The best day of our trip was the second day which actually started on our first full day with a man named Aaron. Aaron was one of many people selling excursions who booked our sunset dinner cruise (where we saw whales!!) and connected us to Carlos who took us on a boat tour around the famous arch before dropping us off for an afternoon of lounging in the sun at Lovers and Divorce beaches.
On our way home from Lovers and Divorce beach, Carlos asked us what our plans were for the rest of the weekend. David told him we were interested in surfing to which he said he had a friend who would give us a great deal at a nice surf beach, perfect for beginners. David and Carlos exchanged numbers and this said friend, Edgar, later texted David giving us the details of the surf deal - $20 a board and a free umbrella. Score!
But first things first, we needed a car to get to this beach, Cerritos. After we booked our sunset dinner cruise for later that evening Aaron let us know he could also get us a car. So, next thing you know our guy Aaron has basically planned two thirds of our trip; a boat tour beach afternoon, followed by a dinner cruise with bad food, weak drinks and a spectacular show from a humpback whale, all on day one. And then a surf day on a beautiful beach an hour north on the Baja Peninsula for day two. Not bad.
Before we knew it, we had just finished up breakfast on day two, and were being handed the keys to our car for the day. While David and Carsten were signing the paper work the man renting the car to us said:
"So I see my associate didn't tell you that you needed to be 25 to rent a car....how old are you sir?" looking at David
"uhm 24..."
"no...you are 25."
"oh, okay yeah I am 25."
"excellent, sign here."
Then we get to the car and he pops open the trunk and says, "See, look here. No dead bodies AND a spare tire."
And I'm thinking, "what are we getting ourselves into?!" But it is ok because during this time I am having my first mango on a stick in Mexico so it would take a lot to bring me down.
And then we text Edgar back for the address of Cerritos beach and were told directions that looked exactly like this,
"Km 66 beach entres, towards beach from Barracudas restaurant Let kwon at what time u guys come ,and how many people ,"
And without expressing any concern I think we all thought hmmm, interesting.
Well we knew weren’t going to make it to the beach by just sitting in the car so we picked a direction and started driving. Somehow we got going in the right direction because we saw the ocean to our left and a sign on the highway to the right for Cerritos beach. After a detour, a few missed turns and some dirt roads we found ourselves in front of a “Barracudas Cantina” with the beach right in front of us. We successfully found Edgar and Brando! These two were the nicest, beach bummiest people I have ever spoken too.
And finally, once we got all settled with the surf boards and a free “umbrella” which was actually a pop up tent, we were connected with Oscar from Puerto Rico and Manuel who were going to take care of us for the day. Manual ended up giving David a two-hour surf lesson that was supposed to only be one hour.
So basically through bad directions, a sketchy car rental and a long list of connections we found ourselves at Cerritos beach and this place was absolutely lovely. It was a big beach with few people, mostly families and locals. Walking distance from the beach was the cutest cantina, Barracudas, with the best margaritas, ceviche and even better shrimp tacos. Any meal where your barefoot in the sand with a beach bar and taco truck is going to be the best meal completing the best day.
xoxo,
Ashley
