SAN QUINTIN, Baja California

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About San Quintin:

San Quintin is a small agricultural town located 200 miles south of the border (a 4-5 hour drive). We base our San Quintin Trips at the La Pinta Hotel, located on the beach just south of town. The beach is incredible! It's about 10 miles long with small surf and sideshore winds. If it ever gets crowded in front of the hotel, all we do is drive a mile or two down the beach and have our own deserted spot.

Schedule:

April through September, we lead monthly trips to San Quintin.  If you have a large group, we can arrange a private camp for specific dates you may require.  The rest of the year, the wind is not consistent enough for us to schedule trips in advance.

Lessons:

All of our regular lessons, as well as Private Lessons, are available in San Quintin. Check out the lessons page for descriptions and prices.

Transportation:

Since San Quintin is so close, most participants simply drive themselves.  West Coast Kiteboarding leads a caravan south from San Diego for those who wish to follow us to the lesson site.  For those who do not have transportation, we can help to arrange carpools with other participants.  Flights from San Diego can also be arranged.

Accommodations:

Our Base of Operations in San Quintin is the La Pinta Hotel. This is a beautiful beachfront place with a restaurant and bar inside the hotel. A discount is available for West Coast Kiteboarding students. Check out the La Pinta Website, or call (800) 800-9632 for more info or reservations. Campsites are also available, contact us for more details.

Driving:

When planning a road trip to Baja, it is important to be sure that your vehicle is in top condition. This includes checking the tire pressure in your spare tire. While it is not extremely difficult to get your car repaired in Mexico, dealing with a broken car will add a huge headache to your trip. Get Mexican Insurance prior to the trip (your American insurance is not valid in Mexico), the easiest way to purchase it is online. We suggest http://www.mexpro.com as an easy way to get Mexican Liability Insurance. Follow the road signs, and yes, the speed limit is very slow. Gas is only available at the Pemex stations, all of which are owned by the Mexican government. Prices are not posted because they are all the same price, which is usually a little more expensive than here. When getting gas, magna (labeled green at the pump) is the equivalent to 87 octane here.

What to Bring:

If you have your own kiteboarding gear, bring it so you can get on the water as much as possible. The water is a little colder than in Southern California; a 3-2 full wet suit will keep you warm enough. Let us know if you do not have your own wet suit, and we will provide one for you. Bring plenty of water, sunscreen, and warm clothes (the nights can get a little chilly).

General Information:

Remember that you are traveling in a different country. Mexico is a very safe place if you act with common sense. Many people think of Mexico as a land without rules, and thinking this way can get you in trouble. Act as you would on any vacation in the U.S. DO NOT bring any drugs or guns with you. They are both illegal in Mexico. Bringing either guns or drugs will put you at risk of getting into serious trouble. Don't worry about changing your money into Pesos, American money is accepted everywhere. Bring small bills, as many places don't always have change to break a $20.

Why Choose WCK?

West Coast Kiteboarding helped to pioneer San Quintin as a kiteboarding location.  We are the only kiteboarding school to maintain a permanent facility in San Quintin.  Our "San Quintin Shack" is a year round base for instructing, training, and riding.  Our instructors are experienced Baja travelers, and are very familiar with the San Quintin region.  For each WCK trip, the trip leader is certified as a Wilderness First Responder, helping to ensure your safety in a remote location.