Yesterday Sasha was clearly getting stir crazy, so rather than tug her from lamppost to lamppost for an hour, I loaded her in the car and went out to check a couple more beaches. It was 10:30am, breezy and cool, so I didn’t think we’d find crowds.
First stop was Playa El Tesoro (The Treasure, named for purported pirate booty). Or actually, I hit an unnamed beach just south of that, since the sign said turn left. That was great, though, because I was the only one there and Sasha could run around without bothering anyone. It was along a small cove ringed with mangroves, so she had some ins and outs to explore. After ten minutes or so there, on to Playa Balandra.
Wow. It is a beautiful spot. The parking lot was less than half full and the beach itself not crowded at all. Mostly families with young kids. I walked south to where the people ended and let Sasha off the leash, and she bounced around happily for half an hour as I ambled toward a rocky point at the end. The waves on this beach are tiny since it’s so well protected–which also meant it wasn’t as breezy as La Paz. It’s also very shallow. So I picked my way around the point without fear of getting soaked, and came across more beach, completely deserted except for birds.
On the way back, I noticed that a stream of people was disappearing into the rocks at the north end of the beach, so I put Sasha on the leash again and we went to investigate that. Sure enough, another beach, even bigger than the one by the parking lot. People were spread out there at about fifty yard intervals. I was looking for the famous Mushroom Rock, but I didn’t spot it. Maybe you have to trek around the next point.
I think I prefer El Tecolote, for the view of Espiritu Santo and the more active surf. That, and Playa Balandra has a reputation for stiiiiing rays.
I also noticed that the surrounding hills would make for great hiking and some killer views on the hilltops, so that’s next on my list.
