Todos Santos to La Paz

Highway 19, the road from Todos Santos to Highway 1 which goes on to La Paz, has been under construction for years now. The improvements are much needed and appreciated. In the past, many people have died on that highway. It was a narrow two lane road with no shoulders and no bridges. Cows and other livestock frequently wandered on to the tarmac. Rain in the mountains could fill an arroyo quickly and maybe even wash out the road.

There are now at least 3 bridges completed and 3 more under construction. The highway is 4 lanes with varying width shoulders all the way from La Paz to within 10 miles of Todos Santos. The last sections are being upgraded now and the entire trip should be 4 lanes before much longer. It’s hard work. They are blasting and digging through hills in order to make the road safer. The newest parts are a pleasure to drive on, smooth, well marked and even being fenced so that livestock can’t enter the highway area. What a change from even 5 years ago!

Old Highway 19 Near Entrance to Todos Santos Baja

Current Highway 19 Construction Zone, Lots of Dust

Beautiful New Section of 4 Lane Highway 19 to La Paz

Swine Flu Update from Todos Santos

I read in a new southern Baja publication (called Baja Citizen) that there was a confirmed case of swine flu in San Jose del Cabo on May 14. The woman was treated and recovered without incident. I have no way to confirm this information and to the best of my knowledge there has still be no swine flu in Todos Santos.

One of the local carnitas stands put up a poster explaining to people that you can’t catch swine flu by eating pork. Guess their business was down since the outbreak.

The Red Cross recently put posters on many telephone poles explaining what to do to avoid catching the flu (you know the routine, avoid large groups of people, wash your hands, etc.) and what to do if you think you did catch it. Don’t self medicate was the one bit of advice that caught my eye.

We are getting more tourists in town now. Not nearly enough but much better than 2 weeks ago. Cruise ships are docking in Cabo San Lucas again but my friends at the Hotel California inform me that they are not coming for day trips to Todos Santos as they frequently did before the flu scare. Businesses are still struggling. It could be hard for some to survive until next tourist season begins. Already there are a lot of empty office and shop locations in the center of town with more vacancies expected soon. Todos Santos might look a lot different next time you come to visit.