El Faro Viejo

A popular excursion is to this turn-of-the-century lighthouse on the dunes at the extreme southern tip of the peninsula. The building is currently undergoing renovation but the location’s real attraction is a view of a Pacific sunset that is unforgettable. Much of the film “Troy,” starring Brad Pitt, was shot here. The lighthouse was built at Cabo Falso  in 1905 of fired adobe brick. In 1967 a red-and-white striped lighthouse, built of cement, was erected nearby, as the old one suffered from the ravages of the sea. The original French-manufactured Fresnel lens from the first structure was adapted for motorized use and installed in the second lighthouse. Half the fun of a visit to the lighthouse is getting there on an ATV (all-terrain vehicle) or on horseback. Organized ATV tours are the most common way to visit and the best tours are organized by Tio Sports Adventure & Nature. This experienced outfit offers a wide range of outdoor activities, including snorkeling and scuba diving. Tel. 143-3399. If you embark on an unguided tour of this site, be sure to carry extra water for yourself and extra fuel for your vehicle. Cabo Falso is a windswept and remote area, and more than a few cars get stuck in the soft sand, so use caution.