1. What documentation do I need for travel into Mexico?
American/Canadian citizens must present proof of citizenship for travel into Mexico. A valid U.S./Canadian passport or a birth certificate accompanied by a government issued photo I.D. is required. If you travel by plane, tourist visas will be provided to you. The cost will be included in your airline ticket. You must have this document in order to leave Mexico. Citizens of other countries - check with Mexican consulates for necessary visas and documentation. Single parents/guardians with minor children need to have a notarized letter of permission from the non-present parent to travel outside the U.S. Keep this letter with you during your entire stay in Mexico. Check with your airline for specifics on this matter.
2. How do I get to Cabo Pulmo?
See a map
The quickest way to get to Cabo Pulmo is to fly into The Los Cabos International Airport in San Jose del Cabo. The drive from San Jose is easier and shorter than the drive from the airport in La Paz. Alaska Airlines, Aeromexico, Mexicana, Aero California, Continental, Delta, America West, American and Sunquest Vacations all fly into Los Cabos.
Renting a car is the best way to get to Cabo Pulmo. It gives you more flexibility to see surrounding areas, also there are no taxis standing by to return you to the airport. Taxis are quite expensive - running about $160 one way no matter the number of persons on board. 4-wheel drive is not necessary to get here. Make your rental car arrangements ahead of time with Alamo, Avis, Budget, Hertz, National, Dollar, Thrifty or Advantage. Mexican liability insurance is required and can be obtained from the rental car agency. Make sure to bring a copy of your rental agreement with you. Check that your rental car has a tire jack and an inflated spare!
If you are driving down from the border, there is only one road, Highway 1, that brings you here. Keep in mind you need a tourist visa for any travel south of Ensenada. This document can be obtained at the Baja Sur border in Guerro Negro, half way down the peninsula. You must pay a modest fee at a Mexican bank prior to your return trip home. The bank will stamp your visa with ‘fee paid.’
We will provide you with specific directions to Cabo Pulmo. It is approximately 55 miles from San Jose del Cabo, a 1-1/2 hour drive (or 2-1/2 hours from La Paz). We suggest that you spend your first night in San Jose if you can’t make it to Cabo Pulmo before dark. Road conditions can be very hazardous on the narrow, unlit highway at night. Cows, horses, goats, and dogs roam the land freely and are very difficult to see in the dark.
3. Where should we shop for groceries?
There is a good market, Aramburo’s Super Plaza, located on the left (east) side of the highway 4 miles south of the Los Cabos Airport. This is the most conveniently located market for people arriving in San Jose and traveling to Cabo Pulmo on the same day.
They have meat, dairy and deli sections and a good array of foods, fresh fruits and veggies. They also have liquor, beer, wine, ice and bottled water.
4. What about money?
Bring enough small bills for your stay, as businesses in Cabo Pulmo take only US Dollars or Mexican Pesos. Credit cards and personal checks aren’t accepted in this remote village by the sea. Note: US Dollars are readily accepted throughout all of Baja. Just make sure you bring lots of 1’s, 5’s and 10’s. If you would like to convert your US Dollars to Mexican Pesos it is best to change them with a "casa de cambio" (money exchange booth) or at a local bank that will accept your ATM card. Both offer better rates than changing money at the airport. For small amounts, however, the airport exchange is more convenient.
5. What is the weather like?
Spring and fall are temperate and mellow with temperatures usually in the 70’s and mid 80’s. They are the best seasons for diving, fishing and hanging out at the beach. In late November – March you will find the coolest and windiest weather with temperatures usually in the 70’s to 80’s, sometimes down to the low 60’s at night. Winter can be a windsurfer’s delight. The windiest days can be too turbulent for diving or fishing. July – September maintain the most humidity and hottest temperatures of the year reaching into the low to mid 90’s (sometimes into the low 100’s!), thus offering incredible warm water swimming, fishing, diving and snorkeling. Summer is also Chubasco (hurricane) season. Be aware.
6. What activities are there to do?
You can kayak, snorkel, dive, fish, swim, hike, bike, run, walk, windsurf, explore or simply sit back and read a book. Cabo Pulmo has it all.
For scuba, snorkeling or kayaking you can go to Cabo Pulmo Divers, Cabo Pulmo Beach Resort, or Pepe’s Dive Center. You can bring your own equipment or rent.
Go fishing with the experts, the Castros, in one of their super pangas in the morning, afternoon or all day. We can make your fishing reservation for you. Windsurfers: bring your equipment or drive a short distance north to Los Barriles to rent gear.
7. What do we need to bring?
Dress casually for your visit to Cabo Pulmo. It is an informal village town with a laid- back peaceful pace. Essentials needed include: sunhat, sunscreen, sunglasses, swimsuit and insect repellant. Make sure to bring enough cash (small bills are best!) to last for your visit. Rx medicines must be in their original bottles. Don’t forget your flashlight and batteries, beach towel, shorts, sandals, and shoes for running or hiking. Bring a light jacket and pants for the cooler months. If you are a coffee lover, bring a bag of your favorite beans with you. Bed linens and bath towels are provided and are changed weekly (please, remember to bring your own beach towel!).
8. What should we know about culture and language?
The people of Baja tend to enjoy life at a slower pace than most visitors. The ‘mañana’ attitude is still a wonderful part of Mexico (mañana = tomorrow). Expect things to sometimes be slower when dealing with services and people. The fast pace of the northern world is harder for people down south to understand. Try to get on ‘mañana time’ and relax.
Of course, Spanish is the predominant language. Many people in Baja, particularly those interacting with visitors, speak English. However, it is a good idea to bring some of the local language with you, as it will carry you further in the hearts of the people. Pick up a phrase book before your trip and expand your vocabulary (if you don’t already habla espanol).
9. Is the water safe to drink?
The water in Cabo Pulmo comes directly from a well and is okay to drink. However, bottled water tastes better for drinking and cooking. We recommend purchasing water at the store in town. Water may also be purchased in Cabo Pulmo at the local mini store, Miscelanea San Martin, or at El Caballero Restaurant.
10. What do I need to know about solar power?
All the homes in the village are 100% solar powered. You simply have to be aware of your power consumption. Items like curling irons, hair dryers, electric shavers etc. are not permitted. Be conscious and please conserve! Don’t leave the lights or fans on when you are not home and try to limit the amount of power being used. Quickly using items like blenders or coffee grinders is not a problem.
11. Where can we dine out?
There are 5 restaurants and one for take-out in Cabo Pulmo:
Tito’s palapa cantina offers a great selection of Mexican and fresh fish dishes. Elizabeth is widely known for her delicious chiles rellenos and shrimp tacos.
El Caballero offers generous servings of home-style traditional Mexican food, including fresh fish. They make excellent huevos rancheros for breakfast!
Juan’s Palapa located right on the beach in an open-air setting has some of the best fish tacos around. They have a wide selection of menu items and boast the freshest catch of the day. The owners are also the best fishermen in town.
Nancy’s offers ambient candlelight dining in an indoor/outdoor setting. She has a varied menu offering fresh seafood and gourmet cooking.
Cabo Pulmo Bar & Grill offers a great cup of coffee. They have tasty hamburgers and fries along with simple American and Mexican fare.
Elvira offers hand-made tamales, tortillas, empanadas, and fresh salsa to take out from her home! Recommended indeed.
12. How do I make a reservation?
You can call our message phone and leave a detailed message. We can call you back on our internet phone or email you. However, as we are in a remote location, the most effective way of communication is via email. We require a 25% deposit on all rentals and full payment of the balance due 60 days prior to your arrival.
13. What if there’s a hurricane?
Hurricanes, statistically, are most likely to occur in late August or early September. If a Hurricane Watch or Warning is issued by Mexico, you have the option to leave (of course) and be refunded for the unused portion of your stay or apply the unused portion as credit toward a future visit to CP.
14. Is there telephone service in Cabo Pulmo? Can we check our email?
A couple of places have radiophones available for about $1 a minute or more. Pepe’s Dive Center offers an email service. Upon your arrival check with Pepe’s crew to see if service is available and what the rates & hours are. We are happy to be an ‘emergency only’ email contact while you are here. Otherwise, there are 2 internet cafes and a telephone office in La Ribera, 18 miles north of Cabo Pulmo.