Los Barriles is located halfway between La Paz and Cabo San Lucas in Baja California. GPS coordinates are: 23 degrees 67 minutes N, 109 degrees 69 minutes W. This area along the Sea of Cortez has long been a favored hideaway for anglers and adventurers. Windsurfers also claim it is the best area for windsurfing in all of Mexico! The region around Los Barriles, also known as the East Cape, consists of a string of small settlements and villages, beautiful white sand beaches, rich fishing grounds and top-notch diving. Non-beach activities include hiking, biking, golf and horseback riding. There is a rustic “out-back” feeling to Los Barriles, and for the very adventurous, a dirt road takes you along the coast, past postcard-perfect beaches to La Ribera, Punta Colorado and Cabo Pulmo – the latter being a superb dive site within a national reserve. For dining, you will find everything from taco stands and family-style restaurants to fine dining with grilled seafood and lobster. There is jet service from many major US airports to San Jose del Cabo (SJD), about 45 minutes from Los Barriles.
On the eastern side of the peninsula, the land is rapidly being bought up and converted into residential developments. The East Cape encompasses Punta Pescadero, Los Barriles, Buena Vista, La Rivera, Cabo Pulmo and Los Frailes. The largest and most accessible resort is LOS BARRILES, a major fishing and windsurfing center taking advantage of the near-constant strong breeze in the bay. The wind, best in winter, is brilliant for experienced windsurfers (less so for beginners) and makes this a regular venue for international competitions. Hotels are expensive, and you almost certainly need to have booked in advance; but you should be able to camp, either at one of the nearby trailer parks, or on the beach. Oddly, neither fishing or windsurfing is easily arranged on the spot, and there’s almost nowhere you can turn up and find an inexpensive room; Hotel Palmas de Cortez is the landmark resort here, established for quite some time and able to arrange activities and outings for you.