| Living in Baja |
What's the climate like at different times of the year? Baja is sunny, no question.
There are well over 300 days of sun in the average year. The desert conditions and lack of
rainfall result in low humidity during most months, making heat more bearable, and keeping
mosquitoes and other insects to a minimum. In winter, daytime temperatures rarely go below
60 degrees.
Winter and early spring daytime temperatures are consistently in the 70's and 80's, and
rarely drop below 60 degrees. Winds tend to be stronger in winter than in summer, and
occasionally a northerly wind of some force will stir up the sands and sea for a few days.
Windsurfers and sailing enthusiasts love the bay in this rare weather.
In late spring, summer and early fall, daytime highs will consistently be above 80, often in
the 90's, and occasionally over 100 degrees. A southerly sea breeze is a constant feature
during these months, adding a cooling effect. Except for the hottest periods of summer,
nighttime temperatures are below 70 degrees, comfortable for sleeping.
During August and September, there is a chance of rain, typically of the monsoonal,
"cloudburst" variety. The area of Punta Chivato and Bahia Santa Ines gets an average of less
than 6 inches of rain a year, and sometimes none at all.
If you are cold where you are - or too hot and sticky - then Baja is the place for you!
For today's weather in the nearby town of Santa Rosalia, go to www.weather.com and enter
"Santa Rosalia, Mexico" in the "Local Forecast" box. For a chart on Baja temperatures and
rainfall amounts, click here. and look at the figures for "San Ignacio" and "Loreto".
Are groceries, household goods and services like banks available? Costa Cardonal and
Bahia Santa Ines are situated between two towns which have stores and services of various
kinds. Santa Rosalia, which lies about 30 miles to the north, is a relatively large regional
center with ferry connections to mainland Mexico. Larger grocery markets
("supermercados"), clothing and household product stores, banks and other services and repair
shops, as well as local government offices, are located in Santa Rosalia.
Mulege, which lies about 20 miles to the south, is smaller, and caters more to the vacationing
tourist. Craft and artisan shops, tour operators, hotels and restaurants predominate. Since
the Mulege area sustains more agriculture than is typically found on the coast, you'll
sometimes find better fruits and vegetables there. And, of course, Mulege supports a fishing
fleet, and seafood is often abundant there.
For major purchases, and more variety, residents of the area make the occasional 6-hour trip
south to La Paz, the capital of Baja California Sur. La Paz is a lovely city with a long and
interesting history and is worth the excuse of a buying trip.
How are the prices for things? As you can imagine, since Baja is as isolated as many
islands, so many products are transported some distance. As a result, prices generally are
higher than those in mainland Mexico. However, overall, they are lower than U.S. prices.
It's best to be very well informed about what's available at what price. You'll probably find
some variance in the prices of perishable goods produced or grown locally, so it pays to shop
around.
But if you don't want to go anywhere at all (and why should you?), Yolanda and Beatriz will be
glad to add you to their rounds. Their mobile market in the back of a pickup truck offers
delicious, fresh seafood (fish, scallops, prawns), tortillas, tamales, empanadas (still warm!)
and a good selection of fresh vegetables and fruits (the melons are divine!).
Are there medical facilities in the vicinity? Santa Rosalia has a good medical facility, and
reputable, experienced doctors and dentists. Pharmacies are common in both towns, and drugs
are often less expensive, or available without prescription. An American experiencing a
medical emergency can be evacuated to the U.S. There are several ways to provide for this,
and we can give you more information.
There are also veterinarians to care for your pets. They are well trained, and have the
typical medications and vaccinations on hand.
Do you have another question? Email us your question, and we'll do our best to answer it.
There are well over 300 days of sun in the average year. The desert conditions and lack of
rainfall result in low humidity during most months, making heat more bearable, and keeping
mosquitoes and other insects to a minimum. In winter, daytime temperatures rarely go below
60 degrees.
Winter and early spring daytime temperatures are consistently in the 70's and 80's, and
rarely drop below 60 degrees. Winds tend to be stronger in winter than in summer, and
occasionally a northerly wind of some force will stir up the sands and sea for a few days.
Windsurfers and sailing enthusiasts love the bay in this rare weather.
In late spring, summer and early fall, daytime highs will consistently be above 80, often in
the 90's, and occasionally over 100 degrees. A southerly sea breeze is a constant feature
during these months, adding a cooling effect. Except for the hottest periods of summer,
nighttime temperatures are below 70 degrees, comfortable for sleeping.
During August and September, there is a chance of rain, typically of the monsoonal,
"cloudburst" variety. The area of Punta Chivato and Bahia Santa Ines gets an average of less
than 6 inches of rain a year, and sometimes none at all.
If you are cold where you are - or too hot and sticky - then Baja is the place for you!
For today's weather in the nearby town of Santa Rosalia, go to www.weather.com and enter
"Santa Rosalia, Mexico" in the "Local Forecast" box. For a chart on Baja temperatures and
rainfall amounts, click here. and look at the figures for "San Ignacio" and "Loreto".
Are groceries, household goods and services like banks available? Costa Cardonal and
Bahia Santa Ines are situated between two towns which have stores and services of various
kinds. Santa Rosalia, which lies about 30 miles to the north, is a relatively large regional
center with ferry connections to mainland Mexico. Larger grocery markets
("supermercados"), clothing and household product stores, banks and other services and repair
shops, as well as local government offices, are located in Santa Rosalia.
Mulege, which lies about 20 miles to the south, is smaller, and caters more to the vacationing
tourist. Craft and artisan shops, tour operators, hotels and restaurants predominate. Since
the Mulege area sustains more agriculture than is typically found on the coast, you'll
sometimes find better fruits and vegetables there. And, of course, Mulege supports a fishing
fleet, and seafood is often abundant there.
For major purchases, and more variety, residents of the area make the occasional 6-hour trip
south to La Paz, the capital of Baja California Sur. La Paz is a lovely city with a long and
interesting history and is worth the excuse of a buying trip.
How are the prices for things? As you can imagine, since Baja is as isolated as many
islands, so many products are transported some distance. As a result, prices generally are
higher than those in mainland Mexico. However, overall, they are lower than U.S. prices.
It's best to be very well informed about what's available at what price. You'll probably find
some variance in the prices of perishable goods produced or grown locally, so it pays to shop
around.
But if you don't want to go anywhere at all (and why should you?), Yolanda and Beatriz will be
glad to add you to their rounds. Their mobile market in the back of a pickup truck offers
delicious, fresh seafood (fish, scallops, prawns), tortillas, tamales, empanadas (still warm!)
and a good selection of fresh vegetables and fruits (the melons are divine!).
Are there medical facilities in the vicinity? Santa Rosalia has a good medical facility, and
reputable, experienced doctors and dentists. Pharmacies are common in both towns, and drugs
are often less expensive, or available without prescription. An American experiencing a
medical emergency can be evacuated to the U.S. There are several ways to provide for this,
and we can give you more information.
There are also veterinarians to care for your pets. They are well trained, and have the
typical medications and vaccinations on hand.
Do you have another question? Email us your question, and we'll do our best to answer it.
| Costa Cardonal ..a desert sanctuary beside a tropical sea. |
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