As far inland as you can see, the valley of the Mulege River is a forest of majestic date palms where you can hear the rustling of breeze stirred fronds, the trickling of water, and the calls of tropical birds. Just upstream from the sheltered village, the water is dammed and partly diverted to irrigate citrus, mangoes, papayas, bananas, and palms. Downstream it is a brackish tidal estuary
where if you can resist the lure of the Sea of Cortez beyond you can try for the big snook that lurk there.
Mulege is a sleepy, palm oasis located 420 miles south of the border along the Mulege River. The village is small enough so that even at a stroller's pace you can visit all the shops and displays. Highlights include the mission church, built in 1766 on a high point upstream from the rest of town, and the imposing state prison, on a hillside north of the plaza. Prisoners who may have jobs and families on the outside are paroled during the day, but must return to the prison at sunset.
Everyone who visits Mulege should spend at least 1 day on an excursion (preferably by water, though you can get there by road) to Concepcion Bay, deservedly famous for its fine white beaches, sheltered inlets, warm water, and good fishing. This is the place for the get away from it all beachcomber. Here you can dive for scallops and lobsters, scoop up clams and oysters by the bucketful, and, if you wish, sleep out overnight on a beach of your own discovery.
You'll find Posada Concepcion trailer park just 13 miles south of Mulege, and two and three bedroom cottages fronting part of the beach at Coyote Bay. Primitive beach campsites reached by detours off the highway can be found at Santispac Lagoon, Coyote Bay, and El Requeson. Water is sometimes a problem; you might want to bring your own.
A large fly in resort and several smaller hotels in Mulege provide the visitor with a choice of adequate overnight accommodations.
