BajaNomad - Christmas trip to Mulege advice

Christmas trip to Mulege advice

Family Guy - 9-10-2003 at 07:59 PM

Planning to take wife and kids (age 5 and 8) down to Mulege over the Christmas break. Have done the trip with friends but back in single days. After reading forum for a few days am considering overnight hotel stays in San Quintin and Guerrero Negro. Will be driving 2002 Honda Odyssey.

Would appreciate any suggestions, advice as to road conditions, winter weather, etc.

Also am concerned about finding a hotel room in Mulege around X-Mas. I imagine them to be pretty full.

Would especially appreciate hearing from others who have made the trip with kids to allay my wife's fears.

Family Guy,

Mike Humfreville - 9-10-2003 at 09:52 PM

My wife and I have been going to Baja since before they paved it. We took our kids there when they were several weeks old (each) and the central desert and south, not the border towns (even more dangerous). Never experienced a serious problem. North of the border, unfortunately, we stand almost alone in our rush. To the south, the Mexicans stand united in being helpful. It's ingrained in them, just as it would be in our own society if we took the time. No criticism intended on either side. I just wish I had more time to feel free from earning a buck.

Have a good trip. Write a report.

BajaBronco - 9-10-2003 at 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Family Guy
Planning to take wife and kids (age 5 and 8) down to Mulege over the Christmas break. Have done the trip with friends but back in single days. After reading forum for a few days am considering overnight hotel stays in San Quintin and Guerrero Negro. Will be driving 2002 Honda Odyssey.

Would appreciate any suggestions, advice as to road conditions, winter weather, etc.

Also am concerned about finding a hotel room in Mulege around X-Mas. I imagine them to be pretty full.

Would especially appreciate hearing from others who have made the trip with kids to allay my wife's fears.

We would like to know these too, Christmas break is the best time, kids out of school.

I' will follow thru these thread as it gets closer!

Thanks!

Bob and Susan - 9-11-2003 at 06:17 AM

Read the book "Skipping Christmas" by Grisham. It doesn't have much to do with baja but it will make you want to go....

Mulege and Loreto are empty compared to 5-6 years ago. The only fishing will be for yellowtail....maybe.

Weather will be in the high 70s-80s in the day and not lower than 60 at nite.

If it rains on the pacific side watch for water in the vados. It could sweep you away and there is NO 911 and 5 min response in baja.

Just make reservations and go.

You will have a great time.

Family Guy - 9-11-2003 at 09:53 AM

Thanks for the quick replies. Getting swept away in a vado does not sound fun

I will be checking up on the road conditions beforehand. Is it common for the vados to become unpassable in December between Ensenada and Mulege? Are there certain areas I should be most concerned about?

Bob and Susan, your project looks very ambitious and impressive. How do you get internet access? Are there internet cafes in Mulege? Could I bring my laptop? I assume I would need some sort of wireless service. What do you guys use?

hey Hermano familia!, your avatar is a crack-up!

capt. mike - 9-11-2003 at 10:03 AM

one of my alltime fav movie characters, in fact i emulate his role at all possible times i need to iritate certain in and out laws!

i'm hanging in mulege regularly, look for the bandera pirata at the Serenidad RV park, come over for a beer. me thinks you have my kind of humour, amigo
1 :lol:

Christmas VAcation

flyfishinPam - 9-11-2003 at 10:55 AM

I would suggest you make hotel reservations ahead of time if Mulege is like Loreto (80 mi. south). As a business owner here, Christmas is a high season- from Dec 20-Jan 5 we are always busy. check out http://www.bajaexpo.com for ideas on hotels there. AS for us in Loreto about half is fly-in (commercial) and the other half drive in clientele and the hotels do fill up! Have a great trip. :cool:

Kids in Baja

Ski Baja - 9-11-2003 at 11:46 AM

My daughter started in Baja at about 6 mos. old. She has loved every trip since and has made many friends all over Baja. There seems to be no language barrier between kids because they can play all day together for weeks on end. It's also a great way to exchange languages and learn a little different culture. Although this may not be a factor in Mulege.
Everyone here is family oriented so you and the kids will have a blast.

FrankO - 9-11-2003 at 01:39 PM

We were in Mulege 2 years ago after x-mas and there was no shortage of available rooms. The Serenidad might be tighter but in town shouldn't be a problem. Serenidad is a little pricey but nice. We stayed at a hotel that is the old bank right when you get to town after the first left. Cheap and clean.

Mulege Hotels

Ski Baja - 9-11-2003 at 01:56 PM

Maybe someone can help me here. We stayed at a very nice hotel near the mouth of the Mulege River up on the hill. Close to the Almeja Restaurant. Inexpensive, clean and nice view of the lighthouse and river. Does anyone know the name ? I do recommend checking it out.

Family Guy - 9-11-2003 at 03:09 PM

Ski Baja, your picture is worth a thousand words. Thanks for the attachment!

I heard good things about Hotel Cuesta Real. I still haven't been able to figure out how far outside town it is. I like the idea of being in town within walking distance of everything and driving to the beach to hang out.

As far as the avatar, it was one of my favorite movies, too. I came across the picture searching Chevy Chase and the Vacation movies pictures and fell out of my chair when this came up. I shrunk it down to 150 pixels but it came up pretty large. Hope it doesn't offend.

Any other suggestions on hotels and the like would be great. And a beer with Capt Mike is definately in order upon arrival.

BajaBronco - 9-11-2003 at 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Family Guy
Planning to take wife and kids (age 5 and 8)

I have a 8 yr old and a 10 yr old, they loved it when we went to San Felipe.

Quote:

i'm hanging in mulege regularly, look for the bandera pirata at the Serenidad RV park, come over for a beer. me thinks you have my kind of humour, amigo

Capt. Mike, do you land your plane just about anywhere that is open?

Is this RV place have a TENT site? how much for RV or tent, what are the other amenities.

Thanks

yeah, baby! (think Austin Powers!)

capt. mike - 9-11-2003 at 03:37 PM

i land anyplace that is at least 1700 ft long, has a safe approach, is legally licensed (if a mexican strip), and is within stumbling distance of a bar and/or taco stand! :tumble:

[Edited on 9-12-2003 by BajaNomad]

oh, almost forgot.....

capt. mike - 9-11-2003 at 03:40 PM

RV or tent is $13.50 to $15 a nite. www.serenidad.com or www.hotel-serenidad.com check it all out!
a slice of heaven 2/3rds the way south of the border.......

Anonymous - 9-11-2003 at 08:36 PM

Mulege at Christmas has the potential to be very windy and therefore cool or even chilly. You should plan accordingly. Also, most of the times that I've seen gas shortages in Baja have been over the Christmas holidays and...Mulege can get hit pretty hard by them. I've seen folks in Mulege camped out at the pumps for a few days waiting for gas. At the same time there was plenty of gas down in Loreto (may have something to do with fuel supply coming from the north vs. the south). Carrying an extra 10 gallons is well worth it in my opinion. Finally, I would highly reccomend reservations for the Christmas holidays as others have suggested. It can fill up. Aside from that, the family should love it...weather permitting. Good luck and have fun!

Mulege at X-mas

lindsay - 9-12-2003 at 11:20 AM

You and your family will have a great trip. I used to live there and my daughter's father is from Mulege. We go twice a year to visit all her Mulege relatives and Christmas/New Year's is a wonderful time because you get to see the town celebrate the holidays. As for places to stay, Hotel Cuesta Real is on the river, a few minutes walk on the river road to the Serenidad. You can walk from Hotel Cuesta Real to town in about 20 minutes. It's a very pleasent walk on the river road or you can drive to town in less than 5 minutes. I can also recommend guest rooms that my daughter's aunt & uncle operate in the heart of the town. They have three guest rooms and rent them for $30 a night. They are very clean and have two double beds with nice bathroom/shower has good pressure/hot water. The rooms are attached to their home but have a separate entry through a nice garden area with a patio. The patio is a relaxing place to relax with views of the town's church (across the street) and the local museum on the hill above. Nelly and Ciro are really great hosts and you can walk everywhere in town from this location. Another in town location that has a bar, restuarant, small pool and internet cafe is the Hotel Hacienda. The rooms are basic but comfortable and it's next to the town's main plaza. Let me know if you want any contact info on these places or other info on Mulege and I'll be happy to help!!

Family Guy - 9-12-2003 at 05:42 PM

lindsay, thanks for all the great info. We like the idea of staying with locals but would like a little more about the accommodations...like private or shared bath, outside entrances for each of the three rooms or more like a bed and breakfast with shared hall and bath. I like the location of the Cuesta Real. The river is beautiful and an easy walk to town it sounds like.

Also, we very much like the idea of being there around Christmas. Our kids are 5 and 8 and we would like to get away from all the commercialism of the states. We would also like to introduce them to the concept of giving. We would appreciate any contact information concerning schools, youth groups, orphanages and the like who could use donations of some sort. Our kids would really enjoy bringing clothes, toys, books, etc. At least twice a year we clean out their rooms and make huge donations to the Goodwill. Their stuff is in perfect condition. My wife just got sick of getting ripped off by consignment stores--offering her .70 for a name brand outfit that cost $30 new and they will sell for $15. :mad:

It was pretty windy in Loreto a few years back when I passed through in April. I guess we just have to take our chances. As far as gas, I am assuming I can fill the tank in Santa Rosalia on the way down. Hopefully we can fill up again in Mulege some time during our stay. I don't like the idea of traveling with 10 gallons of gas in our minivan without a trailer or anything.

Debra - 9-12-2003 at 06:28 PM

I wouldn't worry about weather, (who can count on that?.....one bet,... it will be nicer than the Bay area (where I was born and raised) and Seattle, where I have lived for the last 30yrs.) I have swam in Bahia Conception at 2AM in December (what a JOY!) one thing I do have to warn you about......your children may become Baja addicts! My 10yr. old has been going since 1997 and is so spoiled (or addicted) when invited to go with his Auntie and Uncle for 3wks. to Hawaii next month (he's spent alot of time there also) he said, "no, thank-you.....Mom might go to Baja, I think I should wait"

The road (Mex 1) is great.....don't worry about that, and gas.....my advice would be fill up at San Ignacio (stay away from the gas pumps at Santa Rosalia) there is gas at Mulege......Hotels, I can't advise you about too much, as I have always camped (tent) or motor-homed until this last summer......not December.......Have a GREAT TRIP, I KNOW YOU WILL! And it will start memories for you children they will never forget....Debra