ca_grown - 10-1-2009 at 11:03 AM
I'm headed to Cabo tomorrow and we are planning to head into the east cape
to surf.
We have a nissan 4 door standard truck reserved.
Does anyone know what the roads are like down there. will we need a 4x4?
Mexicorn - 10-1-2009 at 11:36 AM
Dont know we live in northern Baja but if you get a chance to rent a 4x4 do it! As a whole the roads suck in both northern and southern baja.
There even pot holes on the toll road which I might add is a complete rip off but you have to take it if you are not familiar with the free roads.
Just my two pesos worth...
Mexicorn
mulegemichael - 10-1-2009 at 11:59 AM
the roads are fine, just fine...no major rains to wash them out for some time now...the worse stretch of road is between ensenada and tecate and
between ensenada and san quintin...smooth rolling everywhere else.
Bajahowodd - 10-1-2009 at 12:02 PM
Assuming you're talking about the road from San Jose, past Cabo Pulmo on to La Ribera... I've made that drive many times in a sedan. There's
considerable development in the area and traffic supporting it. As Mexicorn suggests, you'll have more options with 4wd, but you won't need it to
drive what I described.
As for the Toll road, I'm assuming he's referring to the one from the airport to San Jose. There have been problems from the beginning with it, as
construction was done hurriedly to be completed prior to a high profile meeting of international heads of state several years back. That said, you
will save considerable time by taking the toll road. Assuming you're renting from a company at or near the airport. The free road to San Jose from the
airport, certainly provides interesting views of the "real' Cabo area, but slow traffic and many traffic signals really slows you down.
dtbushpilot - 10-1-2009 at 12:38 PM
I always take the toll road around San Jose, best $2.00 you can spend....dt
ca_grown - 10-1-2009 at 12:43 PM
thanks for the info.
I'm not worried about the roads around town, mainly just the east cape toward
shipwrecks.
the only 4x4 i can really find is a jeep, and you can't really lock anything inside.
Bajahowodd - 10-1-2009 at 01:10 PM
Unless a chubasco materializes, you will not need 4wd.
BFS - 10-1-2009 at 01:22 PM
i drove that stretch last week. Its an absolute washboard/pothole hell, but no 4x4 needed and the worst part seems to be between shipwrecks and 9
palms. Bring a kidney belt and an extra set of dentures and thank the big kahuna in the sky for being in a rental and not your own car.
Have fun!
ca_grown - 10-1-2009 at 01:25 PM
aqbluegreen thanks for the info. Just what I was looking for.
BFS - 10-1-2009 at 01:26 PM
by the way the Bocana has "popped" so lots of "shade" to be had in San Jose with no need for that always entertaining washboard nightmare. Ill be
first one on it Sat & Sun.
See you there!
Aq
vandy - 10-1-2009 at 05:21 PM
I drive that road all the time 2wd. When I bog down at the beach, I just deflate the tires to about ten or fifteen pounds (regular street tires,
radials).
If you don't have a pump to re-inflate them, don't hit any sharp rocks with the sidewalls on your way to a Pemex or llantera.
snowcat5 - 10-2-2009 at 06:42 AM
ca grown, Friends say the East Cape Rd. is open and ok. They didn't get much rain ( an inch or so the other day) and the road held together. Try
Shipwrecks and then try the Shark pit- its usually better. On the way back to San O'haze stop at Zac's for a meal and a beer- tell 'em Rock sent you.
Paul and Angel (at Zac's) have all the local info and road conditions. BTW- take the back road over the mountain- the coast road is closed between
La Laguna and Zacatitas- may be open soon, though.
Bajahowodd - 10-2-2009 at 03:53 PM
How does one get to Buzzard's from the north?
mulegemichael - 10-2-2009 at 04:11 PM
just follow the coast road down
Bajahowodd - 10-2-2009 at 05:07 PM
I know where Buzzard's is. But another poster mention the road being closed.
mulegemichael - 10-2-2009 at 05:33 PM
dunno...but i remember my bro and i took the coast road down one time in the early 80s from punta colorada to San Jose...had no idea...we rented a
nissan sentra; late 70s model...we made it, not totally unscathed from la ribera to san jose in one full day...notta lot a stop...once in cabo pulmo
for gas outta 55 gallon drum...the "siphoner" was in training; he took a full mouthful of 87 octane magna before sticking it in our tank for a
fillup..."could you check the water and oil too, please?"..great experience..came limping into the rental agency in san jose; muffler dragging, oil
leaking from the pan, a rip in the seat from a hook file in the back pocket...all that stuff...cause we bought the insurance..the coast road if
wonderful, if you have the time...and ya can do it in a baby carriage..
slimshady - 10-2-2009 at 08:18 PM
You can take Palo Escopeto road which runs on the opposite side of the airport. Take that to Vinoramos / Punta Perfecta. When you get there hang a
right and take the coastal road and hit all the breaks.
snowcat5 - 10-2-2009 at 08:24 PM
Turn right at the Cactus Corner place in Zac. and the road takes you to Laguna Hills, Porto Lost Cabos, and San Jose. Turn left at the first round
about, go down to the beach, Buzzards and Laguna Hills. Go straight thru and you go to San o Haze.
slimshady - 10-3-2009 at 08:06 AM
The road from the Puerto Los Cabos roundabout circle may be washed out one your off the paved road near Zacaticas. Perhaps taking the coastal road
from that runs below Punta Gorda will be better to bypass the washout. You have to check though. I find going in one way and cming out the other makes
the trip easier. Say enter from Palo escopeto and come back down the coastal road to SJD.