Los Barriles

A day trip worth your while is visiting Los Barriles, where water sports, fishing, and a laid-back lifestyle are the norm. While the drive takes about an hour and a half, what awaits is worth the effort to get here.

Decades ago, Los Barriles was a quiet stretch of land mainly known to ranchers and local fishermen. The 1950s and 60s brought a new wave of anglers who couldn’t resist the promise of marlin, dorado, and roosterfish. 

When Highway 1 connected southern Baja in the 1970s, more people could reach these shores, and families began to invest in local homes and businesses. 

The winds that arrive every fall attract kiteboarders and windsurfers. Come winter, the beaches are dotted with colorful kites and sails. Annual kiteboarding events, windsurfing tournaments, and fishing competitions fill the calendar. Despite all the buzz of the sporting season, Los Barriles moves at a relaxed pace, making it idyllic for those who enjoy destinations off the beaten path.

Venture off the highway and follow off-road tracks into the hills, to hidden beaches, or natural hot springs outside Santiago. 

Nature lovers will appreciate the bountiful marine life in the Sea of Cortez and the protection the locals provide these creatures. It’s not uncommon to spot whale sharks, rays, dolphins, and whales in season. 

Los Barriles offers clean beaches, helpful shopkeepers, and town squares where produce and fresh tacos come without big city traffic or noise. 

Los Barriles: Fun Facts & Cool Features

An appealing aspect about visiting or even vacationing in Los Barriles is that the seasons attract different visitors. For instance, from November through March, the steady northerlies make for perfect conditions for kiteboarders and windsurfers. Beaches become launchpads, and even bystanders get caught up in the excitement. 

As spring arrives, winds die down, the sea turns glassy, and paddleboards take their turn gliding along the shore. It’s also the prime time to snorkel or scuba dive at Cabo Pulmo National Park. 

During summer, fishing attracts anglers worldwide. Charter boats depart at sunrise, looking for marlin and dorado or tuna and roosterfish closer to shore. The play between trolling offshore and casting right from the beach means every angler finds their rhythm. Many boats practice catch and release, especially for billfish, but when there’s a chance to bring home fresh fillets, few pass it up.

Los Barriles isn’t limited to water sports. Riders venture out on ATVs or side-by-sides, tracing the dirt roads and arroyos behind town. The desert gives way to coastal views and leads to freshwater springs. There’s a route for every skill level, and guides know how to find the most scenic stops.

But life in this sleepy burg is not all about outdoor activities. Life here revolves around the community with weekly local markets rich with homemade breads and crafts. Beach cleanups and seasonal festivals create new friendships between visitors and residents. 

Local restaurants serve up plates of fish tacos, fresh-from-the-boat seafood, and simple breakfasts that fuel a day in the sun. 

Choosing Los Barriles is choosing variety—wind-swept action one day, quiet paddling the next. It’s suitable for families, friends, and couples who want to connect with nature and each other, all within view of the Sea of Cortez.

Getting There

Here are step-by-step driving directions from downtown San Jose del Cabo to Los Barriles:

• Head north on Boulevard Mauricio Castro and follow the signs for Federal Highway 1 (Carretera Transpeninsular) toward La Paz.
• Merge onto Highway 1 North.
• Continue for about 65 miles, or 105 kilometers, driving past Miraflores and Santiago.
• As Highway 1 comes down toward the coast on the East Cape, continue following signs for Los Barriles.
• Enter on the main road and follow it toward the waterfront.
• Address: Los Barriles, Baja California Sur, Mexico 23330

Cost

While visiting is free, public parking near the beach ranges from free to modest local fees.