East Cape Drive
East Cape Drive
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4.0
13 reviews
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Gates P
Toronto, Canada142 contributions
Jan 2022
Went there a week ago.
Drove down about 10 kilometres before turning back.
The road was all washboard and too rough to go any further.
Got a good taste of it tho.
Quite beautiful and secluded.if you have what it takes to do the drive.
Plan about four hours of very rough road if you do.
Need an SUV for sure !!!
Drove down about 10 kilometres before turning back.
The road was all washboard and too rough to go any further.
Got a good taste of it tho.
Quite beautiful and secluded.if you have what it takes to do the drive.
Plan about four hours of very rough road if you do.
Need an SUV for sure !!!
Written 28 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
maine01
Louisville, KY17 contributions
Jul 2016 • Couples
So we decided we would venture up the East Cape Road to Cabo Pulmo for some snorkeling and to check out the town. I had heard the road was paved part of the way- we started in San Jose and drove north- and the drive up the coast had improved. The first part of the drive is on a newer, immaculate paved two lane road which ends in a few miles. For the next 45km to Cabo Pulmo the road varies from washboard pack dirt/sand/rock to sand/dirt with some areas of washout. We were in a Jetta, which handled the drive pretty well, but next time we will rent a jeep or some other form of four wheeler. The drive however is quite doable in a decent front wheel drive car. Some tips for making this trip- make sure you have a spare tire, have plenty of water on hand in case you break down as there is very little traffic, fill your gas tank in San Jose, watch out for free roaming cattle on the road, be very careful on some of the very sharp turns going up and down the edge of the coast as there are some areas that look like they may be prone to wash out and there is little room for error. The washboard areas aren't really that difficult to navigate, the key is finding the right speed where you sort of skip over the ruts, thus smoothing out the ride (smooth is very relative here). And lastly, there is no way I would make this drive at night.
If you make a loop leaving Cabo Pulmo from the north, you can pick up highway 1 back to San Jose. The first 11-12km north of Cabo Pulmo is also not paved, but it is in much better condition than the first part of the drive.
Photos are of the drive from San Jose to Cabo Pulmo- the road is worse than it looks.
If you make a loop leaving Cabo Pulmo from the north, you can pick up highway 1 back to San Jose. The first 11-12km north of Cabo Pulmo is also not paved, but it is in much better condition than the first part of the drive.
Photos are of the drive from San Jose to Cabo Pulmo- the road is worse than it looks.
Written 30 July 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
James T
Mexicali, Mexico5 contributions
Jan 2017 • Friends
Truth......IF you are going/coming to Cabo to sit by the pool and have someone bring you drinks, don't take the time to visit East Cape. IF you want to take the time to do something off of the grid, something different than CaboWabo or Squid Roe, then what the heck.......go to East Cape and spend some time on a deserted beach. South of the SJD airport, just south of the gas...natural gas......station (maybe 2 miles south of the airport) is the Palo Escopeta Road. Take it to the coast and get a beverage at the Crossroads .... they have food, drinks, a 16 room hotel, pool and miles of unoccupied beaches. YES it will take about 40 minutes on the funky road to get there..........part of the fun and separation. Surf?? Punta Perfecta is one of the best in Baja when the surf is up. Friday and Saturday nights you can often catch some live, local music at the Crossroads...... This entire area will soon be crawling with tourists but for now you can enjoy some peace and serenity on an almost completely deserted beach while you contemplate life. Take a chance, see what life is without espn for an afternoon. Watch for animals and let some air out of your tires to make the washboard roads a little easier on the body. If you are hotel bound and TV bound, this is not for you, but everyone needs to get off of the grid now and then. I have property there so for me it is paradise. Take a drive, what the heck............. portate bien!! RT
Written 25 January 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mstacey33
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada36 contributions
Jan 2015 • Couples
Don't listen to Bevgosling, they must have went down the wrong road. The narrow strip of asphalt road is not the east Cape road, and it is closed now anyway. We rented a jeep (you could do it in a regular 2 wheel drive if you are feeling adventurous) and followed the east Cape road up to Los Barilles. This road follows the coastline and offers spectacular views of the Sea of Cortez almost the entire time. The remainder is the beautiful desert of the Baja. Some beautiful beaches along the way but unfortunately it was pretty windy (usual for January) so no sunbathing. It took us about 3.5 hours to Los Barilles (with stops) then just over an hour back via highway 1. Really enjoyed this scenic drive off of the beaten path.
Written 13 January 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chefclaire2014
Vancouver, Canada84 contributions
Jan 2018 • Friends
We were blessed to have a friend with a 4x4 take us on the old cape road up to crossroads and it was spectacular!
We stopped at this tiny restaurant overlooking the miles of white sand with wicked prawn tacos. Sorry folks wish I could remember the name.... it’s bumpy rugged but the miles of deserted beaches is worth it !
We stopped at this tiny restaurant overlooking the miles of white sand with wicked prawn tacos. Sorry folks wish I could remember the name.... it’s bumpy rugged but the miles of deserted beaches is worth it !
Written 4 January 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Scott R
Seattle, WA25 contributions
Apr 2018 • Family
It's a completely different Baja out in Cabo Pulmo and Los Frailes. If you like the tourist and bar scene in Cabo, this isn't for you. If you want to explore nature, and get away from the crowds, this is a great option. There are some nice places to stay right on the beach. No crowds, excellent snorkeling, diving, kayaking, hiking. A much different place than Cabo. Up near Cabo Pulmo at Villa Los Frailes is a great option. There is good hiking to Mermaid beach, and good seasonal surfing at 9 palms a bit South of Los Frailes.
Written 13 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tammy C
Walton, KY175 contributions
Oct 2016 • Couples
This is an absolute waste of time and energy... I repeat... DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME. We were in Cabo, and a couple recommended to drive over to East Cape.... What a waste... Not only is the road terrible, there is not much there.. Windy, and trashy.
Written 13 October 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TravelJunkie146
Madison, Wi74 contributions
Mar 2016 • Couples
Heard about this beautiful drive on a gravel road. Wanted to go counterclockwise from San Jose del Cabo north, over to Todos Santos and then complete the loop back to Cabo but wife wanted to take reverse route - mistake
This put is on the northeast end of East Cape Road 45 minutes prior to sunset so beach views are limited and this can be a looooong road. 90 kilometers at 30kpm and best and most times 10-15kpm. A long and winding road with gravel changing to sand back to washboard gravel.
Oh and the cows roam free at night so coming up a gravel hill making a 90 degree turn on a road with no lights of any type (very few buildings near road) and then there are 6-15 brahmas and longhorns in the middle of the road.
Make sure you have 3/4 of a tank and needless to say it is an adventure. Would I do it again - at night NO, during the day to see and explore the beaches pack a lunch and spend quality and not white knuckle time - YES. This is not a leisurely drive but it is a real look at California Baja del Sur
This put is on the northeast end of East Cape Road 45 minutes prior to sunset so beach views are limited and this can be a looooong road. 90 kilometers at 30kpm and best and most times 10-15kpm. A long and winding road with gravel changing to sand back to washboard gravel.
Oh and the cows roam free at night so coming up a gravel hill making a 90 degree turn on a road with no lights of any type (very few buildings near road) and then there are 6-15 brahmas and longhorns in the middle of the road.
Make sure you have 3/4 of a tank and needless to say it is an adventure. Would I do it again - at night NO, during the day to see and explore the beaches pack a lunch and spend quality and not white knuckle time - YES. This is not a leisurely drive but it is a real look at California Baja del Sur
Written 23 March 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bevgosling
Sooke, Canada21 contributions
Mar 2012 • Couples
On our recent trip to San Jose del Cabo (nr Cabo San Lucas), we decided to rent a Jeep and 'get away from it all' to the secluded beaches on the East Cape of Baja California Sur. What a disappointing trip! The road up the middle of the peninsula was two-lane with no shoulders - just a strip of asphalt slapped through the middle of the desert. Then we headed for the coast, which we knew was a dirt road back down to San Jose. The dirt road turned out to be built out of sand dunes! There were wash-outs everywhere, and the locals obviously just take their life in their hands and zoom along, leaving the more careful driver in a dust cloud!
During the late 2000's boom, developers bought up the coastline, and now there are just fences everywhere, marked Private Property and very little beach access for the general public. The scenery isn't much - just miles of cacti and dead bushes and rocks!
We did find a beautiful secluded beach just south of Puento Palumbo, but that was it for a day of tortured driving.
My advise to other tourists - go if you have to, but it's easier to just head striaght onto the Cape road from San Jose, and only drive till you find the first beach!
During the late 2000's boom, developers bought up the coastline, and now there are just fences everywhere, marked Private Property and very little beach access for the general public. The scenery isn't much - just miles of cacti and dead bushes and rocks!
We did find a beautiful secluded beach just south of Puento Palumbo, but that was it for a day of tortured driving.
My advise to other tourists - go if you have to, but it's easier to just head striaght onto the Cape road from San Jose, and only drive till you find the first beach!
Written 10 March 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Traveler3020
Placerville, CA38 contributions
Mar 2020 • Friends
Staying with a friend in San Jose del Cabo. Nothing like crazy San Luis del Cabo. SJ is laid back with fabulous little restaurants, on the beach n unexpected places.
Written 9 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Has anyone driven the East Cape Drive since the hurricane? Cant find anything on its current condition.
Written 30 October 2016
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