East Cape

Cabo Pulmo Sport Center. Cabo Pulmo Sport Center has the gregarious César at the ready. He is a wellspring of knowledge and will happily advise you on the best spot to paddle your kayak, depending on the conditions of the day. He's also an expert birder. The center has a couple of very clean, simple casitas for rent ($95 per night) should you decide to extend your stay. Hwy. 1 at La Ribera turnoff, at the end of the road in the waterside palapa, Cabo Pulmo, Baja California Sur, 23500. 624/130–0235. www.cabopulmosportcenter.com. $60.

Cabo Pulmo Divers. Cabo Pulmo provides some of the more exceptional dives in the area, and Cabo Pulmo Divers has everything you need, including certification classes (multiday). This 5-star PADI certified outfit is a local family-run shop. It's right on the beach and offers full diving services, as well as cheap rooms from $79 to $129 per night. Hwy. 1 at La Ribera turnoff, at the end of the road, in the palapa right by the water on the beach, Cabo Pulmo, Baja California Sur, 23500. 624/141–0726. www.cabopulmo.com.

Parque Nacional Marino Cabo Pulmo. This 25,000-year-old coral reef has been legally protected since 1995 and is home to more than 2,000 different kinds of marine organisms—including more than 230 species of tropical fish and a dozen kinds of petrified coral. The area is renowned among diving aficionados, whose favorite months to visit are June and July, when visibility is highest. The park isn't difficult to access. Head southwest from La Ribera and it's just 8 km (5 mi) from the end of the paved road; it's bordered by Playa Las Barracas in the north and Bahía Los Frailes to the south. It can also be reached by the well-maintained dirt road running along the coast from San José del Cabo. It'll take you three hours or more this way, but the coast along this route is unmatched. (Though, if it's raining, stick to the paved route.) There are two main dive centers, Cabo Pulmo Dive Center and Cabo Pulmo Divers, offering full gear rentals, kayaks, snorkel gear, and sportfishing tours. Hwy. 1, Km. 31, Cabo Pulmo, Baja California Sur, 23400. www.cabopulmopark.com. $5.

Parque Marino Nacional Cabo Pulmo. Parque Marino Nacional Cabo Pulmo, a 25,000-year-old coral reef, has been legally protected since 1995 and is home to more than 2,000 different kinds of marine organisms—including more than 230 species of tropical fish and a dozen kinds of petrified coral. The area is renowned among diving aficionados, whose favorite months to visit are June and July, when visibility is highest. The park isn’t difficult to access. Head southwest from La Ribera and it’s just 8 km (5 miles) from the end of the paved road; it’s bordered by Playa Las Barracas in the north and Bahía Los Frailes to the south. It can also be reached by the well-maintained dirt road running along the coast from San José del Cabo. It’ll take you three hours or more this way, but the coast along this route is unmatched. (Though, if it’s raining, stick to the paved route.) There are two main dive centers offering full gear rentals, kayaks, snorkel gear, and sportfishing tours. Baja California Sur. 949/376–2252. www.cabopulmopark.com.