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"Baja's largest Pacific coast
island not of oceanic origin is 20 km (12 miles) north of the tip of the
Vizcaino Peninsula, or about 72 km (43 miles) northwest of Guerrero
Negro. The two main industries on the 24 km long (14.5 miles) island
are fishing and off-loading salt from Guerrero Negro's salt works for
long-distance shipping. Because of the salt business, Cedros ranks
as Mexico's third-largest port after Veracruz and Tampico, carry over nine
percent of all offshore cargo. It is also the sixth most populated
island in Mexico; according to INEGI, 2,732 people make the island
their home - about two percent of all islanders in Mexico. This
figure may be low; some Cedros residents claim as many as 5,000 persons
inhabit the island, though for some is only seasonal.
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Flora and
Fauna |
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Among naturalists, Isla
Cedros is known for its small stands of scrub juniper and pine in the
center of the island between its tallest peaks, Pico Gill (1,063
meters/3,488 feet) toward the north end and Cerro de Cedros (1,200
meters/3,950 feet) toward the south. Like cedars, the island's
mistaken namesake, junipers belong to the cypress family. Even more
impressive are the Cedros Island oak (Quercus cedrosensis) and Cedros
Island pine (Pinus radiata Var.cedrosensis), both endemic to this
island. A rare variety of mule deer reportedly inhabits the island's
center. Date palms stand along the northeast coast; no one remembers
who planted them. |
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Cerro de
Cedros |
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The hike from town to the
island's high point takes around three hours and is rewarded by very good
views. To reach Cerro de Cedros, follow the road northwest out of
town till it ends at a trail that follows a water pipe most of the way up
the hill. Keep an eye on the summit's radio towers and you'll have
no problem following the trail. |
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Around the
Island |
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From the town and airport,
the nearest good beach is at Punta Prieta, at the southwest end of the
island; locally this beach is referred to as "Playón".
After Punta Prieta the vehicle road ends, but a rough track continues
along the coast. You can also reach Playón by traversing the island
via Cerro de Cedros, but this requires an overnight at the beach - carry
plenty of water. Surfing is possible at Playa Elefante, an empty
stretch of sand north of Cabo San Agustin; the only way to get there is by
panga from town or from one of the fish camps. |
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Fish camps are at Cabo San
Agustin, on the southwest corner of the island, and at Punta Norte to the
north. The largest settlement on the island, Cedros, is a village of
around 2,500 on the southwest coast facing the peninsula. |
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Along the main street leading
from the harbor are a COPT office, CONASUPO, a fish cannery, post office,
church, bank (traveler's checks can't be cashed here), school, a couple of
cafes, and a sizable residential area. South of the village along
the same coast are the docks where salt from Guerrero is off-loaded. |
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Accommodations
and Camping |
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Casa
Elsa Garcia
Guest house |
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La Pacenita
Restaurant |
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Restaurant El Marino |
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Transportation |
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Aside from sailing over in
your own boat, the easiest way to reach the island is by plane. Aero
Cedros flies from Guerrero Negro daily at 10 AM; the flight takes around
40 minutes. The return trip leaves straightaway, and you need to be
at the airfield early in the morning to be sure of securing a seat.
Sociedad Cooperativa de Produccion Pesquera (Cannery Airlines) aloso flies
periodically from Ensenada. The island's paved airstrip lies south
of Cedros village at Punta Morro Redondo. Its sometimes possible to
charter a boat to the island from either Bahia Tortugas or Punta Eugenia." |
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Note: |
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"Isla Cedros lies in the same
time zone as Baja California Norte; an hour behind Guerrero Negro
(PST)." |
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Positions are updated every
6 hours |
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