Baja Tips and Facts

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ARE YOU READY FOR A VACATION IN BAJA?

BELOW ARE LOADS OF DETAILS THAT YOU'LL WANT TO KNOW IN ORDER TO HELP MAKE FOR A SMOOTH VACATION EXPERIENCE. MAIN TOPICS INCLUDE:

WHAT TO BRING
GENERAL INFO
AIRPORT TAXI/TRANSFER SERVICE
HOTEL CHECK-IN/CHECK-OUT
VELA WINDSURF CENTER
VELA WINDSURF LESSONS
DARE2FLY KITESURF LESSONS
BEFORE RETURNING HOME

WHAT TO BRING

It's always nice to pack light, but there are a few things we don't want you to forget. In Los Barriles, you are an hour away from any major tourist area, and you won't easily find things like wetsuits and booties. To avoid the possibility of lost luggage, we recommend that you carry-on your luggage whenever possible, particularly important items. Here is our list of things to bring:

- Current Passport REQUIRED for all guests from the US and Canada (guests from other countries should check with their airline or consulate)
- A printout of your email invoice confirming full payment and this Tips & Facts webpage.
- Harness, lycra, vest or shorty wetsuit, booties, gloves.
- BRING YOUR WETSUIT! Most sailors wear a shorty or 3 mil short sleeve, though others may prefer a full suit. (You should leave your 5m Dry Suit in the Gorge awaiting the Easterlies ... :)
- Sunglasses and chums, a visor or hat.
- High SPF (25+) waterproof sunscreen lotion (oil makes board slippery)
- PFD and/or helmet (if desired) Even your GPS or helmet-cam!
- Warm sweater or jacket for evenings plus light windbreaker.
- Extra spending money (see "Currency/credit cards" below)
- Paperback books for flights and evenings (Our staff appreciates current newspapers / magazines - especially windsport related!)
- Ball-point pen, helpful for any airport forms, customs declarations, etc.)
- Beach towel.
- Daypack for bike rides & other excursions you may take.
- MOUNTAIN BIKING: Bicycle shorts, suitable shoes and gloves for biking, clip-less pedals if desired, maybe your hydration-pack.
- Ear Plugs (a good idea if you are a light sleeper and if you're practicing those forward loops!)
- Aspirin or Ibuprofen for muscle aches.
- Medical tape for tired hands.

What we have:
Available for sale are Vela Baja T-shirts, hoodies,  and a limited selection of gloves, hats, caps, booties, harnesses, sunglasses sunscreen, lycra tops, board-shorts, and bikinis. We will have a limited number of harnesses and 3/2 Full wetsuits availalbe for rent.

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GENERAL INFO

Location:
Vela Baja is located about 60 miles North of San Jose del Cabo near the tip of Baja California Sur, Mexico on the East side of the peninsula facing the Sea of Cortez. Our windsurf center operates in the small town of Los Barriles, out of the Playa del Sol, which we completely takeover during the windy winter months. We are a short 3 minute walk from our other favorite property, the Palmas de Cortez, which is a short 200 yards down the beach.

Language:
English is spoken fluently by all hotel employees and our Center staff. Spanish is the local language. The hotel staff may speak and understand varying levels of English, as well as with other service-industry employees around town. Some of the Vela staff also speak fluent Dutcth, German, and French.

Weather:
Baja has typical desert weather, warm days and cool nights. In mid-December, January and February, the 'El Nortes' can blow quite cool so bring at least a 3 mil wet-suit with short sleeves or a farmer john and jacket. Some people may prefer a full suit. Some days it may also be warm enough to wear a shorty or no wet-suit. Typically on a very windy day, you'll find a windbreaker and/or sweat suit desirable when not sailing. Without wind chill factor, air temperatures range from 70-85 degrees with the water temperature ranging from 68-75. Rain is rare but possible. At night sweaters and jackets may be appropriate.

Water and Health:
Although the water in the Los Barriles area comes from an underground aquifer that many visitors and locals consider extremely safe, we do not recommend drinking anything except bottled water. To allow your body to adjust to the different food and water and to avoid getting sick, don't further tax your system by exhausting yourself the first day or drinking too many beers and margaritas!

Currency / Credit Cards:
Pesos are the Mexican currency but there is little reason to convert your cash as US$ and travelers checks are happily accepted anywhere. the 'Casa de Cambio' in Los Barriles will exchange your cash for pesos, and usually at a better rate than what you would be able to obtain from the banks in the major towns. We recommend you bring plenty of extra cash in small denominations (or traveler's checks). It's a good idea to bring small bills to avoid getting too much extra change in pesos, especially at the end of your trip. Although Vela Baja prefers payment of additional goods and services in cash or traveler's checks, you may use a credit card (service fee additional). Credit cards are also accepted at the hotels, though a service fee usually applies. Save approximately $15 US for airport departure tax when leaving Mexico.

Electrical Voltage:
110 volt, same outlets as U.S

Email / Phone Services:
Although both hotels offer in-room phones, they are VERY expensive. Plan to activate international calling on your cellular phone or bring a calling card to use from local pay phones instead. Free WiFi internet access is available at both hotels, though signal strength varies on your exact location within the resort, and may be off-line at times. There are two high-speed internet cafes in town which you are welcome to plug into for a fee. ALSO PLEASE BE AWARE: The red and blue pay phone in front of the Hotel Playa del Sol lobby are owned by a company called BBG of San Diego, aka “International Satellite Communications” which will rob you blind. They claim that the rates are available from the operator when you make a call, but the calling instructions don’t tell you this in actuality. They do not publish their calling rates on the web or anywhere else, nor are the rates displayed on the phone. There are websites (example attached) with people talking about coming off cruise ships in the Caribbean and Europe, making a one hour phone call from one of their pay phones, and being charged $1,000.

Meals:
Your all inclusive pacakge includes meals served three times daily at the hotel dining room. If you desire 'healthy-choice' options or if you have any special dietary restrictions, PLEASE talk with the Vela staff  early on in your trip, as they can help express these needs to the kitchen staff. You can order just about anything you want for breakfast---there is no set menu. Lunch and Dinner are a set menu and are served family style with all hotel guests sitting together at large group tables in a fun, friendly atmosphere. Breakfast is from 6:30-9:00 a.m. Lunch and dinner are served at posted times, usually 1:00 pm and 7:30 pm and serving only goes on for one half hour. Don't be late. (Note: If you want more flexibility for lunch, sign up for a bag lunch during breakfast and pick it up anytime after 11:00am. Then you can eat whenever and wherever you like!) You must have on dry clothes and no sandy feet.

Other Activities:
If you are traveling on a complete package, your vacation includes unlimited use of our windsurfing equipment, free windsurfing seminars, use of mountain bikes, mountain bike clinics and guided rides, snorkeling equipment, ping pong, beach volleyball, and much more. If you traveling on a "No equipment" package, your vacation includes all of the above except windsurfing equipment. The hotel staff can arrange an abundance of things to do including fishing charters, scuba diving, horseback riding and more for an extra fee. Depending on the wind and interest level, our staff may take you on snorkeling excursions or other day trips in the Los Cabos region.

Tipping:
Gratuities are greatly appreciated for good service by all employees at the hotel, including the team at Vela Aruba!

Emergencies:
Should an emergency necessitate an early return home, we will do all we can to get refunds for you. Standard hotel cancellation fees usually exceed any unused balance, but hotels are quite often understanding of emergencies. To assist us in this you must get written verification of check-out date from your hotel front desk and also from the windsurf staff.

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TAXI / TRANSFERS FROM THE AIRPORT

Airport Arrival:
You should be flying into the Los Cabos Airport / San Jose Del Cabo (SJD) airport. If you're flying into La Paz let us know, as we can send the same transfer service to pick you up. When you arrive you will go through immigration and pick up any checked luggage in baggage claim then should proceed to exit the terminal. You are now in Mexico!.

Reserved Transfers:
You most likely have reserved pre-paid transfers with your vacation pacakge, but check with us if you have any doubts. Make certain that you have contacted Vela well in advance to provide flight detail (airline name, flight numbers, and arrival time) to ensure a successful transfer, and to notify us with any changes to your itinerary. We will ensure that a driver is awaiting your arrival outside of the terminal, and ready to get you to Vela Baja quickly and safely. Once you have retrieved your luggage and cleared customs head out the main doors, look for your driver who will be holding a sign reading 'TT CABO DEL ESTE', and a 'VELA' sign with your name on it. The drivers will be stationed in an area for large vans, separate from the line of taxis on the street. A tip for the driver is courteous. The driver may ask you if you want to stop at a market along the way, a great option to pick up a case of 'cervecas' to start off your trip!

If you haven't paid for reserved transfers, there are a couple alternatives.

Taxis Paid On-Arrival:
Directly across from the baggage claim area exit is a taxi stand. This taxi stand dispatches all taxis from the airport. Taxis are about $80 per taxi, slightly higher if six or more persons share the ride. Give the taxi stand your hotel name, tell them it is in Los Barriles, pay them and they will give you a claim ticket for your taxi ride. You will not be able to obtain a taxi without this ticket from the taxi stand. Go outside and give the ticket to one of the taxi drivers. Your taxi ride will take about 1 hour.

To Los Barriles By Bus:
For persons not desiring a taxi, there is a much less expensive ($3-5), but more time-consuming and adventurous alternative to reach Los Barriles. It is the local bus that plies the route between San Jose del Cabo and La Paz. The only hitch is that the bus drops you at the intersection of the highway and the 1/3 mile long road into town. At the time of this printing buses leave the San Jose del Cabo bus station at 6, 7:30, and 10 am. Afternoon buses leave at noon, 2, 5 and 7 pm. Make sure you take the bus headed to La Paz via Los Barriles. There are two ways to get the bus. One is to take a "collectivo" taxi headed for San Jose del Cabo hotels. Tell them to take you to the bus station (about a 10-15 minute ride). The other way is to ask that same taxi to let you off at the bus stop just a few miles south of the airport before you get to town. Waiting in town at the restaurant next to the bus station is more pleasant! The ride to Los Barriles from the bus station takes approximately 2 hours vs. about 1 hour by taxi from the airport.

Transportation During Your Vacation:
Everything in Los Barriles is within walking distance, so a rental car is not necessary. In factg, most guests with a rental car find that it sits in the parking lot most (if not all) of the trip. Plus, you are free to use our fleet of bikes to explore the town as well as the 40+ miles of single- and double-track trails. If your wanderlust carries your interests further the local transfer caompany offers our guests special rates for day-trips to nearby areas such as Cabo del Pulmo, Buena Vista, Cabo san Lucas, La Paz, or even a surf trip to Todos Santos on the Pacific side of Baja.

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HOTEL CHECK-IN / CHECK-OUT

Hotel Check-In:
The normal check-in time is at 3:00PM for all properties, although we can request early check-in if available. Vouchers are not required for check-in. Simply arrive at the front desk and give the agent the last name of the person who made the reservation. If there are any questions, please show them the email invoice that you should print and take with you. NOTE: If your plane is scheduled to arrive late in the evening we need to know this so that our Baja staff will be expecting you. The front desk at the Palmas de Cortez front desk will be closed after 10:00 pm and 8:00 pm at the Playa del Sol unless Vela is able to notify the hotel staff of your late arrival in advance. Be aware that if you change your flight at the last minute or if you experience flight delays and it arrive in the late evening, you could very well find the entire hotel sound asleep upon arrival. If you arrive later than expected and the front office is closed, check for a list on the office door with your name and room number on it. You may also receive assistance from a night security guard if no note is present.

Hotel Check-Out:
Check out time is 12 noon for all properties. Make certain to go over your final bill carefully. Personal charges such as bar tabs, laundry, telephone calls, and such are your responsibility. DO NOT let the hotel charge you any tax or service fees on accommodations prepaid by Vela. We always prepay tax and service charges for you. Should an emergency necessitate an early return home, we will do all we can to get refunds for you. Standard hotel cancellation fees usually exceed any unused balance, but hotels are quite often understanding of emergencies. To assist us in this you must get written verification of check-out date from your hotel front desk and also from the windsurf staff.

Important Note:
If you have an early flight, make arrangements for a taxi to the airport the day before your departure and leave plenty of time to get to the airport. If you are leaving on a late flight, sometimes there is a courtesy room available for storing luggage and taking a shower.

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VELA BAJA WINDSURF CENTER

Getting To Vela Baja:
Our center is at the Playa del Sol hotel in Los Barriles. If you are guest of the hotel, simply roll out of bed and walk out your door: you are right there! If a guest at the Palmez de Cortez, you will have short 3-5 minute walk along the beach to get to the center.

Checking In To Get Started:
Upon check-in to your room you should also receive an informational pamphlet about the organization of the windsurf center, sign-in / sign-out policies, warnings about conditions and more. Our staff will be anticipating your arrival and will plan to greet you at our beachfront equipment center. You can find our staff members at the equipment area wearing T-shirts that say "Vela" or "Staff". Give any team member your name and they will set you up with an orientation. A credit card is required for safety deposit and for setting up your account at the center.

Windsurf Equipment:
Vela Baja is equipped with the latest in high performance gear featuring NeilPryde sails and rigs, JP Australia, and Starboard. Sails include the very latest V8, Street Racer, Zone, Search, Core, Expression, Raf Jet, Saber and Spirit. The new JP-Australia line includes the Wave, Freestyle Wave, Freestyle and X-cite Ride and Super-X lines. For beginners we feature the popular JP Funster and the Starboard Go (the Starboard Start is also available). Please help us maintain the high quality of our fleet by handling with care.

Getting On The Water:
Equipment is available for check out beginning at 9 am and must be returned by 5:30 pm. Every day you windsurf, you must sign out yourself and the equipment that you are using. This enables us to keep track of our equipment and know that our guests have returned safely. All procedures and safety concerns will be explained during the orientation. Please note that equipment fee is per person and not transferable.

Pre-booked Beginner Rental:
NOT AVAILABLE IN BAJA DUE TO CHALLENGING CONDITIONS. If you are eager to learn we may have reserved an equipment rental package for you with a warning and several reminders about what you are getting into. However, when conditions allow, our instructors will do everything they can to help you learn this exciting sport, with hopes to get you to a comfortable waterstart as quickly as possible after learning the fundamentals.

Getting Your Gear:
You will be given an orientation session before checking out your equipment. All guests must use the equipment sign-out / sign-in sheet located at the equipment area to check out equipment. If you want to change your board or rig during the day, simply return the first board or sail to the rack and use the sign in on the sheet, then sign out again, indicating your new board and/or rig choice on the sign-out sheet. All this will be covered in your "Center Orientation" on your first day sailing with us.

Sailing Conditions and Safety:
When 'El Norte' winds arrives each winter in Los Barriles they whip up a rolling swell that turns the Sea of Cortez into an exciting playground, usually blowing for periods of 3-8 days with 2-4 days of light wind in between. Side shore winds average 18-25 knots with peak velocities up to 30. Typical sail sizes range from 4.5 to 6.5. Above 15 knots, a widely spaced, rolled swell provides great ramps for jumping. Novice sailors may find the chance to learn in the morning, when a lighter breeze and smaller swell could be better suited to their needs. When the wind picks up around 11am intermediate through advanced sailor will find strong wind (4.7-6.0) and rolling swells. During high wind conditions up-hauling is impractical due to chop. We recommend that sailors know how to water start or be eager and ready to learn from one of our experienced instructors.

Rig Adjustments:
Each of the different types of sails available for check out have been rigged in a manner best suited for that particularsail. If you would like to make adjustments to the rig, we ask that you first get a short orientation to that particular sail from one of our staff. You will be responsible for any incorrect handling of the rig that damages the sail.

Damage to equipment:
You will be asked to leave a credit card as deposit when you take out equipment. Once you sign out a board and sail, it is your responsibility to return it in the same condition! To minimize the possibility of damage, please choose equipment that suits your ability level and conditions, and handle equipment carefully when launching and coming in to shore. Items that need replacing such as fins, sails or mast will be charged at cost plus 10% for parts and labor. For items that can be repaired, standard charges will apply. This must be paid directly to the center in full upon return of the damaged equipment. If you purchased travel insurance through Vela, you can claim any charges ($1,000 coverage limit, less a $100 deductible) for equipment damage or loss upon your return. An additional plan is available from the center directly to cover the first $100 of damage, thereby taking care of your deductible.

On-Site / Walk-Up Rentals: ***RESTRICTED OVER PEAK HOLIDAYS***
If you have not paid for equipment as part of your vacation, on-site rentals of a limited selection of equipment will be US$70 per day, and will only be available after the staff is satisfied that all pre-booked guests have had their first choice. During busy times, non pre-book guests may not be able to rent gear. No half day rentals are available, except for beginners. Beginner equipment rental is available for $20 per 1/2 day (morning) or $35 for the day when conditions allow. Complete board and rig rentals only. Rates are subject to change. Again, we cannot guarantee equipment availability unless you pre-book with Vela with advance reservations.

Gear Storage:
Sorry, we do not offer any space to store your personal gear due to lack of available space.

Vela Wind Warranty:
In the event that there are 4 or more days of no sailable wind using any of our equipment, you may request a NO-WIND CLAIM FORM that will allow you credit towards a future trip to any Vela destination. Note that you may receive higher credits if you return to the same center. You must get this form before you leave the center.

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VELA WINDSURF LESSONS

Lesson Program:
In addition to Windsurf Technique Seminars included in your vacation, you may also sign up for more in-depth private lessons or small group beginner lessons at an additional fee. All instructors are highly trained, each with years of teaching experience.NEW THIS YEAR: ALL WINDSURF LESSONS CAN BE RESERVED IN ADVANCE TO GUARANTEE SPACE ON THE SCHEDULE OR ON-SITE BASED ON INSTRUCTOR AVAILABLIITY.

Eager Beginners:
We've warned you, but you really want to learn? Great! If conditions allow, we offer a 2-hour lesson with equipment during instruction. Typically private but groups encouraged if you give the OK. Lessons given daily at 9:00am due to advanced conditions that generally follow in the afternoon. Beginner lessons will ONLY be available when conditions permit as subject to the center manager or instructor.
Private/group $60 for Vela guests and $70 for non-vela guests. 

Water Start Lessons:
After a short land session, the instructor joins you in deep water for a 2-hour training session to figure out or perfect your waterstart. Private instruction. $80 for Vela guests and $90 for non-vela guests.

Water Start - Float Lessons:
For the student who has already taken a waterstart lesson we offer a waterstart float lesson, which runs approximately 30 minutes at a cost of $35.

Advanced Lessons:
Individualized, private instruction that is catered to your specific needs, whether that may be jibing, stance, footstraps, jumping, etc. Times arranged on-site and are subject to instructor availability, though you can reserve time in advance. $80 for Vela guests and $90 non-Vela guests.

Special group lessons offered at $70 per person. 2 hours of total instruction time.

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DARE2FLY BAJA KITESURF SCHOOL BY EXOTIKITE

Kitesurfing Lessons:
This season all Dare2Fly Baja services are provided by our partners at ExotiKite who has a team of 7 IKO certified instructors who are all eager to share knowledge about the sport they love. Instruction for all ability levels are available in 2-hour private lessons. If you have already booked time in advance please make sure to check-in at the Vela Baja center either at 09:00 the day of your first lesson or anytime the day before your lesson to reconfirm start-times. All lessons take place at North Beach, a short 5 minute taxi which costs $5 each way per person (not included with lesson price), or a 20 minute walk up the beach if you prefer to get warmed up before your lesson. Beginner lessons typically begin at 10:00 but are dependant on the conditions and may be delayed if on-call for wind. Advanced lessons normally start at 12:00 or later allowing for winds to pick up for experienced kiters. We always recommend booking lessons in advance to ensure your spot on the schedule. Contact us if you need to reserve some time at Dare2Fly.

Kitesurfing Downwinders:
Experienced kiters can take advantage of a fantastic 2-hour assisted downwinders from North Beach, past the Playa del Sol and Palmas de Cortez (staying far outside the windsurfing area) and onwards towards the beachfront town of Buena Vista. Once there, margaritas are available at the hotel-bar where the trip ends. Includes use of equipment and transfer pick-up back to Los Barriles for $75 per person. A minimum of 2 people will be required for a downwinder to be scheduled, and can be booked in advance or on-site once you are there.

Kitesurfing Equipment:
Dare2Fly, our integrated Vela kiteboarding school is powered by the latest Cabrinha and North equipment. Experienced kiters and students ready to take gear out on their own are welcome to get on the water with our fleet. Rentals will not be provided until proof of level-3 IKO certification (or similar) or completion of a 1-Hour Evaluation Course to demonstrate your skill level.

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BEFORE RETURNING HOME

Make sure to say goodbye to our staff before you go. Check to see if you have left anything at the center or if you have taken care of your final tab for additional services you may have purchased. If you have had some bad luck in the wind department, make sure to get you No Wind Claim Form before you go, and we hope that you have still had a great vacation overall in spite of Mother Nature!

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READY TO GO? ARE YOU SURE? PLEASE LET US KNOW IF YOU HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS BEFORE YOU DEPART. HAVE A GREAT TRIP AND DON'T FORGET TO WRITE!