Choose Los Barriles for a more established, social and active East Cape lifestyle, or La Ribera for a quieter, less-developed setting with access to the emerging luxury lifestyle of Costa Palmas.
Up the East Cape coast of the Baja California Sur peninsula along the Sea of Cortez lay two small towns both packed with stunning real estate, close-knit expat communities and a way of life tied to the Sea and to friendly local communities and businesses.
Los Barriles is more established and has a fiercely loyal expat community. Long known for its international sport fishing, in recent years it has gained new notoriety for kiteboarding and windsurfing. For real estate buyers Los Barriles offers beachfront homes, hillside villas with wide open Sea of Cortez views and a tightknit community that loves to 4x4 around town at the local eateries and bars. This a fun, rugged and close community of local and expat friends who are very active socially and also with local causes and charities.
Los Barriles is about 75 kms. from the Los Cabos International Airport, (airport code SJD), so about a 75 minute drive.
La Ribera meanwhile retains the character of a traditional fishing community while emerging recently as one of the East Cape's most important luxury destinations. This metamorphosis has been driven by Costa Palmas, an exclusive resort and residential community featuring the Four Seasons Resort and Residences Los Cabos at Costa Palma which includes a private marina, golf, dining and high-end residences. While there is talk of an airport for private planes coming to La Ribera soon, there is no date as of right now (September 2026).
The surrounding town remains largely undeveloped allowing residents to enjoy one of the most beautiful undeveloped stretches of beach in the world.
La Ribera is approximately 65 kms away from SJD, approximately a one-hour drive.
Written by Carol Boniuk- Los Cabos Real Estate Specialist.
