Los Barriles - rental car needed?

MKHR · Since 28 Aug 2007 116 Posts Hood River Stoked

We are about to pull the trigger on tickets to Cabo and a place in Los Barriles. I've never been there and I'm looking for advice on whether or not you need a rental car if you are staying in town?

I would like to avoid renting a car if at all possible.

I haven't booked a place yet, and wondering if I need to get a place in a specific area that would facilitate not renting a car.

Thanks in advance.

strapless101 · Since 17 Aug 2009 82 Posts gorge

No car needed in LB, just make sure you are really either in the old part of town, or by the arroyos. Could be a fairly long walk otherwise. Far north, beyond the arroyos, the wind tends to be lighter, with few good launches. Get a good description of distance to the water, and don't go south of the hotel.
Car is nice, though, if you are gonna be there for awhile. If the wind doesn't blow, it's nice to hit san bartolo, ribera (on south winds), cabo pulmo, punta colorada (for some waves and big wind) or the pacific coast.

MKHR · Since 28 Aug 2007 116 Posts Hood River Stoked

Turns out rental cars in Mexico are unbelievably cheap. $102 for the week, so I guess we'll get a rental car.

I was used to the rental prices in Maui = $700/wk.

Justsmile · Since 20 Jul 2009 1530 Posts Not Portland XTreme Poster

you say cheap now. My quote is the same for La Ventana but the sneaky thing is that they wont let you leave without at least one of the additonal suplemental liability insurance riders for another 14-20 a day. Still not too expensive but?? If you do rent check your credit card as most cover rental car damage ie. American Express, Alaska Visa etc. Just my thoughts. It will cost you at least 75- 100 more than your quote!!!

socal · Since 23 Jun 2008 10 Posts

Don't forget to inspect the vehicle before you drive off. I almost had to pay for a windshield that I didn't chip. Luckily I had it noted in the contract before I left.

Lcal · Since 12 May 2011 33 Posts Gresham

We have been here in LB for two weeks. We rented Casa Gecko for $550 per week. Casa Gecko VRBO 377517. The house is just north of North Beach where the kite board encampment is in the arroyo, in the development named Esmeralda, the first development next to the beach north of the arroyo.Three bedroom house with a small sleeping loft. Nice kitchen and huge living room and outdoor covered patio. Washer and dryer, two baths ect.

The owners email is below. Coll guy can give you any info you need about the town, where to eat, shop, etc.

Ken Eberhard kene3@me.com

http://homepage.mac.com/kene3/casagecko/index.html

We rented a car cause it beats walking for doing long downwinders. Thrifty was $386 for two weeks with the supplemental liability but no CDW as we used the credit card coverage for that. We put in a kilometer north of the house and go clear to Spa Buena Vista. At least 6-7 kilometers of sweet swell and downwind kiting. About a 2-3 hour run if you take your time.

Were coming home tomorrow after kiting 11 1/2 days out of 14.

Nak · Sun Jan 29, 12 4:29 pm

Sign up for the American Express extra car insurance program. Absolutely worth it, and it doesn't cost anything except when you rent a car.

You will still need liability. See if you can add it to the internet pricing; that's bound to be cheaper than getting it last minute.

Bailey · Since 13 Apr 2008 87 Posts

And take some long white plastic zap straps and tie on the hub caps for the gravel roads

MKHR · Since 28 Aug 2007 116 Posts Hood River Stoked

Thanks for all the info.

We booked a room with the Hotel Los Pescadores - they get fantastic reviews on tripadvisor and on their Facebook page. $72/night (inlc bfst) is pretty reasonable.

Car rental - I figured they would do the Liability insurance at the counter trick. That was a rude awakening in Costa Rica. Still pretty reasonable considering....

kite lessons booked for wifey through Exitokite.

We are stoked!

MKHR · Since 28 Aug 2007 116 Posts Hood River Stoked

oh yeah, I forgot to mention Alaska Airlines has Portland > Cabo non-stop, both ways, so you don't have to f@ck around with the plane change in LAX.

So awesome!