El Rosario Overview

El Rosario is little more than a bend in the road where the Transpeninsular turns its back on the west coast and starts across Baja’s rugged interior. Set up like an extended rest-stop, El Rosario is where you’ll find the last PEMEX station for nearly 100 mi. The nearest gas stations to the south are in Bahía de los Ángeles and Guerrero Negro, although people often sell gasoline along the road in Catavina.

El Rosario boasts a number of motels for travelers who need a rest before the long road south. Las Cabañas 5, also known as Mama Espinoza’s, adjacent to the restaurant offers simple, though pricey, lodging. (Rooms 350 pesos.) (www.mamaespinozas.com. Cash only.) Next door, Motel Baja Cactus 3, has cheaper rooms, although it’s also adjacent to the noisy PEMEX station. (☎166 8850. Rooms 250-400 pesos, depending on size and number of beds. MC/V.) The most well-known spot (priced accordingly) is Mama Espinoza’s Place 4, on the northern end of town, just beyond the PEMEX station. Since 1930, Mama Espinoza has stuffed Baja trekkers with her famous 145-peso lobster burritos, and she also serves typical Mexican fare for 45-75 pesos. (☎165 8770. Open daily 6am-10pm. Cash only). In a yellow building on the opposite side of town to the far south, Baja’s Best Cafe 3 serves similar—but cheaper—food and promises Starbucks-brand coffee. (Open daily 6am-10pm. Cash only.)

Services include: police (☎165 8858); pharmacy at Supermercado San José (☎165 8769; open daily 7am-11pm); Centro de Salud (open M-F 8am-2pm and 4-6pm, Sa-Su 10am-2pm); and Internet access at Internet, next door to the Centro de Salud (20 pesos per hr.; open daily 8am-8pm.) Postal Code: 22960.