BajaNomad

Safety in Baja?

L84CABO - 9-19-2010 at 01:17 AM

Hi Folks

Can someone bring me up to speed on the current safety issues in Baja (all the drug cartel related issues)? I'm considering a trip to Mulege in early October.

I've been searching recent and older posts. Seems like the worst area is going to be TJ to Ensenada (pretty typical) but the rest of the peninsula and especially Baja Sur seems as low key as ever...except for Ciudad Constitucion (farther than I'm planning on going).

I'm not planning on spending any time in the north but will most likely be going through the border around 4:30 a.m. or so. Wondering if that's probably ok or if I should wait until daylight?

I'm pretty well traveled in Baja but haven't been down in a couple years. I'm primarily interested in how safe things are right now and what to watch out for...or is it just a bad idean to go down in general right now? Any comments or advice is greatly appreicated.

Thanks!

JESSE - 9-19-2010 at 02:11 AM

Things are back to normal, take whatever precautions you took a couple years ago.

schwlind - 9-19-2010 at 06:48 AM

I often travel to Baja solo as my esposo is still working. My best advice to anyone is to always be alert and aware of your surroundings (which is something I personally practice… no matter where I am). I also will not drive after dark in Baja… my personal preference.

The only problems I’ve ever encountered in TJ is with the police looking for mordida or once getting lost in TJ for hours (before I purchased the Baja maps from Garmin)… Otherwise… no problems!

Have a good trip, drive carefully and enjoy!

Linda

Carry a loaded weapon!

mcfez - 9-19-2010 at 07:24 AM

Just kidding!
We are always taking kids to Baja.....mostly thru Mexicali and then outward. Also...we own various investments there including our beach house "get away"......and haven't encountered any sort of negatives.
For years I had gone to the "Mexican Rivera" side...and never encountered issues.
USA has major violence going on too. I stay away from roaming the troubling areas such as East L.A. , South Sacramento, , or even Kamloops British Columbia. Use common sense as you would in the USA..... stay away from the hot spots ........eyes wide open...have fun.

[Edited on 9-19-2010 by mcfez]

Safety

bajaguy - 9-19-2010 at 08:05 AM

Please check your u2u message, upper right of this screen page, by where you sign in

Eli - 9-19-2010 at 09:10 AM

For me personally, the biggest safty hazzard is the Cows! REALLY!!!!!!! On the roads and even out walking. In all the years I have been coming to Baja, (since 1958), the only time I have ever been attacked was by a dang Cow.

Baja&Back - 9-19-2010 at 09:14 AM

WAIT FOR DAYLIGHT!

Skeet/Loreto - 9-19-2010 at 09:28 AM

L84cabo:

The good and positive things first:

Stay off of Freeway 5 going through LA, Coming from North go Pasadena 210 to 60 and Freeway 15 to Tecate. From Tecate to Ensenada then to San Quintin and stay at the Los Ciros. ALL DAYLIGHT DRIVING.
Next morning early departure at Daylight will get you to Mulege easy.
Reverse that coming back.
If you have any serious Medical Problems I strongly suggest Constitution. It has very Good medical and Doctors. And please keep in mind the Speed Limit going into Townand remember the age ole Cultural that goes on with Cops trying to get a few Bucks. Constitution is a very good and safe town even compared to many small towns in the States.

Skeet

Eli - 9-19-2010 at 09:29 AM

Very good advise Skeet!

mcfez - 9-19-2010 at 11:42 AM

"......Stay off of Freeway 5 going through LA,

Absolutely !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BAJA.DESERT.RAT - 9-19-2010 at 12:21 PM

Hola and welcome to nomad !

i believe the crossing at tecate opens at 5. i would suggest crossing a bit later when it's light. that early, around 6:30, does have it's advantages as sometimes, there is nobody there and the gate is open. also, the police don't seem to get up that early for their mordida stings.

however, there is major construction south of tecate that i have been told to either avoid by using the blvd. 2000 route or just going through tijuana or otay mesa.

since 2004 and at the height of the tijuana shootouts around 2006, i have never had any problems going through but i try and get south as fast as i can. the toll road used to be very heavily patrolled and is safe during the daylite hours.

keep an eye on the weather as the hurricanes didn't abate until the end of october last year. i do realize every year is different.

have a great journey.

BIEN SALUD, DA RAT

DENNIS - 9-19-2010 at 12:27 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by BAJA.DESERT.RAT
keep an eye on the weather as the hurricanes didn't abate until the end of october last year. i do realize every year is different.



I think the cold water has pretty much granted a reprieve on Hurricanes in the SOC this year. Hope so, anyway.

BAJA.DESERT.RAT - 9-19-2010 at 06:37 PM

Hola, very strange your comment as when we went out fishing yesterday, the suface water temp was 85 degrees directly out in front of la ribera. i am not a meteorologist but the water seems to be quite warm and inviting for a major event and i am certainly hoping that i am erroneous.

perhaps the water temps obviously were higher more in the shallow areas than the mid-cortez area ?

whatever, let's hope we do not get anything major again this year as last year, two category 5's roared up and one spun northeast of cabo and made land fall at mag bay and the second one, doug, veered east before cabo.

BIEN SALUD, DA RAT

DENNIS - 9-19-2010 at 06:43 PM

Well...I don't know, Rat...[sure wish you had a real name] but what Ive heard is the lower water temps don't draw the cyclonic air activity.
What the F do I know?

bajaguy - 9-19-2010 at 06:55 PM

........You don’t need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows............

Bob Dylan.....Subterranean Homesick Blues

BAJA.DESERT.RAT - 9-19-2010 at 07:47 PM

Hola dennis, no offense but, i believe RAT will suffice for the moment. you are correct with the lower water temps don't draw the cyclonic air activity. also, the water temp that i quoted may be in the top of the water column and i do not know how fast the water temps drop towards the middle of the sea or at what depths.

whatever, let's hope we do not get hit with anything major but, we do need some rain to replenesh our aquifers.

BIEN SALUD, DA RAT

Is Baja safe? Your chances of survival are better on the 405 at rush hour.

Lee - 9-19-2010 at 07:51 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajaguy
........You don’t need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows............

Bob Dylan.....Subterranean Homesick Blues


Yeah yeah yeah and don't follow leaders, watch the parking meters.

STAY AWAY FROM BAJA!

Heads are rolling, CC cops are on the take scamming ALL gringoes, banditos are looking for lone travelers, mota is rampant.

Better to fly to Cabo and stay in the Corridor.

Bajatripper - 9-19-2010 at 07:56 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by BAJA.DESERT.RAT




whatever, let's hope we do not get anything major again this year as last year, two category 5's roared up and one spun northeast of cabo and made land fall at mag bay and the second one, doug, veered east before cabo.

BIEN SALUD, DA RAT


But, boy, could we sure use the rain! The canyons that I like to frequent down here in Southern Baja are dry, dry, dry this year. While the damage that a Cat 5 hurricane can do is terrible, it would be nice to have a couple of them meander off the Pacific Coast for a ways before heading out to sea, giving us some relief. For a perspective on the beneficial side of hurricanes, talk to a rancher some time. Cattle will be hurting this year, machaca should be cheaper.

[Edited on 9-20-2010 by Bajatripper]

Nappo - 9-19-2010 at 08:16 PM

We travel south maybe 10 x a year. Never a problem going south at TJ crossing - fast and once you get on the toll road you're in Ensenada in an hour. Lots of construction at the border, once through just go slow and take the Toll "cuota" exit to Ensenada - very simple. After Ensenada you're in great country and away you go. One hint is after you go by the port of Ensenada you can turn left or go straight - We go straight - it follows the beach a few stop signs but keeps you off the main road which has lots of traffic lights and traffic. You eventually hit a "T" and can only turn left - right at the military base - saves a little time. For me, I would never drive in the dark. Gets light around 6 am. Not sure where you're coming from but if you're driving in the early am you'll have no problem on the 5 - Everyone is leaving TJ going to work in San Diego at that hour.

drarroyo - 9-19-2010 at 08:32 PM

lots of bullet dodging here!!!
stay away!!!!! think of your family man! tell ALL your friends the same. Baja is "DANGER, WILL ROBERTSON"
crime everywhere!!! it's MOO-EEYY LOKO !!!

(off to the airport to pick up Grandma ... she gets SO peeed if I'm late, and thinks she's missing precious "baja experience" time. sighhh)

bajabass - 9-20-2010 at 06:20 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by drarroyo
lots of bullet dodging here!!!
stay away!!!!! think of your family man! tell ALL your friends the same. Baja is "DANGER, WILL ROBERTSON"
crime everywhere!!! it's MOO-EEYY LOKO !!!

(off to the airport to pick up Grandma ... she gets SO peeed if I'm late, and thinks she's missing precious "baja experience" time. sighhh)
:lol: Will Robinson, Lost In Space! Great show!

desertcpl - 9-20-2010 at 09:00 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by L84CABO
Hi Folks

Can someone bring me up to speed on the current safety issues in Baja (all the drug cartel related issues)? I'm considering a trip to Mulege in early October.

I've been searching recent and older posts. Seems like the worst area is going to be TJ to Ensenada (pretty typical) but the rest of the peninsula and especially Baja Sur seems as low key as ever...except for Ciudad Constitucion (farther than I'm planning on going).

I'm not planning on spending any time in the north but will most likely be going through the border around 4:30 a.m. or so. Wondering if that's probably ok or if I should wait until daylight?

I'm pretty well traveled in Baja but haven't been down in a couple years. I'm primarily interested in how safe things are right now and what to watch out for...or is it just a bad idean to go down in general right now? Any comments or advice is greatly appreicated.

Thanks!


Check your U2U mail,, you will find it in the upper right corner

jack - 9-20-2010 at 11:22 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by mcfez
Just kidding!
We are always taking kids to Baja.....mostly thru Mexicali and then outward. Also...we own various investments there including our beach house "get away"......and haven't encountered any sort of negatives.
For years I had gone to the "Mexican Rivera" side...and never encountered issues.
USA has major violence going on too. I stay away from roaming the troubling areas such as East L.A. , South Sacramento, , or even Kamloops British Columbia. Use common sense as you would in the USA..... stay away from the hot spots ........eyes wide open...have fun.

[Edited on 9-19-2010 by mcfez]


I am getting ready to head for the Baja after an absence of 3 years and was a little concerned after hearing one report after another about voilence in Mexico. But after realizing that I live and have survived in one of mcfez's troubling areas, Kamloops BC, I feel a lot more confident. :lol:

mcfez - 9-20-2010 at 06:59 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by jack
Quote:
Originally posted by mcfez
Just kidding!
We are always taking kids to Baja.....mostly thru Mexicali and then outward. Also...we own various investments there including our beach house "get away"......and haven't encountered any sort of negatives.
For years I had gone to the "Mexican Rivera" side...and never encountered issues.
USA has major violence going on too. I stay away from roaming the troubling areas such as East L.A. , South Sacramento, , or even Kamloops British Columbia. Use common sense as you would in the USA..... stay away from the hot spots ........eyes wide open...have fun.

[Edited on 9-19-2010 by mcfez]


I am getting ready to head for the Baja after an absence of 3 years and was a little concerned after hearing one report after another about voilence in Mexico. But after realizing that I live and have survived in one of mcfez's troubling areas, Kamloops BC, I feel a lot more confident. :lol:


Sorry Jack...that Kamloops pinprick remark was aimed for someone else in your town. Again...apologies.

jack - 9-22-2010 at 10:55 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by mcfez
Quote:
Originally posted by jack
Quote:
Originally posted by mcfez
Just kidding!
We are always taking kids to Baja.....mostly thru Mexicali and then outward. Also...we own various investments there including our beach house "get away"......and haven't encountered any sort of negatives.
For years I had gone to the "Mexican Rivera" side...and never encountered issues.
USA has major violence going on too. I stay away from roaming the troubling areas such as East L.A. , South Sacramento, , or even Kamloops British Columbia. Use common sense as you would in the USA..... stay away from the hot spots ........eyes wide open...have fun.

[Edited on 9-19-2010 by mcfez]


I am getting ready to head for the Baja after an absence of 3 years and was a little concerned after hearing one report after another about violence in Mexico. But after realizing that I live and have survived in one of mcfez's troubling areas, Kamloops BC, I feel a lot more confident. :lol:


Sorry Jack...that Kamloops pinprick remark was aimed for someone else in your town. Again...apologies.


No apology necessary, I figured as much. What really concerns me was the Mexican Travel Advisory that was on the largest Canadian TV news station last night...

OFFICIAL WARNING: Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada advises against non-essential travel to the border areas between Mexico and the United States, due to continuously high levels of violence linked to drug trafficking in those areas.

Canadians should avoid crossing Mexico’s northern border by land, as shootouts, attacks, and illegal roadblocks may occur at any time. Criminals especially target SUVs and full-size pickup trucks for theft and carjacking along highways of the states of Nuevo León, Tamaulipas, Baja California, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Durango, Sonora, and Sinaloa. Travellers are advised to reconsider their need to travel to these border states and should do so only if it is absolutely necessary, and after making appropriate arrangements to ensure their personal safety.

Damn, I just bought a new pickup. This kind of makes you think twice. :?:

mcfez - 9-22-2010 at 01:28 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by jack
Quote:
Originally posted by mcfez
Quote:
Originally posted by jack
Quote:
Originally posted by mcfez
Just kidding!
We are always taking kids to Baja.....mostly thru Mexicali and then outward. Also...we own various investments there including our beach house "get away"......and haven't encountered any sort of negatives.
For years I had gone to the "Mexican Rivera" side...and never encountered issues.
USA has major violence going on too. I stay away from roaming the troubling areas such as East L.A. , South Sacramento, , or even Kamloops British Columbia. Use common sense as you would in the USA..... stay away from the hot spots ........eyes wide open...have fun.

[Edited on 9-19-2010 by mcfez]


I am getting ready to head for the Baja after an absence of 3 years and was a little concerned after hearing one report after another about violence in Mexico. But after realizing that I live and have survived in one of mcfez's troubling areas, Kamloops BC, I feel a lot more confident. :lol:


Sorry Jack...that Kamloops pinprick remark was aimed for someone else in your town. Again...apologies.


No apology necessary, I figured as much. What really concerns me was the Mexican Travel Advisory that was on the largest Canadian TV news station last night...

OFFICIAL WARNING: Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada advises against non-essential travel to the border areas between Mexico and the United States, due to continuously high levels of violence linked to drug trafficking in those areas.

Canadians should avoid crossing Mexico’s northern border by land, as shootouts, attacks, and illegal roadblocks may occur at any time. Criminals especially target SUVs and full-size pickup trucks for theft and carjacking along highways of the states of Nuevo León, Tamaulipas, Baja California, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Durango, Sonora, and Sinaloa. Travellers are advised to reconsider their need to travel to these border states and should do so only if it is absolutely necessary, and after making appropriate arrangements to ensure their personal safety.

Damn, I just bought a new pickup. This kind of makes you think twice. :?:


Thanks jack ...
Did not read the Advisement for the Canadians. What exactly sparked that off, you know?

I am getting a new truck too.....oh..what route are you taking to get down here? :lol:

[Edited on 9-22-2010 by mcfez]

bajatravelergeorge - 9-22-2010 at 05:53 PM

I've crossed into Baja early in the morning many times. Crossed at San Yisidro and just hi-tailed it to the toll road. Never any problems, even in my new truck. I did get accosted once when I was in downtown Los Angeles, California at 7:00pm in the evening. So I stay away from that place. :fire:

BajaBlanca - 9-22-2010 at 07:28 PM

L84CABO - welcome to BajaNomads !!! Since you are coming south as far as Mulege, if you have the time, take a side trip and visit us in La Bocana !! You take the first exit after VISCAINO which takes you to Punta Abreojos. Once in Abreojos, take the salt flat bordering the estero/marsh/lagoon north for 10 miles and voila, here we are.

Cool temps, on the Pacific Ocean. You can meet us (Blanca and Les), Joaquin who has amazing dinners with all the seafood you can dream up at the Cactus restaurant which just got a new front porch, Juanchys can take you fishing, Ana Fischer has handicrafts ... and I can go on and on...

check out our pics at www.labocanahotel.com

and after you visit Mulege and La bocana, then you can slowly make your way north and meet Shari in Asuncion.

If you have any bikes, we could sure use one. We are so close to actually making our goal of one bike per kid in the bike club !! Soooo close !! If you can't visit us, you can drop off the bike at EL CRUZERO, the restaurant right at the turnoff to Abreojos.

Again, welcome to the land of Nomads who love THE BAJA !!!!!!!!!

jack - 9-23-2010 at 11:55 PM

[
Quote:
Originally posted by mcfez
Thanks jack ...
Did not read the Advisement for the Canadians. What exactly sparked that off, you know?

I am getting a new truck too.....oh..what route are you taking to get down here? :lol:

[Edited on 9-22-2010 by mcfez]


I don't know what set it off, but now its in all the newspapers. The government says the safety of Canadians is more important then relations with a foreign country. That's a first.:lol: What route am I taking? The same one as you, preferably within 100 feet of your truck.;)