BajaNomad

B&B Permits?

Islandbuilder - 1-1-2012 at 10:42 PM

Hi,
We're kicking around an idea for slowing down before we retire completeley, and have a question that I think someone here can help answer.

What permits are needed to operate a small B&B in Baja? I assume we need work visas, but what else? Does it vary from area to area depending on zoning? Or can you pretty much go for it?

Thank you in advance.

Safest Route...

djh - 1-2-2012 at 12:21 AM

1. Form a Mexican corporation with the help of a good Notario Publico from the area you want do do a BB in. Ensure that you list the appropriate busines(es) that you wish to be able to conduct in the incorporation paperwork.

2. Have your property TITLED in the corporation's name. Use the same Notario Publico. You own the corp., the corp owns the property = you have the actual title to your property in your file cabinet...

3. Get your FM3 Lucrativa(s). (Residency with legal permission to work, earn, hire, etc.). You will work for your own corporation.... You have letters from the corp offerring you employ ent and letters from you accepting the offer of employment (for immigration).

4. Hire an accountant to get you legally registered with Hacienda and SRE. Your accountant will be important, and will help keep you legal with annual, quarterly filings, your tax obligations, any payroll and social security pmts. for any employees, etc.

Bob and Susan are some of our best advice on these things.... I'm in Hawaii just now and don't have all my files to give all the details, but the general outline is above....

My advice: Do it correctly and legally from day 1. Any less can (and is quite likely to) result in huge problems for you which could result in loss of your property, assets, and right to work or even live in Mexico. I know that there are some here who will say... I've done this or that (under the radar) for years, and bully for them, but I wouldn't do it that way myself in the US OR in Mexico, and so my humble opinion / advice reflects that.

The red tape can be more confusing in a foreign country / language, but doing it correctly, and developing good relationships with your local officials will help you stay away from some of the problems that others have had.... there are lots of stories out there...!

BTW: What area are you considering...? Perhaps you'll get some more specific good directions & referrals here if you know or want to tell where you're considering a B&B.

Good Luck to you.
djh

Island builder

captkw - 1-2-2012 at 03:03 AM

I, 2nd the first response, and can tell you,,careful,a lot of folk's get the baja bug,dream of a little-------- and then spend year's trying to stay legal,,be avised,, it s a old problem down here and I for one have seen many folk's go thru the nightmare of running any sort of biz here,,go fishing,enjoy the beach,make friend's,, dont start a bizz,here !! if you can find any gringo's that will say, keeping a ------ biz, in baja, is a peice of cake,,is drunk or crazy,, and almost all fail,,or quit...seen it time and time and time again.....my two centovos..K&T

Bob and Susan - 1-2-2012 at 05:52 AM

having a business in baja IS a "piece of cake"
but
you WILL NOT make money with a "b&b" take MY word

there are WAY more things to consider than djh listed

my advice...until you know ALL the "rules" just vacation...fish...bike...and have fun

mcfez - 1-2-2012 at 09:23 AM

Just vacation......sounds like solid advice!!!!!!!

Doing a BB at this current state of world financial affairs....I'd take a back seat for a while.

If you must...then buy a house that is large for your plans (good time to by BTW) and sit on the idea of a BB. You could always simply rent out a room long term.

We were buying in San Felipe for the last 8 years...no more. It's a market that's dead, dead, dead to make a short term buck

shari - 1-2-2012 at 10:04 AM

I find being in business in Mexico extremely tricky, frustrating and costly making it pretty hard to make a profit on a small operation....but not impossible and lots of people do it...like mentioned above, ya gotta pay a real good agent to line up all the ducks for you from the get-go.

Islandbuilder - 1-2-2012 at 11:21 AM

Thanks to all of you! I very much appreciate the time you took to offer your considered responces.

At this point, we're just considering options. We have a boat-based adventure tourism business now, operating (with all the permits) in Alaska, Washington and British Columbia. Our boat is old (1932), and our program is very physical (daily walks and kayaking), and maintaining the boat takes months of the off-season. Bottom line, is that A; I have some understanding about how the current economy is impacting discretionary (vacation) spending, and B; the hidden strains of being in the hospitality business.

We are getting old and tired, and the boat business is wearing us down. We can't quit earning an outside income until we are both fully able to receive our SS benefits (no IRA's or other savings). So I'm looking for a way to connect the dots between now and 2020, when mi esposa reaches the age of entitlement.

I spent almost 20 years as a custom home builder, and another 25 running boats (commercial fishing, adventure charters, recreational sailing and cruising). After almost 10 years of running the boat, with up to 12 guests and our 4 crew, for trips up to 14 days duration, where we are responsible for the guests safety and entertainment 24 hours per day, running a B&B seems like it would be a piece of cake. (And yes, I know that is an absurd statement)

I asked this question, in large part, because I wanted to hear what I've pretty much heard, and will, I'm sure, hear more of. The pitfalls and perils of running a small business in Mexico, the legal requirements (along with the local "interpretation" of those requirements, and how others in the business would respond.

I am in the earliest stages of even thinking about this, but it makes sense to ask these questions before even looking at a real estate website.

In the last few years I have had several people approach me to ask me about how to get into the romantic and easy living business of adventure charter boat operation. I know how I react to those folks (concern for their mental state mostly) so I know how experienced folks here (like Shari) might react (:O) to me. I understand, and appreciate your in-put.

BajaBlanca - 1-2-2012 at 11:30 AM

well, we love being in the B & B biz and I would recommend it in a heartbeat !

Once your ducks are in order, it is a piece of cake. Mostly, you have to surround yourself with expert advisors - accountants - attorneys who can help you jump thru the hoops.

any idea where you would want to relocate to ? I suggest living there for a while first, just to get your feet wet !! Good luck !

shari - 1-2-2012 at 11:46 AM

You are completely right that, with your experience...particularly in the charter industry...a B&B here would most likely be easy for you.

We were kind of in the same boat when I first settled here...albeit for different reasons. I had a daughter to support and was trying to figure out what skills I could offer to the town I lived in.

Teaching was wonderful way to support myself and give back something to the locals...this is very possible and could be integrated into your future business plan. It certainly sounds like you are capable and aware so this is excellent. There are easier ways to do things now and lots more changes coming that a good agent & accountant will help you understand and choose the best way to start off.

Spanish will be necessary of course and you will enjoy getting to understand the folks who you work with and live around. I'm sure you will find your niche if it was meant to be and are patient & persistant. My understanding is that working is getting easier to do with new immigration status changes....wooo hooo....a new life begins for you in baja.

Baja is an amazing place to live and if you can figure out how to feed your family while living your dream...well...great!

Islandbuilder - 1-2-2012 at 11:48 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by BajaBlanca
well, we love being in the B & B biz and I would recommend it in a heartbeat !

Once your ducks are in order, it is a piece of cake. Mostly, you have to surround yourself with expert advisors - accountants - attorneys who can help you jump thru the hoops.

any idea where you would want to relocate to ? I suggest living there for a while first, just to get your feet wet !! Good luck !


I agree about living there first! We would travel to narrow down the choices, then rent in our top 2 or 3 before buying. That's the plan anyway.

As far as general location; that's complicated. Most of the folks we have gotten to know through our charter business are wildlife photographers and natural history enthusiasts. They love not only seeing whales, but also the smaller, less charismatic stuff, like tube worms and migratory birds. These people would be our market niche, not sportfishers, or ATV'ers or tear-up the desert folks. People that would appreciate a couple of miles of empty beach, an estuary, and some tide pools far more than a nearby disco.

Related to that, I would like to build a home/mini-community that is energy independant, utilizes gray water for landscape and garden irrigation, some kind of passive de-sal, and sustainable building using locally available materials. That sort of systems integration and efficiency would also bring guests who are curious about how it all works because they want to use a similar approach on building their own remote homes.

I wouldn't mind being 50 miles from anyone else, even though I know that would make it almost impossible to have any drop-ins.

I think that we have to have the option of operating year-round, which I think, given my low-energy consumption goals and therefore not having AC, we would want to be on the Pacific side. That's about as far as I have gotten.

And, it may be as far as I go!

Thank you all again.

Bob's right about the details

djh - 1-2-2012 at 11:53 AM

Islandbuilder, Check your U2U..

mtgoat666 - 1-2-2012 at 03:19 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Islandbuilder
Thanks to all of you! I very much appreciate the time you took to offer your considered responces.

At this point, we're just considering options. We have a boat-based adventure tourism business now, operating (with all the permits) in Alaska, Washington and British Columbia. Our boat is old (1932), and our program is very physical (daily walks and kayaking), and maintaining the boat takes months of the off-season. Bottom line, is that A; I have some understanding about how the current economy is impacting discretionary (vacation) spending, and B; the hidden strains of being in the hospitality business.

We are getting old and tired, and the boat business is wearing us down. We can't quit earning an outside income until we are both fully able to receive our SS benefits (no IRA's or other savings). So I'm looking for a way to connect the dots between now and 2020, when mi esposa reaches the age of entitlement.

I spent almost 20 years as a custom home builder, and another 25 running boats (commercial fishing, adventure charters, recreational sailing and cruising). After almost 10 years of running the boat, with up to 12 guests and our 4 crew, for trips up to 14 days duration, where we are responsible for the guests safety and entertainment 24 hours per day, running a B&B seems like it would be a piece of cake. (And yes, I know that is an absurd statement)


not sure a B&B is a piece of cake, it's a biz like all other bizs.

instead of a B&B, perhaps buy a small hotel.

or bring your charter biz to mexico and sail the SOC,... a few outfits do boat tours in SOC for kayaking and diving, but they struggle a bit, like all businesses, i suppose. i think their problem is they hire too many people, or are "coerced" to hire too many people...

you might consider somewhere in OR, CA or WA,... gringos are staying away from mexico due to drug wars and perception of violence, and the USA tourism market is probably more reliable...

outside of the resort towns, the tourism market in mexico is contracting, not expanding, so if you invest, make sure your biz plan factors in declining revenue over time

Bob and Susan - 1-2-2012 at 04:31 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Islandbuilder
.... Most of the folks we have gotten to know through our charter business are wildlife photographers and natural history enthusiasts....


actually you are targeting the WRONG people for a B&B in baja....
:light::light:

2 cents worth

bajaguy - 1-2-2012 at 04:37 PM

My advice to anyone who wants to start or own a business is to find a similar one in the states or Baja that you like, then offer to work there for about 6 months for free, top to bottom.........you might find out some things......

desertcpl - 1-2-2012 at 05:10 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bob and Susan
Quote:
Originally posted by Islandbuilder
.... Most of the folks we have gotten to know through our charter business are wildlife photographers and natural history enthusiasts....


actually you are targeting the WRONG people for a B&B in baja....
:light::light:




just asking, why would he be targeting the wrong people?

Bob and Susan - 1-2-2012 at 05:13 PM

because those are not the people that stay at a b&b in baja...

Islandbuilder - 1-2-2012 at 06:04 PM

Thank you all, again, for your advice and for sharing your personal experiences.

One thing I want to clarify. Because of our experience in the remote charter business, and as home builders, I don't think that I know it all, but I DO have a pretty clear idea of what I DON'T know.

IMHO, Knowing your limitations is of far more value than it is often given credit for.

I am curious about Bob and Susan's comment that most Baja B&B visitors aren't looking to interact with nature, :?:. Were you guys being ironic (which I often miss in this sort of forum) or are you trying to tell me something important? If it's the latter, would you mind expanding on that thought a bit? If you were kidding, please forgive my density.

mcfez - 1-2-2012 at 06:16 PM

I think you need to go after the sportsman..........................

Bob and Susan - 1-2-2012 at 06:29 PM

no YOU said...

Originally posted by Islandbuilder
.... Most of the folks we have gotten to know through our charter business are wildlife photographers and natural history enthusiasts....

these are not baja b&b visitors...they will NOT be staying in your B&B

Islandbuilder - 1-2-2012 at 06:35 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by mcfez
I think you need to go after the sportsman..........................


Good advice!

If we were to do that, it would be in concert with a local sport fishing outfitter. Our goal would be to raise the economy of the entire community, not just corner the market and cover every paying activity we could. I'd rather work with other local businesses rather than against them.

I am intrigued by the growing interest in kayak fishing, and flyfishing for saltwater species. But have little experience to go with that interest.

On our boat in Alaska we have pretty much stopped offering on-board sport fishing, and instead refer guests interested in salmon fishing to day boats in either Petersburg or Juneau.

We try and focus on what we're best at, and let the fishing guides do the same, the result, I hope, is a win/win for everyone involved.

redmesa - 1-2-2012 at 07:10 PM

How much time have you spent in Baja? It seems like you need to spend at least a year travelling in and learning about Baja before you can even dream a dream like you have. I may have got it wrong...maybe you are very knowledgeable about Baja. Come on down and stay awhile.

Islandbuilder - 1-2-2012 at 07:27 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by redmesa
How much time have you spent in Baja? It seems like you need to spend at least a year travelling in and learning about Baja before you can even dream a dream like you have. I may have got it wrong...maybe you are very knowledgeable about Baja. Come on down and stay awhile.


You've got it right. We've done some fly-in visits, and a couple of driving visits to the San Quintin area, but we need A LOT more time before we commit to something.

I spent time as a kid in the Ensenada to Rosarito area, but the Baja of then, doesn't exist any more. We camped on the beach just north of the Rosarito power plant, starting before they built the breakwaters. I looked for it when we drove by last winter, and couldn't find it among all the houses.

Also camped at Estero Bay.

That experience is of no use now. Looking forward to starting over!

Good point, redmesa. Thanks

shari - 1-3-2012 at 08:58 AM

I too am wondering why wildlife photographers and natural history enthusiasts that Islandbuilder knows wouldnt stay at their B&B? We have several of those who stay with us. It is highly likely that many of their clients from NOB would indeed visit them in baja if they enjoyed their good service before.

What kind of people DO stay at B&B's? We have found that all kinds do...fishermen, families, single travellers, baja enthusiasts...I guess it depends on the B&B.

desertcpl - 1-3-2012 at 11:48 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by shari
I too am wondering why wildlife photographers and natural history enthusiasts that Islandbuilder knows wouldnt stay at their B&B? We have several of those who stay with us. It is highly likely that many of their clients from NOB would indeed visit them in baja if they enjoyed their good service before.

What kind of people DO stay at B&B's? We have found that all kinds do...fishermen, families, single travellers, baja enthusiasts...I guess it depends on the B&B.



Shari
that was my thought also, I think Bob was just having a bad day

Bob and Susan - 1-3-2012 at 03:27 PM

no bad days here...

bed and breakfast
Noun:
1: sleeping accommodations for a night and a meal in the morning,
provided in guest houses and small hotels.
2: a guest house or small hotel offering such accommodations.

a bed and breakfast is not your house that you rent the bed rooms out to strangers and then make breakfast in the morning…

bed and breakfasts have dedicated units and private entries

as for visitors that come to baja…
the ones from the usa and canada are mostly retired people on a budget
they are campers looking for inexpensive accommodations...if any

naturalists and enviormental people love the outdoors and thus camp

so building a good campground with real services would be a much better choice

the majority bed and breakfast clients are from mexico mainland, the BIG northern mexican cities like tj and then of course europe…

sooo islandbuilder's target market is wrong for baja...those people won't be staying with him...he's on the wrong track IMHO

Islandbuilder - 1-3-2012 at 03:58 PM

Bob and Susan, Thank you for your considered reply, and for your experienced input! I very much appreciate your perspective and insights.

I think that your campground idea is a good one, but disagree a little with your definition of a B&B. My definition is a bit broader than yours, and certainly includes having strangers in my home, with whom I share both breakfast and hospitality.

I think "my" definition is more traditional, and yours is reflective on where the market is heading. I would probably do both detached casitas as well as a couple of in-house rooms. One requirement is that everything would be ensuite.

The naturalists we meet through our boat business are looking for a comfortable bed and excellent food. They have vast traveling experience, and have camped in places on all continents, but have reached the point where having a bed, a bathroom, a shower and a place to charge their cameras and computers is worth spending some money to get.

Our guests spend a lot of money just to get to and from Alaska, and typically the week they spend with us is just one of several they will spend in the State. They come with us to get a look at SE, spend several days at a lodge in Denali, and make short visits north of the Arctic Circle and out in Western Alaska.

My guess is that their whole Alaska experience costs them more than $20k each. Not bargin travelers.

What they do want is excellent and healthy food, good wines, an extensive library and the chance to meet others with similar desires. Our old classic research boat provides lots of comforts, but no frills.

Our guides are extremly well trained, our chef is extrodinary, and I am able to stay awake a long time.

Some people come back every year, just so they can laugh until they cry (I'm gifted that way).

So, even though I agree with you, I also think that what we "bring to the game" is a bit unique, and that we will be able to draw from our current client base to provide a foundation for a new business.

I have, and am, researching getting the permits to bring our boat down, and run a program in the SOC that would be similar to our Alaska business. My concern is how the warm dry air will impact our 80 year old wooden boat, whose timbers are pretty saturated with our good NW humidity. Having the planks fall off, and the deck seams open up enough to get a cat through them wouldn't be a good idea. Plus, that's a lot of hours to put on our original 1932 engine, which is the only one like it in the world.

And, I would like a garden.

[Edited on 1-3-2012 by Islandbuilder]

Islandbuilder - 1-3-2012 at 05:15 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by jakecard
1. If you have the skills to attract a "naturalist" clientele willing to part with $20K per person for a several-week-adventure in Baja California then you will certainly make many entrepreneurial "friends" in Baja California.

2. All the best!

Jake


HA! I need to clarify that they don't spend all that with us, only a small percentage. All I'm saying is that not all folks who are into nature camp out all the time.

When we travel, we tend to camp for a few days, or live rough somehow, and then pop for a nice room for a night or two before heading back into the tent.

I think that it would help if we had the naturalist version of a sport fishing camp, sort of like they're doing at San Ignacio during the whale season.

BTW, they are a good example of the sorts of clients I'm talking about.

Thank you for the encouragement.



[Edited on 1-4-2012 by Islandbuilder]

Bob and Susan - 1-3-2012 at 05:54 PM

apples and oranges...
you ever hear of that...

look up NOLS baja sailing...my HEROS!!!

[Edited on 1-4-2012 by Bob and Susan]

Islandbuilder - 1-3-2012 at 06:28 PM

Ahhh! Gotcha Jake. Thanks for both the clarification and the encouragement.

If they were spending that much just with us, we would be looking for a nice beach front home just to sit in and watch the light on the water. As it is, we need to buy a winter job in order to connect the budgetary dots in the near term, and to live and work in full time later on.

BajaBlanca - 1-3-2012 at 06:52 PM

interesting posts ... we have had so many varied guests stay with us - the nature enthusiasts love the estuary and birds .... the kite boarders love the wind .... the shell seekers love the long stretches of beachcombing beaches .... geologists/marine biologists/co-op suppliers and obviously the fishermen ! Some folk just come to eat with Joaquin LOL !!

and I persoanlly think we are still so underrepresented !! we really are the forgotten peninsula, still !

One B

BFS - 1-4-2012 at 12:21 PM

We own a "B" in Todos Santos (mornings waaayyyyyy too valuable to waist on breakfast! Plus its offshore every morning here) and we get the back packers, eco warriors, hikers, retirees, foodies, music lovers, art aficionados, you name it; just about everyone comes to this part of Baja and on every budget. It can be a fun, rewarding and busy enterprise. But it is very tough to make any money as taxes are high and the high season is short.
Many people around here are giving up heading out and it is a great time to snap up a going concern at a bargain price.
Ejemplo 1: A very well known B&B in downtown Todos Santos is being sold by a friend for $225,000 turnkey, with every pot,pan, fork, sheet, bed, shovel, etc on the premises and comes with or without an established Mexican corporation in place, web site, etc etc and is motivated.
Ejemplo 2: another established beachfront lower end hotel/B&B is for sale here as well. again it comes turnkey with everything included. the views from this place are stageringly beautiful and just steps to that beautiful warm water. Asking price on this one is $790,000 and they are motivated.
Both of these gems have years of established clientelle with repeat customers and excellent reviews on trip advisor, etc
So come on down!!!!!

[Edited on 1-4-2012 by BFS]

Islandbuilder - 1-4-2012 at 12:27 PM

BFS, great post! I love the idea of a "B"! Except of couse after catching the morning off-shore at Cerritos a bit of frittata would be welcome.

Thanks for the heads up, we have always loved Todos Santos, a wonderful place.

shari - 1-4-2012 at 01:22 PM

well, we have a B&B.....BED & BEER!!!! that would be BREAKFAST & BEER for the campers that visit us.....JAJAJAJAJA

msteve1014 - 1-4-2012 at 06:50 PM

I recomend the BYOB route. Bring it, or buy it here, but do not try to turn a profit on it here. Mas tranquilo.

BajaBlanca - 1-4-2012 at 07:18 PM

BFS give us the name of your place !

Islandbuilder - 1-4-2012 at 08:34 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by BajaBlanca
BFS give us the name of your place !


There's a link on the bottom of his post. Really nice looking place!!

Bob and Susan - 1-5-2012 at 05:54 AM

geezzz...

a business plan?
no one?

roi (return on investment) ?

this is why most small businesses go OUT of business in the first year or two...dreamers

" i can cook a better egg" ...

if you put $$$ into a business you need more than bank interest to turn a profit...and there are costs to running a business

remember it is VERY true...alot of americans and canadians "check their brains at the border"

i KNOW i did;D;D

David K - 1-5-2012 at 09:56 AM

I think Islandbuilder should also read what Astrobaja has posted on building his B & B in the Sierra San Pedro Martir http://www.bajadarkskies.com

I have stayed at three B & Bs in Baja (Shari's, Ignacio Springs, Bob & Susan's) and they are all totally different from each other and could easily appeal to totally different types of people.

[Edited on 1-5-2012 by David K]

astrobaja - 1-5-2012 at 10:36 AM

Thanks David!

We have only been open since spring and have only had a handful of guests. They have been a VERY varied bunch, from a Mexican Cabalgata made up of San Quintin businessmen, to semi retired gringos and naturalists. Of course we cater to astronomers specifically but we welcome anyone who has an interest in the sierra. We never expected to get rich doing this, that was never the point! We bought the 1200 acre property through the formation of a mexican corporation. If we can make a modest profit during the course of each year and get to meet a wide variety of people then we will be content.
So far we have one very favorable write-up in Trip Advisor, and some people from Tuscany (astronomers I know) have expressed an interest in coming here. A lot of other astro B&B's in the USA charge way more than we do, but our intent is to get some good publicity 1st and then slowly have our prices come up to par with other comparable B&B's. We totally expected this to be a slow process of word of mouth! Good luck in whatever you do Islandbuilder!

Islandbuilder - 1-5-2012 at 03:00 PM

David, thank you for refering us to the astrobaja site, and thank you astrobaja for your encouragement.

As I said early on, I asked the permitting question as a first step in a long due diligence process relating to operating a home-based business in Mexico. Too many of us (me included) tend to find an exciting property, and then try and figure out a way to justify owning it. My personal experience with old wooden boats reveals that once I have fallen in love/lust with a boat, decisions will tend to be based more on emotion than on facts.

I want to avoid that tendency this time around, so before looking at property, I want to decide if it makes any sense at all to do so. If it's just the wife and I moving to Mexico (or Costa Rica or .....?) in order to stretch our SS dollars enough to live on them, we'll be looking for a palapa with a tiny price. If we're trying to set up a business (or take over an existing business) the acceptable price range is higher.

The next step for us is a month long road trip connecting the dots on our internal Baja maps, and looking in more depth at the places that, on paper at least, appeal to us.

I have traveled 1000's of miles to look at boats that I really liked in theory, but knew from 100 yards away that I wasn't interested in pursuing. I need to go through that same process in Baja.

I very much appreciate the replies here, to those that said "no problem, go for it" as well as those that think me certifiable for even thinking of such lunacy. I think that you're probably all right, and all wrong, in differing degrees.

Thanks to you all, and for those of you who are in business in Baja, and trying to make it work for you and your communities, good luck!

Warm regards.

805gregg - 1-5-2012 at 08:28 PM

Who's going to stay there? You will be alone. Better to start a smuggling ring.

Islandbuilder - 1-5-2012 at 08:53 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by 805gregg
Who's going to stay there? You will be alone. Better to start a smuggling ring.


Perhaps.

Perhaps not.

If it was a guarenteed income, everybody would be doing it. Risk taking is part of owning a small business. Some are owners, some are employees. I understand the appeal of both sides, but so far, have chosen to take the chances and run my own businesses.

We all get our endorphens in different ways.

BajaBlanca - 1-7-2012 at 03:47 PM

IslandBuilder - I read somewhere that you are considering NOT going to Todos Santos and I just wanted to say that it is a jewel of a location.....art, music, surf, interesting people..... everywhere .... it is amazing, IMO.