Los Barriles

Los Barriles

Quiet town on the Sea of Cortez

đź“… When I stayed: March 2025 and July 2025

⏳ Duration: 3 weeks

🛜 WiFi: 4/5. Most palces have wifi. eSIM avaiable, many US carrier will provide data in mexico

🛂 Visa: 180 day tourist visa for U.S Passport Holders

🌎 Best for: Quiet relaxation on the coast. Fishing, windsurfing.

Intro and who its for

Los Barriles, is a small fishing turned expat/snow bird/retirement town. There are a mix of locals, who lived in La Paz and commuted to Los Barriles for work and many expats and snowbirds from Canada and the West coast of the US.

I stayed in March of 2025 and again in July 2025. I would describe this town as stepping back in time. There are dirt roads, people drive ATVs and side by sides. You wave at everyone that you pass when driving or walking on the beach.

It’s very popular with windsurfers and kite boarders during the winter months and some days can be very windy.

My favorite activities

  • Snorkeling directly in front of my accommodation
  • Riding the ATV around town and on the beach
  • Walking the beach at sunrise
atv

This is a place to relax and reset. Say if you had a big project or wanted to de-stress and enjoy the beach and mountain views. If you want nightlife or big city vibes, this is not the place. During the summer it was much quieter and calmer. No daily wind gusts like in March.

Best Areas to stay:

Los Barriles doesn’t really have “neighborhoods,” but here’s how I’d break it down

  • Beachfront:
    • Best views. Best breeze. Higher prices. Ideal if you’re here for wind sports.
  • In town near the streets listed below
    • Walkable to restaurants and groceries. Easier without a vehicle.
  • Buena Vista (South of Town):
    • Quieter and more residential. I stayed between Buena Vista and town proper.

I had the opportunity to pet sit during my time for a family, via Trusted House Sitters. This is a sharing economy website where you pet sit and watch their pets, give updates and care for their home in exchange for accommodation. I have been doing this for 10+ years all around the world.

Luciano

If you’re flexible and like animals, it’s one of the best ways to reduce costs. This is how I stayed 3 weeks without paying rent. Get 25% off a yearly memberhip here.

Hotel Palmas De Cortez - Hotel Palmas De Cortez, Los Barriles Located right on the beach. Large property, multiple restaurants, friendly staff.
You can buy a day pass (~150 MXN) to use the pool.

Mantra Baja, Boutique Hotel - Mantra Baja, Boutique Hotel, Los Barriles
A bit more upscale and further away from the main street.

RV Park - https://playanortervpark.com/
Closer to where I stayed in between Buena Vista and Los Barriles proper. Closet you can get to the beach without camping on it.

The Town

Los Barriles has 2 main streets in the town that matter.
Here are the two “Main” streets.

map

The one going north to south is Calle 20 de Noviembre.

Video Walkthrough of Calle 20 de Noviembre

Play

The street going east to west is Valentin Ruiz. This street has a more local feel and has smaller mom and pop restaurants (which are all great).

Play

Video Walk of Valentin Ruiz to the Los Barriles fountain

map

Enmoladas from Primos

Things to Do

Helpful facebook groups or Apps

Cafes & Coworking Spots

A few Cafes but a lot are open air or smaller. I worked at my accomodation.

I use Baselang for unlimited one-on-one Spanish lessons online. If you want to improve quickly before or during your stay, you can get a discount and try it here BASELANG

Transportation Tips

  • You can walk the entire town easily, vehicle not required other than getting here from the airport.
  • ATV/UTV rentals are very popular
  • Transportation from Cabo Airport SJD ecobaja the best
  • Walking is safe, but sidewalks are limited
  • Night driving is not recommended, many cows roam around and large potholes exist.
  • If you’re staying long-term or traveling between countries, I personally use Genki for travel health insurance. Mexico is affordable for healthcare, but accidents happen.
  • Genki travel health insurance (affiliate): GENKI

Budget Breakdown

  • Rent: $0 (TrustedHousesitters stay)
  • Street Tacos: 30–40 MXN
  • Sit-down meals: 200–300 MXN
  • Drinks: 30–75 MXN
  • Coffee: 50–60 MXN
  • Hotel day pass: ~300 MXN
  • Shuttle from airport: 381 MXN

FAQ

Is Los Barriles safe?

Yes, It is safe and I walked around the town, beaches and streets by myself. The biggest worry is if you drive at night there are cows that roam and can be in the roadway. There are topes (large speed bumps) and potholes which could be dangerous if you are unfamiliar with the roads. There are not many sidewalks outside of the main town. If you drive an ATV there can be unleashed dogs that will bark and follow you for a bit. Just hit the gas and all will be fine.

Best place to withdraw cash?

Is WiFi reliable?

  • Yes wifi was reliable via satillite, though in winter the wind picks up and can knock power out. I would always recommend a backup like a wifi hotspot via your phone.
taco

Tacos from Gaviotas

Pros

  • Quiet and peaceful
  • Beautiful sunrise beach walks
  • Affordable compared to Cabo
  • Friendly expat community
  • Easy access to nature and ocean activities

Cons

  • Limited nightlife
  • Windy in winter
  • Limited coworking options
  • Need a vehicle for flexibility
  • Occasional power outages

Would I Come Back?

I would, but only if I had a big amount of work needed to do and I wanted peace and quiet.

  • Who should strongly consider it: You like the beach, sport fishing, wind sports and want some familiariy with expats/locals and other - English speakers.
  • Who shouldn’t: Someone that needs nightlife, big sity and international culture.