La Ventana Bay is located approximately 900 miles south of the Mexican/U.S. border. You can drive via the paved Tran peninsular highway or you can fly into one of the two nearby airports of La Paz or San Jose del Cabo.
The towns of La Ventana and El Sargento are located 7 – 10 km off the Los Planes Highway (286) out of La Paz
By Plane
The closest cities served by airlines are La Paz and San Jose del Cabo. San Jose del Cabo offers more direct, flexible and cheaper flights but is located approximately 2.5 to 3 hours from the La Ventana area. La Paz is closer, located approximately 45 minutes from the La Ventana area.
Rental cars and taxi’s are available from both airports.
RENTAL CARS
Car rentals are available from Hertz, Avis, Budget, Alamo, etc. You can negotiate directly with an agent at the airport or you can have an agent reserve a car for you from the states. During peak travel times it may be a good idea to reserve your car in advance.TAXI’S
If you are taking a taxi, agree upon a price prior to leaving. The drive will be approximately 3 hours. Prices over the past few years have averaged $220 for up to 3 passengers and $300 for 4-10 passengers. Be sure to tell your driver you are going to La Ventana near Los Planes. There is another city with a similar name near San Jose del Cabo that is not the correct destination.
FLYING INTO LA PAZ AIRPORT - La Paz, the capital of Baja California Sur (South) is about a 45-minute drive from La Ventana Bay. AEROCALIFORNIA AND AEROMEXICO are the only airlines that fly from the United States into La Paz. Click here for driving instructions from the La Paz airport to Mokie’s.If time permits, we suggest shopping at a large grocery store in La Paz before you leave for the La Ventana area, as the selection in the local markets is limited.
FLYING INTO SAN JOSE DEL CABO AIRPORT - San Jose Del Cabo is approximately a 2.5 – 3 hour drive to La Ventana Bay. CONTINENTAL, UNITED, ALASKA, AMERICAN and AEROMEXICO are just a few of the airlines that serve San Jose Del Cabo. Click here for driving instructions from the San Jose del Cabo airport to our location.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS FROM LA PAZ AIRPORT
Drive out of airport and turn right, placing you on Hwy 1 towards La Paz. Turn right at the large whale tail monument onto Blvd Las Garzas (also called Blvd Agustin Olachea). Take this road to the first stoplight and turn right on Blvd Luis D. Colosio. As you continue out of La Paz this road turns into Hwy 286 to Los Planes. You should pass Pepsi and Coca Cola bottling plants. The road will take you up toward the mountains and drops down into the Los Planes valley. It is here that you will have your first view of the breathtaking La Ventana Bay.In about half an hour from La Paz you will make a left on the paved road signed EL SARGENTO and LA VENTANA. There will be a number of small billboards at the corner advertising restaurants and hotels. La Ventana is about 7km from here, with El Sargento an additional 3 km. The paved road will end and you will come to a dirt two-lane road. The road will make a quick left and then a quick right, you should be traveling parallel to the sea on your right. Follow this road another mile and you will come to a long stonewall with a black gate on the beach side of the road, look for the Mokie’s sign and turn right into the driveway.
Watch for cows and speed bumps on all roads. Normally speed bumps are marked with yellow paint on the bump and a sign on the left indicating TOPE, which is the Spanish name for speed bump. Keep in mind that unfortunately not all speed bumps are marked.
We suggest shopping at a large grocery store in La Paz before you leave for the La Ventana area, as the selection in the local markets is limited.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS FROM SAN JOSE DEL CABO
After leaving the airport, go over the overpass and circle to the right, north on Highway 1. You will pass the towns of Los Barriles (45 minutes/ 66km) and San Bartolo. When you arrive at San Antonio (45 minutes /46km from Los Barriles) you can either take a 22km (13.5 mi) dirt road or continue on Highway 1 to Highway 286 to Los Planes in La Paz. Although the road is paved, the route through La Paz is 40 to 1 hour minutes longer.If you are taking the paved road, follow to Highway 286 Los Planes in La Paz. In about half an hour from La Paz make a left on the paved road signed EL SARGENTO and LA VENTANA. There will be a number of small billboards at the corner advertising restaurants and hotels. La Ventana is about 7km from here, with El Sargento an additional 3 km. The paved road will end and you will come to a dirt two-lane road. The road will make a quick left and then a quick right, you should be traveling parallel to the sea on your right. Follow this road another mile and you will come to a long stonewall with a black gate on the beach side of the road, look for the Mokie’s sign and turn right into the driveway.
Watch for cows and speed bumps on all roads. Normally speed bumps are marked with yellow paint on the bump and a sign on the left indicating TOPE, which is the Spanish name for speed bump. Keep in mind that unfortunately not all speed bumps are marked.
We suggest shopping at a large grocery store in La Paz before you leave for the La Ventana area, as the selection in the local markets is limited.
If you are taking the dirt road watch for the turn to the right about 100 yards past the gas station in San Antonio. It comes up quick. At the beginning of the road you will need to make a quick left and a right following the sign for Los Planes. This road is about 30 minutes/ 42km. The road is fine for two wheel drive vehicles but often has a washboard surface, which will make for a bumpy ride. Take this road to the end and make a left onto Highway 286 Los Planes (the turn is not signed). In a short distance you will make a right at the paved 2-lane road signed for EL SARGENTO LA VENTANA. There will be a number of small billboards at the corner advertising restaurants and hotels. La Ventana is about 7km from here, with El Sargento an additional 3 km. The paved road will end and you will come to a dirt two-lane road. The road will make a quick left and then a quick right, you should be traveling parallel to the sea on your right. Follow this road another mile and you will come to a long stonewall with a black gate on the beach side of the road, look for the Mokie’s sign and turn right into the driveway.
Watch for cows and speed bumps on all roads. Normally speed bumps are marked with yellow paint on the bump and a sign on the left indicating TOPE, which is the Spanish name for speed bump. Keep in mind that unfortunately not all speed bumps are marked.
We suggest shopping at a large grocery store in La Paz before you leave for the La Ventana area, as the selection in the local markets is limited.
Driving through Baja can be fun and exciting. Baja is a rugged and beautiful peninsula. There are many interesting stops along the Baja route including colonial missions, ancient cave paintings and spectacular vistas and bays. A Baja travel book for the drive would help you identify these sites and their locations.
You will drive approximately 920 miles to our location South on Highway 1, the Tran peninsular Highway. This highway is paved and the Mexican government has established a patrol along the route of bilingual mechanics in case tourists need assistance. The Angeles Verdes (green angels) travel in bright green trucks. Their service is free but parts, gasoline and oil are at a cost.
Take Mexico Federal Highway (1) all the way south to La Paz 923 miles. Take Highway 286 Los Planes out of La Paz. In about 23 miles from La Paz you make a left on the paved road signed EL SARGENTO LA and VENTANA. There will be a number of small billboards at the corner advertising restaurants and hotels. La Ventana is about 7km from here, with El Sargento an additional 3 km. The paved road will end and you will come to a dirt two-lane road. The road will make a quick left and then a quick right, you should be traveling parallel to the sea on your right. Follow this road another mile and you will come to a long stonewall with a black gate on the beach side of the road, look for the Mokie’s sign and turn right into the driveway.
Watch for cows and speed bumps on all roads. Normally speed bumps are marked with yellow paint on the bump and a sign on the left indicating TOPE, which is the Spanish name for speed bump. Keep in mind that unfortunately not all speed bumps are marked.
We suggest shopping at a large grocery store in La Paz before you leave for the La Ventana area, as the selection in the local markets is limited.
DRIVERS
LICENSE/PERMITS
To drive in Baja you need a valid US or Canadian driver's license or an international
driving permit. A car permit is not required in Baja, only mainland Mexico.
INSURANCE
Your American insurance is not valid in Mexico and it is recommended that you
purchase Mexican auto insurance for your stay. This can be done at the border
or in advance. To purchase insurance in advance you can click here (www.mexicanautoinsurance.com)
ROAD CONDITIONS/MILITARY CHECKPOINTS
Highway 1, the Tran peninsular Highway, is paved and typically safe. There may
be sections that are under repair, but detours are normally marked well. Be
aware that cars and trucks in Mexico use their left direction to signal when
it is safe for you to pass them as well as to signal when they are turning left.
Watch for cows and speed bumps on all roads and drive slowly through towns and cities.
There are police and military roadblocks throughout the peninsula. This is said to control drugs and weapons. The Mexicans will ask if you are carrying drugs or weapons, do a cursory inspection and let you pass. Although we have never had any type of problem with these checkpoints, it is always a good idea to supervise any search, and you may wish to discretely lock the front of your car while they are searching the back.
GAS
Gas is normally available at most cities along the route. All commercial gas
stations in Mexico are state owned and are called PEMEX. Gas is typically more
costly in Baja than in the United States. Some gas stations have been caught
charging for more than they pump and making “mistakes” on your change
so be aware of the cost, how much you hand the attendant and the change received.
You may wish to carry an extra container of gas with you on your drive to be prepared for any abnormal shortage or unexpected detour.
Tipping
of the attendant who pumps your gas and the boy who washes your windows is customary.
MAPS
AAA of Southern California publishes the best road map we have found for Baja,
which is free for members of AAA.
PETS
If you are bringing your pet to Mexico it is advisable to carry an international
health certificate, which is obtainable from any veterinarian.
USEFUL
NUMBERS:
Aero California (800) 237-6225
Aero Mexico (800) 237-6639
Hertz International (800) 654-3001