Your Next Trip TRAVEL GUIDE
Cabo
Escape the bustle of Cabo and discover Los Barriles on Baja’s East Cape — where desert meets the Sea of Cortez. From world-class pickleball courts to off-road ATV adventures, hidden waterfalls, horseback rides on wide-open beaches, and fresh-caught meals prepared by local chefs, this is Baja unplugged with just the right balance of activity and relaxation.
Now, check out our recommendations featured in this episode and more!
What to do in Los Barriles
ATV Adventure with QuadMan Baja
Drive through arroyos, desert trails, and along the beach on a guided ATV or UTV tour. Thrilling terrain meets coastal views—including Punta Pescadero snorkel spots. Perfect for sunset runs or exploring the East Cape landscape.
Address: Centro Los Barriles, Baja California Sur (several pickup locations)
Hours: Daily ~8:00 AM–6:00 PM (advance booking advised)
Cost: Approx $100–175 USD for 4‑hour rental or guided tour
Website: QuadMan Baja (search “QuadMan Baja ATV Los Barriles”)
Pickleball at Tres Palapas Pickleball Complex
Purpose-built pickleball facility with a dozen courts and a lively expat community. A reason many pickleballers now include Los Barriles on their Baja trip list.
Address: Off Hwy 1 near Playa Los Barriles
Hours: Typically 8 AM–8 PM, court schedule published online
Cost: Drop-in ~$10 USD per court/hour or package rates
Website: Tres Palapas Baja pickleball complex
Sport Fishing Charter on the Sea of Cortez
Book a half- or full-day charter to target roosterfish, dorado, snapper, or even billfish. Ideal for anglers—from first timers to seasoned fish hunters. Seasonal whale sharks sometimes pass by for snorkeling.
Address: Depart from Los Barriles marina or town beachfront
Hours: Morning and afternoon charters, usually 5 AM–1 PM or 1 PM–6 PM
Cost: $200–350 USD per person for shared or private trips
Website: Los Barriles sport fishing charters or Visit Los Cabos tourism site
Where to stay
Punta Pescadero Paradise Hotel & Villas
Clifftop resort north of town featuring ocean‑view rooms, two pools and included breakfast. Secluded but only 16 km from Los Barriles center, with access to snorkeling on cliffs.
Address: Domicilio Conocido, Punta Pescadero, 16 km north of town
Hours: Check‑in after 3 PM; check‑out 11 AM
Cost: ~$180–210 USD/night (incl. taxes/fees)
Hotel Palmas de Cortez
Central Los Barriles hotel on Calle 20 de Noviembre, walking distance to restaurants and the town’s main beach. Offers free Wi‑Fi, pools, and a friendly community feel.
Address: Calle 20 de Noviembre #2, Los Barriles, BCS
Hours: Standard hotel hours, front desk open all day
Cost: ~$100–150 USD/night
Website: Hotel Palmas de Cortez
Buena Vista Oceanfront & Hot Springs Resort
Peaceful oceanfront resort tucked past Buenavista, with natural hot springs, spa services, and open natural scenery—ideal for relaxing after adventure days.
Address: Buenavista area, north of Los Barriles (same East Cape stretch)
Hours: Reservations required, pool/hotsprings hours ~8 AM–8 PM
Cost: ~$200–250 USD/night depending on season (often includes spa access)
And there’s tons of other fabulous places to stay during your trip.
Check out the best accommodation deals below.
What to eat
Lazy Daze Beach Bar
Local favorite beachfront palapa with sand‑on‑your‑toes seating, daily specials like fish tacos (~$2 each) and cheap cold beers. Casual and fun.
Address: Playa Los Barriles beachfront (northern stretch)
Hours: ~10 AM–8 PM daily; seasonal events or specials
Cost: Fish tacos ~$2 USD; beers ~$2–3 USD
Website: Lazy Daze Beach Bar
Smokey’s Grill & Cantina
Open‑air cantina in town center with $2 beers, grilled meats, tacos and a long bar—great sunset people watching and lively local scene.
Address: Calle 20 Noviembre (central Los Barriles)
Hours: Late afternoon–night (often open until 10 PM+)
Cost: Beer $2 USD; appetizers inexpensive (under $10)
Website: Smokey’s Grill & Cantina
La Casita Restaurant & Sushi Bar
Upscale option offering seafood, sushi and pasta in a shady patio setting. Menu includes seafood pasta, sea bass, sushi rolls… one of the few sit-down fine‑dining venues in town.
Address: Costa Brava street near beach front
Hours: Usually 5 PM–10 PM, seasonal openings; check Facebook or site
Cost: Entrees $20–30 USD, higher for sushi or seafood dishes
Website: La Casita Restaurant & Sushi Bar
Travel Tips
Best Time to Visit
The ideal time to visit Los Barriles is between November and April. This period offers warm, sunny days with mild evenings—perfect for outdoor activities like ATV rides, horseback riding, fishing, and beach lounging. From January to March, you might also catch gray whale migrations just offshore. Summer (June–September) brings intense heat and occasional tropical storms, making it less ideal for most travelers.
Getting Around
Los Barriles is a small, walkable town, but many activities and natural sites (like waterfalls or remote beaches) require transportation.
Car rentals are available from Cabo or La Paz airports, and are the most flexible option for exploring the East Cape.
ATVs/UTVs are widely used within town and on local trails—many hotels can arrange rentals.
There’s no Uber or Lyft in this region, and local taxis are limited.
For regional travel, EcoBajaTours and local bus lines (like Aguila) operate between San José del Cabo (SJD) and Los Barriles.Safety Tips
Los Barriles is considered very safe, especially for solo travelers and families. The town has a strong expat presence and friendly local community.
Watch for sand and washouts on trails if driving ATVs or exploring after rains.
Bring reef-safe sunscreen for beach days and snorkeling near Cabo Pulmo.
Stay hydrated—the desert climate can dehydrate quickly, even if you’re near the ocean.
Tap water is not potable—drink only bottled or filtered water.Helpful Notes
Currency: Mexico uses the Mexican Peso (MXN), but USD is widely accepted in Los Barriles.
Many local businesses are cash-only, so carry pesos for restaurants, gas stations, and tips.
ATMs are available in town, but fees can be high—withdraw in advance if possible.
Language: Spanish is the official language, but English is commonly spoken in Los Barriles due to its expat community.
Still, learning basic Spanish greetings will go a long way.
Wi-Fi & Connectivity: Wi-Fi is available at most hotels and restaurants. Some AT&T and T-Mobile U.S. plans work seamlessly here (check your international roaming coverage).
For extended stays, consider getting a Telcel SIM card or hotspot.
Tipping: Tipping is customary in restaurants (10–15%), for guides, and hotel staff. Bring small bills or coins in pesos or USD.
Plug Type: Type A (two-pin) and Type B (three-pin, grounded)
Voltage: 127V
Frequency: 60Hz
Packing list
Here’s our suggested items to pack for this destination. Please always consider the weather and activities you will be doing.
Clothing
Lightweight, breathable tops (linen or moisture-wicking)
Shorts and airy pants for hot days
Swimsuits (at least 2 for beach + waterfall/swimming)
Rash guard or long-sleeve UV shirt for sun protection
Athletic wear for pickleball or ATV activities
Casual sundresses or polos for dining out
Light sweater or jacket (evenings can cool down November–March)
Hat with brim (essential for sun)
Sarong or beach cover-up
Undergarments + socks (moisture-wicking for hiking)
Footwear
Sturdy sneakers or trail shoes (for hiking, ATV rides)
Flip-flops or sandals for beach and walking around town
Water shoes (for rocky waterfall swimming and shoreline walks)
Toiletries & Personal Items
Reef-safe sunscreen (high SPF)
After-sun lotion or aloe vera
Bug spray (especially if hiking or horseback riding at dusk)
Lip balm with SPF
Travel-size first-aid kit (include motion sickness meds if fishing)
Hand sanitizer and facial wipes (dusty rides!)
Reusable water bottle (insulated if possible)
Adventure & Activity Gear
Daypack or small backpack (for hiking or excursions)
Dry bag (for waterfall or boat outings)
GoPro or waterproof phone case
Sunglasses with UV protection
Lightweight towel or quick-dry towel
Travel journal or notebook (for longer stays)
Tech & Travel Essentials
Phone + charger
Portable battery pack/power bank
Travel documents (passport, copies, travel insurance info)
Cash (USD and/or pesos for tips and small vendors)
Downloaded Google Maps or offline Baja map
Spanish phrasebook or translation app
Optional Items
Snorkel gear (some rentals available, but bring your own for best fit)
Tennis or court shoes (for pickleball)
Lightweight binoculars (for spotting marine life or birds)
Books or Kindle for beach downtime
Small flashlight or headlamp (power outages can occur)
Get a full packing list and free downloadable template at Pack Better.
Ultimate Packing List Library
Find the perfect customizable packing list for all of your travel situations on our sister website Pack Better.
This episode of "Your Next Trip" explored the ancestral lands of
We extend our respect and gratitude to the Indigenous communities who have been the stewards of these lands for generations. Research for this acknowledgment was made possible using the NativeLand.ca.
Learn more about responsible travel practices in the TWD Responsible Travel Guide.
Visit the guideSpecial Thanks: 2018 Surge Conference, Julie Nowell
