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L84CABO
Newbie
Posts: 3
Registered: 6-1-2006
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Safety in Baja?
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!
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JESSE
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3370
Registered: 11-5-2002
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Things are back to normal, take whatever precautions you took a couple years ago.
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schwlind
Nomad
Posts: 362
Registered: 8-30-2008
Location: Daytona Beach, FL/San Antonio Del Mar (Colonet)
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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
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mcfez
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8678
Registered: 12-2-2009
Location: aka BN yankeeirishman
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Carry a loaded weapon!
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]
Old people are like the old cars, made of some tough stuff. May show a little rust, but good as gold on the inside.
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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
Member Is Offline
Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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Safety
Please check your u2u message, upper right of this screen page, by where you sign in
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Eli
Super Nomad
Posts: 1471
Registered: 8-26-2003
Location: L.B. Baja Sur
Member Is Offline
Mood: Some times Observing, sometimes Oblivious.
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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.
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Baja&Back
Senior Nomad
Posts: 549
Registered: 9-10-2004
Location: Vancouver, Canada / todo de Baja
Member Is Offline
Mood: Rarin' to go South!
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WAIT FOR DAYLIGHT!
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Skeet/Loreto
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4709
Registered: 9-2-2003
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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
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Eli
Super Nomad
Posts: 1471
Registered: 8-26-2003
Location: L.B. Baja Sur
Member Is Offline
Mood: Some times Observing, sometimes Oblivious.
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Very good advise Skeet!
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mcfez
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8678
Registered: 12-2-2009
Location: aka BN yankeeirishman
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"......Stay off of Freeway 5 going through LA,
Absolutely !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Old people are like the old cars, made of some tough stuff. May show a little rust, but good as gold on the inside.
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BAJA.DESERT.RAT
Senior Nomad
Posts: 977
Registered: 11-5-2009
Location: BAJA SUR
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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
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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| 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.
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I think the cold water has pretty much granted a reprieve on Hurricanes in the SOC this year. Hope so, anyway.
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BAJA.DESERT.RAT
Senior Nomad
Posts: 977
Registered: 11-5-2009
Location: BAJA SUR
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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
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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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?
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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
Member Is Offline
Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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........You don’t need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows............
Bob Dylan.....Subterranean Homesick Blues
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BAJA.DESERT.RAT
Senior Nomad
Posts: 977
Registered: 11-5-2009
Location: BAJA SUR
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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
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Lee
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3455
Registered: 10-2-2006
Location: High in the Colorado Rockies
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Is Baja safe? Your chances of survival are better on the 405 at rush hour.
| 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.
US Marines: providing enemies of America an opportunity to die for their country since 1775.
What I say before any important decision.
F*ck it.
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Bajatripper
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3145
Registered: 3-20-2010
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| 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]
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Nappo
Nomad
Posts: 102
Registered: 1-25-2009
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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.
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drarroyo
Nomad
Posts: 497
Registered: 6-15-2010
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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)
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