BajaNomad

reasonable place to stay in Catavina

1Bajalover - 6-15-2012 at 12:49 PM

without an RV...not Sante Ynez as they have hotel rooms sort of like well...anyway....
la Pinta..might be different name is spendy...anything else
probably donīt want to camp unless there are lots of other folks around...

shari - 6-15-2012 at 12:52 PM

We stay at the pink hotel to the north a bit and on the other side of the highway of La Pinta...it's real cheap and fine for just a night...you might want to bring some food though if you dont want to eat at La Pinta.

Martyman - 6-15-2012 at 01:20 PM

Pink Palace to the north of town

Bob and Susan - 6-15-2012 at 01:20 PM

isnt there an eating place across the street from the BIG hotel...it was there 2 years ago and was pretty good

i think someone from asuncion stayed at the motel you are talking about awhile back

woody with a view - 6-15-2012 at 01:32 PM

as for the eats, i had some PRETTY GOOD lengua tacos at the store last winter! with the entertainment GOTTAPESO provided it was a great way to spend lunch.

Hook - 6-15-2012 at 01:53 PM

I'm curious what they're charging for the rooms at Santa Ines if it's 15.00US just to park there, now?

Santiago - 6-15-2012 at 02:40 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bob and Susan
isnt there an eating place across the street from the BIG hotel...it was there 2 years ago and was pretty good


Yes, we stop there for breakfast nearly every trip. Right next to the store and the old Pemex on the east side of the road.
I think the prices at the old la pinta is about $550mp with tax; about $40 at current exchange rates.

David K - 6-15-2012 at 05:06 PM

The Cabaņas Linda/ Motel Linda/ etc. is not very well reviewed... Maybe better now, but the following are samples from 2008 to 2012:

"Hotel Linda is the absolutely worst faciility we have stayed at on Highway 1. I do everything I can to make sure we don't hit Catavina near dark. We'll hold at Guerrero Negro going north or El Rosario going south if we don't have at least 4 hours of driving time. It's Baja, why rush?"
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" Cataviņa (cah-tah-vee-nuh):

Our plan B was to stay at Rancho Santa Ines' motel for two nights - located on the trailhead to Mission Impossible. But according to local Americano Ralph Shoemaker, the employees were getting 'Lazy' and did not like tending to a motel with few to no visitors. So, we drove up to our plan C - Motel Cabaņas Lindas. For $27, we were able to stay in a motel with cold showers, c-ckroaches, and no water the next morning. The morale of Baja Grande fell to new lows."
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"one of our guests stayed at the cabanas linda and they were not happy ... I think there was no hot water and I think they didnt like that the electricity gets turned off at night ....."
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This is the pink motel on the north side of town.

I've staryed there a few times. One time we stayed there and there were a couple of other families staying too on their way to Central America. They lefty early. My brother was outside when the owner/maid/whoever came to clean the rooms. She never changed the sheets just straintened them out made the beds. After that when we stayed there my brother never sleep in a bed he used his camping cot. I just put my sleeping bag on the bed. "
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Just making sure that we don't want anyone to get a disease or bed bugs from any place, after reading Baja Nomad!:light:

There were two good reports in 2008, but none since then... One of the good reports on the place was from someone who likes to bring dogs into a motel room, and that is allowed there.

mtgoat666 - 6-15-2012 at 05:18 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Santiago
Quote:
Originally posted by Bob and Susan
isnt there an eating place across the street from the BIG hotel...it was there 2 years ago and was pretty good


Yes, we stop there for breakfast nearly every trip.


Got sick eating there,... twice. Won't get fooled again.

Mula - 6-15-2012 at 05:36 PM

No hot water and the generator goes off early.
Not clean beds.
Never again.

The Meals at the Desert Inn are o.k. and reasonable.

DianaT - 6-15-2012 at 06:10 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K

There were two good reports in 2008, but none since then... One of the good reports on the place was from someone who likes to bring dogs into a motel room, and that is allowed there.


Oh you make that sound so disgusting---bringing dogs into a motel room. Yes we wrote a good review in 2008 based on it being clean, basic and cheap. Next to us were two people who with whom we talked, but did not figure out who they were until much later---they had two vehicles as they were taking a jeep to Las Barilles (sp) and they also had pets and they also took them into the room---

Another time we stayed there when they had the little restaurant. We both got sick and the generator which operates the water pump went off and did not come on in the morning----and well, that is enough information. So we have not been able to think about staying there again.

Instead, we drag our filthy beasts into the motel room at what was the Desert Inn --- now the Mision Cataviņa. Taking dogs into a hotel room we find better than finding dirty sheets in a house we rented---that was gross!

I do think Linda's went down hill and there is no A/C. And the Mision Cataviņa has improved. Check them both out.

thebajarunner - 6-15-2012 at 06:39 PM

Best camping in all of Baja, IMO

Just pick a side road, drive back until you are well off the highway,
been camping there for more than 30 years and never a problem.

And yes, the restaurant across from La Pinta (or whatever it is called) actually the old gas station site, is basic Baja, good, not great, but never had bad food there, and nice people.

KurtG - 6-15-2012 at 06:44 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by mtgoat666
Quote:
Originally posted by Santiago
Quote:
Originally posted by Bob and Susan
isnt there an eating place across the street from the BIG hotel...it was there 2 years ago and was pretty good


Yes, we stop there for breakfast nearly every trip.


Got sick eating there,... twice. Won't get fooled again.


OTOH, I have eaten there many times. Food has been fine and no bad after effects but then I rarely have had food related stomach problems over the years in Mexico or elsewhere. Just lucky I guess. I have been accused occasionaly of a lack of sensitivity but I don't think they were referring to intestinal issues.

Ateo - 6-15-2012 at 07:16 PM

Pink hotel......that's your only other option. If you can sleep in your car I'd just take a road east or west off the highway a few miles and have an adventure.

Ateo - 6-15-2012 at 07:20 PM

The nightime hot dog stand next to the mercado, across from the big hotel is decent. After driving from scorpion bay with two trucks full of kids I went over there and ordered 25 hotdogs. They were edible and actually good.

Ateo - 6-15-2012 at 07:30 PM

And as Woody mentioned above the taco stand in front of the store has some bomb azz tacos. Last year I got 3 mole tacos after a kick butt surf trip. 12 Noon.

Pompano - 6-15-2012 at 07:53 PM

I have had these types of accommodations at Catavina over the years.

In order of MY preference:

1. RV camping...at Rcho Sta. Inez or boondocking off in the desert. - Cheap and comfortable
2. LaPinta Hotel..now called the Desert Inn - Expensive and comfortable
3. The Pink Palace - Cheap and Uncomfortable
4. Sleeping in my car - Cheapest... and you be the judge for comfort? Now, if I had my old college Rambler with the laydown front seat that made the whole thing into a bed..YES!

Note: that old time cafe across from the La Pinta next to the now-funct gas station was a great place for breakfast..and burritos later on for lunch. Ate there many times..never had a bad meal.

tiotomasbcs - 6-16-2012 at 06:21 AM

This middle section of the Carretera is where your Baja savy is the most important! I love camping in the rock piles of Catavina and drive back in to find a cubby hole--awesome. Or, hang back in El Rosario!:yes: Comfort and good food. Be careful driving tired, no?! Tio

shari - 6-16-2012 at 07:52 AM

the last time we stayed at the pink place, we mistakenly assumed that those food stands and tacos would be open..and they werent...which is why i mentioned it might be a good idea to pack a lunch just in case.

pink nightmare hotel

1Bajalover - 6-16-2012 at 12:21 PM

stayed there because there was nothing else 5 years ago at Christmas time....no electricity or any water, rude owners or employees and well..we slept ontop of the beds after we covered them with sheets and used our own blankets....so thanks for the replies..the food sounds pretty bad..I am coming from the south and as usual, may or may not have a travel companion so camping may not work for m..love Catavina and donīt want to just pass it up and get to El Rosario which I really like...just checking to see if any new options had appeared on the Horizon
does anyone know the price for the new Hotel..or the old La Pinta that is now a different name
Thanks so much for all the feed back..so helpful

woody with a view - 6-16-2012 at 12:32 PM

the pinta is around $85 if i remember....

goldhuntress - 6-16-2012 at 12:34 PM

I don't worry about camping at Santa Inez. I've stayed there plenty of times, alone and not alone and have never had a problem. I've never heard of any problems there either.

DianaT - 6-16-2012 at 12:36 PM

Mision Cataviņa --- ex La Pinta, ex Desert Inn ---just a month ago

$1235.00 pesos Two people, two of those awful dogs, and discount for having an FM3.

The dog fee and the discount were just about a wash.


[Edited on 6-16-2012 by DianaT]

thebajarunner - 6-16-2012 at 01:09 PM

This is a listing of all the campers that have been attacked at Catavina:
-
-
-
-
end of list.....

and, this is the first time I have heard of anyone getting sick from eating at the old gas station site restaurant.

we take a dozen guys in there a couple times a year, year after year, no one has ever complained.

tripledigitken - 6-16-2012 at 01:36 PM

For food in Catavina you can also.....

drive into Rancho Santa Ynez, and if the kitchen is open, they prepare decent food for a very reasonable cost.

Marc - 6-16-2012 at 06:23 PM

Stay at Pink Palace if you must & eat across the road from the hotel. I would stay at the hotel myself. Been there at least 40 times coming and going. Was La Pinta now??If you are a couple of guys try Sta Inez. Basic & no privacy.

[Edited on 6-17-2012 by Marc]

Pompano - 6-16-2012 at 06:39 PM

From November, 2011...but was just there in late April, 2012 and it was the same sign. Of course, this is Baja...just saying.


chuckie - 6-16-2012 at 07:24 PM

You generally get what you pay for...

Barry A. - 6-16-2012 at 08:29 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by chuckie
You generally get what you pay for...


-------and, with that particular hotel, I think you get your money's worth---------love everything about that hotel, and would not even think of staying any place else.

I have so many memories from that hotel-----------all good!!!

Barry

SFandH - 6-17-2012 at 06:53 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Hook
I'm curious what they're charging for the rooms at Santa Ines if it's 15.00US just to park there, now?


15 dollars???? :O

We stayed a night there in our RV about a month ago. It was 100 pesos.