CABO DE GATA-NIJAR NATURAL PARK
San Jose is within the Cabo de Gata-Nijar Natural Park. It contains the Sierra del Cabo de Gata mountain range, including the highest peak El Fraile. The coastline is rugged, with several small coves and sandy beaches. Offshore there are coral reefs and rocky islands. Part of the sea area is a marine nature reserve. There is also an area of salt flats. The climate is dry, with warm temperatures all year. The average annual temperature is 19.8C and average annual rainfall 160mm.
ACTIVITIES
Land based activities in the park include walking, cycling, horse riding, climbing, bird watching and geological exploration. Water based activities include swimming, scuba diving, snorkelling, paddle boarding, kayaking, wakeboarding, sailing and jet skiing.
BEACHES
The finest beaches include the Playa de Monsul and Playa de Los Genoveses, both of which are within easy distance of San Jose by vehicle or on foot. Other beaches include the Playa el Playazo near Rodalquilar, the Playa de los Muertos near Carboneras and Playa Mojaca.
ARTS AND CRAFT
These include ceramics, pottery, carpet making and weaving.
EATING AND DRINKING
Restaurants Bars and Cafes:
Restaurante Casa Pepe 7 minutes walk
Pirata Maimono 7 minutes walk
Bocata y Fuga 8 minutes walk
Mediteraneo 14 minutes walk
Quattro Nudos 19 minutes walk
Ristorante Vesuvius 14 minutes walk
Botavara San Jose 20 minutes walk
Pizzeria Il Brigantio 10 minutes walk
Cocteleria Moka 10 minutes walk
Andrea Cafe 7 minutes walk
Supermarkets and grocery stores:
Suma Supermercados 6 minutes walk
Superplus Supermercados 28 minutes drive
Carniceria Hermanos Sanchez 32 minutes drive
Supermercado Spar City 10 minutes walk
PLACES TO EXPLORE
San Jose itself is a fishing port with a yacht marina and fine sandy beach. There are many good restaurants,
cafes and shops, many selling traditional local goods.
Carboneras to the east is well known for its live music.
Nijar is inland and famous for its processions during Holy Week.
Los Albaricoques is famous for being featured in several so called “spaghetti western” films.
Rodalquilar features several art galleries displaying paintings, ceramics and photography.
Almeria (40km from San Jose) is the main city and cultural centre of the region, and has many attractions
such as the Museum and the Alcazaba.
Mojaca Pueblo is a traditional old town with steep cobbled lanes, whitewashed houses and artisan shops.
WILDLIFE AND NATURE
Species of birds on the salt flats include flamingos, purple herons, storks, cranes, avocets and
oystercatchers.
Elsewhere there are larks, bustards, stone curlews, kestrels, falcons, ospreys and eagles.
On the coast there are gulls, terns, razorbills, shags and shearwaters.
Mammals include wild boar and common genets. Reptiles include lizards and grass snakes.
Typical vegetation on land includes large agave, prickly pear and fan palms.
ATTRACTIONS
Parque Aquatico Aquavera Av. Ciudad de Valencia 2B, 04621 Playas de Vera, Almeria
1.25 hours drive
Mini Holywood Oasis Theme Park, N340a, 04200, Tabernas, Almeria
50 minutes drive
Cabacci Horse Trails, near Hotel Naturaleza, 04115 Rodalquilar, Almeria
20 minutes drive
Conjuncto Monumental de la Alcazaba de Almeria Almanzor, 04002, Almeria
50 minutes drive
Torre de la Atalaya de Nijar, C. Atalaya, 10C, 04100, Nijar, Almeria
35 minutes drive
