Frequented primarily by die-hard surfers, this off-the-grid bay on the Pacific coast provides access to a half dozen points that break in summer and winter swells. Novices and experienced surfers can often find suitable waves to ride, depending on the size of the swell and time of year.

Aside from a trickle of tourism revenue, fishing supports the local community. Electricity for the town comes from a combination of a diesel generator, solar power, and—in a 10-year pilot project—wind power. Services include gas, basic supplies, and an Internet café. A yoga studio called The Jewel holds classes twice a day for US$5 per class.

Hotels and Restaurants

About a 10-minute walk southwest of San Juanico, Scorpion Bay Destination Surf Resort (U.S. tel. 619/239-1335, www.scorpionbay.net) has a variety of accommodations. Camping is US$12.50 per person (free for children under age 7) and includes hot showers.

The resort has a restaurant called the Cantina that serves good and reasonably priced fish (US$11), burgers (US$4), and tacos (US$1.50), but it has been closed since Hurricane Jimena. The owners are working to reopen it soon. When open, hours are 7:30 A.M.–10 P.M. daily. You can use the Internet here for US$3 per half hour, but it costs half that if you go into town instead.

On the main road in town, Pizzeria Don Alakran (no tel., mains US$5–10) is open sporadically.

About a half dozen property owners have beachfront vacation rentals listed on VRBO’s website (Vacation Rentals by Owner, www.vrbo.com). Prices range US$60–150 per night for two to four bedrooms.

Getting to Bahía San Juanico

To get to San Juanico, follow a paved road out of Ciudad Insurgentes for 112 kilometers. The next 32 kilometers change to dirt and rocks, and the final 16 kilometers are paved again. You can also reach San Juanico from Laguna San Ignacio via a rough dirt road. This route takes about four hours.