Pacific (west) Baja internet access?

[MizDiana]

I understand it's likely little to none, but I'd like to find out from y'all what 4g+ or wifi access (like in a restaurant, whatever) might be available on the Pacific coast of Baja. I may be crewing on a trip from Ensenada to Cabo San Lucas this winter, but when I can go depends on if I'll be able to occasionally check in for work.

Anywhere on the coast is relevant, but I'm particularly interested in Isla de Cedros, the little town on the north end of Bahia Tortugas, and anywhere a 33' monohull (5' draft) can anchor near in Magdalena Bay.

I understand this is not the most populated region of the world, but with exploding internet access worldwide, I'm hopeful. Also, I'm crewing = no chance of a Starlink connection. I only need to be able to check in for 4-5 hours once a week or so.

[wholybee]

When I sailed that coast in 2021, there was absolutely nothing I could use between Cabo and Ensenada. I had an Iridium Go!, and that was the only thing that worked.

I was using a Telcel SIM.

[MerMike]

I don't have specifics of 4G or other cellular connectivity for your route. However, Starlink Mini might work for you. It runs on 12V power. Doesn't matter if you're crew, no permanent installation is needed. Put it out on the deck and fire it up.

If email only works for you then a used Iridium Go will do, but personally I'd go with the Mini.

[sv_pelagia]

In 2013, I had a Tel Cel SIM (purchased in Ensenada) and found cell coverage at all our stops (Turtle Bay, Bahia Santa Maria, Mag Bay) as well as passing Cedros town.

[rbrazil]

Originally Posted by MizDiana

I understand it's likely little to none, but I'd like to find out from y'all what 4g+ or wifi access (like in a restaurant, whatever) might be available on the Pacific coast of Baja. I may be crewing on a trip from Ensenada to Cabo San Lucas this winter, but when I can go depends on if I'll be able to occasionally check in for work.

Anywhere on the coast is relevant, but I'm particularly interested in Isla de Cedros, the little town on the north end of Bahia Tortugas, and anywhere a 33' monohull (5' draft) can anchor near in Magdalena Bay.

I understand this is not the most populated region of the world, but with exploding internet access worldwide, I'm hopeful. Also, I'm crewing = no chance of a Starlink connection. I only need to be able to check in for 4-5 hours once a week or so.

We bashed north from Cabo to Ensenada two months ago and had Wi-FI in several locations. We didnt stop at Cedros but was told they have limited Wi-Fi. Turtle Bay has Wi-Fi, Mag Bay had Wi-Fi. Lots of places now have Wi-Fi. You will need to go to the restaurants ashore. They are very accommodating in providing you with the login and password.
Please don’t let this limit your trip. There’s TONS of Wi-Fi.

[Sailingbluew]

I was in Isla Espirtu santo 1 week ago and there was no cellular internet service except when I climbed up the hills. No signal before I passed Balandra going back to La Paz

[MizDiana]

Originally Posted by rbrazil

We bashed north from Cabo to Ensenada two months ago and had Wi-FI in several locations. We didnt stop at Cedros but was told they have limited Wi-Fi. Turtle Bay has Wi-Fi, Mag Bay had Wi-Fi. Lots of places now have Wi-Fi. You will need to go to the restaurants ashore. They are very accommodating in providing you with the login and password.
Please don’t let this limit your trip. There’s TONS of Wi-Fi.

Surprised to hear that for Magdalena Bay. Was that Puerto Magdalena? I figured the best I could hope for there would be cell service coming from San Carlos. Restaurant wifi would work out well. I don't need to connect often, but when I do it'll be for multiple hours. Spending an afternoon working in a restaurant sounds perfect.

[sv_pelagia]

Originally Posted by Sailingbluew

I was in Isla Espirtu santo 1 week ago and there was no cellular internet service except when I climbed up the hills. No signal before I passed Balandra going back to La Paz

Indeed, we found cell service to be much poorer on the east side of Baja (Sea of Cortez). Perhaps with an amplifier....

[rbrazil]

Originally Posted by MizDiana

Surprised to hear that for Magdalena Bay. Was that Puerto Magdalena? I figured the best I could hope for there would be cell service coming from San Carlos. Restaurant wifi would work out well. I don't need to connect often, but when I do it'll be for multiple hours. Spending an afternoon working in a restaurant sounds perfect.

Puerto Magdalena and Magdalena Bay are the same place. You will most likely anchor at “Man o’ War Cove” a quarter mile off the beach and home to a small village with a restaurant or two who have Wi-Fi.

I assume you will also stop in “Bahia de Tortuga,” Turtle Bay, which has lots of Wi-Fi options.

[PaulSommers]

Originally Posted by rbrazil

Puerto Magdalena and Magdalena Bay are the same place. You will most likely anchor at “Man o’ War Cove” a quarter mile off the beach and home to a small village with a restaurant or two who have Wi-Fi.

I assume you will also stop in “Bahia de Tortuga,” Turtle Bay, which has lots of Wi-Fi options.

I stopped in Bahia de Tortuga in March/April 2022. A couple of restaurants claimed to have WIFI but the signals were very weak and intermittent. If you count on WIFI for work, don't count on doing the west coast of Mexico without Starlink. I have a Telcel phone - absolutely no internet was available in Turtle Bay. (Not to mention no bank, no ATMs unless you have a Mexican bank account, no boat parts, and a rotting pier that you have to use for obtaining fuel (unless you pay someone to bring it out to your boat). I was frankly shocked at how poor the setup was for visiting boats as I understand this to be a major stop for the Baha Ha Ha. My visit was not during the Ha Ha, it was spring, so maybe the town puts on special efforts for the Ha Ha. I felt that it was ha ha a joke on me, and would avoid the place in the future. We did not go into Mag Bay so I cannot comment on that place. Near towns, Telcel phones work well in all of Mexico. But much of the east coast of Baha is wilderness - the cell phone companies, Telcel being the biggest, are not going to put up cell phone towers for a few visiting yachts. Get close to a city (La Paz, Santa Rosalia, etc.) and you will have a good cell signal.

[Capt.Don]

Note - there's not even reliable cellphone coverage in La Paz or Loreto for multiple hours of work at a restaurant. Sure, there may be wifi and cellular and maybe you can get email and a web page to download. Just don't count on reliable cellular or wifi in Baja.

Also, if you are using Windows, be sure to turn-off updates for the maximum MS allows. I can't tell you how many problems this has created when trying to check email or download a weather GRIB.....

[fxykty]

Starlink Mini. Surely sitting in a cafe with your laptop using their wifi isn’t a thing anymore?