Q & A

VERY LITTLE! Our philosophy at Baja Paradise is to provide guests with a complete turn-key vacation experience. If we don’t provide it, you probably don’t need it. We provide beach towels, beach chairs, beach umbrellas, sand toys, inflatable toys, life jackets, snorkel gear, boogey boards, sit-on-top ocean kayaks, beach bags, + a variety of coolers.

Be careful that you don’t over pack as dress is very casual in Baja. In addition to you personal clothing (you won’t need much!) and toiletries, you will want to bring plenty of sunscreen, a good sun hat and sun glasses, special medications (in their pharmacy bottles). Don’t forget your camera. If you have a favorite coffee, you might want to bring a bag of beans. Coffee grinders and Melita drip pots, thermos jugs and gold filters are provided in all three kitchens.

IT’S EASY!  Driving to Cabo Pulmo takes about an hour and fifteen minutes from the Los Cabos Airport, all of it good paved road except the last six miles, which is a wide, well-traveled, graded dirt road. We provide precise, written directions and a map from the airport to Cabo Pulmo, with all distances and turns well-identified. You won’t get lost! Once in Cabo Pulmo, follow the signs to VILLA & CASA DEL MAR. When you make your booking, we will send you detailed information with kilometer-by-kilometer, turn-by-turn, and town-by town driving directions.

Some large groups will rent a private van instead of getting two rental cars.  Contact Transcabo; website is www.transcabo.com – email is; reservations@transcabo.com – USA phone # is; 866-403-5987.  We’ve never used this service ourselves, but have been told it’s quite good.

RENT A CAR! While you can take a taxi, it’s a fairly expensive proposition, costing as much as, if not more, than renting a car, each way, and you’d need to trust your taxi driver would return for you at the appointed time and date, as there are no stand-by taxis in Cabo Pulmo for the return. We suggest you rent a car at the airport for the duration of your stay as it will cost less and offer flexibility. All major car rental companies offer rentals of all types right at the airport. We recommend you make your car rental reservations in the USA and take a hard-copy confirmation of your rental with you. Air conditioned cars are not necessary in winter and early spring but are a must during hot months. Rates vary widely, so compare the BASE rates, without taxes and insurance. Save on collision and comp insurance by using a Gold or Platinum credit card that includes collision and comp insurance in Mexico. Be sure to verify with your credit card company as far as rental card auto insurance in Mexico. You MUST purchase Mexican liability insurance for your rental car from the rental car company in order to be covered in Mexico. Your USA insurance or credit card insurance will NOT cover you.

YES! The USA requires that all American citizens who are entering the USA to have valid US Passports. If you don’t have a passport, take advantage of the national Passport Office’s rush service and you’ll get your documents in several days instead of many weeks. Plan ahead so that you are not still waiting for your passport when it’s time to leave for Mexico. SPECIAL NOTE FOR SINGLE PARENTS WITH MINOR CHILDREN & ANYONE TRAVELING WITH A MINOR CHILD FROM ANOTHER FAMILY: Mexico requires an original, notarized letter from the non-present, second parent stating that the children with you are yours, and that you have permission from your not-present spouse to travel outside the USA with you. If you are taking someone else’s under-age child along with you, you will need a notarized letter of permission from both of the child’s parents. Your airline will ask for this letter when you check-in for your flight. They are usually quite diligent about this detail because they will receive huge fines from the Mexican government if they are caught with minor-children on board who don’t have one or both parents with them. Be sure to have this letter with you at all times.

DEFINITELY! The well servicing the small American community at Cabo Pulmo supplies reliably good, sweet water, piped underground to each house. Most people drink it right from the tap. However because most people traveling in Mexico are concerned about safety of drinking water, Baja Paradise have installed reverse-osmosis water purification systems in order to provide you with an extra level of comfort. Purified water is conveniently dispensed at-the-tap in the kitchens. You don’t need to buy bottled water at the market.

ABSOLUTELY! The only living coral reefs in Baja can be found at Cabo Pulmo. The eight fingers of Cabo Pulmo’s living coral reefs begin at shoreline, arching out at a 45 degree angle from the beach, with each reef finger successively deeper than the last. The reef system protects the shoreline from the type of waves and surf associated with Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo, where many beaches are unsafe for swimming, plus Cabo Pulmo is influenced by the calm waters of the Sea of Cortez, not the active waters of the Pacific Ocean. Rip tides and undertows are unknown in Cabo Pulmo. Occasionally the beaches at Cabo Pulmo will experience small waves, mostly during winter north wind conditions. Even so, swimming is still safe and then the windsurfing is great!

FABULOUS! Cabo Pulmo is famous for scuba diving and snorkeling! Because of Cabo Pulmo’s living coral reefs, an abundance of sea life is just waiting for you to come take a look. The reef system is now protected by Cabo Pulmo National Marine Park so the sealife continues to prosper and multiply. Baja Paradise provides, free of charge, a fleet of sit-on-top ocean kayaks that you can paddle out to the reefs yourself for easy snorkeling. Baja Paradise also provides a selection of snorkeling equipment for guests who don’t bring their own. There are four scuba/snorkel outfitters in Cabo Pulmo:

• Cabo Pulmo Dive Center – EMAIL: info@cabopulmo.com / www.cabopulmo.com
• Cabo Pulmo Diving – Pilu & Henri – EMAIL: piluhenri@gmail.com / www.cabopulmodiving.com
• Cabo Pulmo Sports Center – EMAIL: info@cabopulmosportcenter.com / www.cabopulmosportcenter.com
  
• Cabo Pulmo Watersports – EMAIL: dive@cabopulmowatersports.com / www.cabopulmowatersports.com

If you contact any of the outfitters, please let them know Betsy at Baja Paradise referred you.
When we use outfitter services, we usually go with the 5-Star PADI Cabo Pulmo Dive Center in the 2-story building.  They have daily dives going out and can almost always accommodate you. They offer snorkel and dive trips, rental gear and tanks and all levels of scuba certification. They also have a pool to accommodate- Discover Scuba courses, Bubble Makers, Scuba Divers, Open Water Divers, Rescue Divers and Scuba Tune-Up’s. When in the sea, they always have a dive master in the water with you and their panga captain follows divers’ bubbles so the boat is waiting for you when you come up.

We also like to dive with Henri & Pilu.  They operate a small boutique servicce and don’t always have a boat going out, so be sure and plan ahead.

GREAT! Anglers at Cabo Pulmo catch most pelagic species common to Baja California Sur waters. We regularly see (depending upon the season, of course) dorado, also known in Hawaii as mahi-mahi, tuna, wahoo, snapper, grouper, sailfish, and marlin. The Castro family operates a fleet of panga fishing boats.  The rates are excellent, about $195.00 for a 4-hour excursion with up to 3-guests per boat; Fishing licenses are $15.00 per person; live bait is $25.00; plus tips (we always tip at least 20%; if you have a large catch, do consider more). Rods, reels, and lures are available for fishermen who don’t bring their own. These local captains are excellent fishermen and know the area well. Fishing within Cabo Pulmo National Park is prohibited in order to protect the reefs, however it’s only a short boat ride to deep waters outside the Park boundaries. Reef species like grouper and cabrilla can be fished for outside the Park as well, also a short boat ride away, just south of Bahia Los Frailes. You can make a reservation at their website: www.cabopulmosportcenter.com. If you know you will plan to fish, we highly recommend that you book your fishing trip in advance to be assured of a boat and favorite guide.

YES, there are SIX restaurants in Cabo Pulmo, all are within a one to four minute walk from Baja Paradise!

CORAL REEF RESTAURANT

#1 – CORAL REEF RESTAURANT – Without a doubt, this is our very favorite restaurant in Cabo Pulmo. It’s in the 2-story turquoise building on the second floor of the Cabo Pulmo Dive Center building with beautiful mountain and ocean views. Open for lunch and dinner, a meal at Coral Reef offers both American and Mexican fare, with soups and salads, pasta dishes, meats and fish from the grill, along with Mexican favorites and dessert. Prices range from $6.00 to $18.00. Coral Reef Bar is a great place for Happy Hour and for watching favorite sports events on large, flat-screen satellite TV.   Credit cards accepted at Coral Reef Restaurant

EL CABELLERO RESTAURANT

#2 – EL CABELLERO RESTAURANT – Our second most favorite restaurant in Cabo Pulmo, it’s located on the main north-south road you came in on at the turn-in to our villas.  EL CABELLERO offers strictly Mexican fare and is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.  We really enjoy having breakfast here and they pour a delicious cup of coffee. Mid-range pricing. Cash only.

LA PALAPA RESTAURANT

#3 – LA PALAPA RESTAURANT –A great place for fish tacos and a cold Corona, it’s located right on the beach at the south end of Cabo Pulmo village. A trip to Cabo Pulmo isn’t complete without having lunch here. Open for lunch, sometimes for dinner. Mid-range pricing. Cash only.

TITO’S BAR

# 4- TITO’S BAR–Located on the north-south road you came in on, Tito’s Bar is an institution with their killer Margarita. Their weekly Saturday night buffet is a “don’t-miss” event if you’re in Cabo Pulmo on a Saturday. We recommend that you let Tito’s know ahead of time that you’re coming to the Saturday night buffet so they save you a table. Midrange pricing. Cash only.

ALICIA’S TAKE-OUT & CATERING

# 5 – ALICIA’S TAKE-OUT & CATERING –Offering home-style Mexican fare Alicia is a superb cook and prepare you favorite Mexican dishes for pre-ordered TAKE-OUT (order by noon for 5:00 PM pickup).  With advance planning, Alicia can deliver to your villa for self-service or she can provide in-villa catering and table service.  Alicia is located at the very south end of Cabo Pulmo inland from La Palapa Restaurant. Food is reliably good. Mid-range pricing. Rates are based on quantity ordered and service desired. Cash only.

NANCY’S RESTAURANT

#6 – NANCY’S RESTAURANT – Nancy’s was the first restaurant in Cabo Pulmo, opened to service the divers who came to dive with Cabo Pulmo’s first commercial dive operation, Pepe’s Dive Center (long closed). Nancy’s is located immediately west of our villas on the road to our outer entrance gate. The menu can be eclectic. Occassionally there’s a baker in residence and you can get morning cinnamon rolls. Pricing is mid-range and up. Cash only.

MARKE

MARKETS IN CABO PULMO :

Cabo Pulmo has two tiny markets. One is located at the south end of the village area near Alicia’s Take-Out. Le Cabellero Restaurant keeps a shelf of non-perishable items to purchase. Both are only semi-stocked even  in high season, with little fresh produce, and not adequate to provide “real” grocery shopping. In low season, you’ll find mostly non-perishable items. So we recommend you shop in town before heading out to Cabo Pulmo so insure that you have the selection of goods that you may want while in Cabo Pulmo. Cash only.

MARKETS IN LOS CABOS:

After you have rented your car, plan to stop at one the American-style supermarkets in nearby San Jose del Cabo to stock up. There are three large markets to choose from where you’ll find an excellent selection of anything and everything you’ll need with lots of American brands to choose from.

#1 – SORIANOS, SAN JOSE DEL CABO –  This wonderful new super market is very close to the airport and the easiest market to shop in before you head out to Cabo Pulmo.  From the airport, at the intersection of Highway #1, turn right toward San Jose del Cabo.  Sorianos isabout 5-km further down the road next door to City Club (which is easily visitble from the highway).  Credit cards accepted.

#2 – MEGA, SAN JOSE DEL CABO – Take the toll road from the airport to the south end of San Jose del Cabo (very quick but you pay a toll at the end) and shop at Mega. From the airport, just as you exit the row of rental car agencies, look up and to your left. You will see a highway sign that says “CUOTA”. Cuota means toll, so that’s the toll road. It goes around the airport to the north and then west and avoids all major traffic on the main 4- lane road into San Jose del Cabo. You pay the toll (about US$2.00) just as the road ends at Highway #1. You will see Mega as you exit the toll road.Credit cards accepted.

#3 – COSTCO, CABO SAN LUCAS –  Yes, there is an American-style Costco in Cabo San Lucas. We rarely bother shopping there because it’s almost an hour’s drive from the airport (in the wrong direction from Cabo Pulmo) to Cabo San Lucas, then an approximate two hour drive from Costco to Cabo Pulmo. Just like in the USA, you still have to purchase food in large quantities,. So for a short stay, unless you have large group, it’s really not worth the trouble to shop at Costco. If you decide you want to shop there, follow the instructions for MEGA under #2, and after you pay the toll and exit onto Highway #1, turn right and drive south for about a half-hour or so. Costco is on your right just before you get to Cabo San Lucas near Home Depot. Credit cards accepted.

MARKETS IN LOS BARRILES & LA RIBERA:

#1 – CHAPITO’S, LOS BARRILLES –  Sometimes when we arrive and don’t feel like dealing with the large stores or the city atmosphere or city traffic, and we still want a reasonable food selection, we just shop in Los Barrilles which is on the way to Cabo Pulmo (but with a 10-mile each way detour) to Chapito’s Store. If you opt for this shopping experience, you will miss all the San Jose del Cabo crowds and see a little bit more of Mexico. Exit the airport and drive north on Highway #1 as if you were going to Cabo Pulmo. At Las Cuevas, do NOT turn right toward La Ribera and Cabo Pulmo, but continue across the long bridge over the large arroyo and drive 10-miles to Buena Vista and Los Barrilles. You will know you are in Los Barrilles, when you round the nose of a mountain that overlooks the ocean to the right and there is a huge, green-grass area below. The road takes you in a long, left-hand 180-degree turn.  Once finished turning you are in Los Barrilles and the main entrance street is a hard, righthand turn. Chapito’s Store is on your left a couple of blocks down the street. If you want an early dinner before heading back to the Las Cuevas turn to Cabo Pulmo, Tio Pablo’s Restaurant offers excellent food. Continue down the main street until the road dead ends at the Hotel Palmas De Cortez. Turn left, drive one block and you’ll find Tio Pablo’s on the left. Credit cards accepted.

#2 – EL REY, LA RIBERA – For a short stay in Cabo Pulmo, you can probably find everything you will need in La Ribera at EL REY. The owners of this market have continually upgraded their offerings and now have a cold-case for fresh meats and another for vegetables and dairy products. Even if we’ve already shopped in Los Cabos or Los Barrilles, we always stop here for a cold beer and a few grocery items as we want to encourage these very nice folks to keep up their excellent market. EL REY is on the road to Cabo Pulmo. After you taken the right-hand Y toward Cabo Pulmo at the La Ribera soccer field, EL REY is about another half mile on the right. Cash only.

TS IN CABO PULMO :

Cabo Pulmo has two tiny markets. One is located at the south end of the village area near Alicia’s Take-Out. Le Cabellero Restaurant keeps a shelf of non-perishable items to purchase. Both are only semi-stocked even  in high season, with little fresh produce, and not adequate to provide “real” grocery shopping. In low season, you’ll find mostly non-perishable items. So we recommend you shop in town before heading out to Cabo Pulmo so insure that you have the selection of goods that you may want while in Cabo Pulmo. Cash only.

MARKETS IN LOS CABOS:

After you have rented your car, plan to stop at one the American-style supermarkets in nearby San Jose del Cabo to stock up. There are three large markets to choose from where you’ll find an excellent selection of anything and everything you’ll need with lots of American brands to choose from.

#1 – SORIANOS, SAN JOSE DEL CABO –  This wonderful new super market is very close to the airport and the easiest market to shop in before you head out to Cabo Pulmo.  From the airport, at the intersection of Highway #1, turn right toward San Jose del Cabo.  Sorianos isabout 5-km further down the road next door to City Club (which is easily visitble from the highway).  Credit cards accepted.

#2 – MEGA, SAN JOSE DEL CABO – Take the toll road from the airport to the south end of San Jose del Cabo (very quick but you pay a toll at the end) and shop at Mega. From the airport, just as you exit the row of rental car agencies, look up and to your left. You will see a highway sign that says “CUOTA”. Cuota means toll, so that’s the toll road. It goes around the airport to the north and then west and avoids all major traffic on the main 4- lane road into San Jose del Cabo. You pay the toll (about US$2.00) just as the road ends at Highway #1. You will see Mega as you exit the toll road.Credit cards accepted.

#3 – COSTCO, CABO SAN LUCAS –  Yes, there is an American-style Costco in Cabo San Lucas. We rarely bother shopping there because it’s almost an hour’s drive from the airport (in the wrong direction from Cabo Pulmo) to Cabo San Lucas, then an approximate two hour drive from Costco to Cabo Pulmo. Just like in the USA, you still have to purchase food in large quantities,. So for a short stay, unless you have large group, it’s really not worth the trouble to shop at Costco. If you decide you want to shop there, follow the instructions for MEGA under #2, and after you pay the toll and exit onto Highway #1, turn right and drive south for about a half-hour or so. Costco is on your right just before you get to Cabo San Lucas near Home Depot. Credit cards accepted.

MARKETS IN LOS BARRILES & LA RIBERA:

#1 – CHAPITO’S, LOS BARRILLES –  Sometimes when we arrive and don’t feel like dealing with the large stores or the city atmosphere or city traffic, and we still want a reasonable food selection, we just shop in Los Barrilles which is on the way to Cabo Pulmo (but with a 10-mile each way detour) to Chapito’s Store. If you opt for this shopping experience, you will miss all the San Jose del Cabo crowds and see a little bit more of Mexico. Exit the airport and drive north on Highway #1 as if you were going to Cabo Pulmo. At Las Cuevas, do NOT turn right toward La Ribera and Cabo Pulmo, but continue across the long bridge over the large arroyo and drive 10-miles to Buena Vista and Los Barrilles. You will know you are in Los Barrilles, when you round the nose of a mountain that overlooks the ocean to the right and there is a huge, green-grass area below. The road takes you in a long, left-hand 180-degree turn.  Once finished turning you are in Los Barrilles and the main entrance street is a hard, righthand turn. Chapito’s Store is on your left a couple of blocks down the street. If you want an early dinner before heading back to the Las Cuevas turn to Cabo Pulmo, Tio Pablo’s Restaurant offers excellent food. Continue down the main street until the road dead ends at the Hotel Palmas De Cortez. Turn left, drive one block and you’ll find Tio Pablo’s on the left. Credit cards accepted.

#2 – EL REY, LA RIBERA – For a short stay in Cabo Pulmo, you can probably find everything you will need in La Ribera at EL REY. The owners of this market have continually upgraded their offerings and now have a cold-case for fresh meats and another for vegetables and dairy products. Even if we’ve already shopped in Los Cabos or Los Barrilles, we always stop here for a cold beer and a few grocery items as we want to encourage these very nice folks to keep up their excellent market. EL REY is on the road to Cabo Pulmo. After you taken the right-hand Y toward Cabo Pulmo at the La Ribera soccer field, EL REY is about another half mile on the right. Cash only.

MARKETS IN CABO PULMO :

Cabo Pulmo has two little markets. One is located in El Cabellero Restaurant; the other is at the south end of the village area near Alicia’s Restaurant. Both are semi-stocked in high season when there are a lot of visitors, but not sufficiently enough to provide a week’s worth of family in-home dining. In low season, you’ll find mostly non-perishable items. So we recommend you shop in town before heading out to Cabo Pulmo so insure that you have the selection of goods that you may want while in Cabo Pulmo. Cash only.

MARKETS IN LOS CABOS:

After you have rented your car, plan to stop at one the American-style supermarkets in nearby San Jose del Cabo to stock up. There are three large markets to choose from where you’ll find an excellent selection of anything and everything you’ll need with lots of American brands to choose from.

#1 – MEGA, SAN JOSE DEL CABO – Take the toll road from the airport to the south end of San Jose del Cabo (very quick but you pay a toll at the end) and shop at Mega. From the airport, just as you exit the row of rental car agencies, look up and to your left. You will see a highway sign that says “CUOTA”. Cuota means toll, so that’s the toll road. It goes around the airport to the north and then west and avoids all major traffic on the main 4- lane road into San Jose del Cabo. You pay the toll (about US$2.00) just as the road ends at Highway #1. You will see Mega as you exit the toll road. Credit cards accepted.

#2 – SUPER MERCADO PLAZA, SAN JOSE DEL CABO – ARAMBURO – From the airport, turn right (south) onto Hwy #1 toward San Jose del Cabo. The first store you come to houses Super Mercado Plaza in a large yellow building. You’ll only go a short distance (4.2 miles – 6.7 km) so watch for landmarks. You drive under two pedestrian overpasses. Look for a green-and-white Pemex Gasoline Station on your left. Just north of the Pemex Station the large yellow building houses Aramburo in SUPER MERCADO PLAZA. Credit cards accepted.

#3 – SORIANOS, SAN JOSE DEL CABO –  This is a far better market than #2 and it’s just a mile or so further down the road past Super Mercado Plaza. It’s called SORIANOS.  There’s a green highway sign marking the exit. Once you’ve shopped at Sorianos, if there’s anything you didn’t find there, you can always stop at Aramburo on your way back north toward Cabo Pulmo. Credit cards accepted.

#4 – COSTCO, CABO SAN LUCAS –  Yes, there is an American-style Costco in Cabo San Lucas. We rarely bother shopping there because it’s almost an hour’s drive from the airport (in the wrong direction from Cabo Pulmo) to Cabo San Lucas, then an approximate two hour drive from Costco to Cabo Pulmo. Just like in the USA, you still have to purchase food in large quantities,. So for a short stay, unless you have large group, it’s really not worth the trouble to shop at Costco. If you decide you want to shop there, follow the instructions for MEGA under #1, and after you pay the toll and exit onto Highway #1, turn right and drive south for about a half-hour or so. Costco is on your right just before you get to Cabo San Lucas near Home Depot. Credit cards accepted.

MARKETS IN LOS BARRILES & LA RIBERA:

#1 – CHAPITO’S, LOS BARRILLES –  Sometimes when we arrive and don’t feel like dealing with the large stores or the city atmosphere or city traffic, we just shop in Los Barrilles which is on the way to Cabo Pulmo with a 10-mile each way detour to Chapito’s Store. If you opt for this shopping experience, you will miss all the San Jose del Cabo crowds and see a little bit more of Mexico. Exit the airport and drive north on Highway #1 as if you were going to Cabo Pulmo. At Las Cuevas, do NOT turn right toward La Ribera and Cabo Pulmo, but continue across the long bridge over the large arroyo and drive 10-miles to Buena Vista and Los Barrilles. You will know you are in Los Barrilles, when you round the nose of a mountain that overlooks the ocean to the right and there is a huge, green-grass area below. The road takes you in a long, left-hand 180-degree turn.  Once finished turning you are in Los Barrilles and the main entrance street is a hard, righthand turn. Chapito’s Store is on your left a couple of blocks down the street. If you want an early dinner before heading back to the Las Cuevas turn to Cabo Pulmo, Tio Pablo’s Restaurant offers excellent food. Continue down the main street until the road dead ends at the Hotel Palmas De Cortez. Turn left, drive one block and you’ll find Tio Pablo’s on the left. Credit cards accepted.

#2 – EL REY, LA RIBERA – For a short stay in Cabo Pulmo, you can probably find everything you will need in La Ribera at EL REY. The owners of this market have continually upgraded their offerings and now have a cold-case for fresh meats and another for vegetables and dairy products. Even if we’ve already shopped in Los Cabos or Los Barrilles, we always stop here for a cold beer and a few grocery items as we want to encourage these very nice folks to keep up their excellent market. EL REY is on the road to Cabo Pulmo. After you taken the right-hand Y toward Cabo Pulmo at the La Ribera soccer field, EL REY is about another half mile on the right. Cash only.

MARKETS IN LA PAZ:

There are many markets in La Paz, but here’s an easy one to find.  Once you have rented your car, drive toward downtown on the new divided highway. You will pass the Whale-Tail/Dove monument. Bear left toward the Bay of La Paz, along a busy commercial highway that’s got car dealerships and beer “depositos”. Once the auto and beer merchants are behind you, look for the street called “Colima” which is a one-way street to the right. At the corner of the highway you are on (which becomes the Malecon) and Colima, there is a large supermarket called the “CCC” or Centro Commercial de California.  Do your shopping and when you are loaded up and ready to head out to Cabo Pulmo, drive to the exit nearest the right-hand side of the building, turn left on to the one-way street of Colima and follow the street until it ends and joins a divided roadway which angles to the right. It’s the main highway to Cabo. Credit cards accepted.

NOT NECESSARILY! US Dollars are almost always accepted. Many tourist-oriented businesses price their services in dollars. However when using dollars for things priced in pesos, you probably won’t receive a very good exchange rate from the merchant. For example, if the exchange rate is 12.5:1, you’ll probably receive only 12:1, a loss of 4%. The money exchange booth at the airport, does not give a good exchange rate. We recommend buying pesos at your USA bank and taking pesos with you.  Mexican banks only change money in the mornings and lines are long, hardly worth the trouble. Outside the city, most small businesses won’t have a lot of small bills for change, so plan to keep small bills available, both pesos and dollars. Take plenty of cash. Outside the city core, Baja is not a credit card society and most places won’t accept credit cards. We also recommend that you phone your credit card company before you leave home to tell them you will be traveling in Mexico so they don’t place a hold on your credit card because charges are coming from a foreign country. It’s really frustrating to not take enough cash, plan on using a credit card for a cash advance, then not be able to use it! Getting your credit card ‘un-blocked’ from Mexico can be a whole-day affair from town, completely wasting a day of your vacation. In Cabo Pulmo only Coral Reef Restaurant and Cabo Pulmo Dive Center in the 2-story turquoise building take credit cards.

VERY NICE! Cabo Pulmo is located on the Tropic of Cancer, in the tropics. The landscape is desert-like, with a relatively dry climate similar to Southern California during most of the year. The climate is sunny moat days of the year and it’s never cold. We’ve experienced Baja every month of the year and we’ve never met a month we didn’t like. We enjoy ocean sports every month of the year. Pick your time to visit based on what you like to do. If just kicking back and getting away from the hustle-bustle of everyday life is your goal, then anytime is a good time to visit.

NOT USUALLY! Most tropical storms you hear about from the Weather Channel in the East Pacific never reach landfall on the Baja Peninsula. The season for the possibility of hurricanes that might effect Cabo Pulmo is the six-week time-frame from the last week of August through the first-week of October. Historically, Baja often goes ten years without a major storm, then will get several storms in a row, although most storms stay several hundred miles out in the ocean, just sending waves to shore. An occasional storm makes landfall in Baja. If you are staying with us and a government Hurricane Watch or Warning is posted, and you decide to return to the USA, you may come back and use the un-used portion of your pre-paid stay at a later date, within one year of your hurricane-caused departure. During Watches & Warnings, the airlines usually allow you to change your tickets and depart on a space-available basis with no ticket change fees. While VILLA & CASA DEL MAR were under construction, a hurricane passed 35 miles east, out in the ocean, which traveled up the Sea of Cortez and made landfall at Guaymas and the Mexican mainland. As a result of our experience, we’ve installed roll-down hurricane shutters VILLA & CASA DEL MAR that close up the entire property in ten minutes and can withstand 140 m.p.h. winds. So if you wanted to stay during a storm, you could!

NO, YOU CAN’T! Most people come to Cabo Pulmo to be off the beaten track, to participate in the ocean activities Cabo Pulmo is famous for, to be away from the populated tourtist environment where one finds the golf courses. The closest golf courses are in San Jose del Cabo, an hour-and-a-half’s drive, and along the hotel corridor on the southward towards Cabo San Lucas. If golfing needs to be part of your vacation, we suggest you consider staying a few says in Los Cabos at the beginning or end of your trip and spending the rest of your holiday with us at Cabo Pulmo.

CALL US OR E-MAIL US! Our TOLL FREE number in the USA is 888-BAJA-SUN. We’re usually available from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM Mountain Time, seven days-a-week. If we’ve stepped out, please leave a message and we’ll phone you back as soon as we can. Even better, don’t hesitate to call Betsy’s cell phone at 208-720-4455. We are frequently out of the office and the cell phone allows us to stay in touch with you at all times. E-mail is a great way to reach us as well. We check e-mail several times a day. Send your inquiries to info.bajaparadise@gmail.com .

To make a reservation, we require a 20% deposit to hold your reservation, payable within 7-days of booking. Full balance is due 60-days prior to your arrival date; or 90-days prior to arrival if a Peak Season booking. We accept personal checks, VISA, MasterCard, American Express and Discover cards. All rates are subject to Mexico’s 19% IVA tax.

If you want to book specific dates, please reserve early as busy holiday periods frequently book up to a year in advance. When you’re ready to book, we’ll e-mail you our Short Term Rental Agreement and Security & Damage Agreement. Complete the agreements and snail-mail them back to us with your deposit check, or scan and e-mail them to us with your VISA, MasterCard, American Express or Discover card information.

If you need more space in addition to the accommodations provided at VILLA & CASA DEL MAR and EL NIDO, or if we can’t accommodate you on your preferred dates, we will refer you to other property management folks in Cabo Pulmo and/or assist you in finding what you need.