BajaNomad - A good place to stop

A good place to stop

Mescalito79 - 3-19-2011 at 08:01 AM

Hi everybody, I am from rome Italy and I am now planning my first trip to long desired Baja. I'll stay in La Paz and Todos santos for 4 or 5 days and then I'll go to Jose del Cabo to pick up a friend at the airport.
My plan with this friend is to reach Bahia Conception but it takes 6 hours by car from San Jose to Conception (a bit too tiring), therfore i would like to stop in a nice pueblo some way in between to spend the night and split the road trip in two.

Any suggestion?

PLease consider that La paz and todos santos are excluded because I will go there during the first days of my vacation.

Thanks a million!!!

mcfez - 3-19-2011 at 08:36 AM

Jose del Cabo to pick up a friend at the airport.

Private airstrip I assume?
There is no International Airport in Jose del Cabo.

tripledigitken - 3-19-2011 at 09:07 AM

I would suggest Loreto for a stop. Try the Iguana Inn for the night. It is our favorite in Loreto with a great central location.

http://www.iguanainn.com/

David K - 3-19-2011 at 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mescalito79
Hi everybody, I am from rome Italy and I am now planning my first trip to long desired Baja. I'll stay in La Paz and Todos santos for 4 or 5 days and then I'll go to Jose del Cabo to pick up a friend at the airport.
My plan with this friend is to reach Bahia Conception but it takes 6 hours by car from San Jose to Conception (a bit too tiring), therfore i would like to stop in a nice pueblo some way in between to spend the night and split the road trip in two.

Any suggestion?

PLease consider that La paz and todos santos are excluded because I will go there during the first days of my vacation.

Thanks a million!!!

6 hours is not that long of a drive in Baja on the highway for one day... It doesn't get dark until after 7 pm (19:00 hrs) as well...

There isn't a lot going on between La Paz and Loreto than agricultural towns, with Ciudad Constitucion being the big one and about halfway between La Paz and Loreto.

Hopefully someone who has stayed there will chime in.. Otherwise search Baja Nomad Accomodations Review forum for Constitucion.

(McFez, Los Cabos Int'l Airport is just north of San Jose del Cabo)

toneart - 3-19-2011 at 09:17 AM

Well...the int'l airport is between San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas (closer to San Lucas), forming a point on a triangle inland between the two.

Your English is spoken like a native English speaker. Your writing has no Italian accent.

Actually, it will take about 7-8 hours to reach The Bahia Conception. I would make Loreto your overnight stop. But that will take about 6 hours to reach. I can't think of any pueblo with a hotel between La Paz and The Bahia, so you may need to make your stop in La Paz, even though it is a repeat on your itinerary. Perhaps you would consider The East Cape...Las Barriles. Forget Constitucion. Wherever you stop, I think you are looking at one of your travel days taking at least 6 hours.

Maybe someone else has a suggestion that I haven't thought of. (?)

Enjoy your travels, and welcome to BajaNomad! :yes:

gnukid - 3-19-2011 at 09:21 AM

I would estimate 2.5 to get from SJD via Todos Santos to the libremiento in La Paz, and 4.5 hours to Loreto from there. That's moving at a safe clip.

Outside of La Paz at km100 is el Cien and then Pocitas at 115km or so. There is a tire shop in Pocitas, and after that a series of small restaurants and a palapa with a nice girl named Teresita.

If you can't make it to Loreto, and you definitely should, then you will have to stop in Insurgentes or Constitucion.

[Edited on 3-19-2011 by gnukid]

David K - 3-19-2011 at 09:22 AM

I agree, stay in Loreto!

tripledigitken - 3-19-2011 at 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by soulpatch
Hey Ken,
The Iguana Inn looks pretty cool. We were thinking of overnight at Hotel Angra but I may have to change my plans after seeing your link. I like the thought of a kitchen a lot.
How is the parking there?

They have a driveway that will hold maybe 3 cars. You should have a good chance of a spot. (Many that stay there fly in vs driving.)

durrelllrobert - 3-19-2011 at 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by mcfez
Jose del Cabo to pick up a friend at the airport.

Private airstrip I assume?
There is no International Airport in Jose del Cabo.

El Aeropuerto Internacional de Los Cabos (código IATA: SJD, código OACI: MMSD), es un aeropuerto internacional localizado a 11 kilómetros de San José del Cabo, Baja California Sur, México. El aeropuerto sirve al área de Los Cabos: San José del Cabo y Cabo San Lucas. Este aeropuerto tiene tres terminales con 4 salas. La Terminal 1 sirve a casi todas las operaciones nacionales e internacionales, mientras que la Terminal 3 funciona como un alivio para la ya de por sí saturada terminal; Alaska Airlines y Delta Air Lines decidieron transferir sus operaciones a la Terminal 3.

Se ha convertido en el aeropuerto más importante en el estado de Baja California Sur, así como en el número 8 del país en términos de pasajeros atendidos. Sin embargo, la infraestructura del aeropuerto ya es insuficiente en comparación con el aumento de la demanda, provocando la falta de puestos disponibles para los aviones durante horas pico, como en muchos otros aeropuertos en el país.

Estadísticas (2010)
Número de pasajeros 2,745,500 :?:

jeffg - 3-19-2011 at 10:01 AM

Since you excluded La Paz, Loreto would be the probable choice. But if you don't mind adding in a little side trip, you might check out Lopez Mateos at Bahia Magdalena. I think it's only about a 30 minute ride from Insurgentes, and would break up your trip more in the middle. Plus it would probably be an interesting spot to see!

mcfez - 3-19-2011 at 11:40 AM

Okay okay.....my bad.

Hold off off on the boiling oil please

Thanks for the correction all........

rhintransit - 3-19-2011 at 03:16 PM

going to Baja Conception is pretty vague (exactly where on the B of C are you aiming?)...I'd count on a minimum of 7-8 hrs from SJdC area, more if you'd want to stop here and there along the way for photo ops, etc. like other Nomads responding, I'd recommend splitting the trip, or staying in La Paz another night.
"nice pueblo" is also subject to interpretation. nothing I'd call nice, by La Paz/Todos Santos standards until Loreto. funky, maybe. typical, maybe, but "nice" is in the eyes of the beholder. it's all interesting though.
if you don't want to stop in Loreto for some reason and just want an overnight, stopping at Tripui/Puerto Escondido is a sleep over spot more pleasant, and correspondingly more expensive, than Constitucion or Lopez Mateos.

Loreto

BajaBlanca - 3-19-2011 at 04:25 PM

I think you will LOVE Loreto. It is so beautiful with restaurants right on the waterfront (Auggie's for a drink and Mediterraneo for dinner), nice hotels and shops along a walkway with no cars ....

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[Edited on 3-19-2011 by BajaBlanca]

Bajahowodd - 3-19-2011 at 04:43 PM

My two cents.

If you are starting from SJD (the airport), it would be best if you headed up Mex 1, and not circle down and around to go through Todos Santos, This is especially because there is considerable road construction taking place on the highway between Cabo and Todos Santos. Not to mention that you have already been to Todos Santos.

What you have not made clear is whether you have a particular destination, or particular place to stay.

As some have metioned, it really would appear that Loreto would be your best target to stop on your way to Concepcion.

That said, there are a number of lodging opportunities in Loreto with varying prices. Since I don't know what your pocketbook will allow, it it is difficult to make a specific recommendation.
There are places on the malecon with ocean view. There are places far away as well.

A personal favorite is Hacienda Suites, located on Salvatierra as you enter town. It's a family run establishment that has a cozy restaurant and a big pool.

Not to mention that just next door, Domingo's Place is a restaurant that caters to people who like mesquite broiled steaks and chops and a wide array of seafood.

BajaBlanca - 3-19-2011 at 05:24 PM

Mescalito - I forgot to say:

WELCOME TO BAJA NOMADS

:yes:

Mescalito79 - 3-21-2011 at 03:44 AM

Thanks a million everybody, your help is so precious and you're so kind.

Here in Italy nobody knows about Baja. When I talk about it people believes I am referring to the US Cali..and I get mad everytime. How can they ignore such a interesting world?
I've been dreaming about Baja for 10 long years, visited this website for three, and I finally I have gathered enough money to go there. I just can't wait and I'll sure post a report as I come back to Rome.

In the end I think I will head to Loreto (which I really want to visit) and see how long it takes. In case it takes too long and it starts to get dark I'll stop in Constitucion.

One more question. Do you think I'll have the chance to see whales from april 5 to 19? Is it to late?

Cypress - 3-21-2011 at 05:00 AM

The La Damiana Inn in Loreto is a neat place to stay.

I deserve to ask a stupid question!!!!

mcfez - 3-21-2011 at 07:37 AM

Okay okay...
It's been 15 good years since tramping around at the Cape. I dont know this area that well, but I swear that I used to fly into the "Cabos San Lucas Airport".

Jose del Cabos Airport is the same place, but I got my name wrong, correct? Geeze!

toneart - 3-21-2011 at 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by mcfez
Okay okay...
It's been 15 good years since tramping around at the Cape. I dont know this area that well, but I swear that I used to fly into the "Cabos San Lucas Airport".

Jose del Cabos Airport is the same place, but I got my name wrong, correct? Geeze!

Hey Mcfezzie!

You are correct. An easy mistake to make if you haven't been there in a while. No biggie.

There are NO stupid questions; only stupid people

(if you follow the (ill)logic of the gun analogy. So, I don't think you are a stupid person. :no:

mcfez - 3-21-2011 at 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by toneart

Quote:

Hey Mcfezzie!

You are correct. An easy mistake to make if you haven't been there in a while. No biggie.

There are NO stupid questions; only stupid people

(if you follow the (ill)logic of the gun analogy. So, I don't think you are a stupid person. :no:

Thanks....4 the kind word and confirmation.
I'll cancel my appointment to the head shrink now.....

David K - 3-21-2011 at 10:23 AM

Quote:

Cabo San Lucas has a paved airport... it is just north of town along the old road to Todos Santos (Mike walked right by it).

They made the international 'Los Cabos' airport at San Jose del Cabo and it is the commercial airport for the whole cape region..

rhintransit - 3-21-2011 at 01:24 PM

not clear...are you picking up your friend in (wherever) and planning to drive the same day to Loreto? depending on the airplane's arrival time, you probably will want to spend the night somewhere in that area, or La Paz, before driving to Loreto the next day. that route nicely marked Highway One on your map is nothing like your European highways and you will not be able to make the time you would normally expect.
I think that April is a bit late for whale watching, you could check around when you get here to see if any are still in the various lagoons.

Bajatripper - 3-23-2011 at 04:05 PM

Quote:

[.
I think that April is a bit late for whale watching, you could check around when you get here to see if any are still in the various lagoons.

We just got back from San Ignacio Lagoon yesterday and can say we had an excellent time petting a newborn whale that practically made a nuisance of itself while its mother tried in vain to pull it away from our launch. We had it all to ourselves for the better part of an hour. There were many other whales, as well as boatloads of other tourists, visible around us.

I would think that there would still be a better-than-average chance of having an encounter with one of the creatures in two weeks, but then, I'm no expert on the subject.

If you are looking for an interesting, historic-for-us pueblo, try the drive up to San Javier (leaving the main road at Loreto). They have a small hotel there run by a foreigner and one of the most spectacular missions on the peninsula. The drive back will afford some unforgetable views of the Sea of Cortez, as well. I've taken a low-riding Honda up that road, but check with the locals first, it's been a while since my last trip up there.

Martyman - 3-25-2011 at 10:50 AM

Hey Mescalito;
Hope you have a great trip. Did you get your name from the song "Panama Red"?

"On his white horse Mescalito he come breezin' thru town. Bet yer women's up in bed with ol Panama Red"

Anyway if you find some mescalito in your travels (and not that stuff with the worm)
U2 me! Don't post because others here will rat you out in a San Francisquito second.

BajaBlanca - 3-26-2011 at 05:35 PM

I am sure you will still find whales in san ignacio and if you want a beautiful quiet place to sty in san ignacio - stay with Juanita at CASA LEREE (you can find her webiste online) ...

I sure hope you leave early and DON"T stop in ciudad constitution - what a waste of a night !!!! Try to make it to Loreto or stay where you are till you can leave early enough to drive all the way to Loreto ... beautiful sunrise - beautiful small town atmosphere - nice restaurants and people ..