BajaNomad - Punta Colonet Project?

Punta Colonet Project?

AmigoAnónimo - 10-4-2010 at 09:27 PM

First post, Google was no help. I hope some people here are "in the know" about this topic, since it is about Baja.

I went surfing in the Punta San Jacinto area not long ago with some friends. We stayed at a friend's house in the Ejido about a minute walk from the ship wreck. The surf in the area was fantastic, especially toward and at 4 casas. We got the place alone during the week. The weekend had people, but still really mellow. Our group began to talk about getting our own place to share down there, but not in an Ejido. Two in our group have Mexican nationality, so the coast restrictions don't apply. We all grew up together, so trust is not an issue between us. We are looking now, because the economy and all the violence in the news have made prices go down quite a bit. We are only afraid of big developments that would ruin nature and the surf anywhere near where we decide to buy.

So, here's my question. What's the REAL deal with the Punta Colonet project?

If that project has any chance in hell of going through, we will look elsewhere. We are in our mid 20s, so we want to have a place that will still be nice in 20-30 years. And we want a place that's almost too far to drive from the border for the majority of people, but definitely not too far that we need to fly. A day's drive away is the farthest we would like to go, but we would be flexible for the right spot. Scorpion Bay is too far and has been too crowded the few times we've gone.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Gracias.

David K - 10-4-2010 at 10:37 PM

Welcome to Nomad!

Just personal opinion: no way... the economy crashed before they even got it started.. and a railroad across Baja to Yuma is needed... not going to happen in a long time.

There are some people here who have homes at San Antonio del Mar to Punta Colonet... Hope they have some real info. for you!

[Edited on 10-5-2010 by David K]

sanquintinsince73 - 10-4-2010 at 11:25 PM

Sin fecha el arranque del proyecto Punta Colonet: SCT

La rentabilidad del puerto dependía de la saturación de las terminales de Long Beach y Los Ángeles, pero con la crisis económica disminuyó el movimiento de carga entre Asia y EU, modificando así los planes para Punta Colonet.

I got this off of the internet. It's a toss-up wether the plans will go thru. A government funcionario that I am working with now says that it will be built.

woody with a view - 10-5-2010 at 05:19 AM

i know that a majority of the land behind cuatro casas has been sold. negotiations are ongoing to sell the last few scattered parcels in trade for one solid beachfront parcel along the campo. if it becomes reality the surf along that zone will cease to exist as the break wall will be a mile long. i have seen the drawings for the proposed area and it is mind boggling when you look out over the ocean and let your mind wander.....

look at it from the perspective of you get your spot for the near term and IF it happens then you get to sell to the companies that will need to develop the area and house workers, etc......

schwlind - 10-5-2010 at 06:25 AM

I was in San Antonio Del Mar last week. According to our caretaker, the rumor he is hearing is that it will be built, however, initially not to as large a scale as proposed and within 5 years. He also said that some unknown group or persons have been buying huge swaths of land around Punta Colonet. This is also rumor... but what our person there is hearing.

torch - 10-5-2010 at 07:14 AM

believe nothing that you hear and half of what you see. I just got back from cuatro and all is silent with the development. people have been saying the port was going to happen for 10 years.

mtgoat666 - 10-5-2010 at 07:33 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by AmigoAnónimo
First post, Google was no help. I hope some people here are "in the know" about this topic, since it is about Baja.

I went surfing in the Punta San Jacinto area not long ago with some friends. We stayed at a friend's house in the Ejido about a minute walk from the ship wreck. The surf in the area was fantastic, especially toward and at 4 casas. We got the place alone during the week. The weekend had people, but still really mellow. Our group began to talk about getting our own place to share down there, but not in an Ejido. Two in our group have Mexican nationality, so the coast restrictions don't apply. We all grew up together, so trust is not an issue between us. We are looking now, because the economy and all the violence in the news have made prices go down quite a bit. We are only afraid of big developments that would ruin nature and the surf anywhere near where we decide to buy.

So, here's my question. What's the REAL deal with the Punta Colonet project?

If that project has any chance in hell of going through, we will look elsewhere. We are in our mid 20s, so we want to have a place that will still be nice in 20-30 years. And we want a place that's almost too far to drive from the border for the majority of people, but definitely not too far that we need to fly. A day's drive away is the farthest we would like to go, but we would be flexible for the right spot. Scorpion Bay is too far and has been too crowded the few times we've gone.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Gracias.

if the project does get green light, the land grab will get nasty and powerful interests will steal property titles from small fry.

mtgoat666 - 10-5-2010 at 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by torch
believe nothing that you hear and half of what you see. I just got back from cuatro and all is silent with the development. people have been saying the port was going to happen for 10 years.

don't believe what you hear locally. the locals will be the last to know of project being approved/funded. all decisions for a project of this size/scope will be made in mexico city. there will be no public involvement in decisions.

sanquintinsince73 - 10-5-2010 at 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by schwlind
I was in San Antonio Del Mar last week. According to our caretaker, the rumor he is hearing is that it will be built, however, initially not to as large a scale as proposed and within 5 years. He also said that some unknown group or persons have been buying huge swaths of land around Punta Colonet. This is also rumor... but what our person there is hearing.

The former Governor of Baja, Ruffo, obviously knows something we don't. He bought thousands of hectarias around the planned port area for pennies on the dollar. Now he is selling the land to the developers for literally millions of dollars.

Curt63 - 10-5-2010 at 09:55 AM

Here's my 2 cents, but I have never owned or leased land in Mexico.

There are no 20-30 year guarantees in Baja land no matter how many lawyers you hire. You may get screwed. Especially in a desirable, close to the US, beachfront location.

Scores of bad real estate deals of all legal arrangements have been shared in this forum. Land leases seem to be more secure than other arrangemnents.

Dont take anything to baja you are not prepared to lose (Investment $, vehicles, improvements, toys etc.)

I don't think the Colonet port is ever going to happen (but rumors would drive up land prices and stimulate foreign investment wouldn't they?). Mexico is big on dreams.....

When the time comes, I plan to take a trailer and rent/lease some land for a while. If things go bad, you move on down the road. If I like it, I will add improvements that can be hauled away.

Cheers, Curt

Bajatripper - 10-5-2010 at 12:32 PM

I read quite a bit about this project 3-4 years ago. The material had a good summation of the justifications for the project. Among the most salient points were the saturation of the West Coast terminals in the U.S., land use restrictions in the U.S., and--here's the one that caught my attention the most--the lax enforcement of environmental laws in Mexico (which, as a nation, has some of the most stringent environmental laws around). One of the things that stood out is how envirnomentally unfriendly port facilities are (they contain some of the most contaminated real estate in the U.S.). This seems to be one of several projects that are designed to shift the dangers and (much of the)environmental damage south of the border while the profits flow north. The gas terminal comes to mind.

Considering that, and the increasing importance of imports from Asia in the U.S. economy--particularly China--I'd say it's a bad bet to think 30 years in the future. Perhaps 10-15 would be safe?

Just my opinion

[Edited on 10-5-2010 by Bajatripper]

Mike99km - 10-5-2010 at 01:31 PM

The big push to build the port was when the LB/ LA was taking two or more days to enter and off load. That changed a couple of years ago,the demand has fallen off. Will it ever be built is still up in the air.I ask why would one want to run the risk of Mexican gangs and all, if one didn't have to. I would bring my stuff through LB/LA as long as they have room.

Why don't you rent long term from some body? Talk to Inez and see if he has somebody looking to rent out their place. Ask around at Shipwrecks also. This would help you guys figure out if it will work for you. Talk around a campfire is one thing being roommates/ owners in a Mexican house is another.
U2U if you would like to talk about this.

k-rico - 10-5-2010 at 01:42 PM

If you can get clear title to a piece of land that you want and can afford, buy it. If the port goes in and you think it's time to move on, you'll probably be able to sell it, because of the port being there, for a good profit. I'd be more worried about the place gettiing broken into when you're gone. It's lonesome out there.

This may work for you, it's closer, more developed and at a good right point break.

http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=47566

[Edited on 10-5-2010 by k-rico]

woody with a view - 10-5-2010 at 03:14 PM

hey rico

cabras is not a "good right pointbreak" if you consider what else there is to be had in baja. i mean, even san miguel is better.

i'm just saying.....

k-rico - 10-5-2010 at 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by woody with a view
hey rico

cabras is not a "good right pointbreak" if you consider what else there is to be had in baja. i mean, even san miguel is better.

i'm just saying.....

Really? Lot's of guys surf there. I've seen it good. Long head high waves. Perhaps too slow for you.

woody with a view - 10-5-2010 at 04:07 PM

i'm sorry. yell it from the tops of the hills how good it is. what was i thinking????

i really should delete my previous post, but i'm gonna let it ride.

CABRAS IS EPIC, CABRONES!!!!!

k-rico - 10-5-2010 at 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by woody with a view
i'm sorry. yell it from the tops of the hills how good it is. what was i thinking????

i really should delete my previous post, but i'm gonna let it ride.

CABRAS IS EPIC, CABRONES!!!!!

BooJumMan - 10-5-2010 at 04:57 PM

hehe... I've got it good only 1 time in about 15 trips. I just went there a few months ago, and I doubt I'll be going back for surfing. I love the area though.

rts551 - 10-5-2010 at 05:16 PM

Curt

Your camping spot has been subdivided

I don't know prices

Quote:

Originally posted by Curt63
Here's my 2 cents, but I have never owned or leased land in Mexico.

There are no 20-30 year guarantees in Baja land no matter how many lawyers you hire. You may get screwed. Especially in a desirable, close to the US, beachfront location.

Scores of bad real estate deals of all legal arrangements have been shared in this forum. Land leases seem to be more secure than other arrangemnents.

Dont take anything to baja you are not prepared to lose (Investment $, vehicles, improvements, toys etc.)

I don't think the Colonet port is ever going to happen (but rumors would drive up land prices and stimulate foreign investment wouldn't they?). Mexico is big on dreams.....

When the time comes, I plan to take a trailer and rent/lease some land for a while. If things go bad, you move on down the road. If I like it, I will add improvements that can be hauled away.

Cheers, Curt

torch - 10-5-2010 at 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BooJumMan
hehe... I've got it good only 1 time in about 15 trips. I just went there a few months ago, and I doubt I'll be going back for surfing. I love the area though.

that is perfect

[Edited on 10-6-2010 by torch]

estebanis - 10-5-2010 at 08:15 PM

Quote:

DITTO!!!

AmigoAnónimo - 10-5-2010 at 08:44 PM

Wow, thank you all for the overwhelming response. Most surfers suffer from blind optimism, so it's good to have eyes opened by reality from those who have been there and done that. I'm going to print out your replies and share them with my friends. I believe that a rethinking of our approach and expectations is in order. Thanks again.