La Ventana info

K2 · Since 30 Apr 2009 274 Posts Hood River, OR Obsessed

Hey everybody! You guys always talk about La Ventana on here and since I just got fired what better time to go down to Mexico right?!?!

I am flying into Los Cabos on March 6th and was wondering how you experienced people would recommend getting to La Ventana from that airport (SJD) which is a little ways away from La Ventana from what it looks like. Any good and cheap hotels in La Ventana you know about would be helpful also. I know there is google but you guys seem to talk about Mexico more than anything on here so I thought I would just call on you to share your knowledge with me since it's my very first time in Mex! And you can make fun of me on here too if you want as well, deal???

Gracias!

Kyle

Nak · Thu Mar 01, 12 11:19 am

Hey Kyle!

Get a rental car. Make your res on the internet and DO buy the liability insurance. You'll be required to in Mexico, and it's cheaper to arrange it on the website than in person.

Lots of great hotels. We stayed at Baja Joe's and loved it.

dangler · Since 26 Feb 2006 1780 Posts WINDY SPOTS XTreme Poster

yur funny lookin!

chrissmack · Since 08 Jun 2005 526 Posts portland Addicted

arrange / ride a shuttle van, if you are staying in LV the whole time.

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

Playa central does airport shuttle if needed. If you kited down by baja joes and caught a ride up to the hot springs for downwinders you could easily do it without a rental. I would just want a ride for beer and tacos at tacos Leon so I could eat to discomfort!! Pretty fun and simple place:-)

OG · Since 07 Jun 2011 599 Posts Addicted

We rented a car. The roads and checkpoints made for a longer drive than most say they had, but the drive was still nice. We kept the car for a week and it turned out to be more expensive than our lodging. We stayed at Baja Joes, so didn't really need the car for more than the ride to and from the airport. Shlepping gear through a bus/shuttle would likely have been 'adventurous', so I'm glad we got the car. Heres the shuttle & bus info that I saw

http://www.captainkirks.com/ground_travel.shtml

apctjb · Since 19 Aug 2007 438 Posts Obsessed

Check out http://bestoflaventana.com/ for information on lodging and transport.

I have always rented but the car sits unused most of the time other than down winders.

Enjoy-its a wonderful place

unbob · Since 31 Aug 2008 260 Posts 'da Gorge/LaV Obsessed

Marina is looking for a ride on the 6th also - maybe you guys could share a taxi or whatever.

Mar.6.Share ride Cabo to La Ventana any time after 2:30p. marinacchang@gmail.com

Also, if you want real cheap digs, check out Pablo's casitas across the road from the campground. 150 pesos per night (about 12 bucks) - shared showers/banyo/kitchen. 3rd class but cheap! And close to the campground beach! (But if you're bringing the wife or GF, maybe you should look elsewhere.)

This late in the season, you should be able to negotiate a good deal wherever you stay.

It's been an awesome windy season down here the past 4 months - hopefully it will continue at least through March! I've been hang'in on my 8m 4 straight days - saw guys out there on 5 & 6's - my next kite will be 6m!

Best of luck! Rob

K2 · Since 30 Apr 2009 274 Posts Hood River, OR Obsessed

Hey thanks so much for taking the time to give me some options everybody!

Dangler that Royal you fixed last year has a slow leak in it if you want a few extra bucks before I ship out let me know Very Happy

I checked with Marina but she doesn't have room for 2. I should have mentioned my girlfriend is coming down with me for a few days also so I think we might just rent a car like some of you have done before and maybe she can take it back and I can find a ride back or something on the 14th. I'm super stoked and hope to see some familiar faces down there. Otherwise I'll see you all when we get back!

I'm hoping to get my kite fix out of the way down in Mex rather than becoming a popsicle in Hood River again this march

http://www.katu.com/news/local/121062549.html?tab=video&c=y

scottnorby · Thu Mar 01, 12 11:20 pm

....you have to admit man....the part in that video where the reporter says "she popped the easter egg into his mouth"----yeah that was classic.

Ventana is a gem.
Captain Kirks is great and above the crowd.
And his shuttle is good.

I stayed there two months a couple years ago.
It's a kiting heaven.
Go and don't be afraid to extend your stay if you can.
Your riding will progress a lot.

moondog · Fri Mar 02, 12 7:19 am **lodging**

stay at Dean's, it is in front of the best waves, just north of the campground. You don't need a car, you can walk everywhere. His website is: la-ventana.com. He can give you ride ideas.

Bettyboarder · Fri Mar 02, 12 9:04 am

Were down here right now. I would just rent a car although once your here you dont really need it.

Were staying at http://www.palapasventana.com/
The set up here is pretty sweet. SUP's, Kayaks, scuba tanks to fill kites. Breakfast and lunch are included

Kited everday we have been here so far. It's been awesome! Bring some warm clothes though it can get a bit chilly at night

OG · Since 07 Jun 2011 599 Posts Addicted

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

just go across from the campground to the store in the mid afternoon or later and ask for Senor Pablo. He will take care of you:-)

scottjk · Since 28 Dec 2011 49 Posts

** WARNING ** The price you see on Orbitz, Travelocity, ect... for rental car daily rate is not what you will pay.

Through a lot of research and two trips to La Ventana in the past two months I can now say I understand the rental car situation. When you get a quote for $10 on various travel sites this does not include liability insurance which is completely different than damage/loss insurance. This will generally double and sometimes quadruple your daily rate. As far as I know, AVIS is the only company that quotes including liability.

With that being said I found a guy through Trip Advisor that I have used both times. Email him, tell him what size car you want and for how long and he will give you a full quote before you arrive. Give him your flight number and he'll have his employee meet you directly out front with your name on a sign, drive you to the rental agency which is right on Highway 1 to La Ventana, pick up the car and be off. You'll end up paying about $25 to $30 a day for a compact car which has plenty of room for two and gear. If you need gas there is a Pemex right next door and across the street a little ways is an ATM if you need Pesos. La Ventana does not have an ATM machine so don't be like me and wake up with 20 pesos in your pocket half way through your trip and get laughed at when you ask where the ATM machine is. javascript:emoticon(' Laughing

')

Now about Loss/Damage. I highly recommend signing up for American Express's Premium rental insurance program. You are fully covered for any damage or theft to personal property as well as damage to the car, and Baja thrashes cars. Normally your credit card will cover car damage but only after your regular car insurance has been used (which generally isn't valid in Mexico) so it is possible that if you make a claim your auto insurance rates can go up. With AMEX Premium the card covers everything 100% and only costs $19 per rental period so if you rent for a week it costs about $3 a day. Cheap piece of mind!

Email Antonio and tell him Scott from Salt Lake sent you and you want the Trip Advisor rate.

I may sound like an advertisement but I am in no way associated with AMEX or Antonio. I just work in the aviation industry and spend tons of time traveling and when I find a straight forward good deal with no BS I like to share.

Antonio Miranda
Economy & Cactus Car rental
Aeropuerto Internacional de Los Cabos
Phone: 624-14-61839
Cell 624-15-80715
toll free USA: 18662259220
toll free MEX: 18008217977
www.cactuscar.com
www.cactusinnloscabos.com Laughing

unbob · Since 31 Aug 2008 260 Posts 'da Gorge/LaV Obsessed

unbob · Since 31 Aug 2008 260 Posts 'da Gorge/LaV Obsessed

Re earlier posts re car rental - I agree, once you're here you don't need a car unless you're planning to tour the East Cape or explore La Paz, Cabo, etc.

If you just want to arrive and hit the water every day - skip the car rental hassle and expense.

If you stay in the vicinity of the campground everything you'll need is within a 1/2 mile walk or less. That includes Flying High Resort, Baja Joe's, La Ventana Windsports, Casa Verde, Kurt 'n Marina's, Pablo's, Dean's, Villa Parisio, Palapas Ventana and Capt. Kirk's.

You'll find at least 1/2 dozen restaurants within 1/2 mile with several more down the road (North) up to 2 miles.

I can assure you that once you're here - everything is muy fácil!