Mulegé and its surrounding areas in Baja California Sur are home to some remarkable ancient cave paintings. Here’s an overview of the key sites and information about visiting them:
Major Cave Painting Sites
San Borjitas Cave Paintings
– Considered the oldest cave paintings in North America, dating back 7,500 years[2].
– Located in the Sierra de Guadalupe mountains northeast of Mulegé[2].
– Features over 80 human figures (monos) painted on a 30-meter-long cave overhang[2].
– Distinctive bi-color figures, half painted in black and half in red[2].
– Requires a guide to visit and involves a moderate 20-minute hike from the parking area[2].
link to https://mulegebajasur.com/index.php/tours/baja-san-borjitas-cave-paintings-exploration-tour/
La Trinidad Cave Paintings
– Also known as Sierra de Guadalupe cave paintings[3].
– Part of a larger UNESCO World Heritage Site[3].
– Located about 30 km west of Mulegé, accessible via bumpy dirt roads[3].
– Paintings estimated to be 2,000-7,000 years old[3].
– Features various images including human figures, animals, and abstract designs[3].
Visiting the Cave Paintings
Guided Tours
– Salvador Castro Drew offers tours to both San Borjitas and La Trinidad (tel. 011-62-615-153-0232, mulegetours@hotmail.com)[2].
– Ciro Cuesta is another English-speaking guide (tel. 011-52-615-153-0566)[2].
– Tours typically cost around $45-$100 USD per person, including permits and transportation[2][4].
Important Information
– Permits are required to visit the sites, usually arranged by tour guides[2][4].
– The journey involves off-road driving and hiking, so appropriate clothing and footwear are necessary[3][4].
– Booking in advance is recommended due to limited accommodations in Mulegé[5].
Historical Significance
– The paintings are attributed to the ancient Cochimí people[4].
– They provide insights into the spiritual and daily life of early inhabitants of the Baja California Peninsula[4].
– The area around Mulegé has up to 750 registered cave painting sites[5].
These cave paintings offer a unique glimpse into prehistoric North American culture and are a must-see for history enthusiasts visiting Baja California Sur.
Citations:
[1] https://explorebajacalifornia.com/mulege-mexico/
[2] https://www.discoverbaja.com/2022/10/02/san-borjitas-cave-paintings/
[3] https://sailingstonetravel.com/la-trinidad-cave-paintings/
[4] https://mulegebajasur.com/index.php/tours/baja-san-borjitas-cave-paintings-exploration-tour/
[5] https://www.hiddencorners.com.mx/cave-paintings-in-mulege/
[6] https://www.bajabound.com/bajaadventures/bajatravel/painted_cave_san_borjitas
[7] https://www.pacificcatalyst.com/blog/cave-paintings-of-baja/
[8] https://www.lasecomujeres.org/issi/caves_cowboys.html
