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East Cape
Luxury Real Estate in East Cape, Baja California, Mexico
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Houses in USD YTD for
Active, Pending, and Closed Listings-
$1,815,998 USD
List Price
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$1,850,842 USD
Sale Price
Sale to List Ratio: 92.9% Average Days on Market: 160 days -
$1,815,998 USD
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Condos in USD YTD for
Active, Pending, and Closed Listings-
$268,097 USD
List Price
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$264,764 USD
Sale Price
Sale to List Ratio: 96.3% Average Days on Market: 68 days -
$268,097 USD
This Side Of Paradise: About East Cape, Baja California, Mexico
Stretching for over 70 miles of relatively undisturbed coast, Baja California Sur's East Cape region plays host to sun worshippers and slow-living lovers with its fantastic waterfront real estate options. This is old school Baja at its finest.
Unspoiled Coast: About The East Cape
The East Cape is fast becoming a popular alternative to the well-developed resort town that is Cabo San Lucas. Its sun-drenched landscapes are dotted with colorful homes and sprawling luxury estates. But thanks to the East Cape's vastness, these real estate developments remain far and few between.
The East Cape, at a glance
A part of the greater Los Cabos municipality, the East Cape (also known as Cabo Este) runs for approximately 70 miles, from El Pescadora and Los Barriles to the north and all the way to Puerto Los Cabos, at the doorstep of San Jose del Cabo. Generally, the East Cape follows the Camino Cabo Este– the main thoroughfare– as it travels along the southeast coast.
The East Cape's desert landscapes are almost lunar and otherworldly if not for the cacti and other local flora that cover the grounds. On opposing sides of this desert: are the mountains of the Sierra de la Laguna range and the ever-sparkling Sea of Cortez.
For years, the East Cape was known as an undeveloped and remote region that didn't even have electricity. But changes are afoot in this unspoiled coast. Luxury resorts and developers have taken notice, and more real estate development is underway.
Some of the beach towns and communities located along the East Cape include:
- Cabo Pulmo
- Buena Vista
- Los Barriles
- Caduaño
- Zacatitos
- Nine Palms
- Costa Palma
- La Ribera
- Los Frailes
- La Playa
A Brief History of the East Cape
The East Cape started being recognized for tourism in the early 1950s, when fly-fishing brought visitors from different corners. This all began when the Rancho Buena Vista Hotel opened its doors and hosted some of the most celebrated personalities of the decade, including Hollywood bigwigs. Its perceived remoteness made it all the more attractive for those who want to get away from prying eyes.
It was only in the very recent years when the East Cape started to open up to the general public. A new highway significantly shortened travel times from the Los Cabos International Airport to Costa Palma, one of the newest premier real estate developments in Baja California Sur. The birth of Costa Palma itself opened more homebuying and investment opportunities in the East Cape.
Despite these exciting developments, the East Cape still offers visitors and aspiring homeowners a taste of the real Baja.
What the East Cape is known for
Speak of the East Cape to locals and they will tell you that the region is "how Los Cabos was like 20 years ago." The vast majority of the area is undeveloped, with tiny beach towns dotted along the coast and a few agricultural towns located further inland. Compared to San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas, the East Cape is laidback and requires a little more effort to get to, inspiring adventurers, backpackers, and intrepid homebuyers in search of the next best thing.
Empty, beautiful beaches are plentiful along the East Cape whether you're staying close to La Ribera or further south near Cabo. Unlike many of the beaches in the Los Cabos area, the ones at East Cape offer calm waters, perfect for swimming. The waters do become rougher between April and October the best times for surfing in the East Cape, particularly in Nine Palms, La Fortuna, and Shipwrecks.
The Sea of Cortez hugs the East Cape shoreline and brings fantastic fishing opportunities. Whether you're a deep-sea angler or a sport fisher, the East Cape is simply the perfect place to be. Big catches include marlin, tuna, wahoo, grouper, and roosterfish, a striking game fish that is plentiful off the East Cape.
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LUXURY REAL ESTATE IN EAST CAPE, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO
The East Cape presents unlimited potential for real estate investors who dream of developing new resort residences and beachfront communities that can rival and even surpass those in San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas.
Housing market overview and general
real estate trends
Real estate options in the East Cape in Baja California Sur currently include custom single-family residences as well as homesites in various parts of the region. Many of these properties showcase what the East Cape is known for breathtaking sea views as well as solitary vistas of the desert. The region also teems with development opportunities; a few resort communities have already opened and a couple more are underway, slated to open in the very near future.
But despite the increasing real estate activity in the East Cape, real estate prices in this part of Baja remain comparatively lower than Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo. Prices for single-family homes range from US$700,000 to well over US$10 million. Condos are even more affordable, with prices starting at US$400,000.
Nearby amenities
For now, most of the amenities in the East Cape are concentrated in its main towns, which include La Ribera and the Los Barriles/Buena Vista area. Costa Palma, once completed, will feature a marina, golf courses, hotels, curated outdoor recreation experiences, and various entertainment options.
Certain creature comforts are also unavailable in the East Cape at the moment. Many parts of the region don't offer steady phone service and Wi-Fi connectivity. Generally speaking, the southern tip (near Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo) has good service.
Towns and neighborhoods
- La Ribera is a coastal community located along the northern part of the East Cape. Home to a population of roughly 2,000 residents, La Ribera is primarily known for being one of the best sport fishing destinations in the region. The town is also home to Costa Palma, a sprawling beachfront community.
- Costa Palma is a 1,500-acre resort community that includes a marina, several hotels and resorts, a golf club, a beach and yacht club, and a recreation center. Real estate opportunities at Costa Palma include private residences at Four Seasons, Amanvari, Casa Blake at the Marina Village, and the Costa Palma Beach & Yacht Club. Home prices range from US$700,000 to US$20 million and more.
- Los Barriles also known as The Barrels, is a small fishing village located approximately 19 miles north of La Ribera via Camino Cabo Este and the Transpeninsular Highway. Like many parts of the East Cape, the village is a premier sport fishing destination. Parcels of land– some of which cover over 10 acres– are available for sale in Los Barriles, along with single-family luxury estates, beach homes, casas, and custom houses. Due to Los Barriles' proximity to Buena Vista, the two communities are often referred to together.
- Lighthouse Point Estates is a guard-gated community approximately eight miles south of La Ribera. Many of the real estate options here are beachfront or sea-view homes designed with open-concept areas, floor-to-ceiling windows, and outdoor living spaces. Homebuyers can choose from single-family casitas to multi-level luxury estates.
LIFE INEAST CAPE, BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO
Getting There
Los Cabos International Airport is the main gateway to the East Cape. The new Transpeninsula highway has drastically improved travel times from the airport to La Ribera and Los Barriles. That said, the Camino Cabo Este remains the thoroughfare that connects the rest of the East Cape's small communities with each other.
Getting Around
Camino Cabo Este is famously long, dusty, and in most parts, bumpy. Some locals even recognize it as one of the worst roads in the Baja California Sur, which prevented the East Cape from being accessed by mainstream tourists. That said, driving along the Camino Road Este can be an extremely rewarding experience, with majestic vistas everywhere.
For now, public transportation is nonexistent in the East Cape. The best way to get around is by private car– preferably a four-wheel-drive (4WD or 4x4) vehicle. This will make the ride smoother compared to a regular car. There are several car rental services available in the East Cape's main tourist centers, such as Cactus Rent A Car.
Visas and other essentials
Understanding the visa process is crucial for those contemplating a move to the East Cape. For short stays, a tourist visa is sufficient and easily obtained upon arrival at the airport. However, for those considering a more permanent relocation, acquiring a residence visa is recommended.
The process involves submitting necessary documentation to the Mexican consulate, including proof of income and residency intentions. Consider consulting with a locally-based legal counsel familiar with Mexican immigration laws who can provide support and help you navigate the migration process seamlessly. U.S. citizens enjoy visa-free entry to Mexico. Consult this list of nationalists that require travel visas.
Dining and shopping
Home cooking reign supreme in the East Cape, but if you do want to dine out, there are some fantastic– albeit few– options. Accessibility will largely depend on where you're currently located.
Some of the must-try restaurants in the East Cape include Zac's Bar and Grill in Santa Cruz de los Zacatitos. This desert bar and restaurant offers "fun" dining, with a menu that consists of Mexican specialties such as fajitas, tacos, and quesadillas. Zac's Bar and Grill also has a full-service cocktail bar.
In the small community of Cabo Pulmo, you'll find Los Tornados. This small family-run restaurant serves traditional Mexican offerings and perhaps the best breakfast you'll have while in the East Cape. Meanwhile, Zai Sushi Surf Bar in La Fortuna serves a delectable array of fresh sushi and sashimi, some of which are made with Sea of Cortez fish.
Activities and outdoor recreation
- The Cabo Pulmo National Marine Park is the East Cape's crown jewel. Located about 16 miles southeast of La Ribera, Cabo Pulmo features a five-mile beach that stretches from Pulmo Point to Los Frailes. Down beneath the waters, the park features a thriving hard coral reef that's home to over 800 different marine species and a wide variety of marine flora.
- With approximately 70 miles of coastline, the East Cape has no shortage of peaceful and uncrowded beaches. Most of these beaches offer access to swimmable waters– a rarity in the Los Cabos area. Entrances to different beaches can be found as you drive along Camino Cabo Este; it's all a matter of finding the one that you like the most. Some of the best-known beaches in the East Cape include Playa Los Frailes (also great for yachting), Cabo Pulmo (as in the national park, which is home to the only living coral reef along the Pacific Coast), and Playa El Rincón (a great spot for windsurfing).
- Surfing is one of the most popular water activities in the East Capes, with surf season running from April through October. If you want to watch experienced surfs ride towering barrels (or try it yourself), the best spots to go are Nine Palms, Shipwrecks, and La Fortuna. All three surf spots are known to generate powerful surf breaks, consistent swells, and fast-moving sections. Of the three, however, La Fortuna is the place to go for guided surf trips, instruction, as well as equipment rental.
- Baja California Sur is generally regarded as one of the best places to go whale-watching, but in the East Cape, this activity is even more magical. Visitors can watch the annual migration of humpback whales, which runs from December through March, from the shore. If you want to witness this great migration right on the water, only a few operators offer whale-watching tours in the area. One of these is East Cape Explorers.
- For those who prefer to have their feet firmly planted on land, the Sierra la Laguna Biosphere Reserve offers fantastic hiking opportunities. There are three access points from the East Cape: Caduaño, Miraflores, and Santiago. In its entirety, a wide network of trails weaves in and out of the reserve; hiring an experienced guide is a must to avoid getting lost. Some of the highlights of hiking in Sierra la Laguna include getting to see hummingbirds and reaching Picacho de la Laguna, the highest point in Baja California Sur.
EXPERIENCE THE BEST OF OLD BAJA
Contact the FINN Real Estate Group at 624.124.3533 or send us an email to set up a consultation about your real estate options in the magical East Cape.
Our team of dedicated real estate agents provides exceptional service to clients in search of luxury residences and buildable land in Los Cabos. Our brokerage was established in 2022 and is led by Adrienne Westfall, a second-generation broker with over 18 years of experience in Los Cabos real estate. Contact us today to get started.