a good fleet, but average. About $350 for a cruiser. To many people and not as classy as Palmas de Cortez. Rancho Buena Vista has a fleet ($275 a cruiser +-) Good Captains, but I would not sleep there. I rent a house on the beach and have a Panga pick me up there. U2U me if you need a phone #

OLDFEZZYWIG - 7-1-2006 at 10:18 AM

Yes Roberto those sea's off the east cape are extremely rough in June , especially when you are a whole 4 or 5 miles out marlin fishing aren't they .You are an absolute flipping genius aren't you . Thank's for your input Al I will take it under advisement .

Wig

Roberto - 7-1-2006 at 12:15 PM

Please include a picture so that I may make ansolutely sure there is no chance you will get anywhere near my boat or any other boat I am on. :lol:

Salsa - 7-1-2006 at 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by OLDFEZZYWIG
Yes Roberto those sea's off the east cape are extremely rough in June , especially when you are a whole 4 or 5 miles out marlin fishing aren't they .You are an absolute flipping genius aren't you . Thank's for your input Al I will take it under advisement .

Wig

Obviously you have never been to the East Cape in high seas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Don :no:

Eli - 7-1-2006 at 04:01 PM

Anyway, about those hotels;

Rancho Buena Vista is a classic, and pretty much the way it was in the 70's. I always enjoy visiting there. The rooms are old, might smell musty, but the dining, bar and exterior grounds are comfortable and beautiful.

My favorite and where I would land if I was staying at a fishing resort would be Punta Pescadero, another classic place that has some how frozen within it's walls a tribute to times gone by in Baja.

eetdrt88 - 7-1-2006 at 04:32 PM

Just what does beer have to do with fishing and being out on the water, anyway?
:lol:

now thats some funny shi*....beer and fishing are like mayonaise and mustard,2 things that have always gone together and and probably always will :yes:

Al G - 7-1-2006 at 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Eli
Anyway, about those hotels;

Rancho Buena Vista is a classic, and pretty much the way it was in the 70's. I always enjoy visiting there. The rooms are old, might smell musty, but the dining, bar and exterior grounds are comfortable and beautiful.

I completely agree, except the rooms did NOT smell, and was clean, but were sparse and the door would not stay closed without locking(a real pain) it. No screen. Most would not pay $200+ in off season. It is a beautiful setting and comfortable.
Sorry, I should have explained more when I said I would not sleep there.
Albert

bajajudy - 7-1-2006 at 05:51 PM

Rancho Buena Vista is a classic. You can almost hear Jimmy Smith telling tales at the bar. It is very low key and the grounds are beautiful. I think that it is like $80/person. Muy tranquilo.
Palmas has gotten too big. They have lost the personal touch that made the place so special. It is hard to be personal when you are trying to sell time shares.

bajajudy - 7-1-2006 at 05:56 PM

This is the only photo I have of Rancho. It was taken after the Arts Festival, ergo all the tables and chairs but it gives you an idea of how nice the grounds are...lotsa old growth.

Al G - 7-1-2006 at 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Al G

Quote:

Why did it put my statement inside the box with Eli's???

Al G - 7-1-2006 at 06:54 PM

It is still doing it :lol:

Personally, I have had nothing but great experiences----------

Barry A. - 7-1-2006 at 10:28 PM

----------at the Van Wormer resorts. They are classic, and I have never had so much fun for so little money. I especially love the Punta Colorada resort, and the fishing was great.

Frank - 7-1-2006 at 11:31 PM

Have you tried Verdugos? Victor and Nino are a great crew.

bajajudy - 7-2-2006 at 06:43 AM

Al
You have to put your comments on the outside(to the right) of
the word quote that is in parenthesis and preceded with/.
I cant give you an example because it keeps quoting me.

[Edited on 7-2-2006 by bajajudy]

bajajudy - 7-2-2006 at 06:49 AM

BA
I have nothing against the Van Wormers, they are charming people but I think that Palmas has gotten too big(IMHO).
Punta Colorado is another story...still a classic.

wornout - 7-2-2006 at 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Eli
Anyway, about those hotels;

Rancho Buena Vista is a classic, and pretty much the way it was in the 70's. I always enjoy visiting there. The rooms are old, might smell musty, but the dining, bar and exterior grounds are comfortable and beautiful.

My favorite and where I would land if I was staying at a fishing resort would be Punta Pescadero, another classic place that has some how frozen within it's walls a tribute to times gone by in Baja.

This was a great post to get back on subject and away from the 'drive by posters' thanks :lol:

Eli - 7-2-2006 at 07:53 AM

In retrospect, I have never been in any of the bungalows at Rancho Buena Vista, so it is incorrect of me to pass on more than they are very charming to see and blend beautifuly with their surroundings.

My comment about them smelling musty came from 2nd information received from a few folks who have stayed there over the years and my assumpation given the age of the structures, I truly no first hand knowledge there.

My love for the old resort is based in the fact that it is so easy for me to encounter times gone by; my ol Dad's spirit is there, and some of my own too, now that I think of it. In my minds eyes I can visit some very special moments in my life under the trees at Rancho Buena Vista.

As to cost of a fishing or even just hang out vacation at any of the coastal resorts, totaly out of my economic league and and area of expertise.

Saludos, Sara

[Edited on 7-2-2006 by Eli]

vjfamily - 7-2-2006 at 08:50 AM

My family has stayed at Ranco Buena Vista yearly for the last 15 years. The food is wonderful, the setting is beautiful, good air condioning, clean BIG towels, Tony can arrange a boat and a crew. The kitchen staff will cook your fish for you. Our love affair with the East Cape grew out of our visits to Rancho Buena Vista. I have read many a book sitting on the patio waiting for the boats to return from fishing. The Palapa bar has great bartenders, fabulous view and good drinks.
Give the place a visit and form you own imprression, perhaps we will there at the same time and can buy you a drink. Joanna

Rancho Buena Vista

lewm - 7-2-2006 at 02:54 PM

My first trip to Rancho Buena Vista I believe was in the late 60's. We flew from TJ to La Paz then caught a little 4-seater to the Ranch. Landing on the riverbed runway next to it. We had a great time. Plenty of fish, food & drinks. When we were ready to return we were taken out to the runway & found a DC-3 backed up the hill. The runway ran downhill to the sea. Believe me, I had some doubts about that takeoff. I guess a hurricane wiped out the runway for good. Years ago.
I still go back there when I can. It's still the same old place. I keep hearing that it is up for sale.
This year I fished out of Punta Colorada, another nice place. The reason was most of the boats were fishing for tuna off of Cabo Plumo & this saved me a longer boat ride & more time to fish.

turtleandtoad - 7-2-2006 at 03:02 PM

To quote someone?

Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day.

Teach a man to fish and he will drink beer all day! :lol:

bajaden - 7-3-2006 at 12:10 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by turtleandtoad
To quote someone?

Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day.

Teach a man to fish and he will drink beer all day! :lol:

Now there's a man after my own heart. By the way I'll put in another vote for Verdugo's. Probably not as classy but then, neither am I.

Bill Collector - 7-3-2006 at 07:03 AM

Rancho Buena Vista is "Ranch"
Hotel Buena Vista Resort is called "Spa"

I agree that Ranch is the best to stay at but Spa is also a nice quite place. They have good boats & Great Skippers.

Early Baja Trips

Marinero - 7-3-2006 at 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by lewm
My first trip to Rancho Buena Vista I believe was in the late 60's. We flew from TJ to La Paz then caught a little 4-seater to the Ranch. Landing on the riverbed runway next to it. We had a great time. Plenty of fish, food & drinks. When we were ready to return we were taken out to the runway & found a DC-3 backed up the hill. The runway ran downhill to the sea. Believe me, I had some doubts about that takeoff. I guess a hurricane wiped out the runway for good. Years ago.
I still go back there when I can. It's still the same old place. I keep hearing that it is up for sale.
This year I fished out of Punta Colorada, another nice place. The reason was most of the boats were fishing for tuna off of Cabo Plumo & this saved me a longer boat ride & more time to fish.

On my first fishing trip to Cabo, in a year I don't remember, the first flight was from LA to La Paz. Then, you transferred to Servicios Pacificos luxury DC-3, destination Hotel Cabo San Lucas. The flight in was pretty uneventful, as I recall.

The Boatman then was Joaquin, a Viejo with a slow manner, a dry wit and a gentlemanly decorum. On a trip years later, when for some reason the fishing was not good he told me "Se?or, if the fishing was always perfect, you would not want to return".

The return trip was a thrill. That airstrip was a hillside strip as well. They ran the DC-3 to the top and spun it around facing south. After running the engines with the brakes on until the plane started to slide on the dirt, the take-off began. Down the short runway to the vaca fence, which was dropped at the last minute to allow the plane clearance.

The plane popped into the air, but did not have enough airspeed to fly. When we cleared the cliff it dropped like a rock, until finally you could feel the lift take effect and we were off to La Paz. Very exciting! The most vivid memory of that trip however, was the comic book rolled up in the back pocket of the pilot, visible when he sealed the door and returned to the c-ckpit.

I made several of those trips before the airport at San Jose opened. I sort of miss them.

I love Verdugos in East Cape.

BajaHawk - 7-4-2006 at 12:58 PM

A little "scaled down" but very comfortable and great service at reasonable rates. They can accomidate everyone from tent campers-motormohes/trailers- and have modest yet comfortable rooms. The have a nice pool and decent place to get your grub on if you don't want to do the five minute walk to town for more reasonable/great food. I have never been on their boats but have heard only good things.

They also have a tractor and will launch YOUR boat for you, for about $20 (US).

Great thread

Al G - 7-4-2006 at 01:16 PM

I have been to a few/many places in Buena Vista/Los Barriles, but I am picking up little nuggets of info with every post. This area gets little if any post time. Hope it keeps going. As I said before I prefer to stay in beach houses and walk/drive the beach and back roads to visit all the resorts. I can tell you I've been welcome in all.

Ken Bondy - 7-4-2006 at 04:39 PM

I started flying into Rancho Buena Vista in the late 1960s. Pilots might get a kick out of this story (capt. mike are you listening??). Because the runway sloped upwards 150 ft from the beach, it was a written and unwritten rule that you ALWAYS landed uphill and took off downhill, regardless of the wind. No less an authority than Arnold Senterfitt said this, and I believed it. One December afternoon I was flying there in a C-182 and when we overflew the strip the windsock was sticking straight out towards the mountain with about 35 knots off the ocean. With the old "land uphill, takeoff downhill" rule burned into my unthinking brain, I entered a downwind toward the ocean, planning to land, of course, uphill (and downwind). I extended a little bit, turned base, and found myself over the threshold blazing along at what seemed like about 300 knots ground speed. I went around. OK, I can solve this. I'll just extend the downwind further, get lined up and real slow (very smart, huh?), and force her on at the end of the runway, then the uphill rollout will get me slowed down. So I extended the downwind out about halfway to Mazatlan, turned base, and with about a 10-mile final got lined up and slowed it down as much as I could. I did get it forced onto the runway in about the first third, but I was SCREAMING. With the yolk embedded in my stomach and my toes cramping and HARD on the brakes, I came to a screeching stop about 10 feet from the fence at the high end near the bend in the highway. Sweating and grateful to be alive, we taxied to tiedown, and as we were unloading, watched a Cherokee with a SMART pilot enter a downwind toward the mountain, turn base, and land downhill and upwind in about 300 feet. Boy did I feel dumb, but that taught me a helluva lesson about Baja flying. Be constantly thinking and don't rely on any general rules. There aren't any.

++Ken++

[Edited on 7-5-2006 by Ken Bondy]

Eli - 7-4-2006 at 09:31 PM

Besides the ones I have collected on my own, and carry in my head, it sure is a pleasure to visit some other good memories on this thread.

Classic times in some classic hotels.

Geeeeeezzzzzzzzz Ken Bondy, you had me riding on the edge by the seat of my pants with you on that one. Sure glad you pulled it off.

Ken Bondy - 7-4-2006 at 09:53 PM

Me too Eli. Learned a lot from that episode. By the way, I met your dad for the first time at Punta Colorado, but I saw him and talked with him many times at RBV. Good memories,

++Ken++

capt. mike - 7-6-2006 at 07:17 AM

great story Ken!
you know we've all done some things!!

some rules are made to be "appealed"!!

Eli - 7-10-2006 at 06:49 AM

Just had to bring back one more great memory of Rancho Buena Vista - When Miguel de Hoyo gave a concert there....the best

[Edited on 7-10-2006 by Eli]

Dancing to Miguel's Magic guitar

Eli - 7-10-2006 at 07:10 AM

Marinero - 7-10-2006 at 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Eli

Let me guess......Sally?

Eli - 7-10-2006 at 01:39 PM

Taaa-Daa