The East Cape is a 70-mile area stretching from San José del Cabo to the town of Los Barriles. It is about a half-hour drive northeast of the Tourist Corridor and is more secluded than the Corridor, with the Sierra de la Laguna mountains in the backdrop and sweeping desert landscapes meeting the Sea of Cortez.
The East Cape offers all the natural vistas and luxurious amenities of the bustling Corridor. But because the Cape is still less developed, it is not as busy and crowded as the Corridor, and it offers more privacy. Here quiet hideaway hotels and private residences peacefully coexist with supermarkets and new restaurants. As new residences are built, the area continues to attract part-time and full-time expatriates. Many fell in love with the place a long time ago and keep coming back. Others have purchased a home and live here permanently. Still others are first-time visitors who are destined to return.
Not so long ago, the East Cape was off the grid. The roads were rugged dirt roads, and some parts of the region lacked electricity. But the situation has been changing rapidly, and East Cape is now being touted as the next up-and-coming destination on the Baja Peninsula. As in the Lost Cabos Corridor, development in the East Cape is booming, with major international hotel groups, airlines, and golf developers all investing in the region. These investments in turn drive home construction and home sales. A highway built in 2018 and 2019 to connect the East Cape to the Los Cabos International Airport has made the area even more accessible.
The East Cape has been inhabited for thousands of years. But it would be the 1950s before vacationers discovered it. In 1952, the Rancho Buena Vista Hotel opened as a fishing resort with its own runway. With its pristine beaches, rich marine life, and plenty of privacy, the remote paradise became a regular vacation getaway for the Hollywood elite, and it has also become more and more popular with other visitors from the United States.
The East Cape has natural and manmade wonders galore, ranging from unique coral reefs to exotic fish to charming shops and towns.
Although you have fewer entertainment options here than in Cabos San Lucas, this is exactly what appeals to many visitors, because it means more privacy and fewer crowds. And there are still plenty of options for dining, shopping, and exploring.
East Cape has several world-class resorts. In 2019, Four Seasons introduced its hotel and homes in East Cape, and more luxury development is planned for 2022 and beyond. Another well-known hotel brand, Aman Resorts, also with a residential component, has an outpost near the Four Seasons Resort and Residences on Costa Palmas. The latter is a 1,000-acre resort community owned by the Los Angeles real estate firm Irongate.
The prospects are also good if you’d rather have a house to stay in. The luxury real estate market in Los Cabos is thriving. Whether you’re looking for a Los Cabos vacation rental, a future retirement home, a commercial investment, or a second home for family vacations, you will find the property you want in Los Cabos. Finding and buying it is easier than you may think, especially with a little due diligence and the help of an experienced Cabo realtor.
East Cape offers several solid choices when it comes to dining. Buzzard’s Bar & Grill serves Mexican and American menu favorites against a scenic backdrop. Crossroads, located inside the Hotel VidaSoul in Boca de la Vinorama, specializes in Italian cuisine. The popular Roadrunner Café & Bakery in Los Barriles features freshly baked pastries, espressos, and diner-style burgers and shakes. Tio Pablo’s, Ganzo Downstairs, and Taqueria El Viejo are also notable.
You won’t find clubs and parties in East Cape, but if you are into some low-key entertainment, some of the restaurants and cafes in the area offer live music. Crossroads and RoadRunner Café are popular hangouts for live music, and you can watch live sports events as you enjoy ribs or pizza at Tio Pablo’s in Los Barriles.
Although the East Cape has no big-box stores, it does have supermarkets and mom-and-pop stores where you can stock up on staples. The downtown of Los Barriles is the best choice for shopping. You can always find something unique in its quaint boutiques and shops. ExotiKite is a must if you are a kiteboarder looking for apparel and equipment. Find art at Galería Los Ángeles, jewelry at Copper River Designs, essentials and souvenirs at Baja Beach Company, and chocolates at Charlie’s Chocolates.
East Cape’s crystal-clear waters and miles of unspoiled coastline contain dozens of species of fish. Fishing was the main original attraction of the area, and it is still the number one activity for both novices and veterans. Roosterfish, yellowtail, wahoo, tuna, and marlin are just a few of the species with abundant populations here.
You can fish on your own from land, book a guided tour or a cruise, or rent a kayak or a small fishing boat called a panga. The town of Punta Colorada is known as the roosterfish capital of the world, and Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore tournament is a summer tradition in Buenavista.
You can get to know the land by hiking, camping, biking, or just lounging on the beach. Or by golfing; golf is exploding in the East Cape. The resort community in Costa Palmas features a high-quality golf course with luxurious amenities, and there are over a dozen courses in and around East Cape, with more in the works. Another popular activity is ATV tours. Locals still get around some dirt roads on four-wheelers, and you can rent an ATV to explore the rugged desert terrain on your own if you like. Or try one of the themed ATV tours that are available, like the tours dedicated to watching birds or exploring the mountains.
Development is showing no signs of slowing down. There are many reasons why the East Cape will only continue to grow in popularity: the area is beautiful and easy to reach, it has perfect weather year-round and a rich marine life, and it offers more privacy than the more developed regions of the peninsula. If you covet an affordable, laid-back lifestyle, look no further.
Learn more about buying and selling property in the East Cape by visiting our FAQ, or contact us to discuss your options for investing in real estate in Cabo, Mexico.
Our real estate agency consists of a small group of seasoned realtors, each of whom has resided and owned property in Cabo for more than a decade. We are committed to finding the perfect home or investment that meets all of your requirements and fits your budget.
Carretera Transpeninsular KM 7 Fracc Sierra Dorada
El Tezal, Cabo San Lucas
Los Cabos, Baja California Sur
C.P. 23454 Mexico