Visualizing the East Cape

So I am getting ready to head down to Baja California Sur for my summer project on tourism and development on the East Cape of Baja. One of my main areas of focus will be on the expatriate communities in the area, and how they interrelate with local communities, politics, and so on. This will include homeowners, temporary residents, business owners, and tourists.

Another aspect of my project will include an account of how the East Cape is represented visually through different forms of media. What kinds of images are used to characterize the region and sell it to incoming tourists and potential residents? Here are just a few examples of how media creates images and discourses of and about the East Cape:

Sportfishing is a huge draw on the East Cape. This image comes from Mexfish.com, here. These kinds of images continue to enhance the reputation that this portion of Baja has for many anglers and commercial fishermen.

An image of Hotel Palmas de Cortez, located in Los Barriles. This image comes from here, and is accompanied by this text:

Some say the East Cape hubs of Buena Vista and Los Barriles, magnificently situated on Bahia Las Palmas, are the Los Cabos of twenty years ago. Famous for its gamefish, Bahia Los Palmas stretches from Punta Pescadero south to Punta Arena Sur.

Blue and black marlin are plentiful from June to December, and the area explodes as the fishing resort crowd moves in. Roosterfish, yellowtail, wahoo and tuna are also abundant. Whatever your expectations, rest assured, there are miles of isolated coastline, pristine waters and an ample array of sports and activities for every taste, from diving to boardsailing.

This photograph shows the community of Cabo Pulmo, which is known for the coral reef that lies just off the beach. The image comes from the website of Arthur W. Haseltine (copyright Fotosea).

This image comes from the website of Jack Brauer, and captures the primary resources that drive much of tourism to Mexico: sun, sand, and warm blue ocean water (copyright Jack Brauer).

Diving is one of the many attractions throughout the East Cape. This image comes from here. Here is a sample of the text that goes along with the images on this page:

Riding Back in Time - The winding two-lane road leading to the East Cape is bordered by a thorny array of cactus plants and scrub brush, interjected occasionally by splashes of color from blooming acacia and bougainvilleas. Immediately beyond the airport, the terrain becomes a mix of convoluted canyons, wide dry arroyos, and the rare spring-fed stream. Cattle range freely, scrounging for their sustenance while squadrons of turkey vultures circle languidly overhead. Wild yet inviting mountains punctuate the distance. For a moment I fancy I'm a cowboy in a western movie. But the fortunate reality is that I'm riding in a fine new air-conditioned van, listening to a CD of lively mariachi music and practicing my Spanish with Manuel, the congenial driver providing my transport to the Buena Vista Hotel, 30 miles to the north, and world's away from the more predictable charms of Cabos San Lucas.

This one comes from LuxuryRealEstate.com, here. Here is the text that is included with the photo (in caps as it appears on the site):

LARGE SEA OF CORTEZ DEVELOPMENT LOT NEAR BETWEEN LAS BARRACAS [sic] AND CABO PULMO THE PARCEL HAS HILLSIDE INCLINE GOOD FOR COMMERCIAL OR RESIDENTIAL INVESTMENT PRISTINE BEACH FRONT NEW ON MARKET THIS AREA IS ONE OF THE HOTTEST AND SOUGHT A FOR DEVELOPMENT IN BAJA SUR MEXICO BEACHFRONT 114 HECTARES 276 ACRES WITH 464.865 METERS OF BEACH OR 1,500 FEET 40 US PER SQUARE METER

This last image is what draws yet another interest group to the East Cape: surfers. They are generally some of the earliest to arrive in more remote places such as this part of Baja, along with divers, fishermen, and other more hardy travelers. In many ways, these travelers/tourists represent the leading ranks of of visitors, and are often followed by other types of tourists when development increases access and ease of travel. Surfers, however, often try to keep such places "secret" as long as possible. This image comes from here and here.

It is really easy to find images of waves, fishing, beaches, hotels, pools, diving spots, and blue water. What is not easy to find on many tourism sites, however, are photographs of the Mexican people who actually live in Baja California Sur. I suppose they are not a part of the experience that travelers and tourists are seeking...