jim&carol - 2-5-2008 at 11:35 AM
Does it make sense to take the East coast road between Cabo Pulmo and San Jose del Cabo in a rental car? Sounds like the scenery is great but tour
books claim it disintegrates badly some miles south of Cabo Pulmo.
Also, there is apparently an inland cutoff road that leaves the coast near Rancho La Vinorama and heads back toward the Cabo airport. It is
apparently better than the coast road south of there. Any comments on that alternative appreciated.
I suspect that the road farther south would be influenced (for better or worse) by new development near San Jose del Cabo so conditions there might be
changing daily.
Thanks, Jim
osoflojo - 2-5-2008 at 11:58 AM
It has been a while since I have been on that road. The last time I was on it, I wished I was in a rental rather than my own vehicle.
Bajabus - 2-5-2008 at 12:13 PM
it's a great road and many travel it in a rental. BUT and this is a BIG BUT. ALL rental agreements down there say you cannot drive on dirt roads so
if something happens like you get stuck or break down DO NOT CALL THE RENTAL CO. get it pushed or pulled to the asphalt and then call. The inland
road to vinorama is ok. Do the whole coast road however it's a lot nicer. A VW bug is a nice vehicle to do it in. just be carefully and don't go
off road anywhere that even looks dicey.
Bajabus - 2-5-2008 at 12:18 PM
PS if you decide to rent a jeep it's not much better. Same wording in the contract and many of the companies remove the front driveshaft so you can't
use 4 wheel drive. look under the vehicle before you rent it to be sure. You will get a little better clearance but that's about it
islandmusicteach - 2-5-2008 at 02:05 PM
Check to make sure there's a spare and a jack before you leave the rental office 
jim&carol - 2-15-2008 at 11:56 AM
Winthy,
Excellent info and just what I was looking for as the orginal poster. I have simply "pasted" your reply into my travel plans and will take it with
me. Thanks
Jim
El Jefe - 2-16-2008 at 11:23 AM
Winthy's report is right on. We live on that stretch of road between Pulmo and San Jose and drive it regularly. The tractor was working on it near our
place two weeks ago. We always love to see him come by since we know our trips to town will be much smoother for a month or so. But the road goes to
hell in a hurry. Last month the fuel tank fell out of my truck when one of the straps that hold it up broke. Typical long term effect of running our
"driveway" for supplies.
Rental cars go by every day without problem. Just stay on the road, or if you do pull off make sure it is a hard surface. I carry a tow strap in both
vehicles and can't tell you how many rental cars we have pulled out of the sand just a few feet from the road.
We're up visiting kids in San Diego right now and would trade driving I-5 for our dirt road any time!