Todos Santos, Baja Flora and Fauna

Pelican Silhouette

The oasis of Todos Santos is thriving with plants and animals. However, even outside of the cool ocean breezes and life sustaining mountain spring water there’s an abundance of flora and fauna. While on first impression areas of Baja California may strike some as a barren uninhabitable desert, there is actually a diverse and thriving ecosystem well worth a second look.

There are approximately 125 plant species in Baja California that can not be found anywhere else in the world. Sierra de la Laguna, a mountain range easily accessible form Todos Santos, is home to both the only dry jungle and the only pine-oak forest in Baja. Some of the more common desert plants include Cirio (also known as the Boojum), Cardon, Century Plant, Ocotillo, Prickly Pear, Candelabra Cactus, Old Man Cactus, Barrel Cactus, Cholla Cactus, Creosote Bush, Datilillo, Elephant Tree, Organ Pipe Cactus, Palo Blanco and Palm tree. My favorite, is the Elephant Tree which reminds me of the Baobob of Africa. The most common Elephant Tree is the Torote, which is a protected plant in this region.

In addition to the many insects and reptiles that live in the Baja desert, many of the mammals are the same that are found in the southern deserts of the United States. There are coyote, gray fox, raccoon and bobcat. However the chances of seeing one of these animals are very low as they are nocturnal.

Some common large birds include the Brown Pelican, Frigate bird, Turkey Vulture, Roadrunner and the Caracara. Many North American water birds migrate to the Baja California coastlines during the winter months. Todos Santos’ tropical setting between ocean and desert creates the opportunity for bird-watchers to see an amazing variety of bird life in a relatively short time and small space. The lagoon near Posada la Poza and Las Palmas are two unique areas for bird watching.  Also, the ‘Campo Experimental’, four miles South of Todos Santos on the Highway to Cabo, is a federally funded botanical garden with 1,000 hectares of varied vegetation which allows bird-watchers to explore most of its area. Its emphasis on regional flora and fauna and rehabilitation of the environment makes the area attractive to birds and productive for birders.

Baja California is nearly surrounded by water and has two distinct shorelines. The shorelines follow the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez. With so much coastline, Baja has a wealth of marine mammals. You can find California Sea Lions, Elephant Seals, Finback Whales, Guadalupe Fur Seals, Humpback Whales, Harbor Seals, Bottle-Nosed Dolphins and the California Gray Whale (see Whale Watching). Colonies of Sea Lions reside on some of the beaches south of town.

[flickr album=72157618547128110 num=5 size=Thumbnail]

Possibly Related Posts:

• Wizard of Oz – Todos Santos, Baja
• Mexico’s Health Care: First-Rate, and at Bargain Prices
• Beware Airline Surfboard Bag Fees
• Help Preserve Todos Santos
• Todos Santos Film Festival March 2011

Real Estate Development and the Dunes of Todos Santos, BCS

Picturesque and Fragile Dunes

If you are interested in buying a house or raw land in Todos Santos, do your homework and chose your agent carefully. Ricardo Amigo, AmeriMex, A. Paraiso Realty, Coldwell Banker, Encanto, and Milagro are the most well known real estate agencies operating in Todos Santos. There’s no licensing required for real estate brokers in Baja and little regulatory framework. Reputation is important (and whether the person giving the referral receives any benefit, direct or indirect). Like in any small town, all of the “locals” have strong opinions about everything, with respect to brokers this is typically shaped by their personal experiences and, whether rightfully or wrongfully gained, the individual’s reputation.

While you should digest all information your receive as locals with a grain of salt and reach your own conclusions, unfortunately there are some horros stroies. Brokers  Baja have been accused of selling property without disclosing all the facts to buyers unfamiliar with the local laws, customs etc. Although arguably falling short of what we may think of as ‘fraud” in the US (or not?), people don’t always end up with what they bargain for. Full disclosure is a legal requirement in the US but the standard (by law and by custom) is quite a bit lower in Mexico. Issues of inadequate information range from issues with water, title, legal conflicts, easements, or, the subject of this post, lots being sold in environmentally sensitive areas to people who have absolutely no clue what mess are stepping into. I can tell you with confidence, if you intend to build on the dunes, beyond any legal or structural repurcussions, you will not be popular in the community of Todos Santos. Although you can buy oceanfront property, the vast majority of the community in Todos Santos strongly opposes building on the dunes. The owner of one such ocean front lot has the privilege of introducing himself as “I am the guy that everyone in town hates.” And this is a small town where it’s difficult to avoid eye contact. Why would you want to with such an incredibly diverse and eclectic group of people?

Todos Santos has some of the most beautiful and pristine sand dunes you could find in such proximity to a developed area. Not only they make you feel like you stepped back in time when you stroll on the long sandy beaches, they are also a critical habitat for certain species, most notoriously they serve as nesting grounds for some endangered sea turtle species. Additionally, the dunes serve the purpose of protecting the land against potential ravages by storm waves from the sea during major storms and hurricanes. Building on the dunes not only puts the community at risk, but disrupts the normal nesting habits of endangered Olive Ridley and Leatherback turtles that nest on our beaches. Losing a house built on the dunes is also a very real risk when building in such close proximity to the ocean on unstable ground. The storms and hurricanes can cause huge waves and very strong winds to hit the coast. Beware of real estate agents who will try to minimize the impact and dangers of building on the dunes. In 2005 a group of committed citizens in Todos Santos were already working to prevent a major development project from destroying the dunes.

Below is a report they submitted to then Mexican president Fox.

The Impact of Proposed Housing Development On The Barrier Dunes of Todos Santos, Baja California Sur, Mexico (this was written by the Todos Santos Stop Dune Development Committee)

The Ecological Impact
– Destruction of the dunes
– Erosion of the beach
– Potential flooding of land now protected by dunes
– Destruction of turtle habitat (endangered leather back)
– Development proposed despite world-wide restrictions on building on dunes
– Buildings exacerbate wind erosion by raising the dune profile
– Could lead to removal of the foliage in the huerta
– Existing environmental standards are seldom enforced due to under funding
for environmental personnel

The Impact on the Unique Natural Beauty of Todos Santos
– Natural beauty and uniqueness of Todos Santos would be destroyed
– Approval of this proposed development would lead to explosive development
on all the dunes fronting Todos Santos
– Todos Santos would resemble Cabo San Lucas
– Lack of architectural standards and effective controls would mean anything
could be built, including buildings of three stories

The Impact on Infrastructure
– Water
– Sewage
– Roads
– Schools
– Social Problems
– Bomberos
– Dunes development will proceed faster than traditional development and
therefore have a greater impact

The Economic Impact
– Very few if any new construction jobs for local population
– The only long term job development would be for service sector jobs
– Destruction of our uniqueness would result in fewer tourists and the departure
of those who came here because of the unique natural beauty
– The local economy will be damaged
– For good reason Fonatur designated Todos Santos as an art colony, not a
destination resort like Cabo San Lucas

[flickr album=72157616258381995 num=5 size=Thumbnail]

Possibly Related Posts:

• Wizard of Oz – Todos Santos, Baja
• Mexico’s Health Care: First-Rate, and at Bargain Prices
• Beware Airline Surfboard Bag Fees
• Help Preserve Todos Santos
• Todos Santos Film Festival March 2011

Receive 25% Off Rates in 2009

Casita de la Tortuga

Here’s the deal.

Register with us now and let us know you are interested in staying (at any time) at CalyCanto Casitas and we’ll extend you a 25% discount on the rate of your entire first stay with us in Todos Santos, Baja California Sur. It’s that easy. Simply enter your name and email addres directly to the right under the “Stay Connected” tab and we’ll have you in our database when you’s ready to book (during 2009).

Let us know if you have any questions. Most information can be answered on our site, www.CalyCanto.com.

I’ve included some Todos Santos pictures (taken by yours truly) below to wet your appetite. Click on any picture and a slide show will open. Oh, and we don’t  spam and we would never sell your information. You will occasionally be notified when we update our website with new content.

BTW, did you know you can also become a fan on Facebook? Check us out here.

[flickr album=72157616258381995 num=5 size=Thumbnail]

Possibly Related Posts:

• Wizard of Oz – Todos Santos, Baja
• Mexico’s Health Care: First-Rate, and at Bargain Prices
• Beware Airline Surfboard Bag Fees
• Help Preserve Todos Santos
• Todos Santos Film Festival March 2011

Best of Todos Santos – Photos

[flickr album=72157616258381995 num=30 size=Thumbnail]

For complete set, click here.

Possibly Related Posts:

• Wizard of Oz – Todos Santos, Baja
• Mexico’s Health Care: First-Rate, and at Bargain Prices
• Beware Airline Surfboard Bag Fees
• Help Preserve Todos Santos
• Todos Santos Film Festival March 2011

« Previous Page — Next Page »