BajaNomad

cabo pulmo roads etc?

newtobaja - 8-9-2011 at 12:28 AM

Thinking of driving down to Cabo Pulmo in dec. Some questions for those familiar with the area.

- how far is the road paved? The guidebook I am reading says its paved until La Ribera. Is that still the current status?

- How bad/good are the unpaved roads to Cabo Pulmo from la Ribera? Will a Honda Odyssey make it? I know when I was in Cabo in Dec 2009, it rained over 2 days and the roads were a mess

- Any recommendation for hotels/apts? We are 2 adults and 3 kids.

- How's the wind ? My understanding is its pretty windy in the eastern coast. Does it calm down by Cabo Pulmo so at least the snorkeling would be good?


thanks
was

volcano - 8-9-2011 at 06:49 AM

the road is paved a couple miles out of La Ribera, the dirt is fine for 2 wheel drive, and is graded often. Wind is variable...on bad days snorkeling isn't good. just depends on the current weather system. Vacation rentals: Reinhard's Rentals, Baja Bungalos, Cabo Pulmo Resort, and then there are additional higher rent homes, all of above will come up on internet search.

windgrrl - 8-9-2011 at 07:01 AM

The road is paved a bit farther along than La Ribera. The unpaved portion is sandy, lots of washboard, but navigable with a 2-wheel drive. Small cars do use the road, it's slow-going at times, but a beautiful drive.

If you look at the VRBO sites, there are good house rentals in the East Cape area. Los Barriles is a town 45-60 minutes away town with lots of amenities such as hotels, shops, grocery stores, etc. You could hire a taxi van or try booking a day tour to Cabo Pulmo from LB. You could join a scuba boat to go there depending on when you plan to be there.

It is windiest from Nov.-March. There is decent snorkelling in 2 sites near Los Barriles as well. The plan is to get up early while the water is calm. Breezes can pick up around 9 a.m. and bigger wind usually arrives around 11 a.m.

U2U me if you want more information about local sports packages, etc.

Welcome to BN,
w
Quote:
Originally posted by newtobaja
Thinking of driving down to Cabo Pulmo in dec. Some questions for those familiar with the area.

- how far is the road paved? The guidebook I am reading says its paved until La Ribera. Is that still the current status?

- How bad/good are the unpaved roads to Cabo Pulmo from la Ribera? Will a Honda Odyssey make it? I know when I was in Cabo in Dec 2009, it rained over 2 days and the roads were a mess

- Any recommendation for hotels/apts? We are 2 adults and 3 kids.

- How's the wind ? My understanding is its pretty windy in the eastern coast. Does it calm down by Cabo Pulmo so at least the snorkeling would be good?


thanks
was

Smooth road

mcfez - 8-9-2011 at 08:42 AM



vacation mobil.jpg - 39kB

El Jefe - 8-9-2011 at 04:00 PM

The Honda will take the dirt road with ease. It is in good shape and only a few miles of dirt to CP. I just drove it a couple of weeks ago. Any rain damage from summer showers (and boy do we need them) will be repaired by December.

Your enemy will be the wind. It can blow like hell for three days followed by a few days of relative calm. You just never know.

Bajahowodd - 8-9-2011 at 05:12 PM

Interesting responses.

Really have to wonder why you are looking at Cabo Pulmo.

Options for overnight are not all that many. There are a few B&B type places. But it is an extraordinary place.

You might think about using San Jose as your home base and driving from there.

raquel_mike - 8-13-2011 at 02:03 PM

We just got back from Cabo pulmo about three weeks ago... We stayed at Cabo pulmo beach resort... It is more of bungalow than a resort... We found them clean and safe... They have a dive shop also... Along with a restaurant... My boyfriend says it is paved to Las Lagunas... With the rest of the drive very managable...If you come from La Paz to Cabo Pulmo.... You should stop at San Bartolo at the ojo de agua... It is a pretty neat stop.... Fresh water coming out of the rocks .... A very lush place....

newtobaja - 8-16-2011 at 12:14 AM

Appreciate all the response esp mcfez's photo. that certainly gives me confidence that the Odyssey will be able to make it assuming it doesn't rain then. (i worry about the Dec rains)

Looks like LB or SJdC seem to be a good base. The wind is going to be an issue in CP. It was fairly calm around CSL, LP when we were there in Dec. Unfortunately this is the only time I get off from work long enough to drive down.

Regarding bajahowodd q. on why CP: Well, already spent some time in GN, LP, Cabo san lucas area during the first visit there. Read so much about how beautiful the reefs are in CP, so thought why dont' use that as an excuse to drive down baja once again. Was planning to visit it during our first visit in Dec 09 but it rained the 2 days we planned to visit CP and I got worried about the CP road situation and backed out. That being the first visit, I didn't want to take any chance on being stuck on the road with the kids etc

volcano - 8-16-2011 at 07:58 AM

I have a cabin in the CP area..it is spectacular...and a great rural place for a peace and nature loving family to stay at and visit. wonderful, safe, fully equipped facilities, away from city life. It's totally a matter of taste and preference. Not everyone wants the city life. The road gets graded immediately after weather insults that only happen once or twice a year. The many folk who live out here need to be able to get in and out and access supplies.

mcfez - 8-16-2011 at 08:17 AM

There always someone around to help with a issue in Baja...so it seems. If you car has a issue on that road...there are others that will stop to help.

We had a blow out.....up in the mountain road some 6-7 miles from Coco's Corner (the boonies). 8 p.m. Bad deal...the lug nuts were frozen on.....we needed help. Leave the Land Rover totally packed, alone while we walked back for help? No. One of us stay to watch the car, the other walk? No. Scream insanely? Yes.

15 minutes later....on this road that isnt used at night...a car approaches. They helped without question!

drarroyo - 8-16-2011 at 08:35 AM

You're going to have a blast. Enjoy.

wilderone - 8-16-2011 at 08:37 AM

"I have a cabin in the CP area..it is spectacular...and a great rural place for a peace and nature loving family to stay at and visit. wonderful, safe, fully equipped facilities"

Is it available for rent?

volcano - 8-17-2011 at 06:32 AM

We are still finishing the inside, then it could be available for rent