Jan 2017: Our first morning in Cabo de la Vela was New Year’s Day. What better way to ring in the new year than at the beach? The beach in town is very calm and shallow since it is in the bay and the kids wanted more action than that. The gentleman in the parking lot of the Rancheria suggested we go to Pilon de Azucar (meaning Sugarloaf). After about a 20min drive, we arrived at some makeshift stalls beside a dirt parking lot. Since this is a popular destination, the locals have found a way to make a living selling wares to tourists.
That day most of the tourists were Colombian. The beach is down below, nestled in the rocks, but we decided to climb up to the lookout point before it gets too hot.
It was a steep 20min hike to the top and the wind was forceful, but the 360degree views of the area were spectacular. The water and sky displayed at least seven different shades of blue.
After our climb to the top, we made our way down to the beach. The kids rated the beach a 10/10. The sand is soft with no rocks mixed in, we were protected from the wind by the cliff walls, the waves were good for body surfing and there was natural shade. By going around some rocks jutting out into the ocean, we were able to reach a smaller beach and had it all to ourselves for several hours.
As the sun reached higher into the sky, we got hungry and decided to drive back to the Rancheria for lunch. As we were leaving, we gave a ride to several local vendors who were also heading back to town.
Over the next 2 days, we provided rides to more and more locals. The last afternoon, when we packed up to leave the beach, they already had the back of our truck loaded with their coolers.
That afternoon, we napped in our hammocks and then went to see the Faro lighthouse which also has spectacular views.
The kids enjoyed the Pilot de Azucar beach so much that we went back 3 more times!
On our last day in Cabo de la Vela, we witnessed this on our drive back to the Rancheria.
The sunsets are spectacular in this part of the world.
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