Why Los Cabos Tourists Are Avoiding This Popular Attraction Right Now

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Last Updated 4 months ago

Fires are, unfortunately, quite common in Los Cabos.

Due to the dry vegetation that characterizes its landscapes, blazes can spread quickly and get out of control in a matter of a few minutes. 

That’s exactly what happened at the San José del Cabo estuary on Monday the 15th. According to the SJC Fire Department, the fire started around 1:00 PM and continued for over an hour.

Six fire extinguishing units, as well as 25 firemen, arrived on site right away. Luckily, they managed to put out the fire, but despite this, this event caused severe damage to this protected area. 

The fire department is now carrying out an investigation to find those responsible for the events. But what is the San José del Cabo estuary? And why are tourists interested in this area? 

Everything you need to know about the San José del Cabo Estuary

Located just a short walk from the center of San José del Cabo, this estuary was declared a Natural Protected Area in 1994. 

Spanning over a territory of approximately 125 acres, the San José del Cabo Estuary is the largest body of freshwater in Baja California Sur. 

Here, the saltwater from the Sea of Cortéz mixes with the freshwater from the Sierra de la Laguna Mountains, creating a unique ecosystem featuring the ideal living conditions for a variety of animals. 

This estuary also served a fundamental role for the populations who used to live in these areas in the past, as it provided them with fresh water used for both drinking and other activities, such as irrigation purposes. 

Today, this Natural Protected Area attracts plenty of tourists due to the many activities that can be carried out here, such as kayaking, hiking, and, most importantly, bird watching. 

From frigate birds to red-tailed hawks, pelicans, egrets, herons, turkey vultures, and gulls, this is the ideal place for everyone passionate about bird-watching. 

This is also the natural habitat of several migratory birds that fly here to make the most out of Los Cabos’ mild climate whenever temperatures start to drop in North America.

At the moment, the exact number of species that come here on a regular basis is still unknown. However, it has now been proved that the park is home to over 200 species of animals, 70% of which are birds.

Since the San José del Cabo estuary was declared a Natural Protected Area in 1994, the local government has prioritized safeguarding these lands, for instance, by prohibiting all kinds of vehicles from entering this park. 

However, events such as the recent fire show that more efforts are needed. In this regard, the local authorities have issued several rules all visitors are asked to follow when exploring this area. 

Which rules should tourists follow when visiting the San José del Cabo Estuary?

According to Carlos Ruiz Botello, the coordinator of this ecological reserve, all visitors are allowed in this area, provided they follow a given set of guidelines. 

For instance, dogs must be kept on the leash at all times to prevent damage to the flora and fauna found in this place. 

On top of this, the use of fire or any other inflammable material is strictly prohibited for obvious reasons. In this regard, Carlos Ruiz Botello declared: “The use of fire is prohibited under any circumstances (…).”

The same goes for all sorts of pyrotechnics, fireworks, and other explosives. “Why? Because it does damage to the ecosystem, it disturbs and disorients the fauna and flora,” said the park coordinator. 

It’s important to specify that those who do not follow such guidelines will be penalized. Surveillance cameras are located throughout the estuary to constantly monitor the identify those responsible for accidents, such as the recent fire. 

Lastly, visitors are reminded to avoid leaving trash behind and are asked to carry their waste with them to then dispose of it once outside the park.