Pickleball in the Sun: Mexico Style

You never know where your pickleball passion might lead you. If you’re lucky, you might find yourself South of the Border in a sleepy fishing town, enjoying great games, delicious food, a beverage or three, and a slice of Mexico like it used to be before the “gringos” came to town.

Los Barriles is a little dot on the map about an hour north of the airport in San José del Cabo and two hours south of La Paz, an intriguing city to the north on the Sea of Cortez. It offers comfortable lodging from cheap accommodations in town to oceanfront private homes for rent. Best of all, it’s the home of Tres Palapas, a club that checks all the boxes for the pickleball enthusiast. You can bring your own gang or show up as a single or couple. There are plenty of courts, impromptu tournaments and local players of all levels to meet and play with.

Meeting the locals is a big part of the experience. Part time and full time ex-pats have made Los Barriles their home, drawn by warm, sunny weather, natural beauty and a pickleball community that provides connection and competition. You feel welcome here.

It also feels safe. The nightclubs, timeshare salesmen and big resorts of Cabo seem far away. There’s not enough in Los Barriles to grab the attention of the typical tourist much less the ripoff artists who occasionally prey on them. You feel like you’re in your own little world and life is “muy bueno” here.

THE GOOD LIFE

The reward for a hard day of Pickleball?

MANGO MARGARITAS!

A typical day might consist of an early morning walk on the beach, coffee or a smoothie at the great cafe at the club, several hours of pickleball, and lunch in town followed by a poolside or beachfront siesta. Follow it up with a swim in the ocean, Happy Hour at the club or local bar, a beachside massage, and a reasonably priced dinner of authentic Mexican dishes or fresh seafood. (One of the specialties in town is the twice baked potato (papa rellena) filled with your choice of meats, seafood, salsa, and guacamole. Es delicioso!) The town shuts down at night so all you can do is look back on a great day with friends, relax and enjoy the quiet, desert air before getting up the next day and doing it all again. It’s a tough life, but somebody has to do it…

For the more adventurous, there are ATV’s for rent, paddle boarding, kayaking and kite-surfing. Within a couple of hours are the sights and sounds of Cabo San Lucas, pristine snorkeling at the National Reserve in Cabo Pulmo, and swimming with sea lions and whale sharks near La Paz. On my most recent trip here, I paddled out every morning and encountered bat rays leaping out of the water, a school of dolphins all around me, a feeding frenzy of large jacks and diving pelicans, and a curious sea lion giving me a friendly greeting.  I recommend a full week here so you can explore and fully relax into the Mexico vibe. You can get your pickleball fix, meet great people, experience nature, and create unforgettable memories.

Sublime paddle boarding at dawn

THE ORIGIN STORY OF TRES PALAPAS

Tres Palapas is the creation of Sally and Paul Bland, a Canadian couple who reimagined their life, moved south, and by force of will and hard work, brought their vision of a premier pickleball oasis to life. Their goal was to provide a place where ex-pats, locals, and visitors could play in harmony with plenty of courts, sunshine and friendly competition. Players of all levels are accommodated. Instruction is available and low-key tournaments are usually offered each week as well. A courtside bar and incomparable cafe provide beverages and some of the best breakfasts I’ve ever had.

Best of all, Sally and Paul have intentionally created a community where there once was none. The club is a center of social activity for Los Barriles and its inhabitants. Sally explains, “It’s one-of-a-kind here. What we wanted to do was blend pickleball, lifestyle, and vacation next to warm water with 345 days of sunshine a year.” Paul is the perfect pickleball ambassador, joining players on the court and introducing visitors to local players for competitive or fun games. The courts are buzzing every morning until about noon. The crowd thins out and returns again for afternoon Happy Hours from 3-6pm and a few more games for the die-hards. You’re never a stranger here as the staff and locals are courteous and welcoming.

My morning kayak and meditation crew

PLANNING YOUR TRIP

Make sure to schedule your trip when the weather is right. The club often shuts down from July to September because of the summer heat. There are also times when the wind comes up later in the day and makes games a bit challenging, but mornings are usually perfect. Contact the club at info@trespalapasbaja.com with any question regarding operating hours, weather and transportation options.

Air travel into Cabo is convenient from the USA. If you want to rent a car, the airport offers numerous options. But you can also take a shuttle and rent an ATV when in Los Barriles where you can ride along the beach, up to the mountains and through town. Lodging is varied. You can stay in local hotels, condos or share a home. VRBO and Air BNB are your best bets. Daily fees to play at the club are reasonable and dining options in town are traditional Mexican with an emphasis on the fresh, local seafood.

A new remodel of the club is underway as the courts have been refreshed and onsite lodging and residences are in the works. You’ll soon be able to catch a private shuttle from the airport to beautiful onsite lodging near the beach and play to your heart’s content with your friends. It’s just one more way that Tres Palapas is evolving into a premier pickleball destination.