Erythronium
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Registered: 9-15-2010
Location: Vancouver Island, BC
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Camping near Cabo Pulmo
Hello all - new to this board - what a great resource!
We visited Cabo Pulmo in 2006 and noticed what looked like random camping on the beaches near there. We're thinking about going back in March 2011
with our small, light travel trailer and are wondering if things have changed. Has anyone camped there recently? We know what the roads are like, but
haven't driven down onto the beach itself - would it be feasible to attempt this with a 2WD truck?
Thanks for any help and suggestions!
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mulegemichael
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Location: sequim,wa. and mulege
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don't attempt to drive on the beach with a 2wd vehicle...it's just not worth it...i've had problems with a 4wd truck in the area you're referring
to...but...there's lots of places just off the road, IF YOU'RE CAREFUL, on the east cape road that are wonderful for camping...keep your eyes open, be
willing to air down your tires,(and have a portable compressor with you), and make good decisions....hard to do in baja, huh?...
dyslexia is never having to say you\'re yrros.
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frizkie
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Location: Victoria, BC, Canada & El Chorro, Baja Sur
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Also it is ILLEGAL to drive on the beach in Baja...especially at Cabo Pulmo.
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David K
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The speed limit on the majority of Hwy. 1 is also 80 kph (50 mph) no matter how straight or deserted the road is. 
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Mulegena
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The Mexican government has provided beach access all along the East Cape road. Its dry camping with pretty little palapas provided.
One such beach is north of the hamlet of Cabo Pulmo.
There is also a large arroyo a few miles south where dry camping is allowed, too.
Coming from the north, top off your tank in Los Barriles or La Ribera. Bring all the groceries and water you'll need as a very, very limited supply is
available in Cabo Pulmo itself.
Walk lightly, go slowly, listen to the waves, watch the night sky... you know.
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Erythronium
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Location: Vancouver Island, BC
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Thanks so much for the info. We're still in the planning stages, and may end up just flying in and renting in the village, depending on how much time
we have. We may have to wait a year or two till we have more time to drive down and camp. At least we have a little more information now.
Thanks again - now that I know about this board I'll check it regularly. We might even consider buying some day, and then I'll be searching the
threads for sure!
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windgrrl
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Visited CP on a day trip via group taxi from LB in Jan. 2010. A good restaurant and snorkel/dive operators are on the beach. Looks like nice lodgings
as well. Very beautiful. Have a wonderful time.
When the way comes to an end, then change. Having changed, you pass through.
~ I-Ching
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Mulegena
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For water-related activities go to Cabo Pulmo Watersports, the place with all the flags on the curve in town. They can arrange for a boat, fishing,
snorkeling and take you diving, cabopulmowatersports.com
If you decide to fly & rent a casita they can also point you in that direction, too.
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Sunman
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| Quote: | pretty little palapas provided.
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Yes, lots of camping all the way to SJDC, the palapas are a nice addition to see.
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Erythronium
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Thanks again for the information and suggestions. It sounds like camping is still pretty much the way we saw it on our first trip there 7 years ago.
Hopefully we can get back before the mega-development gets underway!
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Leo
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Sounds apealing. Going to try this out. I just wonder how bad the road is south of Cabo Pulmo. OK for a small rv?
The grass is always greener....
and so, there is always a better spot in Baja
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Bajatripper
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Leo
Sounds apealing. Going to try this out. I just wonder how bad the road is south of Cabo Pulmo. OK for a small rv? |
That road is nicely maintained through regular gradings. The government is trying to encourage foreigners to buy property and construct in the region
and that is one of the ways they support the concept. Rental cars crawling along that road are a common sight, so a decent RV should have no problem.
We camped on the beach just south of Los Frailes last December, it was fantastic, even saw a whale splashing around a couple of hundred yards off the
shore. The large arroyo where people camp that someone mentioned above empties out into the sea in this area.
I wouldn't worry too much about getting stuck around there. If it should happen, it will give you a chance to practice your "getting unstuck" skills.
And if you should fail at this, it isn't like you are way off the beaten path and likely to die from dehydration, there are plenty of vehicles in the
area. I'm sure at least one of them would be willing to lend a helping hand.
Go forth and enjoy!
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Cardon Man
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Bajatripper
That road is nicely maintained through regular gradings...
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"Regular gradings" is a bit generous. Several weeks of bad washboard broken by occasional gradings is more accurate. And the road seems to develop
washboard rather quickly after the gradings.
After the most recent rains the road is a bit beat up.
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larryC
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Cardon Man
| Quote: | Originally posted by Bajatripper
That road is nicely maintained through regular gradings...
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"Regular gradings" is a bit generous. Several weeks of bad washboard broken by occasional gradings is more accurate. And the road seems to develop
washboard rather quickly after the gradings.
After the most recent rains the road is a bit beat up. |
Several weeks between gradings sounds regular to me, where I live, about 5 miles south of BoLA, it has been 4 years since the road has been graded,
and the last time it was graded was 3 days before the Baja 1000 which completely wiped out any sign of the road being graded. You guys are very
fortunate down there.
Larry
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maspacifico
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Several months would be generous! The only time you can figure on the road being in good shape is if some politco is coming out....or for Semana
Santa. Snowbirds bring some pretty big rigs down to Los Frailes, but they stay for three months. Road has been lousy all summer.
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Bajatripper
Ultra Nomad
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Cardon Man
| Quote: | Originally posted by Bajatripper
That road is nicely maintained through regular gradings...
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"Regular gradings" is a bit generous. Several weeks of bad washboard broken by occasional gradings is more accurate. And the road seems to develop
washboard rather quickly after the gradings.
After the most recent rains the road is a bit beat up. |
By "regular grading," I meant it is graded after good rains have fallen and arroyos have carved their paths across the road again. Bad washboard is
just that. But it is usually transitable by most vehicles, many of them trying to find that perfect speed that will magically smooth out the
washboard. That's the real danger on these roads, excess speed combined with bad suspensions. Nothing like seeing a vehicle in front of you getting
sideways as it approaches. Excellent adrenalin rush!
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Erythronium
Newbie
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Location: Vancouver Island, BC
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The only time I drove south of Cabo Pulmo (slowly!) the road was so bumpy the car actually bounced out of gear into neutral. Never had that happen
before or since.
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classicbajabronco
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Once again lots of "Experts opinions"
This road has been graded one time this summer that I can recall. 2 days before the cabo 250 offroad race, it was crap immediately after. It has
rained several days hard since then, the road is washed out in several places. It is still passable, but it is a rough ride. Themain route fom
catavina arroyo san jose is currently not passable, due to flooding and mud.
Bringing a camper, trailer or 5th wheel out here is doable, but you better remove all items out of all the cabinets and place them on the floor, as
this is where they'll end up. So will your bathroom mirror, happened to me once, the one time I towed a trailer here for temp living. Plan on 2-3hrs
from la ribera if bringing an rv. Stuff will get broken, count on it, bring extra spring packs they regularily break. as well as spare tires. There is
a reason why my new enclosed car trailer is sitting in a san jose storage lot and not at my house. i don't want to damage it on the road. I am waiting
for the grader.
I recently broke a 3/4 ton heavy duty dana 60 axle completely in 2 the axle housing/axle shaft everything on this fine regularily graded road. It
took me 6 weeks to locate a new axle. I know of several people who've had this problem. lots of us use gusseted and trussed rear axles now.
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El Jefe
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Location: South East Cape
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I echo the above from those that live on this "road." One grading around Christmas and one before and after Semana Santa is all we get. And then the
road deteriorates quite rapidly. Right now it is very bad for any kind of RV. You can do it, but give yourself LOTS of time.
Last year a neighbor and I started pulling a big steel drag down the road weekly. It broke all to hell. I got it re-welded and it broke again. After
the second welding and breaking, I gave up. Sure got the thumbs ups from the locals for a while though.
No b-tchin\' in the Baja.
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Bajatripper
Ultra Nomad
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| Quote: | | I recently broke a 3/4 ton heavy duty dana 60 axle completely in 2 the axle housing/axle shaft everything on this fine regularily graded road. It
took me 6 weeks to locate a new axle. I know of several people who've had this problem. lots of us use gusseted and trussed rear axles now.
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You must be one of those who try ALL of the speeds and never accept that you just can't go fast enough to smooth out the washboard. Can't imagine what
you had to do on that road to break a heavy duty axle--a Dana, no less--completely in 2. Some expert!
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