We've been baffled by the plethora of beauty that's surrounded us in Baja, Mexico. The endless beaches, hot springs and rolling hills blanketed in farm lands has been a sight to behold for us newcomers. Reminiscing back on our travels in these past seven months completely boggles our minds. We've driven here and there with our families but never in our lives have we been the ones who call the shots on our own adventures (even more so in a converted camper van). Looking back, I can't help but notice the cities and scapes that stick out in my mind. Let's just say that Puerto Peñasco should not be ignored... A Brief HistoryBlack volcanic terrain smothers the surface of the the Gran Desierto nature reserve just north of this well known gem, a small fishing village commonly known as 'Rocky Point' to Americans. It was within the borders of this government protected land that NASA sent astronauts to train for the moon landing in 1965 due to it's similarities to the lunar surface. While there is a mass of unique reptile species and plant life to be discovered in this ashy outdoor playground, locals and tourists alike flock further south towards the coast. The promises of space exploration were no match for the wealth of pearls and precious metals rumored to be tucked away in the southern shores back in 1826. Without much luck, it wasn't until the 1920's when fishermen from the Gulf of California traversed into Puerto Peñasco to camp and scout for the coveted totoaba fish, known for it's medicinal properties rather than it's meat. Back then, fishermen could catch one fish and earn enough for the rest of the month. After the totoaba nearly went extinct, shrimp fishing became the new obsession that made economic sense; therefore setting Rocky Point assail. Fast forward to the early 2000's and the secret was out - condominiums were popularized along Sandy Beach making this quaint town into a golden tourist destination. Why Bother?So why should you go through the trouble of venturing down to Mexico for a short getaway? Simply put, if you don’t want to bother with getting a visa, don't want to drive 1,200 miles to Baja Sur for decent weather or if you live in the Southwest, you have no reason not to! If you’re nervous about entering into mainland Mexico or even Baja (which you shouldn't be), this is the best place you could go to get your feet wet. If immersing yourself into the culture and attempting to learn a new language isn't your thing, then have no fear! English is spoken everywhere from the taco stands to the banks! Nevertheless, if you DO wish to brush up on your Spanish there are an abundance of locals who are willing to help you learn along the way. As it is with traveling to any place you've never been, it's good to be extra cautious. However I'd suggest not to be afraid. Safety is hardly a concern in Puerto Peñasco as it is a town that lives and breathes tourism. As a tourist, you're their number one source of income. They're not going to do anything to try and jeopardize that. As long as you don't go out in search of drugs or talk to people with tattoos on their face you should be fine. Just lock your cars, don't flaunt your wealth or stay out too late by yourself. Rocky Point is a brilliant place to visit (especially with a group of friends). Between the fluffy sand beaches, warm wildlife rich waters, scrumptious food + drinks on the cheap and easy going culture it's a traveler's dream. Who will be there?If one of the goals for your visit is to forge new friendships, you may want to focus on what time of year you'd like to stay. Summer and fall are great times to go down south if you have a family! Parents and their children from all over the world holiday in Rocky Point during this time and it's a win win situation. Parents can enjoy a relaxing day on the beach, grab a beer or three and let the kiddos build sandcastles or get their hair braided while the grown ups sit for a chat. As far as spring is concerned, it's a beautiful time of the year, one of the best! (behind fall) but it is LITTERED with college kids and zero inhibitions. (also no parental guidance) So if living in a drunken state or watching pre graduates stumble across the beach isn't your forte', I'd advise visiting another time. The winter months can be great for snow birds looking to haul their RV’s and camp out in a warm spot for the winter while gathering around the campfire with friends to roast weenies and partake in warm conversation. Everyone is wildly friendly and quick to “take you in” as long as you have a smile on your face and a joke on your lips. Tip for the introverts: Wanna make friends fast and easily? Go clamming at Cholla Bay (behind JJ's), and share your winnings with your neighbors. You’ll be a hoot in no time. What's to do, anyway?There are colorful and lively bars, restaurants and outdoor activities scattered throughout this town. If you’re bored in Puerto Peñasco it’s either freezing cold or your own dang fault. Check out the comprehensive lists below containing where to stay, eat + shop, and the oodles of activities you can dive into! -- WHERE TO SLEEP --(Free?) The dirt lot next to Manny's was one of two free places that we could find to stay in Puerto Peñasco. However, it comes with several... catches. It's not on the app iOverlander, it doesn't have security and has a significantly sizes bump that may be difficult for those with two wheel drive to get over. However, if you had one to many local beers at Manny's, it's not the worst option to consider trying out. Be smart and don't do anything that goes against your gut. Also, just don't drink and drive. It's not cool, not even in Mexico. (free) Cholla Bay's iOverlander spot was the only other free option we found. However, it's simply not possible to do unless you have 4wd. ($) Concha Del Mar was home to us for about a week. We'd never paid for a campsite before but this spot was mint! It's $12 USD a night (if you pay with USD), or 200 pesos (that's like $10 USD) a night. So pay with pesos. We scored a beach front spot and enjoyed steaming hot showers, awesome bathrooms and wonderful hosts our entire stay. Unfortunately, there are no hookups for big rigs, but they DO have a place to fill your tanks with non-potable water. (Good in a pinch.) This place is definitely our go-to recommendation! We <3 you, Concha Del Mar! ($$) Playa Bonita is next level. This is where the OG RVers come to stay and never leave. They pretty much set up camp and build palapas around their rigs. The place has everything from laundry to hot showers to bunches of friendly neighbors and of course, hook ups. The asking price per night however is $24 bucks a night, USD. ($$$) Condos around the area not only hit graze my glass ceiling but shatter it beyond repair when they ask for around $200 USD a night. Don't get me wrong, they're gorgeous. I mean, these places are well manicured, littered with hot tubs, pools and hammocks, but now that I'm living on the road full time, they ain't my cup of tea. I'll take the same ocean views, grub, and fun for 90% less the cost. -- EATS --
For the Van Dwellers: Manny's has a wonderful clean bathroom that's open late, just like the restaurant itself. If you're too tired to scour out a parking spot at the end of the night and don't want to go back to your pricey camp spot, there's a dirt lot just to the right of the restaurant. (if you're looking out at the ocean) It looks like it could be 2WD accessible, but there's a considerable dirt hump at the entrance to the lot, so just be aware. We didn't stay here ourselves, but it looked as if there were several locals in their vehicles late at night. As always, go with your gut and don't stay anywhere you don't feel comfortable.
($$) Wrecked At The Reef: A Rocky Point classic, I remember when wrecked was the new kid on the block right next to Max's Cafe. I'm always skeptical of new business around this town, but this restaurant did it right. They now have a CUSHY location directly ON the beach.(Built strategically next to the upcoming cruise ship port) Their scenery is glorious enough to host a good sized (and gorgeous) wedding as well as enough nooks and crannies to get away for a little while if needed. Their food prices reflect that of Max's, quite Americanized, but their food and atmosphere make up for it. They also have good wifi and ping pong. They're going places.
-- Name Your Price Meals --
MOST RECOMMENDED OPTION
-- ACTIVITIES --Aside from doing the same old wine and dine routine, there are endless adventures to be had in this big fishing village. During the warmer months of the year (the end of March to the end of November) the beach is smothered with activities for those who love to get their feet wet. Jet skiing is a popular activity on this side of the Sea of Cortez. Prices usually run from $60-$80 USD an hour. You can also bring your own, I've heard there are ramps in Playa de Oro and Cholla Bay. Van dwelling tip: There IS a free camp spot on iOverlander in cholla bay but you will need 4wd to gain access to it. You can find rentals on the beach no problem. But if you want to reach out to a somewhat more established location, click here to view a list of companies that offer jet skiing! Fishing is very popular around Puerto Peñasco, it IS a fishing village after all. If this kind of sport is your thing, march on over to the Malecón and start flapping your gums with the locals. You can also fish from the shore with a long rod, but I've talked to people who said they haven't been very successful. As with anything in Mexico, stand your ground and negotiate with their price. With luck you could score a deep sea fishing adventure at a special cost "just for you".
Pro Tip: ALWAYS cover your clams with fresh water for 20 minutes and then scrub the shells BEFORE you cook them. This way you don't munch on sand bits. You're welcome. --- If you wish to follow the van friendly recipe I always use to sauté clams, simply click here Shopping is an exhilarating and fun thing to do in this town. Three major areas come to mind. First and foremost there's the Malecón. This is the heart and soul of Puerto Peñasco's classic wheeling and dealing culture. Expect to be yelled at from every direction by locals attempting to pull you into their charming shops and fishing businesses. Here you can find an array of blankets, toys, pharmaceuticals, tequila, clothes, hats, tacos, fish AND more. It's like Rocky Point's Rodeo Drive on steroids and directly on the ocean. Rodeo Drive used to be the main pathway leading into cholla bay, it's a great place to visit as a point of historic reference, but it's not my go to.
Sidenote: If you need basic beach or life items, checkout Bodega Aurrera as you're pulling into town from the north. It's as the locals say, "the Mexican Walmart". ATV Explorations have graced me with some of the most fun that I've had in Rocky Point ever! They run anywhere from $15-$50 USD an hour, so call around and don't take the first price you get! Everything's negotiable, remember? Just have your valid license at hand and be ready to sign a rental agreement. The miles of deserted dirt roads, desert landscapes and forgotten routes make this town perfect for a little off road adrenaline rush. There's a large mountain-like hill next to Wrecked at The Reef, you can't miss it. You can see 4x4's attempting to conquer the sandy route up the mountain on a daily basis. It's a great place to meet other locals and gringos and gain the inside scoop on the best areas to SHRED!
Bird Island is a place I've always heard of but have never actually been to. Good sources tell me though that you can be charted out to the island within an hour. Here you can expect to snorkel and experience the wild life as well as swim with sea lions in the summer. However Whales and dolphins have been rumored to be out and about during the winter. I would suggest checking out Del Mar Charters for trips out onto the island. They have great reviews and seem to be quite reliable! Beach days are a must here in Puerto Peñasco. If you're not going to chill next to the ocean, soak up the rays and build sandcastles, then why come here? It's the main event and such a fun one. If you want to experiences beaches that are a little more private and not lined with hotels, visit Playa de Oro or Cholla Bay for more authentic views. :) ...Aaand, there you have it. My comprehensive list describing one of my most favorite places. Maybe I'm biased because I grew up visiting this area again and again throughout my life, but I love to think that Puerto Peñasco is someplace special. As my first introduction into the Mexican culture I have much to thank this little fishing village for. Here's to hoping that you'll love it every bit as much as I do. Thanks for reading, *muah* Billie Jean Sources
History: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puerto_Pe%C3%B1asco
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"Let's sit down and start a one-of-a-kind blog about van life."I said with a residual laugh. Kaleb and I sling around ideas on our road trips like nobody's business. There's a wealth of knowledge out there offered from so many stellar blogs. It was through YouTube and Vanlife forums that we designed our tiny home, wired it, replaced our damaged exhaust system and prepared ourselves for the open road. Now Kaleb and I are finally trekking through the U.S. all thanks to people like Bob Wells, Ehmon & Bec, and Travel With Jaz. The object of this blog is NOT to reinvent the wheel. The object is to pay back the kindness we received by sharing what we've learned and also letting our parents know that we're still responsible adults. (somewhat) It seems that nearly every 'how to' blog that I googled says not to introduce yourself in your first post so we decided to go against that advice for no reason. Why? Well, because we're unique, just like everyone else. Let's fast forward to today. It's been over 4 months since we began living in our self-converted 2011 Freightliner Sprinter van! We've seen and done so much since we bought our home and thought it only fair to display our highlight reel before we dig into any new posts. Highlight reel of 2018. Our very first picture with the van! We bought it one year ago today on New Year's day. So much work was ahead of us, I don't think we even knew. Instead of spoiling all of the super fun details that went into wiring and prepping the van for the full build, I'll save that for a later blog. :) --------------- On July 13th, we put our house up for sale and soon after we handed the keys over to a brand new owner.
In the middle of uprooting our lives and creating our new home, we decided to take a COMPLETELY justified vacation to Europe for the first time. Here we ventured bits of Germany, Spain, and The Netherlands. Here were some of our favorite moments from the trip! 9 Months were in the works once we completed our van build. Between work and every day life it seemed we only had a select amount of weekends to work on the build until we quit our jobs and renovated full time with the help of our families. Not long after our transition from living in a house to living in our converted van, (a few hours actually) we had to flee the east coast unexpectedly because of Hurricane Florence. With 258,000 miles on the van and everything loosely shoved into our cabinets, we were off! We entered this mobile life via baptism through fire, driving 8 hours that night only to end up at a Love's truck stop, a true Godsend. From this point forward our calendar once again swelled with activities including places to be and people to see. Our first full day on the road was Kaleb's 27th Birthday, and we ran to the Creation Museum for our first taste of freedom. While we find pleasure in goofing off, people are our passion. Our first 'house guests' were family of course. (jk we were the houseguests) We heard once that time speeds up as you get older because you tend to collect uniform experiences, ones that blend together. Everything becomes more familiar and the brain shifts into stagnation. Since we started our trip in September, time has taken on a new feeling. It's almost as if there is a surplus of it. Our lives are being prolonged, and I suspect it's because we're actively learning and undergoing new experiences every day. Without further adieu, here are some of our favorite, time stopping moments from our 'van trip'. Rachel + Jason's Wedding Day First and foremost, two of my great friends from college got married, TO EACH OTHER! I had the honor to partake in their special day and even say a couple of shaky words in front of a crowd. Spending time with them on the days leading up to the wedding and even during it were moments Kaleb and I would never take back. <3 After all of the hustle and bustle, Kaleb and I knew the National Parks were next on our list. However, we underestimated the beauty hidden within them. They were without a shadow of a doubt our favorite spots to stop and smell the multiple varieties of flowers, trees, earth and water. Yellowstone - Grand TetonsDeath ValleyDeath Valley wasn't even on our radar until a couple friends of ours suggested it to us on our way to California. We're so STOKED that we visited here and camped out on some prime BLM (government) land for free! It was so hot that the command strips keeping our window covers up literally melted off. We're hoping to visit again though as we didn't even know about the amazing salt flats inside of the park. SequoiaWithout a shadow of a doubt this is our favorite place to explore thus far, and the first area that comes to our mind when people ask us about our travels. Something about the towering Sequoias and fresh smelling wilderness makes this national park purely magical. The California Coast - San DiegoAh, yes. The ever so popular destination of rising stars and rubber tramp hippies. It was where we spent the bulk of our time, met the most van dwellers, and attended our first #vanlife meetup. San Diego was by far the easiest place to find overnight parking (compared to other stops along highway one) and friends to hang out with on a whim. It's a difficult location to leave. Joshua TreeAside from getting stuck in the sand, Joshua Tree + Slab City were wonderful places for bouldering, taking photos and for the thrill seekers : people watching. Gathering at Slab City for lunch quickly turned sour when a swarm of flies infested our van. Kaleb and I had to corral and shew them out of the doors flailing our arms like mad men. We're currently looking to invest in a much need fly swatter.
Our last stop, of course, was to visit with my niece, Hannah in Florida. She's been traveling on and off for a while now and seems to us like a veteran of this mobile lifestyle. She's trekked around Europe and Ecuador as a solo female traveler and persists to show her endless faith in people. As her Aunt I can get nervous because of her ability to 'go with the flow' (Something I'm learning to be better at.). She's a constant source of survival wisdom of which I'm constantly reminded. "What would Hannah do?" is a question Kaleb and I frequent. Once we made it back to North Carolina for Christmas we were able to finally enjoy a lot of really great down time with our families and friends despite being sick for a whole week of our visit. While things were cushy having hot water and 24/7 toilet access, we're excited that our rubber has met the road once again.
I have a feeling we'll be driven to explore and share a whole lot more so that we can not only let our families know we're alive and well, but create posts we wish we had when we started this thing.. :) To those of you who made it this far (or just skimmed until this point), thank you. I have a feeling that our posts will be a little more educational from here on out. We anticipate you'll enjoy all we have to share including great, safe places to stay (for free), and insights on how to get the most out of YOUR travel experiences. We're here to help, so reach out with any questions or comments! Au Revoir! xoXO - Billie Jean |
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