BajaNomad

going to El Rosario

Bajageorge - 10-29-2010 at 08:55 PM

Planning a diving trip ( 4 days ) staying in El Rosario, I guess.The beach would be better. Are there any other hotels ? We want to rent a panga out of Punta Baja. Also would like so help of panga service out of Punta Baja, never been their before. Sacermento reef and kelp bed looks like it maybe good. I have drove through El Rosario and know that there isn't alot to do. I'll post some pictures and a story when we get back. George

Bob H - 10-29-2010 at 09:49 PM

Bocana Beach is located approx. 5 miles west of El Rosario through the Arroyo and over the dunes.

Just North of El Rosario you will find the turn-off to La Lobera which has beautiful Seal Caves and an Abalone Research center and hatchery. A must see!

Bob H

David K - 10-29-2010 at 10:38 PM

There is a '5 star motel'... The Baja Cactus owned by Nomad member 'BajaCactus' (Antonio Muņoz)... the first one as you enter town... on the left, next to the Pemex station. Super comfort, very modern, and ammenities at low, low price... many photos and comments posted over the past 6 years. 24 hour desk, phone service, satellite TV (half in English).
Several new rooms, and if full, they have a few of the older rooms.

Next choice is at the opposite end of town... The Turista Motel, new, inexpensive, comfy beds.

Across the highway from the Turista, is 'Baja's Best Bed & Breakfast'. More expensive, but you get breakfast... quiet comfy rooms.

The final two motels are the Motel Sinahi and Las Cabaņas Motel (Mama Espinoza's place).

There are several restaurants and taco stands in town... Mama Espinoza's being the most famous... a must see for all the history, fossils and off road racing posters.

woody with a view - 10-30-2010 at 06:00 AM

stop at the starbucks place at the end of town and ask for Ed. he can dial you in as far as pangas, supplies, etc. he can arrainge a charter for you to sac reef or ilsa geronimo if you don't feel like chasing one down yourself. the guy is a world of info on the reefs out there.

Santiago - 10-30-2010 at 06:08 AM

What woody say.

ELINVESTIG8R - 10-30-2010 at 08:26 AM

And don't forget to eat a Mama Espinoza's Restaurant. The food and atmosphere are wonderful. When you go, tell whoever is at the register which could be Roli Carolina or Gerardo that David says Hi!

Bob H - 10-30-2010 at 10:21 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
The final two motels are the Motel Sinahi and Las Cabaņas Motel (Mama Espinoza's place).


I would highly recommend dinner at the Motel Sinahi resturant! Very good food and friendly service.
Bob H

Lee - 10-30-2010 at 10:44 AM

Results definitely vary with the food at Mama's -- it's either ''just OK'' or else ''off'' -- and think the place is coasting on it's rep. The only reason I would go there is staying at the Cactus and convenience of walking next door. History is fine and ambiance is cool but I'm wanting great food and that's never been my experience there. OK food, but NOT great.

woody with a view - 10-30-2010 at 10:46 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Lee
Results definitely vary with the food at Mama's -- it's either ''just OK'' or else ''off'' -- and think the place is coasting on it's rep. The only reason I would go there is staying at the Cactus and convenience of walking next door. History is fine and ambiance is cool but I'm wanting great food and that's never been my experience there. OK food, but NOT great.


sorry, but i couldn't agree more. they do, however, make a great mexican combo plate-as does everywhere else!:light:

David K - 10-30-2010 at 10:51 AM

Also, not sure when Bob last ate there (it was great in 2005)... but the La Bocana Beach Restaurant at the Motel Sinahi (also now named Restuarant Sinahi) has been sub-par that last few times there (last month most recent try). Different cook, staff, no Primo in sight (Primo is the owner).

Mama Espinoza's (for us) the past year's trips has been greatly improved... Remodeled inside, quick staff and good food... breakfast last time... as it is next door to Baja Cactus.

We also eat at Ed's (Baja's Best Bed & Breakfast Bar & Restaurant) which Woody calls the Starbucks place... has a Starbucks logo painted on the building. The best chorizo and eggs breakfast burritos...

ELINVESTIG8R - 10-30-2010 at 11:31 AM

I'll just disagree with those of you who do not like to eat at Mama Espinoza's Restaurant...I like it just fine. :P

woody with a view - 10-30-2010 at 11:51 AM

i think Elinvest has a biased view.:light: just like we had for La Mijita when Elsa and Santos ran it. it is now being run by friends of the family and it just ain't the same.......

RIP Elsa:saint:

BajaCactus - 10-30-2010 at 11:51 AM

Bajageorge... we would be more than happy to help you get a panga and a local fisherman to take you to those places you would like to go.

The usual rate a fisherman will charge for a day is around $ 150 Dlls (up to four people)... this includes picking you at the motel, driving you to Punta Baja, the "panga", fuel and bait.

Let us know if we can be of any assistance.

Antonio M.
BajaCactus

David K - 10-30-2010 at 12:02 PM

You see, '5 star service'! :light:

Hi Antonio... :cool:

mcfez - 10-30-2010 at 12:19 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by BajaCactus
Bajageorge... we would be more than happy to help you get a panga and a local fisherman to take you to those places you would like to go.

The usual rate a fisherman will charge for a day is around $ 150 Dlls (up to four people)... this includes picking you at the motel, driving you to Punta Baja, the "panga", fuel and bait.

Let us know if we can be of any assistance.

Antonio M.
BajaCactus


Whoa...thats a nice price. What a room go for at your place?

toneart - 10-30-2010 at 01:08 PM

In past years I had noticed the downslide in the quality of food at Mama Espinoza's. I even got sick eating their crab burritos which I reported here a few years ago. Antonio Munoz, owner of The BajaCactus Hotel, and his staff were quite concerned regarding my health and gave me great personal attention and care.

At the same time, several Nomads reported similar experiences. David (elinvestig8or) passed along these opinions. He has been a part of that family since childhood.

I have visited there recently, a couple of times, and have noticed a definite improvement! Obviously, criticism isn't usually taken well and people naturally become defensive. I don't know what went on behind the scenes, but the result is that it was well taken and corrections have been made. The food and service was excellent!

I also had the pleasure of meeting David (whose guitar and voice were wafting from the kitchen), Roli and Mama.

May Mama live many more years beyond her 104 years!

Mama Espinoza's and The Baja Cactus are must stops for me while passing through El Rosario.

Saludos!

El Mulegeno Antonio

Bajahowodd - 10-30-2010 at 02:13 PM

I absolutely concur with Tony. As much as David got his feathers ruffled a bit by criticism posted here a few years back, fact is, that like any responsible business, the criticism was considered and appears to have resulted in a significant improvement there at Mama's.

David K - 10-30-2010 at 03:03 PM

Room at Baja Cactus:



Breakfast a Mama Espinoza's (July 2009):



Baja Angel and Mama Espinoza ("more or less 100 years old", as she would say) in 2009:

capitolkat - 11-3-2010 at 06:22 PM

Ate at Mama's this afternoon. My wife said it was the best Chile Relleno with Langostino she had ever had . I had to concur as it was very special- and the margaritas didn't have too much to do with the verdict-but they were pretty special also.. on to la paz.. Norm

Bob H - 11-3-2010 at 07:10 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Also, not sure when Bob last ate there (it was great in 2005)... but the La Bocana Beach Restaurant at the Motel Sinahi (also now named Restuarant Sinahi) has been sub-par that last few times there (last month most recent try). Different cook, staff, no Primo in sight (Primo is the owner).


David, I'm very sorry to hear about this place going downhill. We ate there a couple of times after 2005 and it was still good. Possibly Primo is no longer the owner. I can't imagine him letting the place go bad.
Bob H

BajaBlanca - 11-3-2010 at 07:20 PM

we recently ate at Mama's and it was great. we hadnt eaten there in a while after the bad reviews it was getting

we also stopped by starbucks and met Ed - his rooms are amazing - the back garden is lush (it even has grass !!!!)

David K - 11-3-2010 at 07:22 PM

One thing about (some) restaurants in Baja... they never stay the same for long... :no:

The drop in tourist business affects almost everyone in this part of town... so keeping good cooks, waitresses and fresh food is not so easy.

Mcfez

capitolkat - 11-3-2010 at 08:04 PM

we are at Bajacactus tonight- wifi compliments of bajacactus- the room is beautiful and quiet- about $30 USD--$350 pesos. Norm

woody with a view - 11-3-2010 at 08:05 PM

sounds like a lovefest in the making!:lol:

sd - 11-3-2010 at 08:42 PM

I spent Monday night at Baja Cactus. I asked to meet Antonio but was told he was in Tijuana. I glanced at the exterior of the motel on my drive south, had an OK look. I did trust David K's review and made an early stop on my return trip north. Asked for a "new" room, and was given #102. A compact room, but wow is it nice. VERY clean and a huge stall shower, comfortable bed and nice sheets. TV with HBO in english. $350 peso's for a single, a bargain!

Ate a late lunch (combo plate) and early breakfast (cactus and eggs) at Mama's. It was fine with good service.

Thanks David for the review and I appreciated Antonio's hotel.

David K - 11-4-2010 at 08:07 AM

Glad you found it a good place.... Nice to know there is an oasis for travelers who may arrive very late and tired. The front desk is open 24 hours!

Here is the front of the motel...




Room 102 is the bottom right... Room 202 above is one we stay in often or 203, in back. We like upstairs because we are not early risers when on vacation, and you do hear people walking around above you.

[Edited on 11-4-2010 by David K]

mcfez - 11-4-2010 at 10:34 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by capitolkat
we are at Bajacactus tonight- wifi compliments of bajacactus- the room is beautiful and quiet- about $30 USD--$350 pesos. Norm


Reason I was asking....
I am bout to start doing runs on the Pacific side, starting in June. We need a really clean, reliable, friendly and secured spot, for the first leg of these trips. Bajacactus seems to have good reviews as yours here (oh...thanks!). Sea Of Cortez restricks me from going in the summer....too hot. I aint no Davidgunho K :-)

So anyone plez...the place to eat near here is _______?

[Edited on 11-4-2010 by mcfez]

vacaenbaja - 11-4-2010 at 01:11 PM

QUESA TACOS At Tacos El Rosario have always been GREAT! Eat two for me!

woody with a view - 11-4-2010 at 02:32 PM

pick a spot. they all vary from overated to good. most in the middle. bad food joints don't last long.....

motoged - 11-4-2010 at 03:05 PM

Ed at Baja B&B has the best coffee and breakfast...also a ciminera (sp?) with a fire warming up the restaurant...a few dogs to watch, and goats in the back yard (at least there were goats there two years ago...)...and some locally made chorizo that is lean and VERY good...

He is a diver and surfer (son is a champion doubles surfer), offers secure parking and is a cool guy.