Theresa Christine for Tiny Atlas Quarterly
While traveling in Baja with her girlfriend, lifestyle photographer Maggie Davis was on the hunt for an authentic travel experience. In search of the kind of adventure that is best found through tips from fellow travelers, Maggie booked a stay in what she describes as the anti-hotel, somewhere that embraces communal living and building friendships with fellow travels. Enter Drift San Jose. “What I loved most about Drift is that so much was custom made by local artisans. Even the glasses in the rooms are hand blown by an artisan who made it down the street,” remembers Davies. With gorgeous rooms, a communal kitchen, and minimal amenities, the hotel’s vibe encourages guests to venture out. Tiny Atlas Quarterly spoke with our new friends at Drift to find out what not to miss on our next visit.
Tiny Atlas Quarterly: What makes Southern Baja extraordinary?
Drift San Jose: The hundreds of miles of unspoiled and empty beaches juxtaposed with a beautiful, biologically diverse, tropical desert for starters. Adventure travelers are amazed at the close proximity and year round ease of access to diving the Sea of Cortez and surfing the Pacific.
TAQ: Describe a perfect day in San Jose del Cabo.
DSJ: The secret to a perfect day in San Jose is trying not to do too much. The simple things count here—bouncing down a dirt road to an empty beach with a cooler full of beer, or getting out on the water with a group of friends, catching a fish, and making some fresh ceviche on the boat. A perfect day in Mexico is never planned, it’s something you fall into given time and patience.
TAQ: What insider tips or advice do you give to guests at Drift?
DSJ: We try not to give too much advice to clients! We believe the most memorable travel experiences are the ones you find for yourself. Drift has been designed to be the kind of place you meet other travelers or locals to get the inside scoop.
TAQ: What are some travelers’ favorite spots in the area that not everyone knows about?
DSJ: There’s a waterfall near Santiago, a hike through a desert canyon that reveals a fantastic oasis, and a swimming hole with a 40-foot waterfall.
TAQ: Where are the best places to surf or kiteboard?
DSJ: La Ventana is a very famous kiteboarding destination. As for surfing, we see our guests going to the East Cape in the summer, and Cerritos, near Todos Santos in the winter.
TAQ: Where are some of the best places to dive?
DSJ: Cabo Pulmo has one of the few coral reefs this side of the Americas, it is a protected marine reserve that was a favorite of Jaques Cousteau. It’s an important breeding ground for wildlife in the Sea of Cortez and it has impressive statistics when it comes to numbers of fish and mammals species.
TAQ: Where do people go for a weekend getaway?
DSJ: Definitely La Paz and its two defining attractions, Balandra Bay and Isla Espiritu Santo . The island, sometimes called the Galapagos of North America, is a place you can kayak, swim, or snorkel with whale sharks or baby sea lions.
TAQ: Tell us about the food scene?
DSJ: San Jose del Cabo is spoiled with an abundance of amazing seafood. There’s a long history of farming here that has led to a growing Napa Valley–style, organic, field-to-table dining scene. We sometimes surprise our guests with pop-up dinners, using guest chefs and menus inspired by the cooking styles and local ingredients found on the traditional ranches of Baja California Sur.
TAQ: What’s a great locals’ restaurant?
DSJ: El Marinero Borracho the locals’ favorite, it’s nearby in a sleepy fishing village, La Playita. There’s good conversation, cold beer, and the best fish tacos in town.