elgru
Newbie
Posts: 2
Registered: 12-23-2007
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Getting around the east cape w/o car
Hi! My girlfriend and I are headed down to Baja Sur over New Years and we're looking for some advice on getting around on the eastern cape between Los
Cabos and La Paz. We fly into Cabo and out of La Paz and we're hoping to spend some a few days/night camping on the beaches (Los Frailes, Punta Arena,
Bahia de los Muertos) in between. There is a highway and a bus between San Jose del Cabo and La Paz, but the beaches
are all much further to the east. I don't think there is any real public transportation off the main road. It looks like there is a smaller coastal
road going up the east coast on the Sea of Cortez, but I imagine this is a pretty rough and not-so-frequented road.
We are trying to decide if we should rent a car or try our hand at hitchhiking.
Renting will be pretty expensive ~80 dollars a day with full insurance and whatever surcharge they have for being under 25 (I'm 24). In addition to
the cost, having a car can raise give some headaches: I don't know whether or not a cheap economy car will be able to pass on the presumably rougher
roads along the coast and I don't know if we should feel comfortable parking and leaving the car on a road a few hundred meters back from our tent on
the beach.
Of course, hitchhiking raises the obvious questions. Is it safe? Are there going to be cars passing frequently enough on the coastal roads to get a
ride? Will they feel comfortable picking us up? Will they have room if we have packs?
If anyone out there has any experience getting around and camping on the eastern cape w/o a car I would really appreciate any advice and some help
with these questions. Thanks, Elliot
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islandmusicteach
Junior Nomad
Posts: 78
Registered: 4-30-2007
Location: catalina island
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Mood: almost in baja
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Hi, here's my two cents -
Rent a car if the rental company will let you at your age. Do it online before you leave and ask anyone you know for a corporate discount code, or
search the internet for a code to "borrow".
When you arrive, go to a backpacker-friendly hostel/pension such as the "Pension California" in La Paz or "viejo san jose" (?) in San Jose del Cabo.
If they don't have a room for you, you can still hang in the patio area meeting people. Locate another couple your age that is sick of hanging out in
the city and wants to pitch in on sharing the expense for a couple days of east cape camping. Now you've got new friends and great times at half the
cost. Try the internet cafes if you strike out here.
If you fail in finding companions, your trip isn't ruined, it's just a bit more expensive. It's worth it for the flexibility and your rental car will
make it just fine on the east cape road. Pay it off later.
If the rental company won't rent to a 24 year old, or charges outrageous rates, then be more flexible with your plans and see if you can hook up with
others who have transportation. Maybe you'll end up on a yacht, or at a palacial home on the beach - who knows? Isn't that half the fun?
Don't hitchhike on the road and take rides from strangers - it's not worth the risk if you're travelling with your lady. Those days are over. Others
may disagree with me.
You can camp for free on my land in Santiago if you want to visit the waterfall, etc. U2U me if interested.
Good luck!!
- Marko
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bajajudy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6886
Registered: 10-4-2004
Location: San Jose del Cabo,BCS
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Hitchhiking up the East Cape road to go camping is just not feasible. There is NOTHING up that road except Buzzards Restaurant right at the start of
it and the Country Club(it is a restaurant and bar) about half way to Cabo Pulmo. You will need water and food and carrying enough for a few days
would be tough.
If you do rent a car, fill up before you leave as there is no gas on the way.
Stop by our store for more first hand information. We are on the left side of the road about 2 blocks after you cross the arroyo(dry river bed) just
outside of San Jose. Unless you have the new AAA, the new East Cape road will not be on your map. We can give you directions.
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rhintransit
Super Nomad
Posts: 1588
Registered: 9-4-2006
Location: Loreto
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another thing to consider...it is my understanding that the car companies prohibit driving their vehicleson unpaved roads. if this is true, and other
Nomads will correct me if my information is incorrect, that pretty much rules out a lot of area you want to explore.
reality\'s never been of much use out here...
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rhintransit
Super Nomad
Posts: 1588
Registered: 9-4-2006
Location: Loreto
Member Is Offline
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another thing to consider...it is my understanding that the car companies prohibit driving their vehicleson unpaved roads. if this is true, and other
Nomads will correct me if my information is incorrect, that pretty much rules out a lot of area you want to explore.
reality\'s never been of much use out here...
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gnukid
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4411
Registered: 7-2-2006
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You can camp on any beach legally, bring a tent and get to a destination you want to visit, hopefully away from cabo. Don't get intimidated by
anything, you have the right to camp basically anywhere. If someone bugs you pretend like you don't speak whatever language they speak and ignore
them.
Bring a tent, sleeping bag and not much else.
Never pay to camp unless you want to pay for things like bathrooms, water, community, etc... I never pay because that leads to being near tourist
people. Its very expensive--$8-15/day-to pay to camp and thats money you need for food to eat.
Use the bus service it will serve you fine as it passes along the beach everywhere--just wave when you see one you want-wave clearly and get on
quickly. Visit Santiago, La Ribera beach, Cabo Pulmo, Los Barriles north beach arroyo, Cerritos or Pescadero. In La Paz you can camp on the
Malecon--just be nice.
[Edited on 12-24-2007 by gnukid]
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vjfamily
Junior Nomad
Posts: 63
Registered: 9-13-2004
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The East Cape can be enjoyed by bus just be prepared to work a good distance from the Highway to the beach in most cases. Also, some times the driver
does not stop for pick ups so you must wait for the next bus. (two hours) All this walking and waiting is time for good conversation and taking in
the beauty of Baja. If you decide to rent a car, look for the category called "convertable". This is where VW bugs are often listed. VWs do better on
the dirt roads then the average small rental car. Lastly, if you do the bus thing, folks will occasionally stop and offer a ride. Turn down rides if
the "vibe " is negative and NEVER accept rides from cars with only two doors (stuck in the back seat of a stranger's car can be very unpleasant).Good
luck
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elgru
Newbie
Posts: 2
Registered: 12-23-2007
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Thanks so much for your help, everyone! I can only hope Baja Sur will be as friendly as this forum! Because we're not quite sure of our timetable, I
think we'll have to wait until we get there to reserve a car, so we'll have time to scope things out in san jose and maybe meet some folks to travel
with.
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capt. mike
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8085
Registered: 11-26-2002
Location: Bat Cave
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Mood: Sling time!
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you can get small cars all over san jose for $50 dollars a day incl insurance.
i can't imagine getting around the east cape without a rental - hell, where would you pack the ice chest?? in your back pack??
bag the camping - there are cheap places everywhere with good clean facilities if you beat the bushes a bit.
formerly Ordained in Rev. Ewing\'s Church by Mail - busted on tax fraud.......
Now joined L. Ron Hoover\'s church of Appliantology
\"Remember there is a big difference between kneeling down and bending over....\"
www.facebook.com/michael.l.goering |
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