Cuatros Casas

Cuatros Casas is a bare bones hostel with $5 US per person camping, $50 US/night for a private room for two (I think the dog and the kid were each $10 more because we paid $70/night), but little in the way of amenities (no hot water, no towels, mildewed smell throughout everything). There’s a questionable communal kitchen, complete with overly friendly mice, a small refrigerator, a functioning stove but inoperable oven, and a patio with pretty sweet grill.  I’d recommend saving some time to clean everything before you use it, and maybe after if you want to pay it forward.

We were so beat from our travels the first day that neither of us motivated in the morning to catch the last of the south swell.  Cuatros Casas is a solid right reef break which is always surfable, but the north swell was a little more mixed up and challenging the following morning when we did paddle out.  I think over all it’s not for a beginner.  If you get caught on the inside you need to get back to the stairs as the waves go right up to the rocks and cliffs and there are really no other options.

The wind in the afternoons was for reals, pelting us with sand and whipping up dirt devils.  Don’t expect to do anything in the afternoon except huddle down in your tent, vehicle, or room.  A long siesta or some time with a good book are ideas.  I would not have wanted to be tent camping there.  We saw one group tent camping and their tent looked totally trashed by the dust and sand.  Our truck was really looking the Baja part, too, with all the driving on dirt roads and dust storms.

At Cuatros Casas you are really only paying for the break 20 feet below, and an empty swimming pool; if some proficient skate borders show up, like they did during our visit, you’ll get a show.  There are a few friendly dogs on the premises with whom Ted got along with just fine.  In fact, I think he was super excited to have some company.

Nina and the proprietor, Richard.

Since the road in and out is bumpy and takes a while, I’d recommend bringing all the provisions you need as if you were camping in order to maximize your time enjoying the surf and laid back atmosphere of the Casa. They only take cash, and the only ATM was another 30 minutes down Highway 1 in Lazero Cárdenas- ditto for decent sized grocery stores. Besides the taqueria in Colonet, we didn’t find any food that was worth heading back to town for; cooking and eating dinner with the mice was much more enjoyable.