As the ultimate wind sports destination, La Ventana Mexico lures adventure seekers to its sandy shores with the promise of consistent offshore winds and waves.
While it’s only a couple hours away from the bustling, tequila-fueled resort strips in nearby Cabo, La Ventana feels authentic–a place with dusty, bumpy roads framed by cacti and quiet beaches in lieu of mega resorts and buffet lines.
Perched on the east coast of Baja California Sur peninsula about two hours north of San Jose del Cabo, the small fishing village hits its peak in the winter months of October through April.
That’s when sun seekers, surfers and kiteboarders load up their gear and head down to play in the surf, with a stunning backdrop of the Sea of Cortez and Jacques Cousteau Island.
With only one paved road through town it’s easy to get your bearings, and most of the action happens along the long coastline. From where to stay to the top activities, here are the best things to do in La Ventana, Mexico.
La Ventana kiteboarding and water sports
Play in paradise by standup paddleboarding, kayaking or spearfishing in the tranquil Sea of Cortez, hit the sand for a game of beach volleyball, and explore the underwater world by heading out on a snorkelling or scuba diving trip.
Hundreds of bright, colourful kites dot the horizon during the windy season, as kiteboarders and foilboarders turn La Ventana into an outdoor playground. One of the best waves is called Mushrooms (locals joke that “everyone wants to be on mushrooms!”), which is just a few hundred feet out from the beach in the south end of town and a prime spot to launch.
The wind (called an ‘El Norte’ on gusty days) typically picks up from 11-5 pm, and the curve of the bay means there’s plenty of beach to land on once you’re done skimming along the surface of the surrounding sea.
One of the top spots for kiteboarding La Ventana is Baja Joe’s which has beachfront rooms, morning yoga on the rooftop, a cafe and restaurant, and a bar which is one of the most popular happy hour hangouts in town. Their on-site kiting school has jetski assisted lessons, two way radios, lessons and rentals. Click here to book
Relax in the natural hot springs in La Ventana BCS
To rest those tired muscles after a long day on the water, hit the La Ventana hot springs to relax in the natural thermal waters. The volcanic activity in this area created geysers and springs that bubble up from the earth, and one of those areas is found along Hot Springs beach.
While it looks like a normal stretch of sand, there are actually hot springs hidden underneath so if you’ve got a shovel and dig about seven inches down you can carve out your own private hot tub!
Go glamping in Mexico
There’s one La Ventana glamping spot called ChiloChill resort, which boasts a beachfront location, bar, restaurant, chic lounge areas and beautiful tents.
The idyllic hangout on the edge of town is the ultimate place to unwind, with comfortable hammocks and lounge areas, and a front row seat to gorgeous sunsets. The highlight is staying overnight in the white canvas tents which have twin or queen size beds and private bathrooms. There’s also a kiteboarding school and rentals on-site. Click here to book
Day trip around Baja California Sur
La Ventana is the perfect base for exploring great towns and the best beaches in Baja California Sur, including:
La Paz (45 minute drive): Colourful street art, a long, meandering Malecon, creative cuisine and blonde beaches are some of the highlights of the bustling city of La Paz. If you’ve ever wanted to go swimming with whales, this is the place to do it from October to March. Whale shark tours depart from the marina and transport guests to the protected area where the juvenile whale sharks live, which is just a short boat ride away. Click here to book
Los Barriles (1 hour drive): With a windswept perch on Las Palmas Bay, this fishing village is another popular wind sports spot. Its compact town centre has shops, cafes and taquerias, as well as e-bike and ATV rentals for off-roading in the surrounding desert. It’s also one of the best areas in B.C.S. for deep sea fishing, where you can cast a road while keeping an eye out for the dolphins and sea lions that frequent the area.
Isla Espiritu Santo (1 hour drive + boat ride): Explorer Jacques Cousteau called this protected area north of La Paz the coast the “Aquarium of the World,” thanks to its abundant ecosystem. The UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Sea of Cortez has pristine beaches, red desert limestone cliff sides and plenty of wildlife spotting. Sail over on this fun day trip, and spend the day snorkeling with sea lions, swimming in crystal-clear bays and soaking up the sun. Click here to book
Where to eat in La Ventana
La Ventana is relatively inexpensive, with meals typically costing $5-$10 for breakfast and $10-$15 for dinner. A couple good options are:
- Nomada Organics El Sargento: Enjoy a healthy, homemade meal at this restaurant near the centre of town, which focuses on the slow food concept. The wood-fired pizzas are rightfully popular, and guests love the enchanting ambiance in the evening when the outdoor tables are softly lit with candles and hanging twinkle lights.
- KM-0: Get your caffeine kick at KM-0, an Italian-style cafe that serves up fabulous espresso drinks with fresh-baked sweets like pastries and cakes. There are also paninis and salad, along with a full bar which makes this a great lunch spot too.
Where to stay in La Ventana
Long-term stays are popular in La Ventana, as the majority of visitors come to spend a few months each winter playing on the water. There are some great Airbnb rentals, and numerous beachfront campgrounds where people park their RVs and vans for weeks at a time.
To secure a waterfront spot, arrive by late October just before the season starts and it gets busy. There are about half a dozen established campgrounds along the coastline, including some sites with full hookups.
Besides ChiloChill, other recommended places to stay in La Ventana Mexico include:
- Palapas Ventana: This family-run bed and breakfast has a rooftop view with sweeping sea views, private casitas with communal areas, and organizes great tours around the area with a local feel. Click here to book
- Hotel Todo Bien: One of the more luxury accommodation picks in La Ventana, Hotel Todo Bien has a phenomenal rooftop infinity pool, hot tub, private beach access and kite launch. Rooms are modern and stylish, and there are also three-bedroom villas which are perfect for larger groups. Click here to book
- La Ventana Beach Resort: With only 10 rooms at this beachfront resort, each one looks right onto the water and has easy beach access or a private deck. Located next to Baja Joe’s, it’s a great option for kiteboarders and is in the heart of the action. Click here to book
How to get to La Ventana BCS
The town is 40 minutes south of La Paz, and about two hours north of Cabo. Most visitors fly into the Los Cabos Airport (SJD), and there is also an airport in La Paz (LAP) with domestic connections.
From the airport, you can rent a car to get to La Ventana, take a taxi (approximately $260 USD round trip from Cabo, or $120 USD round trip from La Paz), or book a more economical shuttle bus. There’s also a public bus that goes from La Paz to La Ventana once per day, and only costs a few bucks.
Globe Guide explored La Ventana as a guest of La Paz Tourism and ChiloChill. As always, hosts have no editorial influence on articles
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