How do I get to southern Baja?
Cabo is a major tourist destination, with direct flights from most western cities, including Denver, Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Portland and Seattle.  The 3-letter symbol for the Los Cabos International Airport is SJD.  Use that code to search for flights on the various internet travel websites.

What paperwork do I need for Mexico?
Starting January 1, 2007, U.S. Citizens must have a valid passport to travel to Mexico. A visa is not required.

How do I get to the house from the Cabo Airport?
The house is almost exactly 100 kilometers (60 miles) from the Los Cabos Airport.  The drive takes around an hour and a half.  We’ll send you detailed directions and a packet of other information when we receive your reservation deposit.

Are car rentals available?
Yes. Most of the major rental companies have locations near the Los Cabos Airport. They all have free shuttles from the Airport to their rental locations. Our favorite is Dollar, because their prices always seem competitive, but you can also rent from Avis, Hertz, Alamo, National, Budget, Thrifty or Advantage. The old days when the only thing you could rent in Mexico was a VW bug are long gone. You can rent anything from an economy car or a Jeep to a minivan or a large SUV.

Should I get car insurance?
Yes. Your U.S. insurance won’t cover you in Mexico. Don’t decline the insurance that the car rental companies offer.

What are the roads like?
It is not like driving in the U.S.  The roads have no shoulders. The curves are not banked the way they are in the U.S.  And much of Baja is open-range, which means cows and goats on the roads. You need to go slow. We also recommend that you not drive at night. Not because of bandits (there are no bandits in southern Baja, it’s extremely safe), but because of cows. In daylight you can see them, but cows on the road at night are a real hazard. Plan not to drive at night.

Where do I buy gas?
Gasoline in Mexico is government-controlled. The only place to buy gas is at a Pemex station.  They’re easy to spot (big green sign) and the prices are regulated.

Where do I buy supplies?
Los Barriles has hotels and restaurants, grocery stores, an emergency medical center, an American-style coffee shop where you can pick up a latte or chai, and a business center with fax and high-speed internet for checking email. Chapito’s is a grocery- and liquor-store combined – one-stop shopping.

What’s the weather like?
Southern Baja is part of the Sonoran Desert. The climate is arid, with 350 days of sunshine a year. Average annual rainfall is 10 inches, mostly during the rainy season in August and September (we don’t recommend going in August or September). Southern Baja never really gets cold. Winter days are in the 70s and 80s. Winter nights can be nippy – the air cools into the low 60s or high 50s at night and in the early morning before sunrise. In summer it gets really hot (90s or 100s in the day and upper 70s or low 80s at night), although summer is also the best time for fishing, as the really large billfish follow the 20-30 pound dorado and tuna in from the deep ocean.

How warm is the water?
The water is warm enough for swimming April through mid-December. In those months, the water temperature ranges from high 70s to mid 80s. In winter, from December to April, it’s too cold for extended swimming without a wetsuit.

Can I drink the water at the house?
Not recommended. Tap water is fine for bathing and washing clothes, but we supply bottled water for cooking and drinking.

Is there coffee?
Good question. The house has a French press coffee maker.  You can buy coffee locally but if enjoy good coffee you should bring your own.

Can I use U.S. electric appliances?
Yes. Electricity is 110 volt, same as the U.S.  No converter required.

Is there a TV or DVD player at the house?
No. No TV, no movies, no phone.  You can always bring a portable movie player if you want movies. We have young kids and we bring a small-screen portable DVD player so they can watch movies.

What do you mean by “open air kitchen?” 
The kitchen has a thatched palm (palapa) roof and two walls, but it’s open on the two sides facing the ocean.  This means the view from where you cook and eat is spectacular.  It also means you need to clean up after each meal or you will be visited by ants and desert mice.

Will my U.S. cell phone work?
Very unlikely. Some companies are improving their coverage, but as yet it’s rare for a U.S. cell phone to work in Baja.

Pricing/Availability
The house rents for $800 to $1,200/week, depending on the season. It is also available for longer term rentals. Long-term would be perfect for a writers, artists or photographer’s retreat.