If you are looking for a very remote location that is built for adventure, Punta Abreojos is an excellent destination on the Baja Peninsula. It’s not anywhere near a commercial airport which means you’ll need to drive to get here. It’s also short on rentals and lodging so you’ll need to camp or book one of the few places well in advance.
While it’s a long drive off the main highway, this region is quite beautiful and it has plenty of accessible coastline. You won’t find much in the way of resorts or high end and that’s part of what makes this region appealing.
Driving To Punta Abreojos
The highway between Santa Rosalia and Guerrero Negro is long and sparsely populated. It’s an inland drive with plenty of beautiful desert views and is also a stretch where most travelers want to power through without stopping. Your turn is located off this highway.
Warning!
The military checkpoint at San Ignacio along Mex Highway 1 is notoriously bad. I’ve been waved through on plenty of occasions but have also had a few bad encounters (like many others). The personnel will rummage through your stuff, taking their time while phishing for freebies.
I had one particular soldier who went through all of my things, holding up the items he wanted. A GoPro, headlamp, fishing lures and plenty of other things. He would sniff everything and act like he was looking for drugs.
My strategy is to remain patient and refuse to give away any of my things. I’m happy to share cold water or soda but that is all. I believe that giving into the phishing scheme will only make it worse in the long run. If you plan on continuing south to Santa Rosalia or are coming northbound, be prepared for this stopping point.
Driving Campo Fisher – Punta Abreojos Highway
From Guerrero Negro, it’s roughly 120km to the right turn off the highway. There is a sign and not much else around this area. If you come from Santa Rosalia, you will pass through San Ignacio and it’s not much farther to the left turn. Most vehicles will have no issue making the trip on a single tank of gas.
Once you reach Punta Abreojos, a single Pemex station is available for fueling. The hours are sometimes limited but I’ve never had an issue showing up mid-morning. The attendant is always super friendly and it’s an easy place to refuel.
Road conditions are always changing in Baja so be prepared for anything. The Campo Fisher Highway is paved and the conditions have been fantastic in recent years. Of course, a big storm or washout can change things in a hurry. Be careful not to drive too fast on the smooth sections as the surface condition can suddenly deteriorate.
Where to Stay & Eat
It’s a good idea to stock up on groceries before hitting town. That said, you can get everything needed here. Two water purification stations are active and you will find a few small restaurants with limited hours. Every meal I’ve had has been excellent and the seafood is always fresh.
I love Antojitos right on main street. You will also find an ATM and small grocery on the same waterfront road. I like to park and walk the malecon while taking in views and watching the pangas launch and land here.
Campo Rene
A very short drive from town, you will find an exceptional camp with a restaurant and access to a nice lagoon area. When tides fill the backwaters, the fishing can really take off. The food here is excellent and they have rentals or camping sites. I love the camping setup at Campo Rene and it’s very affordable!
The Black Bass Lodge
While they offer lodging as a standalone, you’ll want to take advantage of the on-site chef and activities. They have guided fishing trips, surf drops and plenty of fun to keep you busy. The rates are reasonable and groups can book the entire place. If you have 6-8 people, it can run under $100 USD per night for each person. Pretty dang good for a full lodge experience.
Things to Do
The Vizcaino Biosphere Reserve encompasses a large area and Punta Abreojos falls into the protected natural zone. As such, it’s largely open space, native landscapes and opportunities for adventure. These are just a few ways to enjoy your time here.
Beach Combing
It’s simple, fun and the long beaches are loaded with neat shells, sand dollars, sea glass and more. I love walking the beaches and dunes in this area just to see what is washed up here. In many cases, I have beaches to myself after hiking a ways off the parking areas and small towns.
Bird Watching
The lagoons and backwaters make for excellent bird habitat. Bring a pair of binoculars and keep your eyes peeled for herons, egrets and tons of other exciting species. You can easily burn a few hours each day just watching the local and migratory birds in this region.
Surfing Punta Abreojos and Other Wind Sports
Several surf breaks make for some excellent action in the area. The best waves break off a reef and they have beautiful barrels. You can stay at the Black Bass Lodge for convenient access or you can camp right off the break on the beach.
If the surfing isn’t enough, reliable afternoon winds create optimal conditions for wind sports. Kiteboarders can really carve it up around here. Consider staying at Bocana adventure, just outside of town as an option for lodging and kitesurfing instruction. They have an excellent location for wind sports.
Whale Watching
The winter season brings whales into the lagoons and coastal areas. There are quite a few whale watching locations ranging from Laguna Ojo de Liebre to Laguna San Ignacio. Take a tour and enjoy the up-close action while bobbing on a panga in the lagoons.
Of course, you are likely to see whales while simply walking beaches and driving coastal roads. They have strong populations and many migrate to this region to feed and calve in specific areas. Always keep your eyes peeled because whale watching is world class in Baja.
Sport Fishing
If you love catching big fish, the coast here is a paradise! They get yellowtail in strong numbers, goliath grouper, dorado, sierra mackerel, small halibut, and a ton of other exciting species. You won’t need to go far off-shore for the big game species either.
The Black Bass Lodge is a great outfit for guided trips. There are plenty of local pangas going out as well. If you are a skilled angler who knows how to manage the conditions, the fishery here can really deliver!
Are Your Ready Plan a Trip?
While the southern end of Baja and some other destinations draw the bigger crowds (and some for good reason), the small town culture and slow pace in Punta Abreojos makes for an attractive destination. If you’re a road tripper looking for a spot to rest and relax, it’s hard to go wrong here. You won’t find much in the way of luxury and services but Punta Abreojos is an excellent spot to camp and enjoy the great outdoors.
