Playa El Burro, Baja California: Your Complete Guide
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Playa El Burro is a mesmerizing beach along Bahia Concepcion with crystal clear water just 20 miles (10 km) south of Mulege. It has a row of cabanas along the water and plenty of space for camping, sunbathing, and enjoying water activities.
I’ve stayed on this beach several times, and in this article, I’ll give you my first-hand experience on what this popular beach is like.
The name of the beach comes from the rocky formation at the southern end that looks like a donkey’s head from above.
Whether you want to enjoy camping along Bahia Concepcion or driving through the area on your Baja California road trip, this crescent-shaped beach is a must-stop. I created this guide to share one of my favorite destinations in Baja California, so you can learn about the best things to do in Playa El Burro and how to get there.
Playa EL Burro Map
Where is Playa El Burro?
El Burro Beach is in the municipality of Mulege along Bahia Concepcion (Bay of Conception). It’s one of the most beautiful beaches in Baja California Sur that’s 382 miles (615 km) from Cabo San Lucas and 288 miles (463 km) from La Paz.
Distances to Playa El Burro:
- Mulege to Playa El Burro: 28 km (17 miles) 28 minutes
- Loreto to Playa El Burro: 108 km (76 miles) 1 hour 22 minutes
- La Paz to Playa El Burro: 463 km (288 miles) 5 hours 40 minutes
- Cabo San Lucas to Playa El Burro: 615 km (382 miles) 7 hours 40 minutes
Playa El Burro cost:
Camping at this beach costs 200 Mexican Pesos per vehicle, and you have to pay it at the entrance to the beach.
Things to do on Playa El Burro
This beach is a perfect place to spend a day or two enjoying a serene atmosphere and surreal landscapes.
1. Go for a hike
There are several hikes near El Burro, with incredible panoramic views of Bahia Concepcion.
My favorite hike was a small trail that begins at the end of Playa El Burro and goes up the rocky hill that divides Playa El Burro and Playa El Coyote. It’s a short but rewarding hike where you can enjoy a sweeping panorama of these two beaches and the Sea of Cortez.
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To find the hike, walk toward the end of El Burro Beach, and look for an unmarked rocky path. Follow the trail uphill until you arrive at the small peninsula that juts out into the Sea of Cortez and offers views of both beaches.
Mirador El Burro
If you are up for more exercising, hike to the overlook of the beach (Mirador El Burro). The trail begins along the highway just north of the beach.
Don’t forget to wear good hiking shoes and a hat, as the sun here can be scorching and it’s easy to get sunburned.
2. Take a boat tour of Bahia Concepcion
There are always some boats parked along the beach, and you can ask one of the local tour guides to give you a tour of the area, which will include scenic spots of Bahia Concepcion and places where you can snorkel and spot wildlife. You usually have to pay for a tour in cash.
3. Enjoy snorkeling
Playa El Burro boasts crystal-clear waters perfect for water activities like swimming and snorkeling. Grab your gear and spot marine animals like fish, stingrays, and other aquatic animals.
4. Spend the night at Playa El Burro
Playa El Burro was one of my favorite places for camping in Baja California. The beach has spots for RV’s and several glamping tents, that you can rent for a night.
5. Do some stargazing
This beach boasts an incredible dark sky and on a clear night, you can see the Milky Way and bright stars. Playa El Burro doesn’t have any infrastructure or development, which means it’s perfect for stargazing.
6. Rent a kayak
Playa El Burro has some kayaks and paddleboards available for rent, which usually have an hourly rate. Early morning is the best time to kayak on Playa El Burro when the waves are gentle and there’s no wind.
7. Snap amazing photos of Bahia Concepcion
Playa El Burro is one of the most scenic beaches along Bahia Concepcion, so don’t forget to take some photos while you are here!
Playa El Burro Hotels
While Playa El Burro doesn’t have hotels, it has a row of cabanas, where you can spend the night admiring the spectacular star-studded sky with no light pollution.
There are also palapas along the beach that you can use for tent camping, and some glamping options away from the water.
Depending on the timing of your visit, you should make a reservation ahead of time, because camping tents and cabanas can be booked up quickly.
- Bay Coyote Inn – Located near El Coyote Beach, these bungalows are a perfect place to spend the night in a serene setting. The owner is fully bilingual and offers various tours of the area.
- Baja Glamping – Just up the road from Bertha’s Pollo restaurant, Baja Glamping is a small resort perfect for relaxing and exploring the area.
Playa El Burro restaurants
You can find several restaurants along Playa El Burro that serve seafood, classic Mexican dishes and drinks like margaritas and micheladas.
Local vendors also sell snacks and drinks on the beach, especially when it’s busy. Many people who camp on Playa El Burro bring their food and drinks, and you can stock on food in several stores in Mulege.
- Bar Donkey – One of the most popular restaurants along this beach, Bar Donkey offers basic Mexican food that comes in big portions and has incredible flavor. Here you can try fajitas, aguachile, milanesa and huevos rancheros.
- Bertha’s Pollo – Located along the highway near El Burro, Bertha’s Pollo is a Mexican restaurant that has good seafood options and authentic Mexican dishes.
- Restaurant JC’s – This restaurant is right across the entrance from Playa El Burro that has good ceviche, fish tacos and margaritas.
- Nomadico Baja Coffee and Brunch – A small cafe at the northern end of the beach where you can grab fresh coffee and breakfast. They also have quesadillas, bagel sandwiches and ceviche. They roast their coffee on site and have amazing reviews with many customers praising its incredible flavor and friendly customer service.
Tips for visiting Playa El Burro
1. Wear sunscreen
Like other beaches along Bahia Concepcion, El Burro gets plenty of sunshine. Get a reef-safe sunscreen that will protect you from sunburn and won’t harm marine wildlife and corals.
Regular sunscreens often contain chemicals that could be bad for aquatic animals and bleach corals. If you wnat to enjoy water activities like snorkeling, kayaking, paddleboarding or swimming along Bahia Concepcion, get a reef-safe sunscreen.
2. Put on a hat
When I camped along Bahia Concepcion the first time, I got a very bad heat stroke, which made me pretty sick. If you spend time on the beach, always wear a hat.
3. Have enough cash
Most beaches near Mulege operate on cash, and Playa El Burro is no exception. Bring enough paper money to pay for the entrance, food, and activities, because credit cards are not accepted.
4. Bring layers
While it can be hot during the day, temperatures usually cool down by night, so you should get some shirts and T-shirts, and maybe even a jacket and a pair of pants, especially if you plan to visit this beach during winter when temperatures are cool.
5. Learn some Spanish
Speaking at least basic Spanish could be very helpful, because it will allow you to communicate with locals and get a better attitude.
6. Avoid high season
High season means Bahia Concepcion beaches can get crowded with limited space for camping and RV’s. Choose shoulder season when temperatures are comfortable for spending time outside and enjoying the area without dealing with overcrowding.
7. Put a camera in your bag
If you are going to visit El Burro for the first time, there’s a good chance you will want to take a lot of photos, so have your camera ready to go.
8. Wear water shoes
El Burro beach has many shells, so it’s a good idea to wear water shoes to keep your feet safe.
9. Don’t leave your trash around
The facilities around Playa El Burro are minimal and only a few people work at the entrance to the beach. Please be a responsible visitor and don’t leave any trash around.
10. Get a good insurance
If you are driving your car or RV from the United States to Mexico, you will need to get a car insurance for your trip. Baja Bound Mexican Insurance offers plans for RV’s, cars, motorcycles and other types of vehicles.
How to get to Playa El Burro?
Take Federal Highway No. 1, also known as the Transpeninsular Highway which runs from north to south across the Baja California Peninsula. The beach sits right off the highway, and once you get close, you will see the sign marking the entrance.
Do I need a car to get to El Burro Beach?
To get to this beach, you need a car. The beach is not serviced by public transportation, and taxi services in the area are limited. You can rent a car in Loreto, one of the best pueblos magicos in Baja California that has an international airport with flights from Mexico and the United States.
You can also rent your car in La Paz or Cabo if you are flying to either of these two destinations. Both towns have many companies where you can rent a car for your trip.
Can I rent a car in Mulege?
Loreto International Airport (code LTO), is the closest place to rent a car near Mulege. My go-to company for finding car rentals in Mexico is DiscoverCars, which has a good selection of car rentals at affordable rates.
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You can also add full Mexican insurance for your for less than $10 per day when booking your car with DiscoverCars.
What car rental companies can I find in Loreto?
Loreto Airport has several car rental companies including Hertz, Alamo, and Budget.
Click here to find out about all options.
How much does it cost to rent a car in Loreto?
Renting a car in Loreto usually costs between $30-40 a day with full coverage for an economy car. Bigger vehicles usually cost more, but they come in handy if you want to do off-roading and go to places that are not accessible by regular cars.
Things to watch out for when renting a car in Mexico
When renting a car in Mexico, watch out for unusually low daily rates between $5-10 a day. These rates usually don’t include taxes, fees, and mandatory Mexican insurance.
By the time you apply them, your daily rate could go up to $50-70, a day in some cases. Unfortunately, some companies are not being upfront about their rates when listing their services on car rental websites, and if you find a super low rate, be sure to avoid it.
When in doubt, reach out to the company where you want to rent a car to double check what their rate includes.
Low rates usually cover only a bare minimum that doesn’t include fees and other mandatory charges. When I look for cars through DiscoverCars, you usually see regular rates, but you should always vet a car rental company and read online reviews before making your reservation.
If you have questions about car rental pricing, contact a specific car rental company where you want to make a reservation.
Other beaches along Bahia Concepcion that you can’t miss
- Playa Armenta – Playa Armenta is an often missed beach at the southern end of Bahia Concepcion that has plenty of space for camping, but no facilities.
- Playa El Requeson – One of the most popular beaches for camping along Bahia Concepcion, Playa El Requeson has facilities like bathrooms, showers, and kayak rentals. You can also get snacks, food, and souvenirs from local vendors who walk along this beach.
- Playa Buenaventura – Playa Buenaventura is a less visited beach with a rocky shoreline, a few palapas, showers, and a small restaurant.
- Playa El Coyote – El Coyote is a neighbor of El Burro to the north. It’s one of the most scenic beaches along Bahia Concepcion that’s ideal for taking photos.
- Playa Santispac – A popular family beach along Bahia Concepcion, Playa Santispac always has a lot of RV’s. This beach has bathrooms, restaurants, kayak rentals, and showers. The downside is that it also gets more crowded than other beaches in the area, so be ready to share your space with other campers.
- Playa Lo Cocos – A less frequented beach along Bahia Concepcion, Playa Los Cocos is the next beach after Playa Santispac, which is perfect if you want to avoid crowds.
- Playa Buenaventura – Playa Buenaventura is one of the closest beaches near Mulege that has access to hotels, restaurants, and facilities.
Baja California travel planner
Do I need a visa for Baja California?
If you are traveling to Baja California from the United States and Canada or Western Europe, you don’t need a visa. Click here to check Mexico visa requirements for your country. iVisaa website that can help you with a visa to Mexico.
Do I need a car in Baja California?
You need a rental car to see the best of Baja California, as most places aren’t accessible by public transportation. I recommend DiscoverCars for finding rental cars in Baja and other parts of Mexico.
Click here to check prices on car rentals in popular detsinations in Baja.
Do I need a travel insurance in Baja California?
Personal travel insurance in not required in Baja, but it’s a good idea to get one ahead of your trip. Travel Insurance Master will cover you in case of hospital visits, missed flights, lost or stolen belongings and other accidents that could happen on the road.
Do I need a car insurance to drive in Mexico?
A Mexico car insurance is required for ALL vehicles entering the country. Note that your US insurance will not be valid in Mexico. Baja Bound Mexican Insurance is a popular website to find insurance for your car, RV, boat, motorcycles and other types of transportation.
Where can I find the best Baja tours?
the best websites for finding tours all over Baja is Viator. Guided tours are usually available in bigger cities like Cabo San Lucas, San José del Cabo, La Paz and Tijuana.
Where can I book flights to Baja?
Click here to find cheap airline tickets to Baja
Where do I find cheap hotels in Baja?
Booking.com is the best website to find hotels all over Baja, but you can also use HostelWorld to find hostels. VRBO is a perfect place to find apartments and home-style places to stay in Baja.
Can I drink water in Baja California?
While major cities like Cabo and La Paz treat their water, it’s generally not advised to drink water in Baja California. Always carry your water bottle with you, or better yet, buy a water bottle with filtration for your trip.
