BUENA VISTA BEACH RESORT REVIEW
THIS FISHERMAN'S PARADISE ON BAJA'S EAST CAPE IS A FAMILY AFFAIR


Hotel Buena Vista Beach Resort on the East Cape of Baja Sur has been family-owned and operated since its’ inception. Generations of dedication have made it the destination of choice for many and the focus here is on three things…FISHING, FISHING and FISHING!!

Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime. The author is unknown but the words ring true. Obviously the feeding referred to sustenance, of filling the empty place inside, of satisfying one's hunger. Perhaps it refers to something much, much deeper. Maybe, just maybe, the part of us being fed has nothing to do with our bellies. Fishing really isn't about quelling hunger. Fishing is about life. I believe that fishing feeds a part of us that can't be found on the pages of Gray's Anatomy. To me, fishing feeds the soul - and it's apparent to me that there are many out there that feel the same way. The good news is I've found them and I'll tell you where.

The East Cape region of the Baja peninsula is a relatively unspoiled stretch of coastline where the real Mexico still lives and breathes. Old style Mexican charm combines with the picturesque landscape of desert, mountains and sea -the setting for what has been and will no doubt remain one of Baja's finest fishing destinations - Hotel Buena Vista Beach Resort. If ever there was a place to feed one's fishing soul, this is it.



I'm not sure if there is anything to the theories of past-lives, but if there is I think that I was once a Valdez - a member of a family so enchanted with the magic of the sea that they earn their living helping others experience the magic for themselves. The Valdez family is to East Cape fishing what peanut butter is to jelly... a perfect match.

Hotel Buena Vista Beach Resort did not start out as an angler's destination. In fact, the property where the hotel resides was originally a compound built for former General and Governor Augustine Olachea who, because of his importance, was given a garrison of soldiers to protect and serve him whenever he ventured away from his military and political duties. At that time, the property consisted of a main residence and several "barracks" - thirteen rooms where the soldiers assigned to Olachea would reside and attend to their duties - caretakers of the compound and raisers of the Mexican flag.

The founder and patron of Hotel Buena Vista is Sr. Chuy Valdez - an ever-energetic soul who still to this day tends to his guests personally and constantly. Chuy purchased the property in 1981 after having leased the premises since 1976. His vision was to create the ultimate fishing paradise for those that shared his passion for all things marine. Slowly but surely, Chuy developed the property to it's present status - 60 rooms, an ocean front restaurant, pool, bar, conference facilities and grounds that truly look and feel like Mexico.

While Chuy and his wife, Imelda, are still very active in the daily operation of the resort, it is his sons Esaul, Axel and Felipe that are charged with the lion's share of management duties. Esaul, the eldest son at 35 years of age, lives in Buena Vista and is the General Manager. Axel, 32, heads up the sales and marketing department and resides in Chula Vista, California where the resort has U.S. offices. Felipe, the youngest at age 25, is what is best called as a jack-of-all trades tending to guests and anglers on site with a constant smile on his face. Energy runs high with the trio of sons. They can be found at the crack of dawn busily organizing charter trips aboard Buena Vista fishing fleet boats and well into the evening hours visiting with guests in the restaurant and bar. Each one seems to have a never-ending supply of energy.

The family connection doesn't end with the Valdez's. Many of the employees here have been with the family since the start including Esperanza, who, at one point, had eight of her brothers working at the hotel. The staff at Hotel Buena Vista is very friendly and they go out of their way to make guests feel welcome. I've never been one to remember names but the staff never failed to remember mine. ¿Cómo usted es, Richard? ¿Querría usted un cerveza? Do I want a beer? Silly question!



At the forefront of the resort's offerings is the fishing fleet. Among the most experienced fleets in the East Cape region, there are 22 boats available to the avid angler. Super pangas - open-bow sport fishers powered by outboard motors - and cruisers up to 31 feet in length make up the fleet. Boarding the vessels is easy thanks to a pier constructed on the beach directly in front of the hotel. Captains and crewmembers are well trained and offer both conventional as well as fly-fishing trips. The area offers some incredible in-shore and off-shore fishing for a wide variety of species including; Marlin, Yellowfin Tuna, Dorado, Sailfish, Pargo, Sierra, Roosterfish and many, many more.

The Valdez family are avid supporters of "Catch and Release" when I comes to billfish and Chuy was one of the pioneers of the concept way back when the thought of releasing any fish was often sneered at. Today, Hotel Buena Vista Beach Resort releases more than 1,300 billfish a year. Anglers who participate in catch and release are rewarded with a special patch signifying their support whenever a successful release is accomplished. I applaud each and every individual who practices catch and release as it is the future of billfishing, without it, the days of catching these awesome creatures will be gone forever.



The Hotel Buena Vista Beach Resort has been chosen as the host facility for the relatively new Bisbee's East Cape Offshore Circuit tournament. This year, the event posted the largest-ever payout for a winning team in any East Cape tournament to date, $224,244.00. A total of 56 boats participated in the event marking a 30% increase over the previous year's participation. The event stands to continue growing at a remarkable pace and the Hotel Buena Vista Beach Resort will most likely be the host facility for years to come.

In addition to the Bisbee's East Cape, Hotel Buena Vista and the East Cape offer up several smaller tournaments and special events for the fisherman. Chuy's Annual Catch and Release tournament and the East Cape Classic are local favorites as some of the proceeds go towards helping the underprivileged children of Los Barriles. There is also the Big Game Blowout in July. Buena Vista Beach Hotel features clinics and classes put on by professional anglers like Ronnie Kovach and Dan Hernandez. Television coverage of events and clinics held at Buena Vista has aired on ESPN, FOX Sports Net and the Outdoor Channel.

While the resort offers all of the creature comforts necessary for an enjoyable getaway, this is by no means a five star hotel. Rooms are small but comfortable. There are no televisions sets in the 60 rooms and that is at the request of guests who make this a repeat destination. As I said, this place is about fishing, fishing and fishing. If you're looking for mints on your pillow, fancy furnishings and artwork, room service and other things upscale, this is not your kind of place. The focus here is on providing excellent service, good food and drink and a chance to catch the fish of a lifetime. Guests are outgoing seafarers who are quick to strike up a conversation and start new friendships.



Even though fishing is the primary activity at Buena Vista, the staff has developed strong relationships with many other activities providers in the immediate area. Scuba diving and snorkeling, ATV rentals, Eco-tours and other off-site activities are easily arranged. The East Cape boasts some of the finest diving locations in Baja including world-famous Cabo Pulmo, Cerro Verde, Punta Pescadero, El Cardonal and several other unique dive locations where over 800 marine species await discovery. Water temperatures average from 78 to 88 degrees in the spring and summer making this perfect for dives without wetsuits. Winter water temps average 68 to 78 degrees, still very comfortable and with great clarity.

For those looking for land-based adventures, consider any of the following activities - Horseback rides along the beach or in the mountains; Picnics in Mira Flores or El Chorro; Santiago Zoo and town tour; or bird-watching tours by car or ATV. Whatever it is you'd like to experience, the staff at Buena Vista can assist you in making all the arrangements to ensure that you come away with a lifetime of memories.

Much can be written about any travel destination or resort but nothing is more convincing than word of mouth and repeat-visitors. Over 70% of guests who stay at Hotel Buena Vista Beach Resort return again and again. Ask anyone who has experienced this charming place what they thought and you're likely to hear a great deal of raving. Fact is, once you've had the pleasure of spending time with the Valdez family in this pristine coastal paradise, you can't help but start planning a return visit. I know I have and will and I am not the only one. One example is Togo Hazard, a spry and witty older gentleman that has been coming to the East Cape and Hotel Buena Vista since the 60's. Togo is something of an institution at the hotel and, along with his grandson Derek, is prominently displayed in photographs depicting just a few of the many trophy fish they have wrestled from sea. Togo even took the tuna jackpot in the 2005 Bisbee's East Cape. Togo is a prime example of the type of people you'll meet while at the hotel and he is a delight to spend time with.

The future holds some interesting cards for the Valdez's. Plans are in the works to bring back the Spa facilities that once resided on the property. A hot spring rests on the land and will be the centerpiece of a new Spa. Holistic therapies that draw upon the power of the minerals found in the spring will no doubt bring new reasons to visit. Additional development on adjoining property owned by the Valdez family calls for about 70 full-ownership condominiums to be constructed with the ability for on-site management and rental of these condos when the owners are away. With proper planning, this could be an excellent opportunity to own a vacation home that also earns an income in a spectacular setting.

So take the time to visit the Hotel Buena Vista Beach Resort and feed your fisherman's soul. Walk into a place where everybody knows your name. Become a foster child in the Valdez family. After all, everyone here already is, myself included.

For more information about the Hotel Buena Vista Beach Resort, visit them online or call them toll free at 1-800-752-3555 and tell them that CabosBest.com recommended them.

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