We're a small cottage retreat on Camino Cabo Este, on the East Cape of Los Cabos. Desert meets sea. Most people who come here to surf come for one wave, and Nine Palms is right down the road: about a ten-minute drive, a good right-hander for longboards. We set up the lessons, point you at the water, and look after the rest of the day.
This page is how a surf trip actually runs from our cottages: the wave, the season, what lessons cost, how you get to the break, and what you do once you're out of the water.
The wave: Nine Palms
Nine Palms (Nueve Palmas) is a right-hand point break, and it's the reason we call ourselves surf-friendly. It's reliable, and it suits longboarders and intermediate surfers best. If you own a longboard, this is the trip to bring it on.
We've written a separate, longer piece on the break itself, covering season, the wave and lessons in more detail. It's linked at the bottom of this page. What matters here is that the drive is short: you can surf, come back for breakfast, and still have most of the day left.
When to come for surf
The best surf conditions on the East Cape are typically June to August. That's the window to pick if waves are the point of the trip.
The rest of the year still works, it just changes the balance. From May to October it's warmer, 80-95°F (27-35°C), with the occasional rain shower. From November to April it's cooler, 70-85°F (21-29°C), with little rain. That cooler stretch is our peak season, and we ask for a two-night minimum stay then. Off-peak, there's no minimum.
Our honest take: come in summer for the surf, come in winter for the weather and treat any good wave as a bonus.
Surf lessons we arrange
We book private lessons at Nine Palms with local instructors we trust. Here's what's on offer:
| Option | Length | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Private lesson at Nine Palms | 60-90 minutes | from $3,094 MXN for one beginner |
| Group surf day | 5 hours | $9,529 MXN for three guests |
A few things to know before you book:
- Book 48 hours ahead. We need the lead time to line up an instructor.
- The ocean decides. Lessons depend on conditions and on instructor availability, so we may move you if the water isn't right.
- Prices are in pesos. Our room rates are quoted in U.S. dollars, but experiences, lessons included, are priced in Mexican pesos.
The group day is the better deal if you're travelling as three. The private lesson is the one to pick if you've never stood up on a board.
Getting to the break
Nine Palms is about ten minutes from us by car. You don't strictly need a car to stay with us, but for a surf trip it's the simplest way to get to the water on your own schedule, and it opens up the rest of the coast.
Without one, there are other ways to move around:
- Guided E-Bike Coast Ride: two hours along the coast toward Nine Palms, $500 MXN per person.
- Bicycles: we keep two bicycles for guest use.
- Kayaks: complimentary, for one or two people, for up to two hours, with paddle and life vest included. Good for a flat morning when there's no swell.
After the session
This is where we come in. It's quiet here. That's the point.
- Breakfast: a complimentary continental breakfast every morning, so a dawn session doesn't cost you a meal.
- The restaurant: our restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. It's farm-to-table, from wood-fired pizzas to dinners with a mezcal pairing if you'd like one.
- The temazcal: a traditional Mesoamerican steam lodge on property. The guided ceremony runs 1.5 hours with an herbal infusion and a facilitator, $11,500 MXN for one guest or more. Bring a swimsuit, a towel and water. After a few days of paddling, this is the one we'd book.
- The main pool: it sits on a sun deck over the Sea of Cortez.
- The beach: tell us and we'll set you up on the sand with complimentary chairs, umbrellas and towels, subject to availability.
- The evening: guided stargazing with our telescope runs daily from 6:30 to 7:00 pm on the central deck, around the firepit. Movie night is in the lobby on Tuesdays and Fridays at 7:00 pm.
Where you sleep
For a surf trip, our Private Cottage Suite is the one we'd point you to. It has a private plunge pool on the deck and a rooftop with a sun bed, which is where you'll want to be in the late afternoon.
Travelling with a surf partner who wants their own room? The Private Cottage Two Bedroom Suite has a king bed, an adjoining room with a queen, two full bathrooms, and the same deck plunge pool and rooftop. Most of our suites and cottages also have an indoor Aztec-style fireplace, and every room has air conditioning.
Getting here
We're about 1 hour and 15 minutes from Los Cabos International Airport (SJD). We can arrange a private airport transfer on request, or you can rent a car at the airport and drive out. If your flight lands early, we'll store your bags and try to get you into your room before our 3:00 pm check-in, depending on availability.