Scented Soil: San Dionisio

AN ALTERNATIVE TOURISM TRIP

San Dionisio is a rural community located in northern Los Cabos, an inarguably well-developed tourist municipality. About 50 people, mostly families, inhabit the land on 14 ranches. San Dionisio is now an excellent example of alternative tourism. What really motivates tourists to visit this site is a desire for new open-air adventures, a different way to cultivate the soul and spirit.

Getting to San Dionisio involves taking the San Jose del Cabo – La Paz highway to the delegation of Santiago. From there, turn onto a dirt road and travel 12.5 miles. The road is usually in good condition and vegetation typical to the region, including cardones, palo blanco, palo de arco, pitahayas, choyas and an endless variety of other flora, accompanies visitors.

The road begins on a plateau and in less than five minutes you are in front of a mountain full of almost white stones that offer a wonderful view. From there, a winding road begins that offers opportunities for stunning photographs. Then come the ranches that are scattered throughout San Dionisio: Santa Victoria, Choyal, Las Veredas, El Refugio, Restaurant El Rancho, El Chinal, El Aserradero, Chicural, Guayparin, Acacia, Encino Gordo and finally San Dionisio that owes its name to the region.

Most ranches are ready to welcome tourists and locals who enjoy this type of activity. Trails take you to where you can climb mountains, rappel and identify the main regional flora. Ranch hosts are native to the area, they have a big spirit for sharing their culture.

Maria Luz Lopez Torres, Catarino Rosas Espinoza, and Rogelio Rosas Lopez are family members providing service in the Rancho El Refugio and Restaurant. Doña Luz is responsible for a small restaurant where the quesadillas, stew, machaca, beans, flour and corn tortillas, and coffee tend to be the most requested food. Rogelio Rosas is an alternative tourism agent in his native San Dionisio. He guides visitors to cave paintings and La Poza Oscura in the Santa Victoria Ranch.

La Poza Oscura (The Dark Pool) adventure is quite a feat. You have to climb giant rocks and journey through the mountains to reach this Baja California Sur wonder that is 50 feet deep and can purify your spirit by jumping in its refreshing, calm waters.

Catarino Rosas, known as Don Cata, is an expert guide in the Sierra de la Laguna. He also provides goat, lamb and beef hides to Claudio Nunez Cossio who produces chairs, belts, eyeglass cases and other regional leather crafts. Victor and Herlindo Castro operate cabin rentals in the Acacia and Encino Gordo Ranches in addition to being expert guides along the many trails of this beautiful area.

One of the popular activities in San Dionisio is hiking to learn about the flora of the region and their uses, as well as the fauna. There’s also mountain biking on canyon trails, zip lines and guided tours to the peaks of the Sierra de la Laguna with its waterfalls and mountain views. In every sense, this destination is ready to receive visitors and share the natural environment that will give you peace of mind.