Cabo Pulmo: Ecological reserve in Mar de Cortes

Lesser-known destination than the beaches of the Mexican Pacific or the turquoise waters along the Caribbean coast, the Baja California region of Mexico deserves more than a brief visit of a few days! Direct flights from Montreal are rare. As a result, stays of a single week are less profitable, due to the loss of time associated with a stopover.

Having never set foot in this region, what a nice surprise I had to discover this hot and dry climate, these desert landscapes with many cactuses that remind me of the scenes of the “Road Runner” comics of my childhood. By being attentive and vigilant, it sometimes happens to see these birds running in the fields near the road. Don't be too surprised though, they are much smaller than the TV ones!

San Jose Cabo has it all: beaches, varied activities, hotels, landscapes and shops of all kinds. This is where we normally find tourists coming from both Mexico and around the world. Essential diving destination: the Village of Cabo Pulmo where it is worth staying for at least a week. Located almost 2 hours drive north of the big city, the best way to get there is to rent a good vehicle. This will give you the opportunity to visit the Reserve of El Chorro with its great walking path along a river, its comforting thermal springs or enjoy a gigantic foot cleaning station thanks to small attentive fish.

Cabo Pulmo has been, for more than 27 years now, completely oriented towards the preservation of its territory. It is a magnificent protected marine park where fishing is prohibited.

One can quickly realize that in the absence of fishermen, the fish populations proliferated and certain species benefit from it, such as the grouper for example. The concept of water quality management even requires that dive boats be in the water only at the time of charter trips.

This minimizes the risk of harmful fluids leaking from the engines. The local population is used to it, the concept is perfect, fast, and efficient. It is a bit strange to climb aboard a boat while it is still on its trailer well planted on the sand, waiting for the signal to enter the water.

The dive schedule is immutable and extremely precise in time. These are one hour blocks of which 45 minutes are calculated for diving and 15 minutes for the rest. That's the rule! On the other hand, these minutes underwater are really worth it. Even in January, it is a continual marine spectacle! There are splendid Yellow Groupers, superb Angel fish of Cortez, some interesting wrecks and Moray eels in industrial quantities. During one memorable dives, I was able to count 64 Moray eels in a single dive!!! I must have counted a few in duplicates because there were everywhere around us!

Navigation to the different dive sites is no more than five to 15 minutes. Keep your eyes peeled for the beautiful coastal scenery. You may be greeted by incredible whale jumps.

In Cabo Pulmo there are no big “Resorts” but pretty bungalows, cute Casitas, rooms in modest-sized hotels and the possibility of camping. All in a friendly and safe little village offering the essentials with no complications. Everything is clean and calm. The atmosphere will charm you for sure.