BajaNomad - Places to stay between border and La Paz?

Places to stay between border and La Paz?

1Bajalover - 3-26-2012 at 09:44 AM

we would love recommendations - can camp some if it is in an
area with lots of others - but also some comfortable and reasonably priced hotels, etc suggestions wold be much appreciated - driving down - over the border on May 3 or 4th
thanks!

David K - 3-26-2012 at 10:31 AM

EL ROSARIO's Baja Cactus Motel (next to the Pemex station) has all the ammenities included for the low price (~$35), such as satellite TV, in room phone, heating and air, coffee maker, bottled water, 24 hour front desk, etc. 5-6 hours (225 miles) from the border. If full, then 2 miles down the highway is the Turista Motel that is an excellent back up (not as fancy, but comfortable beds and ~$25). Or, across from the Turista is Baja's Best Bed and Breakfast & bar + restaurant (also a good place for breakfast or dinner).

Baja Cactus:

Turista Motel:

Baja's Best:

sancho - 3-26-2012 at 10:37 AM

If you haven't checked it, there an accomedation section
here on BN, camping also. DK, I always enjoy your
pics

Lee - 3-26-2012 at 12:05 PM

Stayed at the Tourista once and it was depressing. The bed, fixtures, bathroom seemed clean enough -- for a new motel, it should stand out more. Low end, to me.

Unfortunately, ER has no competition: if it's a nice room, Cactus is it. An end room on the side of the Pemex was my first experience, though. I heard trucks next door through the night -- then there's the trucks braking coming down the hill. On the upside, my Tinnitis blocks most of the noise and tequila is nice.

In GN, Cowboy is the newest and nicest.

Coco in Loreto is upper double digit USD, but to me, worth it. Poolside, internet, more tequila and creature comforts.

lapazblue - 3-26-2012 at 02:11 PM

Don Gus in Guerrero Negro - inexpensive, good restaurant, internet

gallesram - 3-26-2012 at 02:18 PM

In Mulege, Cliff Taylor rents out some houses in the Oasis Park right by the river and close to town. All Cliff's houses are immaculate and reasonably priced; highly recommended. His website is www.clementinesbaja.com where you can see pictures of all of the houses he offers. It's the only place we stay in Mulege and we go several times a year.

PCbaja - 3-26-2012 at 03:41 PM

Baja Cactus, nice but to noisy. San Quintin has plenty of nice places to stay and eat, or drive a liitle further and stay in Catavina. Thats a good day drive. I suggest staying in Punta Chivato which has one of the most beautiful beaches in Baja. There is a camping area or a nice little hotelito with a restaurant too.

mulegemichael - 3-26-2012 at 03:47 PM

punta chivato is really nice, yes, but waaayy off the road on washboard...which is ok...i vote for cliff's rentals in mulege too; really nice, clean, upscale and in a nice neighborhood; mine.

Lee - 3-26-2012 at 03:50 PM

Skipped ER this trip stayed at Los Olivos http://www.losolivosrvpark.com/ next to Jardines. Great meal at Jardines. Love that place. So, yeah, San Quintin is worth the stop.

bajalinda - 3-26-2012 at 04:18 PM

In San Ignacio, we like both Casa Leree and Ignacio Springs B&B.

Casa Leree is just a block off of the main town square - lovely old property/house with small number of rooms along one side of the courtyard.
http://www.casaleree.com/

Ignacio Springs B & B is the place with the yurts. It's more expensive than Casa Leree, but a great breakfast is included.
http://www.ignaciosprings.com/

goldhuntress - 3-26-2012 at 04:23 PM

David already plugged Baja Cactus. I had 103 last time and it was quiet and we loved it. Make a reservation, they have a US number for that. FYI the rooms went up to $40.
In San Quintin I like Jardines. I stayed in a small room that was nice and clean. I think it was $38. I had my dog and that was a designated pet room. They do have newer rooms and I think some people prefer those. They have an awesome restaurant too that is very reasonably priced. A few photos for you, a really pretty well kept place.
There's good camping on the beach just south of SQ and I for the life of me can't remember the name, help me someone! Also Santa Inez in Catavina is a good place and safe.

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SFandH - 3-26-2012 at 05:06 PM

There are many options. We cross the border at daybreak, gas up at Los Pinos south of San Quintin, and drive to Santa Ynez just south of Catavina for the first night. Eight and one half hours for us. Camp in the beautiful high desert and leave early in the morning for Bahia Concepcion the second night. Another 8 hour drive. Next day we're in La Paz by early afternoon.

If you're camping at night, try to time the drive during the full moon.

[Edited on 3-27-2012 by SFandH]

Marc - 3-26-2012 at 06:20 PM

Forget Baja Cactus unless you reserve a "new room" ahead of time. Otherwise it's rather dismal.

David K - 3-26-2012 at 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Marc
Forget Baja Cactus unless you reserve a "new room" ahead of time. Otherwise it's rather dismal.

There are many more "new" rooms (since 2004) than the original rooms... but sure, call ahead on Baja Cactus's U.S. phone number: 619-694-1082

The 4 remaining original rooms are on par with the other three El Rosario motels (Las Cabañas next door at Mama Espinoza's, the Sinahi Motel and Turista Motel... with the newer Turista the nicest of the three)... or have some luxury at Baja's Best Bed & Breakfast in El Rosario.

The above photos at Jardines are beautiful, thanks for showing them!

I hope the Nomads continue to add more!

acadist - 3-26-2012 at 07:17 PM

Mallarimo in GN, Cuesta Real in Mulege.....Not the fanciest but nice people and reasonable

KurtG - 3-26-2012 at 08:24 PM

It really depends on your price range. I'm a budget traveler so not as demanding as some. When traveling alone I think the old rooms at Baja Cactus are fine, when Kathy is with me we take one of the new ones and also have stayed at the Turista and thought it was good for the price. We just spent 4 nights at Las Casitas in Mulege and enjoyed being right in town in walking distance to everything. Older but nicely decorated rooms and a nice little courtyard. 350 pesos/night. Javier is a great host. In la Paz we splurge once in a while and stay at Club El Morro which Baja Steve introduced me to several years ago. Wonderful place for around $90 US/night. We also stayed at the Cowboy in GN last week while whale watching. The rooms are nice but the bed pillows seemed a little firm and when we looked we found they were couch cushions not real pillows. Fortunately we were equiped for camping and had our own pillows along. The old standby budget hotel in GN is the Dunas, it has been spruced up a bit and I still like it, very inexpensive.

DavidE - 3-26-2012 at 10:00 PM

I stayed at the la espinita right on the highway and thought it adequate. No double lock on the door so I moved one of the heavy armchairs to block it. Good hot water and the restaurant is fair. If you decide to stay in the old section in baja cactus get the room furthest from the highway. I did try Baja's Best for dinner and breakfast and found it to be OK. They brought a salsa to the table that would jump start a Kenworth. It was good. I wonder if the loncheria inside the ballena gris supermercado is still operating? Since the early eighties I used to stop and get a torta especial with fresh squeezed orange juice. Really a top notch sandwich.

Hook - 3-26-2012 at 10:39 PM

How 'bout some camping at Malarrimo Beach for some beachcombing?

http://news.yahoo.com/ghost-ship-off-canada-heralds-arrival-...

Re; places to stay tween Border and La Paz

1Bajalover - 3-27-2012 at 01:18 PM

and thanks so much for all the pictures everyone...
Is the beach near San Quintin called El Pableon ? the one
with the colorful bath house and wonderful hot water?
as well as a long, white sand beach to hike on?
I like the idea of santa inez camping and being in
Catavina...one of my favorite places in Baja and also
recommend Javier's La Casitas as I have stayed there
several times and found it peaceful and fun to walk to
everything from...

I appreciate about El Rosario too as that is when it begins
to feel like Baja and often times that nice relaxed Baja
feeling takes hold and slowing down and stopping begins
to be the natural inclination..

1Bajalover - 3-27-2012 at 01:26 PM

thanks so much for all these suggestions...i posted a reply earlier and am not sure where the thing went
great idea to get to Sante Ynez by nightfall as catavina is one of my favorite places to be at night and for early morning walks and photography and El Rosario as it is where I feel finally in Mexico and start to slide into "Baja time" so stopping there would maybe have to be
Wonderful pictures!
where in San Quintin is El Jardines? it looks wonderful!
is the name of the beach there El Pableon? with the colorful bath house, amiable patron and hot water, soothing white sand beach that stretches for a long ways?

gallesram - 3-27-2012 at 02:51 PM

For Jardines in San Quintin, you go through all of the towns in the Valle de San Quintin; once the KM markers re-set to 0, look for the big overhead sign which directs you right to "Bahia San Quintin"; the next dirt road to your right will be their road. They have a pretty good-sized sign where you turn.

Follow that dirt road for about 3/4 mile and you'll see them on the left amidst all of the foliage (you actually turn at a cross road; they're sort of at the corner). I believe there's a sign where you turn left on the cross road and then they're immeidately on your right. If you go by the restaurant, you've gone too far. There's not much out there so you really can't miss them.

Coyote Bay - arriving in Paradise now!

Pompano - 3-27-2012 at 03:01 PM

Warning: Give it try...and you'll be hooked for life.

http://www.vrbo.com/218278

Bajahowodd - 3-27-2012 at 04:16 PM

If you like taking pictures, Guillermo's gardens at Jardines Baja are beautiful.

Having stayed at Baja Cactus many times over the years, we decided to try Jardines Baja and never changed. Jardines rooms are clean and the place is quiet. Free wifi. And a big plus is their restaurant right next door. In my opinion, the restaurant is probably the best you will find in the area, and maybe the best between there and Loreto.

Singles are $35, doubles $50. Amazingly friendly staff. Family operated. The family lives on site.

In Guerrero Negro we have, over the years, gravitated to either Cowboy or Caracoles. Both have free wifi. Caracoles accepts credit cards. Cowboy does not.

We like staying at Hacienda Suites in Loreto. It's not by the beach, but it is a first class property, also free wifi, and secured (gate locked at dusk) parking. Great restaurant next door. (Domingo's Place)

David K - 3-28-2012 at 10:39 AM

Jardines is beautiful indeed... I do think for all Antonio has done for Nomads and non-Nomads over the years, buying gas at his Pemex and staying at his motel is a nice 'thank you'.

He sure thanks us nicely with his help when we are in need, and honest pumps at his Pemex, too... Remember when he awarded Doug with this plaque (Nov. 2006):

Bajahowodd - 3-28-2012 at 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
Jardines is beautiful indeed... I do think for all Antonio has done for Nomads and non-Nomads over the years, buying gas at his Pemex and staying at his motel is a nice 'thank you'.

He sure thanks us nicely with his help when we are in need, and honest pumps at his Pemex, too... Remember when he awarded Doug with this plaque (Nov. 2006):

Antonio is a fine fellow. No argument here.

However, for our taste, Jardines offers a more welcoming and relaxed environment.

DK- wondering if you ever had the opportunity to meet and chat with Guillermo, Carmen, Esmeralda or Carlos. All very gracious people.

DavidE - 3-28-2012 at 06:18 PM

Baja Cactus was pretty busy when i stopped there. Don't believe Jardines is hurting their business too much. I always fuel there and have fueled within a 100 meter radius since 1964.

David K - 3-28-2012 at 06:35 PM

>>>"However, for our taste, Jardines offers a more welcoming and relaxed environment.

DK- wondering if you ever had the opportunity to meet and chat with Guillermo, Carmen, Esmeralda or Carlos. All very gracious people." <<<

I have eaten at Jardines several times, including the new restaurant... good food, and high (U.S. type) prices for it. That's okay, a good place for a good dinner is great, specially at a dusty location like that, if you want that kind of food. We had our first anniversary dinner there (July, 2009) and I posted the photos here. Very good meal! Nobody came forward and gave us there names, nor did I ask for ownership details when we dined there. First time was in 2005 at the first location. I posted photos then, too.

web site: http://www.hotel-jardinesbaja.com
phone: (616) 165-1651

Restaurant page: http://www.hotel-jardinesbaja.com/id121.html

[Edited on 3-29-2012 by David K]

norte - 3-28-2012 at 07:35 PM

Seems like a very nice fellow indeed. He has a business that he promotes.Please help me though, recall the the multitude of help he gave to Nomads...?

Quote:

goldhuntress - 3-28-2012 at 08:41 PM

Yes 1Bajalover, the camping beach I mentioned earlier is it is El Pableon. Hot showers, most of the time, and a beautiful beach to explore.
Everybody has their own opinion on Baja Cactus and Jardines. I think I like Baja Cactus on the way south as I'm an hour further from the border and out of the hustle and bustle of the busy towns after a long push down from San Luis Obispo where I live. Nice rooms and great people there. On the way back, I think I like Jardines, it's an hour closer to border and I really like the restaurant, especially after a few weeks camping. I stayed there on my return a couple weeks ago and had dinner there too. I had Halibut with a cilantro, jalapeño, crema sauce with a tasty mixed vegges, potato and delicious lentil soup all for 120 pesos, very reasonable price and very tasty food.
Once on the way home we stayed at Baja Cactus and then went on to have a late breakfast at Jardines not knowing they did not serve it . We arrived at 11am but they did not open until noon for lunch. Carlos invited us in and said he was not prepared to serve breakfast but lunch he could do. It was wonderful, good coffee too. So, IMO both places put out a great effort to please their customers and so they BOTH have my vote, you really can't go wrong with either one.

David K - 3-29-2012 at 12:21 AM

No breakfast? Wow, they are missing the boat with potentially every motel customer having breakfast before checking out... We used to camp at Gypsy's (next to Cielito Lindo) just to have Laura's breakfast burritos in the morning! I sure miss the 'Indoor Camping' at Gypsy's and the Wet Buzzard run by Laura.

David K - 3-29-2012 at 12:54 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by soulpatch
We've always been big fans of staying at Estero Beach Hotel on the way back.
Killer tacos right outside the gate, awesome location and it is so luxurious after spending a few weeks in small quarters kind of roughing it and it is just a way to reconcile that we will be NOB the next morning and still feel good about it.
My family loves it.

Nice having a home away from home kind of place!

goldhuntress - 3-29-2012 at 06:22 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
No breakfast? Wow, they are missing the boat with potentially every motel customer having breakfast before checking out... We used to camp at Gypsy's (next to Cielito Lindo) just to have Laura's breakfast burritos in the morning! I sure miss the 'Indoor Camping' at Gypsy's and the Wet Buzzard run by Laura.

They actually do have another restaurant that serves breakfast right on the highway and it was packed when we drove by. We wanted to go there but had made plans to meet a friend at another place so....next time.

windgrrl - 3-29-2012 at 12:01 PM

Tripui, Puerto Escondido about 30 min. south of La Paz.
http://www.tripuihotel.com.mx/

Desert Inn, San Ignacio
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotels-g152205-San_Ignacio_Baja_C...

Extra time to wander streets, mission and cave painting museum is recommended as well as tea across from the museum and date pie from a vendor in the town square.

Both hotels are pet friendly, have great service and staff and nice grounds with good areas for walking.

Have a wonderful trip!

rts551 - 3-29-2012 at 12:20 PM

For a nice Hotel (not Motel) on the beach in San Quintin with all the amenities including nice restaurant for 500 pesos a night stay at Hotel Mission Santa Maria. We alternate between there and Jardines. Way better than El Rosario.

David K - 3-30-2012 at 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by rts551
For a nice Hotel (not Motel) on the beach in San Quintin with all the amenities including nice restaurant for 500 pesos a night stay at Hotel Mission Santa Maria. We alternate between there and Jardines. Way better than El Rosario.

That's nice Ralph, can you post some photos so we can see what Los Pinos people did to fix up the old Desert Inn/ La Pinta/ El Presidente hotel?

rts551 - 3-30-2012 at 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K

Quote:

That's nice Ralph, can you post some photos so we can see what Los Pinos people did to fix up the old Desert Inn/ La Pinta/ El Presidente hotel?

I generally don't spend my time taking pictures of motels/hotelsbut I will see if I can find some.

Just looked using the search function and there are pictures by myself and others along with recommendations. No need for me to bump them.

[Edited on 3-30-2012 by rts551]

Tripui

Mula - 3-30-2012 at 01:18 PM

Windgrrl,

Tripui is not 30 minutes south of LaPaz. It is 30 minutes south of Loreto.

durrelllrobert - 4-14-2012 at 10:32 AM

Quote:

How about your opinion of the Old Mill for rooms and eating?