Hey Guys (Gals too), We are coming down this weekend with some friends who tend to gravitate to the wild & crazy side. Which of the Sunset Cruises would you recommend we choose. I would also be very open to other activities we might try while down. Thanks in advance and may all have a great 4th of July!
I second Russ' recommendation- Go for the Pirate Cruise- great entertainment for all! I've done the Sunset cruise and the Pirate cruise, and definitely everyone agreed the Pirate is the best (High School and College age kids agreed). ARRGH!
Second LadyJeeper on the price question. Should we drive there (Balboa's to catch the Pirate Cruise) or should we get a cab/s? What time shoud we be there by? Staying at Hotel Baja (don't ask why?!). Speaking of - does anyone know what condition this hotel is? The reviews I read on it are very mixed O_o... and not sure. Guess a little late now, as it is already paid for... but just want to be prepared (mentaly)>>.
On the hotel...the last time I stayed there was oprobably 6-7 years ago...I would compare the rooms (at least the one I had) to Super 8/Motel 6. They do have a pool area...again, not like the condo/resorts. They do pack in the spring breakers!
Don't know if Balboa's restaurant is closed permanently, but Seadweller (one of the regulars on here) had posted that one of the waitresses from there was looking for work....so that doesn't sound good.
The last time I took a sunset cruise, they started boarding somewhere around 5-5:30...and I paid at the dock....Lobos del Mar (long gone) used to put on a good show.....and unlimited margaritas (premix) were included in the price!
Second LadyJeeper on the price question. Should we drive there (Balboa's to catch the Pirate Cruise) or should we get a cab/s? What time shoud we be there by? Staying at Hotel Baja (don't ask why?!). Speaking of - does anyone know what condition this hotel is? The reviews I read on it are very mixed O_o... and not sure. Guess a little late now, as it is already paid for... but just want to be prepared (mentaly)>>.
Ugh. Not to make you feel any worse, because I read your other post, but for a few dollars more you could have had a beautiful condo on Sandy Beach with a a full-sized kitchen. The kitchen alone would have saved you the extra dollars in having to eat out for every meal. What's their cancellation policy?
Nevermind, I just saw that you're going down this weekend. Too late to make other plans I suppose. Next time you go PM me for condo rental referrals. I don't get anything out of so I'm not advertising, but I've had a lot of good luck with one particular owner.
A sunset cruise with all you can drink margaritas in San Carlos 25 years ago is the reason why I won't touch Tekillya any more. Ug, the memory...well sort of, some of it anyway, LOL!
A sunset cruise with all you can drink margaritas in San Carlos 25 years ago is the reason why I won't touch Tekillya any more. Ug, the memory...well sort of, some of it anyway, LOL!
The long slow collapse of Puerto Penasco as we knew it. It will come back but never will be the same.
A sunset cruise with all you can drink margaritas in San Carlos 25 years ago is the reason why I won't touch Tekillya any more. Ug, the memory...well sort of, some of it anyway, LOL!
Now Chari...don't go blaming your dislike for Tequila on a Sunset cruise.....no one forced you to get your money's worth!!:rofl::moon:
Amongst the others that are gone already and will be gone shortly, if things dont turn around. LJ if I understood correctly not too long ago the city didn't have the money to make the police department payroll. There are a lot of businesses teetering.
I think Penasco has been moving toward a Mexican market for several years. Compare favored activities of the US and the Mexican folk and you can probably pretty much predict who might survive. Dying: sit down restaurants, sit down bars, Low capacity luxury rental accomodations, most real estate !! Stable/moving up: ATV rentals, Harbor cruises, Beer and Ice sales, Economical rental accomodations, Taco Stands, Straw cowboy hat sales, gasoline for crusing.
Someone said so and they said the food was good, too. I think it's more pizza than high end. I might try it sometime but my next new restaurant to try will be Pane y Vino.
I think Penasco has been moving toward a Mexican market for several years. Compare favored activities of the US and the Mexican folk and you can probably pretty much predict who might survive. Dying: sit down restaurants, sit down bars, Low capacity luxury rental accomodations, most real estate !! Stable/moving up: ATV rentals, Harbor cruises, Beer and Ice sales, Economical rental accomodations, Taco Stands, Straw cowboy hat sales, gasoline for crusing.
Speaking of beer and ice Roberto, my accountant also owns the ice company that sells Reyna Brand Ice In 2006 he showed me he sold over 300,000 bags of ice this year he says he wont break 100,000 bags and he is also in trouble.
Very sad to hear about Balboa's. Had some great meals and Margs there, but to be honest, completely forgot about it, outside of rushing by on our way to a cruise, trying to make the cutoff. So easy to forget about those little spots once you get set in a routine.
I think Penasco has been moving toward a Mexican market for several years. Compare favored activities of the US and the Mexican folk and you can probably pretty much predict who might survive. Dying: sit down restaurants, sit down bars, Low capacity luxury rental accomodations, most real estate !! Stable/moving up: ATV rentals, Harbor cruises, Beer and Ice sales, Economical rental accomodations, Taco Stands, Straw cowboy hat sales, gasoline for crusing.
I wouldn't consider Las Palomas an economical rental accomodation and it was LOADED with Mexican families while we were there from June 30th through July 7th.
I wouldn't consider Las Palomas an economical rental accomodation and it was LOADED with Mexican families while we were there from June 30th through July 7th.
No, but when you pile in 8-10 people, including kids....in a 2 BR condo...it is economical, since they have a large frig and can cook their meals there.
Isn't there another restaurant in the place where Portofino's was?
This topic can be confusing. There are two 'Old Portifino's' locations. The old, old one is at the bottom of the hill as you enter the Malecon. Directly in front before you have to turn. AS of 2 days ago no one was in that location although the Yacking Parrot or something like that was rumored to be moving in some time ago. The location of the 'old' and last one is on the right had side before you start down the hill to the Malecon. The first place on the right as you enter the commercial area, approximately across from Pasada La Roca. Yes both are no longer in existance. The last Portifino's location is now No Solo Agua and still offers some stuff from the old Portifino's as the kitchen staff are the same. The current operators intent is to attract more locals and Mexican tourists. The huge open patio overlooking the harbor is a draw.
No, but when you pile in 8-10 people, including kids....in a 2 BR condo...it is economical, since they have a large frig and can cook their meals there.
There is a limit on the amount of people in each unit. Even in a 3 bedroom the max would probably be 10 with a pull out couch. Each person needs a bracelet to be on the property and believe me, the security guards are bracelet NAZIS.
A 3-bedroom rental at Las Palomas is going for $245 USD/night. That's not cheap by US standards, let alone Mexican standards.
I wouldn't consider Las Palomas an economical rental accomodation and it was LOADED with Mexican families while we were there from June 30th through July 7th.
I think Penasco has been moving toward a Mexican market for several years. Compare favored activities of the US and the Mexican folk and you can probably pretty much predict who might survive. Dying: sit down restaurants, sit down bars, Low capacity luxury rental accomodations, most real estate !! Stable/moving up: ATV rentals, Harbor cruises, Beer and Ice sales, Economical rental accomodations, Taco Stands, Straw cowboy hat sales, gasoline for crusing.
Very good point. For example, when I take last-minute trips and stay at El Mirador Village, a less expensive hotel that's actually on the beach, I feel so lazy to be eating every meal out when I see all the Mexican National families cooking all day and night at the grills out there, not to mention the other random portable grills you'll see here and there on Sandy Beach, etc. I'd add grocery and big-box (big for Penasco) stores to that list.
The one time I ate there (the OLD old place) with my daughter....the service was super slow, and I wasn't impressed by the food....maybe it was going downhill at the time....the newer place when it opened was excellent, but a bit pricey.
Speaking of beer and ice Roberto, my accountant also owns the ice company that sells Reyna Brand Ice In 2006 he showed me he sold over 300,000 bags of ice this year he says he wont break 100,000 bags and he is also in trouble.
OK, I take ice off the list !!!! What would you put on such a list ?? I have one idea for a business that I think has a 90% chance of being successful, appealing to locals and tourists. Think we talked about it some time ago.
OK, I take ice off the list !!!! What would you put on such a list ?? I have one idea for a business that I think has a 90% chance of being successful, appealing to locals and tourists. Think we talked about it some time ago.
On the hotel...the last time I stayed there was oprobably 6-7 years ago...I would compare the rooms (at least the one I had) to Super 8/Motel 6. They do have a pool area...again, not like the condo/resorts. They do pack in the spring breakers!
Don't know if Balboa's restaurant is closed permanently, but Seadweller (one of the regulars on here) had posted that one of the waitresses from there was looking for work....so that doesn't sound good.
The last time I took a sunset cruise, they started boarding somewhere around 5-5:30...and I paid at the dock....Lobos del Mar (long gone) used to put on a good show.....and unlimited margaritas (premix) were included in the price!
:thumbsup::rofl::thumbsup::rofl:
Great report from 2004 there Joe !!!
I know - exactly my points!!!!!!! That is WHY I am pissed! A Friend had made the reservations and paid trough Expedia ;(... Like I said - I will be the ONE making hte plans next time - that is for sure!!! I will PM you for sure - it looks like in September, but we might be able to sneak away in August too :)
I know - exactly my points!!!!!!! That is WHY I am pissed! A Friend had made the reservations and paid trough Expedia ;(... Like I said - I will be the ONE making hte plans next time - that is for sure!!! I will PM you for sure - it looks like in September, but we might be able to sneak away in August too :)
That's exactly why my hubby and I are reluctant to travel with other people anymore. It's rare to find people who travel well together and have the same likes and dislikes when it comes to hotels, food, activities. Who needs the aggravation?
I agree 100%. We have some friends that go "cheap" on the room and spend half their time walking and dragging their chairs and umbrella a quarter of a mile to the beach, then spend time worrying about where their car is parked. Thanks, but no thanks, I'll pay a little more each day for convenience and security.
If you cook you own food you know what your getting! You can roll the dice if you go out for every meal. I know some people do not want to cook. anyway you save
time and money.
If you cook you own food you know what your getting! You can roll the dice if you go out for every meal. I know some people do not want to cook. anyway you save
time and money.
I'm not so worried about getting sick if we go out to eat, I just don't want the hassle of deciding where to go, driving, paying, etc., every time we get hungry. If we're down there for a week we usually eat out 3-4 times for lunch. I don't mind cooking a little bit if I'm not working all day and I can't call laying on the beach drinking beer all day working. Also, it's not like I'm making a full-on dinner - we usually have carne asada that we've grilled ourselves, or I'll make ceviche and we'll have tostadas. It takes no time at all to make red or green salsa with the veggies we buy down there and whip up some chilaquiles - YUM!
I looked up the Baja Hotel on the internet, and I thought the pool/ palapa swim up bar looked great. Don't get down on the place before you get there! The only negative is that it's not right on the water, but some people only want to hang by the pool and never go in the ocean. If you do want to go to the ocean, bring down snorkeling equipment and plan on going by the rocks in the Mirador (beach by Baja Hotel). My husband and I went this past weekend (different beach), but we saw a ton of baby Sargent Majors (blue and yellow striped fish), one Angel fish, and other fish I couldn't recognize. Snorkeling is one of the great things to do in Penasco in the summer time. The water temp was around 85 close to shore, but was colder out further. You asked about driving- we drive everywhere, but it's all what you feel comfortable doing. If you have an expensive car, I guess I might take a taxi- we've never had a problem (but my SUV is 10 years old w/ 205,000 miles), just be sure and lock your car.
My son said he paid $85 for 5 people 2 weeks ago, but he said normally it's $20/person. Maybe you'll be a better negotiator than a bunch of college students!
Miramar,
Those pictures are 4 years old. I had to move out of Playa Miramar RV Park in May of 2007 and in the picture, the park is empty but the Office is still standing. They knocked the office down in Sept. of '07..................Not trying to make trouble, just thought people would want to know.
Miramar,
Those pictures are 4 years old. I had to move out of Playa Miramar RV Park in May of 2007 and in the picture, the park is empty but the Office is still standing. They knocked the office down in Sept. of '07..................Not trying to make trouble, just thought people would want to know.
Ya I saw those pix's and said whs is up with that?