BajaNomad - Los Barriles or Cabo Pulmo?

Los Barriles or Cabo Pulmo?

baja99 - 5-8-2014 at 02:16 PM

Planning our road trip. Wish we had more days but those darn jobs continue to stand in our way! Coming from San Jose del Cabo heading to La Paz. I'm thinking about adding a night or two in either Cabo Pulmo or Los Barriles. Love to be in the water... snorkel, kayak etc. Any thoughts on the two?

Udo - 5-8-2014 at 02:59 PM

Cabo Pulmo has better snorkeling, and kayaking. Los Barriles has better places to stay as well as food.

weebray - 5-8-2014 at 05:00 PM

If you like botox and La Jolla you'll love Los Barriles. If you prefer a secluded, quiet, remote slightly hip but still Mexican type place, Pulmo is for you. The nearby reef has some of the better diving in the sea of Cortez. (pangeros available)You can camp or check out VRBO for some pretty sweet deals.

[Edited on 5-9-2014 by weebray]

tiotomasbcs - 5-8-2014 at 05:16 PM

Tough choice. Quiet, tranquil--rent a bungalow in CP. But, you can stay in Barriles and day trip south if you need some restaurants, etc . Bit of Hollywood and botox---crack me up! Don't forget a short trip for lunch up to Santiago. You need more time, verdad?! Tio

[Edited on 5-9-2014 by tiotomasbcs]

BajaBlanca - 5-8-2014 at 07:13 PM

If you are in La Paz before the 20th, lets get together for coffee one morning.

bajafreaks - 5-9-2014 at 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Udo
Cabo Pulmo has better snorkeling, and kayaking. Los Barriles has better places to stay as well as food.

I agree with Udo.
Keep in mind If the wind comes up at C.P which it does there's not much to do. I would go to both places and check out La Ribera in between.

baja99 - 5-9-2014 at 10:25 PM

Ugh I need more time!!! Thanks for the info! We are definitely more Gonzaga and Mulege than La Jolla and Botox! The houses do look amazing...too bad there isn't one plopped on a deserted beach! Is this area worth cutting a day from La Paz? Never been south of Loreto before!

Justbozo - 5-9-2014 at 11:06 PM

Might I recommend taking the East Cape road vs Mex1. Head east out of San Jose del Cabo past the Marina and keep going! It will take you right into downtown Cabo Pulmo and points north. If you don't mind a rough two track road (it is well traveled) with great water views it might be for you.

bajajudy - 5-10-2014 at 06:39 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Justbozo
Might I recommend taking the East Cape road vs Mex1. Head east out of San Jose del Cabo past the Marina and keep going! It will take you right into downtown Cabo Pulmo and points north. If you don't mind a rough two track road (it is well traveled) with great water views it might be for you.

If you decide to make to take this route, please stop in to say, Hola!
We are off the third traffic circle after you get off the bridge from San Jose and just behind the Pemex. If you look to your left between the second and third traffic circle, you can see the Pemex.
Baja Books and Maps

Best way if Southbound to Cabo Pulmo?

Whale-ista - 5-10-2014 at 07:44 AM

I'll be heading that way in June. What road do you recommend coming from La Paz?

Thank you for suggestions!

Quote:

gnukid - 5-10-2014 at 08:25 AM

Take 1 south the whole way there or take Colosio (road to San Juan de Los Plannes) up over the mountain past la Ventana, past the pemex on your left, turn right to head to San Antonio, left when it ends to head south toward Los Barriles, continue south along the coast to Cabo Pulmo, or take the a left at the curve.

Here are directions

[Edited on 5-10-2014 by gnukid]

baja99 - 5-10-2014 at 08:56 AM

I was planning on taking the coastal road. Then I was unsure...read something about most of the coast not being visible from the road, and mixed reviews on the condition of the road. Sounds like the road is good enough...and you must be able to see most of the coast, right?

Udo - 5-10-2014 at 10:18 AM

You are correct in your seeing past postings of the dirt road being behind the dunes, and the beach access being barbed-wired. However, there are four beach access areas (they are hard to spot).
You can park two or three cars in the dirt lot, and then it's a short walk to the water.
The reason the beach access is blocked off is because the entire East Cape is a protected turtle habitat, and you will see such signs on the beach access paths.

The initial dirt road (after Bajajudy's place) is a magnificent view of the Sea of Cortez. Gorgeous white sand beaches and invitingly warm water. If you do go in the water, be sure to wear wet suit booties. You may encounter a stingray in the area.

gnukid - 5-10-2014 at 10:29 AM

You can drive on the dirt from Ensenada de los Muertos to Cardonal, Pescadero, Barriles, to Hwy 1 for about 20km and then get back on the dirt road to continue to Cabo Pulmo. I do it. It takes a while and there are holes and bumps and you will be tired of it but it's fun to go slow and stop and see everything that trip will take about 6-8 hours from La Paz going slow. Once I hit a hole and blew the tire which trashed the side of the car. But I had a spare and we fixed the car with a hammer.

Or you drive the hwy 1 freeway the whole way to cuerva turnoff to Pulmo and be there in 2.5 hours from La Paz.

Ensenada De Los Muertos dirt road south

Easy

Pescadero

Pescadero to Barriles

Looking south to Punta Colorado

Nearby

Dolphin

Fish

Nearby

Near Pulmo (south)

[Edited on 5-14-2014 by gnukid]

[Edited on 5-14-2014 by gnukid]

Udo - 5-10-2014 at 11:16 AM

Nice photos, gnukid!

I think that will will try that northern road sour to Los Barriles in the FJ next time.

Looks like worthwhile drive!

Beautiful photos!

Whale-ista - 5-11-2014 at 09:00 AM

Thank you gnukid. Looks like a beautiful drive.

baja99 - 5-12-2014 at 07:15 PM

Nice pictures- thanks for sharing!