Cabobond - 8-18-2005 at 10:51 AM
Hey everyone,
I really need some help. I am looking into moving to CSL and need advice on the best way to get there. I will be driving from Ohio by myself (female)
in a new 2005 Mustang (I know, not the best car to have down there but just bought it a couple of months ago). Should I cross the border in Texas and
then take the ferry from Topolobampo to La Paz or drive down through BCS? If I take the ferry won't I have to cross the border every 6 months?
Any ideas on the best routes, cheap places to stay overnight along the way (NO driving at night, I know!), best checkpoints and times would be greatly
appreciated.
Thanks so much,
Marcie
Diver - 8-18-2005 at 11:06 AM
I would avoid the mainland drive, the ferry and it's $, for the drive south through Baja. It depends how far you want to drive each day, but there are
lots of safe places to stay on the way down. Make sure you cross the border in the morning and get at least 3 hour soouth before stopping the first
night and ou will be fine. Its easy to avoid night driving altogether if you plan ahead.
San Quinton
Guerrero Negro
etc...
I'd get a guide book to Baja.
comitan - 8-18-2005 at 12:23 PM
The mainland is the shortest route but if you factor in the toll roads expensive, along with the ferry as diver says, you can take the longer route
and see the whole Baja Peninsula, Motels;
San Quintin, El Rosario, Catavina, Guerro Negro, San Ignacio, Santa Rosalia, Mulege, Loreto, C.D. Constitution, La Paz, Cabo.
The farther south you get the first day the better IMHO
Acuity - 8-18-2005 at 01:20 PM
I have friends who won't do anything but take the mainalnd route becasue they don't want to have to think! Im my opinion, the drive down the
peninsula is one of the best parts of a trip, after the TJ / Ensenada / farms section. Once I'm in the desert, I'm happy
Just take it slowly and enjoy. And don't miss staying in San Ignacio - a real oasis.
Roads 31
jrbaja - 8-18-2005 at 01:39 PM
Phil S - 8-18-2005 at 01:52 PM
Cabobond. My wife just drove from Loreto (300 miles north of Cabo) to Tijuana during the daylight and had no problems. I know your going south. But
my wife is very timid, and not a fast driver. If money is no problem, and your in a hurry, then take the ferry. But you'll have more regulations to
deal with that way I believe. (deposit for your car until you return) etc.
You can come in from Mexicali to Ensenada, then south on hwy 1 straight down, and there will be alot of Nomads that probably will even offer you a
night to stay or recommend a hotel as you proceed south. We have 80 year old friends who own a home in Loreto and drive from Ohio into Mexico and
take the ferry to Santa Rosalia, then it's almost a direct shot south.
Are you going into the real estate business in Cabo? Guess the market is hot down there right now!!! If you'd like to u2u me & my wife, we can
recommend a person for you to contact in Loreto.
Phil S
[Edited on 8-18-2005 by Phil S]
[Edited on 8-18-2005 by Phil S]
Sharksbaja - 8-18-2005 at 02:06 PM
Good advise above.
Cabobond....you already have a support system now on your way down Baja.
The Nomads, they DO help others in need.
Cabo...
bigzaggin - 8-18-2005 at 02:18 PM
are you gunning for Cabo or look to check things out on your way down? In either instance, I would opt for the Baja route, cheaper and way better
scenery. Traditional (and quality) wisdom for deep Baja runs is to cross the border as EARLY as possible. If you're comfortable driving in the dark,
cross around 3-4 AM, if not, at first light. Guerrero Negro is a good first day goal, maybe a little deeper depending on how tired you are (and you
will be). Be sure to take care of your tourist cards, drive SLOWLY through the towns and top off your tank in El Rosario.
Good luck.
Cincodemayo - 8-18-2005 at 02:25 PM
I myself would opt for the peninsula route...every valley a different landscape! Good luck and safe driving.
[Edited on 8-18-2005 by Cincodemayo]
Cabobond - 8-18-2005 at 02:25 PM
Thanks to everyone for the great advice. I think I'll go ahead and drive the penisula. How long do you think it will take to get to the tip? and when
is the best time to cross the border in Mexicali?
Actually I got a job offer in Cabo as a destination wedding planner and will be renting a place down there. Been there on vacation about 4-5 times and
feel in love with the area. No ties in the States so what the hell!! Just go for it.
Phil - can I get back with you tomorrow? I'm at work right now and have a meeting I need to get to.
Bruce R Leech - 8-18-2005 at 02:46 PM
go ahead and drive the penisula. you will love it.
bajajudy - 8-18-2005 at 03:04 PM
Cabobond
I agree with all of the above...do the drive.
However Guerrero Negro is not a realistic goal for your first day, I dont think. Since you are doing all the driving, I would want to stop and get
out of the car very often. While the drive is wonderful, it can get monotonous and breaks are recommended.
One thing that I can think to warn you of is that there is no gas between El Rosario and Jesus Maria....that is as in gas stations. I have never
wanted to depend on the barrels at Catavina but they do seem to always be there.
U2U me if you have an specific questions about the drive or Cabo as I live here.
When do you arrive?
bajablue - 8-18-2005 at 04:51 PM
Cabobond,
Actually, a Mustang isn't that bad a call, for the straight drive down, as long as your not doing any side trips. . I would definitely cross the
border in the am, that way you get through TJ and Ensenada before the traffic gets bad. and I would stay in El Rosario the first night. There is a
great hotel there called Baja Cactus, that is right next to the Pemex gas station and I believe it is about $35 a night. There is also a good
restaurant called Mama Espinosa's next door that is kind of a tourist place, where you will probably run into other people heading south. You could
probably make it to Guerrero Negro, but you will be pushing it. Get a good night sleep and then you can get up early have a great drive down.. I would
just take your time and really enjoy the peninsula. You will love it, have a great trip...
Phil S - 8-19-2005 at 09:07 AM
Cabobond. Just before entering Guerro Negro, you'll have to stop at an inspection station. They possibly will check your tourist permit, and might
ask about inspecting any ice chests. Then they will tell you that they HAVE to spray the under carriage of your Mustang for pests you might be
unknowling be bringing into Baja Sur. The charge the last time I went down was $1.00
I recommend you be traveling with pesos so as to cut down on the amount of confusion in the exchange rate when buying gasoline, or other items.
You might look at the Vagabundo del Mar travel site before going. If you join them, you can buy auto insurance, tourist card & get lots of
information for the trip. Hopefully you will have time to do all this before heading to Cabo. Others might also have suggestions as to getting the
tourist permit at other optional locations.
Have a safe trip, and I'll be looking for your U2U
Phil S - 8-19-2005 at 09:15 AM
I almost forgot to mention that you will find maybe six or seven military inspection stops. YOu will get some warning in advance. They are looking
for guns, drugs & ammunition. IF you speak Spanish, "blow them away" with it. "playing it dumb" I don't think is an advantage. Always works
great for us to speak to them in Spanish. There is some intimidation seeing all these young kids with automatic rifles slung over their shoulders.
Don't keep anything that is easily "snatched" out. Always be present when they inspect the trunk. Don't let them go through the car without your
being there. We always lock the door when I go to open the rear of the pickup. After that inspection I go back to the truck, unlock the door and
start to get in. If they want to inspect inside, I stand right there with them and watch them. Don't keep anything of value in the glove box. I'm
not saying you'll have any problems. Just a word of caution. Prevention is best over being sorry afterwards. I've been traveling down to Loreto for
past fourteen years, and returning for Christmas & back again after three weeks at home in Oregon. Never had a problem. But we do excersize
caution at these "check points". Others may want to jump in with this one.
osoflojo - 8-19-2005 at 09:38 AM
Cabobound
You have gotten a great deal of good advice here thus far, the only thing I would add is consider crossing the border at Tecate and taking HWY 3
across to HWY 1 at Ensenada. Crossing at Tecate is painless and part of the drive to Ensenada is through some wine country. Take your time "down the
trail" and dont try to beat the road, you cant do it. Just enjoy it..............
Debra - 8-19-2005 at 03:06 PM
Personaly I would take "osoflojo" advice on your route, Tecate, Hwy. 3 to Ensenada then south. I have taken all three routes in Baja and that would
be my advice from where you are coming from....
Also (just my opinion again) being a woman traveling alone (which I do often) I wouldn't want to drive on the mainland.
If you do decide to take the Baja route, I would also suggest that you put a sign in your rear window "Baja Nomad" (Doug hasn't made bumper stickers
yet) so all here can identify you...There are over a 1000 menbers here and at any one time I could bet that at least 100 are traveling in Baja at any
one time. It would also be a good idea to let it be know here your dates of travel and route so that all Nomads will be on the look out for you if
you need help. Most of all, don't be timid about asking questions, there are about 1000 plus years of Baja travel experience on this board (if Neal
happens to see your post you have 1500yrs. at your disposal 
)
Drive safe and have fun! Debra
Debra - 8-19-2005 at 03:11 PM
One more thing......
If you do have touble along your way, find an Internet Cafe, Hotel, whatever and post here, chances are someone will be close and come to your rescue,
happened to me last summer, so I know it for a FACT!
turtleandtoad - 8-19-2005 at 07:03 PM
Two things;
1) I agree with the Tecate/Hwy 3 route. If you haven't been able to get your paperwork in advance, you can go to the Tecate crossing and park on the
US side, walk across and get your FMT. It's about 2 blocks from the car lot to the immigration office. This is a good time to wander downtown (another
two blocks) and try the local food also.
2) Most of the inspection stations last Feb were for the northbound traffic only. The only inspections I got going south was just north of El Roserio,
(guns/drugs) north of GN (fruits/veggies), north of San Ignacio (guns/drugs), and north of Loreto (fruits/veggies). I saw a lot more but they were
just stopping northbound traffic. At that time they had no interest in beef or other meats/poultry.
DavidT - 8-19-2005 at 10:56 PM
Veering off course, a little. I had the good fortune to ride with a Baja vet on my first trips. The good was knowing what was ahead. And the bad
was knowing what was ahead. Destination was more important then the journey. And it was great. Now my trips are at a more leisurely pace. Bahia
de Los Angeles is still a one day drive, but it takes two days to get back to the states.
If I was driving to Cabo my first days goal would be to get south of Ensenada. After that my schedule would not be so strict.