WE ARE EXCITED TO HOST YOU!
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE ARRIVAL
Getting Around: A rental car is recommended as there are limited grocery stores and restaurants within walking distance from the casitas. Driving in Baja can be challenging. See below for more information. You can hire a shuttle service at the airport, and taxi services are available for hire in the local area.
Groceries: You may want to add into your driving plan a trip to a larger grocery store in San Jose del Cabo before you head north on the freeway. I like Soriana, a large retail and grocery store just south of the airport, https://goo.gl/maps/Djbg9eZdSaqpJnXE6.
Money Exchange: If you are planning a short stay, then US dollars should be fine. For longer stays, I recommend you exchange your USD for Pesos. You’ll get more for your money. I prefer San Jorge Casa de Cambio, which is next door to the Soriana mentioned above. You’ll need to provide your passport and there is a limit on how much money you can exchange in 1 month. This limit amount fluctuates, but normally is $1,200 US.
You can withdraw money at the local banks in Los Barriles (BBVA and Intercam). You will receive PESOS when you withdraw money. The ATMs will charge you flat fees for the withdrawals. Many times you are not able to withdraw pesos for whatever reason, i.e., the bank is running low on cash. Plan accordingly.
If you plan to use your debit card, be sure to tell your bank that you are going to be visiting Mexico. Otherwise they may suspend your card, suspecting fraudulent activity.
Driving Directions: Be sure to check out the driving directions to the casitas BEFORE you leave for vacation, as you may not get cell service out here. Also watch for wandering cows on or near the highway.
Here is the map link https://g.page/casitasdecortez?share
From your car rental place at or near the airport (Los Cabos Airport): you’ll want to head north on Highway 1. It takes 45 min to 75 minutes to get here from the airport, depending on traffic. Around KM post 105 is the community of Spa Buena Vista. You’ll see a sign for Buena Vista Beach Resort at the turn off, which is a wide dirt road opening. It is easy to miss! Turn off is on the right side of the road. Follow the dirt road past a SIX minute mart, then take the first right down a dirt road with palm trees down the middle of the road.Take the second left off the palm line Street onto Estrella Del Mar which is a dead-end street. The Casitas are located at the end of the street on the left. Park in the covered carport area.
Contact info: Casitas de Cortez: Unique Lodging with Sea of Cortez Views & Hot Springs Hot Tubs. Phone (360) 241-8104, email [email protected]. Available via email, text, call, Whatsapp any time. www.casitasdecortez.com.
Entering the casita: There are three casitas on the property. Casita Luna is unit 2. Casita Vista is unit 3. Casita Sierra is unit 4. Each casita has the unit number on the front door. Your casita will likely be unlocked upon arrival. If not, there are lockboxes for each unit on the property. I will give you the lockbox location and code a day or two before your arrival.
Driving in Baja: Many herds of cows, horses and goats roam on our around the streets and highways. Always be alert for animals when driving. Put on your hazard lights if you see animals near the road to alert oncoming traffic. Avoid driving at night. Roads are narrow and there may be missing chunks of asphalt, particularly near overpasses. Watch for debris on roadways and falling rocks. Driving speeds are all over the place; some people drive super slow even on highways, some people drive very fast. Watch for passing cars, especially cars who are part of the oncoming traffic who may be in your lane passing another vehicle. Be alert and courteous.
Local Grocery Stores and Restaurants: Los Barriles is the biggest town near the casitas, about a 7 minute drive north. Within the local town of Spa Buena Vista, you have these options:
- Quick stop minute-mart “Six” near the entrance to Spa Buena Vista
- Quick stop minute-mart “Modelorama” near the entrance to Buena Vista Resort
- Restaurant, bar and pool bar located at Buena Vista Resort, right in the middle of Spa Buena Vista. Very popular among locals.
- Restaurant and bar at Rancho Buena Vista, just north of Spa Buena Vista. You can walk the beach north to get there or drive just up the street.
In Los Barriles, the biggest grocery store is Chapitos. For a wide selection of fresh fruits, vegetables and dry goods, head to this warehouse-style produce stand located about here: 23.68134198587314, -109.70481733438105. There is also a good produce store downtown Los Barriles here https://goo.gl/maps/2g34pwCpK3PwyPc67.
Los Barriles has a lot of great restaurants. Check out Google for options and reviews. My personal favorites include La Playa for breakfast and lunch, La Casita for dinner, Los Barriles Grill for seafood, and this little place for hand-made Caesar salads, Los Primos near Chapitos, https://goo.gl/maps/qkR3R28DTobUBiPR8. Smokey’s is the local long-standing watering hole and I do think the food is very good there as well. Great pizza at Chino’s (they are closed Thursdays), which is pretty close to the casitas, before Los Barriles.