faq | elrincondelsol

You may have some questions. Find answers here.

WHERE IS THE HOUSE LOCATED?

Our house (El Rincon del Sol) is located in El Rincon bay. The bay is on the Sea of Cortez between KM 24-27 on the East Cape Road. It is about an hour drive from the San Jose del Cabo airport and 1.5 hours from Cabo San Lucas. Swimming in the bay is fabulous as the water is warm and calm most of the year. The average water temperature in the winter is in the low 70’s and during the summer it is in the mid to upper 80’s. Be sure to bring your bathing suit so you can enjoy the numerous water activities – snorkeling, scuba diving, wind surfing, kayaking, jet skiing, etc.

Our house is part of a very small informal community called La Abundancia. There are 7 houses (including ours) currently in the community. Five of them were built in the 70’s and the 6th was completed in 2000. The neighbors are all American’s mostly from the west coast. A 8th neighbor, from California, has purchased land and is planning on building a house soon.

WHAT SHOULD I PACK?

Shorts and T-shirts – no need to bring a lot of nice clothes. You might want to pack one nice outfit if you want to go out to dinner. Most restaurants are VERY casual but there are a few in San Jose and Cabo San Lucas that are a little more dressy.
Sweatshirt and long pants for the night (especially needed in the winter months)
Bathing Suit
Hat – for protection against the sun.
Sunscreen – the sun is VERY STRONG here and lots of our guests have gotten badly burned
Sunglasses– you want to bring good protection for your eyes for the sun.
Water bottles or camel backs if you have them. Remember this is the desert and it is dry and hot. You want to make sure you drink lots and lots of water.
Day pack. You will want to go out on day excursions (i.e. fishing, hiking, etc.). Bring something that you can carry your water, sunscreen, a beach towel, and a little food).
Personal essentials – toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoos, medicines, etc.
Snorkeling gear – we’ve got some extra stuff but it is always nice to use your own if you have it.
Scuba gear – the scuba diving is amazing. You can rent equipment from the local dive shops too.
Tennis racket
Water shoes – the beach is sandy but there are some small rocks and pebbles. Water shoes just make it more comfortable to jet ski and swim.
Fishing gear – the fishing around this area is world famous.
Money - American dollars are widely accepted here, as are travelers checks. Major credit cards are also accepted in many locations, in restaurants, ask before ordering. The banks all have cash machines that will dispense money by way of your credit credit card.

You don’t need to bring beach towels or linens

SHOULD I TIP THE STAFF?

We, as well as the staff, would greatly appreciate if you would tip them at the end of your visit. We can guarantee you that you will be well taken care of and they will treat you wonderfully. The amount is totally up to you and your means. Just to give you an idea of an average tip, 8% - 10% of bf the basic rental is a good guideline. You can give them more or less depending on the time of your stay, extra special things they do for you (i.e. make and decorate a special birthday cake for you, afternoon appetizers, etc ) and your means. The tip will be divided amoung all the staff members. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask.

WHERE SHOULD I VISIT DURING MY STAY?

Cabo Pulmo

Cabo Pulmo is a tiny beach community located on the Sea of Cortez seven miles south of our house. Cabo Pulmo National Marine Park boasts the only living coral reefs in Western North America and is renowned for its natural beauty & white coral-sand beaches, warm azure-blue waters, reef-protected swimming and boating, miles of empty beaches for hiking & beach combing, great snorkeling & scuba diving, sea kayaking, world-class wind surfing & deep sea fishing.

Cabo Pulmo village is a rural area. The town has four restaurants offering a wide variety of menu choices and bar service. They include:

Nancy’s Resturant & Bar
Tito’s
Restaurant El Caballero and
The Beach Restaurant.

Tito’s is our favorite for Mexican food and a beer. Although, the fish taco’s served at the Beach Restaurant can’t be beat!

Three snorkel & scuba diving outfitters can take guests to the many dive sites in Cabo Pulmo Bay & surrounding areas. We recommend using Cabo Pulmo Beach Resort. If they are booked, Pepe’s Dive Shop also has a good reputation. If you are interested in getting certified to dive you can get your PADI certification from Cabo Pulmo Beach Resort. It takes about 3 days to complete your 5 pool sessions and 4 open water dives. If you don’t have your certification, they also offer a Resort Course which includes an instruction class, one open water dive, and all the necessary gear. For more information, check out this site: http://www.cabopulmo.com

La Rivera

La Rivera is the closest town to us with grocery stores, super minis (Mexico’s version of 7-11), an internet café, gas stations, and restaurants. It is located at KM 11 on the East Cape road and it takes about 10 minutes to get there from our house. The grocery shopping is pretty much limited to basic things and Mexican produce. However, it is growing and just recently opened a furniture shop. The one good restaurant that we’ve tried is called Vianey’s. There is a sign on the East Cape Road that tells you where to turn.

Los Barilles

Los Barrilles is located around KM 108 on Hwy 1. It is about a 30 minute drive from our house. It is nice town with some nice souvenir shops, good grocery stores, and restaurants. For the most complete information on Los Barilles check out http://www.bajaquest.com/losbarriles. Our personal favorite restaurant is Tio Pablo's which is located on the main north-south road through Los Barriles. It is a large palapa styled structure, with ceiling fans, bar, sports TV, and a menu of Sea Food, Salads, Steaks, and burgers. Sunrise Cafe in the mall - off Hwy 1 is good for breakfast and lunch. They have great muffins and cookies.

San Jose del Cabo

The two cities at either end of the “Corridor” are very different from each other. San Jose del Cabo is more colonial, has a history that dates back to the 1700’s and is a bit more refined and polished. San Jose is a great place to enjoy a quiet downtown stroll, some less hectic shopping, a quiet lunch or dinner. Many of the colorful shops are located in restored buildings dating back to the early 1900’s. There are also good grocery, hardware, and drug stores. Just about anything you want to buy can be found in San Jose.

San Jose is not a typical beach town, even though the beach is very near. San Jose was a large city (by Baja standards) when Cabo San Lucas was still a tiny fishing village. Now the two cities are about equal in population although San Jose now seems the less busy of the two.

The downtown area is centered around the church, city hall and main plaza with its adjacent park. Most of the activity is within a few blocks of the plaza or around the 9-hole public golf course located a short distance west of town, which is also where most of San Jose’s hotels are located.

A short distance to the east of San Jose you will find the village of La Playita, home of the local fishing fleet. Pangas can be rented from the beach to take you fishing out toward the Gorda Banks, possibly the most productive fishery in the Sea of Cortez.n

La Playita is also where the east cape road starts. The East Cape coastal road takes you along beautiful beaches and secluded residential developments. The trip from La Playita to our house is an adventure that is can take upwards of 2-2.5 hours with no stopping. The road can be impassable during the rainy season (summer) and is very rough, even when it is good condition.

To the west of San Jose del Cabo you will find some of San Jose’s most popular beaches and surfing areas known as Costa Azul. In the bay near the Hotel Palmilla you will see a small fishing fleet nestled near the green expanse of their breathtaking Jack Nicklaus designed 27-hole golf course.

Cabo San Lucas

Cabo San Lucas was once a tranquil fishing village and, in times long ago, a hangout for pirates. Although no longer the fishing village of old, and not many of the old pirates are seen around town any more, Cabo is still small and charming by any standards. The population is under 30,000. It is located at the southernmost tip of the Baja peninsula. Average year-round temperature is 78 degrees, it is a little cooler in the winter and a bit warmer in the summer. You can golf, water sports, boating, fishing, ATV's, horseback riding and numerous other activities are what you seek, they're all here, waiting for you. If "party till you drop" is the mood of the evening, Cabo has many hot spots to visit including Squid Roe, Cabo Wabo, and Coyote Ugly (yes, it was created to be just like in the movie).

The main beach at Playa Medano is one of the great people watching spots in the world, with 3 restaurants right on the beach. We like La Officina the best. The quiet Playa del Amor (Lover's Beach) a short boat ride away right by the infamous Land’s End Arch.

WHAT OTHER ACTIVITIES ARE NEARBY?

Sport Fishing

The sport fishing is unparalleled in the world. Marlin of the blue, black and striped variety. Sailfish, dorado (also known as mahi mahi or dolphin fish), tuna, wahoo, roosterfish and endless varieties of bottom fish and surf fish. Cabo is, by far, the world's very best all around location for sport fishing. Even if you are not a fisherman, you should try your hand at fishing while visiting Cabo. Landing your very first marlin is an experience that you will treasure for a lifetime. PLEASE RELEASE ALL BILLFISH!! Cabo is the host city every year to the world's richest series of marlin tournaments in October. Fly-fishing is beginning to catch on in a very big way in Cabo. The local "PANGAS" are another alternative that is a relatively inexpensive way to catch your trophy fish and have a lot of fun on the water. This area is blessed with the worlds most abundant fishing grounds. Surf fishing also can be very productive here and is great fun. Pack a lunch and have a picnic on the beach while fishing.

Water Sports

Swimming, scuba diving, surfing, para-sailing, snorkeling, sea kayaking, water skiing, glass bottom boat cruises, wave runners, wind surfing, whale watching, you name it and it is available in the Los Cabos area..

Out Of The Water

The Glass Factory, just outside of Cabo San Luca offers you the opportunity to observe the ancient art of glass blowing. These talented artists create incredible glass works, by hand, from balls of molten glass while you are not more than 10 feet away. You can visit this incredible site free of charge, mornings are best. They also sell what they create on site. For those who have rented a car you may want to take the beautiful one hour drive from Cabo San Lucas along the Pacific coast to Todos Santos, a small town and artists colony that is also home to a couple of great restaurants. There are many beautiful deserted beaches along the way, try a picnic, do some surf fishing or have a siesta

Golf

Los Cabos is home to five world class, championship golf courses, with another on the way. Three of these were designed by Jack Nicklaus, one by Robert Trent Jones II and one by Pete Dye. Cabo del Sol, a Nicklaus creation, which skirts the shore of the Sea of Cortez, has been called one of the five most beautiful courses in the world. Nearby San Jose del Cabo is the home of a delightful nine hole public course

Horseback Riding

The area offers some great places to ride. Ride along the beach at sunset, go a little farther, up into the hills and view Cabo from an angle most people never get to see. Take your camera! Tours can be arranged for any number of riders. There are also jumping and dressage arenas for advanced riders.

ATV (All Terrain Vehicles)

The surrounding desert offers unlimited riding possibilities. The desert and nearby mountains combine to offer great rides within a short distance of town.

Restaurants

Quality restaurants abound, all types and all sizes, from small taco stands to tables in the sand on Medano Beach, to elegant cliff side dining. Fresh seafood is a specialty of the area.

Night Life

If you party at night, you will many choices in Cabo. With nightclubs like El Squid Roe, Hard Rock Cafe, The Wild Coyote, Cabo Wabo and the Giggling Marlin, Cabo is hard to beat for great nightlife.

Shopping

Cabo has an abundance of shops selling all types of Mexican handicrafts, silver, and all kinds of beautiful ceramics. The new mega mall, Puerto Paraiso (now partially open) will surely change the shopping scene in here in Cabo. Tee shirts with some of the most outrageous designs available anywhere, wood carvings, Cuban cigars, unique objects made of pewter, pure vanilla and designer sportswear at duty free prices. Prescription drugs are often 40% to 60% less expensive here than in the U.S.

Siestas

This is the land of siestas, do not abuse your stay here by not participating in this national pastime. Siestas seem to come naturally in Cabo, some say it's the climate, some say it's the clean air, maybe you just over fished. Whatever the reason, siestas are one of the great natural wonders so abundant here. Don't fight it, go with the flow. Enjoy your stay, and don't offend the locals, HAVE A SIESTA!

Whale Watching Tours

We’ve enjoyed several Whale Watching and Sunset Cruises on the Kaleidoscope 100-Foot Catamaran. The Kaleidoscope is one of Los Cabo’s newer vessels and offers several options including a delightful Sunset Cruise, snorkeling cruise, and private charters. It departures daily (except Sundays) 5-7 pm from the dock in front of Marina Fiesta Resort. Be there by 4:30 pm and ready to depart. This cruise offers complimentary beer, margaritas, soft drinks, and chips and salsa. There is some interesting facts about the local whales at http://www.loscabosguide.com/activity/whales.htm.

ARE THERE ADDITIONAL RESOURCES I SHOULD CHECK OUT?

Yes! Here are some websites for the Cabo San Lucas Area:

Here are some good maps of the area and the local towns.