BajaNomad - safety in Baja

safety in Baja

jim janet - 3-22-2006 at 05:58 AM

My wife and I have just returner home after our annual trip to Baja.We travel as far as Cabo camping on beaches and staying in R V parks,this year I we ran into more people who had been robbed than ever before. We had an encounter with a robber on the beach at Cals Hostel.
Is it possible for the members of this board to compose a list of dangerous places to camp.

bancoduo - 3-22-2006 at 08:34 AM

Bad everywhere! the place is full of Gringo bandidos. :no:

David K - 3-22-2006 at 09:18 AM

I feel safer camping in Baja than anywhere in the USA.

Camping in Baja since 1965... no problems!

The safest places are far from pavement, and where 4WD is required. Otherwise, camp with others you know or become friends with.

Pescador - 3-22-2006 at 09:50 AM

For many reasons like inflation, lack of jobs, etc., the financial situation in much of baja is absolutely dismal. Add to that fact that there are a large number of people moving in from the mainland to do agriculture and fishing and you have a mobile population with a new level of desperation.
Now let's compound that situation with Canadians and Americans coming down with an ostentatious show of wealth and comfort from their new cars and trucks to very expensive motorhomes and campers. Don't misinterpret that as condoning criminal behavior, but maybe a glimpse into the mindset that exists.
So, I am extra careful in certain areas such as San Quintin, Constitucion and Ensenada. I listen to reports of actual crimes rather than campfire storytelling and have heard of problems in the area from Lopez Mateos through La Poza Grande, numerous problems at the deserted campground on the south end of Conception Bay, Camping by the side of the road in the Catavina area.
Generally, I camp in areas where there are other people in the immediate vicinity. (Safety in Numbers)
Finally, I do my best to be friendly and fair in all my dealings with the local people. I do not want to set myself up for a "retribution crime". And finally, as in the city, those of a criminal nature tend to prey on those who look the weakest and least prepared.

Capt. George - 3-22-2006 at 10:34 AM

Pescador

How have you been? Still here in Abreojos, heading north and east on Sunday...been living here 2 years now...quiet, very quiet. No problems camping here...great local people!

Hope all is well by you and you're still fishing...adios amigo!

capt g

Petty thievery

Skipjack Joe - 3-22-2006 at 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Capt. George
Still here in Abreojos...
No problems camping here...great local people!

Actually, I had things stolen at a camping spot near Abreojos. I had my fillet knife and filleting board stolen on one occasion by a couple of kids. When we arrived that year we met a camper who was cooking by the moonlight and going to bed real early. It turned out that his propane lantern had been stolen by someone from Abreojos that had come by when he wasn't around. There was a fellow that showed up every day selling lobsters and the theory was that if things were lying around and nobody was around he sometimes would take them.

This is to take nothing away from the people of Abreojos, however. I have been back many times since and have met some and they have helped me dig my camper out of bad situations. They are marvelous people and I don't argue with anything that Captn. George has said about them.

There is a fair amount of this sort of petty thievery occuring in baja. I believe you can help yourself a lot by just putting things away, zipping up your tent, and locking all car and camper doors. In most cases the thief has not made a special trip to rob you. He happens to drive by and the opportunity is there - so he takes it.

Bajabus - 3-22-2006 at 12:34 PM

I concur with the suggestion to not camp near the road in the Catavinia area. two good friends on separate occasions had their vehicles tossed while out hiking. they were about 1/2 mile in near the virgin Guadalupe monument north of town. We always cross the border around 5-6 AM and hustle down to GN and then take it easy from there on.

jim janet - 3-22-2006 at 01:37 PM

Pescador you are totaly correct .We do not have a large shiny rig but we do have money,not a lot but many times the average Mexican.I feel that some are loosing their honesty to us tourists. People this year were getting ripped off in well populated areas. Tecalote for example.I hope this is not the start of a slippery slope

woody with a view - 3-22-2006 at 03:29 PM

been coming down for 25 years and never had a problem, with thieves, that is! friends have had windows smashed, tho. WAIT, i did have a pair of binoc's and a filet knife disappear at juanico 2 years ago. i know it was javier-he never came back around and last year he was very evasive when i bumped into him at nico's.

anyway, small losses are to be expected. it sure beats a gun to the head or knife to the throat!!! i'm with dk, get away from the obvious gringo enclaves and the risks are greatly diminished.

Packoderm - 3-22-2006 at 03:42 PM

You also have to factor in the meth problem when trying to sort this whole thing out. Think of all the light bulbs that are stolen.

It has been my experience that crime is equally bad on both sides of the border, but it is much more likely to happen south of the border. There is no U.S. state with a population of approx. 2,750,000 (2003 estimate) that has a crime rate anywhere near as bad as that of Baja California Norte.

woody with a view - 3-22-2006 at 05:33 PM

Quote:

Think of all the light bulbs that are stolen.

Danger

MrBillM - 3-22-2006 at 05:37 PM

A close friend of mine was heading down to See the Whales. Left 08 February. Because of some last minute problems with one of his children and some error codes on his truck, he didn't get away from Hemet until 8 p.m. He drove until he was too tired to go any farther and pulled off the highway at a rest stop called El Mirador near Ensenada. He, his wife and children went back to the camper and went to sleep. Less than an hour later, two guys came up to the truck, smashed in the driver side window and made off with about $1000 in Radios, cameras, CDs, etc before he could get out of the camper. Adding to the difficulty of pursuing them (which probably wasn't a good idea anyway), he was barefoot and there was broken glass everywhere.

While these incidents can happen on either side of the border, a problem in Baja is that the bad guys are pretty sure you haven't any serious self-defense on board. At least en El Norte, I can pull out a gun and defend myself, my family and my property.

RIGHT ON, MR. Bill M!!!!!!!!!!!

Barry A. - 3-23-2006 at 10:51 AM

-----and it really makes me nervous, tho this has never happended to me in Baja in 52 years--------tho our camper was attacked in the middle of the night by a crazy coyote near Catavina, once.

rpleger - 3-23-2006 at 11:23 AM

Lots of crime here....stay away.

Tell all your friends.

But------about the "stolen light bulbs"-----

Barry A. - 3-23-2006 at 11:28 AM

-----vis-a-vis the meth problem :?:

bajarich - 3-23-2006 at 12:08 PM

We've been camping in Baja since 1992 and the only problem I've encountered was in Jan, 2002 at Playa Santaspac when my friends left their van unlocked while we took a hike around the point and someone stole some money from their vehicle. I have heard of thievery at the abandon trailer park at the south end to Bahia Conception, but I never camp there.

While camped near the airstrip on the Pennisula Conception, we encountered a fisherman who was gathering scallops. He asked us if our camp was ok as we had been mt. biking on the road and weren't in camp when he had arrived by boat. Nothing was missing, but he told us that there were ladrones (thieves) in a panga who would raid unattended camps on the bay.
This was also in 2002, I don't know if this is still going on.

In the San Quintin area I camp in RV parks as I have heard there is more crime there due to the high immigrant population, something that was re-enforced when I decided to visit Punta San Jacinto to check out where I spent my very first night in Baja. There is a gringo community there now with a tall chain link fence and razor wire and a security gate.

Personally, I have never had a problem, but it is wise to be careful wherever
you camp. I feel that areas of high concentrations of gringos are more of a target than being off somewhere by myself. I don't buy into the stories of Mexicans sitting on hills just waiting for a gringo to drive down a dirt road. I don't like camping by myself anywhere visable from the main road. That is also true of camping in the States. I would never camp at a rest area on the freeway. Not only is it noisy, but it exposes you to that many more people who could be up to no good.

It is not just poor Mexicanos that might take your things, I am always leery of gringos who are traveling in Baja that are just bumming there way down without any money. And, of course, don't forget the dishonest gas station at Santa Rosalia.

pascuale - 3-23-2006 at 01:42 PM

Im 23 and been driving throughout Baja to gonzaga since I was 6 in 1988. Ive been back several times each year and learned to drive down there. I have driven to the Cabo area 3 times now first when I was 18 with only my grilfriend. These are my rules
1. drive carefullly but be aggressive when needed (nervous drivers seem to cause accidents down there).
2. never leave anything unnattended in my truck or in the bed with any value. (I always have someone there )
3. Never camp alongside the road
4. Never drive at night in Baja Sur
5. Always carry a calculator
6. Always carry small bills
7. never carry large amounts of cash in your wallet or any place (carry $40 and hide the rest)
8. Always offer the military at the checkpoints a drink, and snacks.
9. bring stickers for little kids
10. Bring old clothes for people
11. Never go against a bad gut feeling.
12. pay attention to your surroundings at all times.

I feel that the communities down there really notice the way that you interact and treat them, especially the ninos. If you treat them well, they will protect you. I have never had one thing stolen, been threatened by anyone, treated in a hostile manner, or been given a ticket once. I have never had to pay a dime to get myself out of a bad situation.

When I was returning from baja sur in 2003 on my way to a strong dorado bite in LA bay, I stopped at the pemex just outside of town in Guerrero Negro. A gas attendant wanted a lift to LA bay. I was hesitant at first but when he said he was going to fish for the Dorado, I said to hop in. Not 5 minutes later I get pulled over for speeding, which i was being completely excited that the schooling Dodos were waiting fo me. Anyways, the officer asked what the guy in the back was doing and I said that i was helping him out by giving him a ride. After checking the mans ID card to ensure he was not an immigrant, the officer said thanks to me and to go catch some fish. Not only did we not get a ticket, but the guy in the back hooked us up with his uncle to fish with and we scored wide open dorado fishing. If you go out of your way to help people, they will accept you as one of them and not some rich, arrogant, white tourist. Just my .02 from a young unexperienced kid.
Ethan

Pescador - 3-23-2006 at 03:57 PM

Sometimes I laugh a little when I hear either that there is no crime in Baja or that there is rampant crime. Guess it is all in the eyes of the beholder.
But one thing that I find fascinating is when a Mexican builds a nice house in Mexico, all the windows have bars, the driveway generally has a cast iron gate, and there are usually broken glass or wire on the surrounding fence or wall.
Guess they know something we don't! :tumble:

Diver - 3-23-2006 at 04:23 PM

They're afraid of gringos from LA and Vancouver ! :lol:

I've had one gas can stolen in all my years in Baja, that's it !; I shouldn't have left it laying out near the road.

I usually either camp within site of other campers or I stealth camp.
In either case, we feel just as safe as anywhere in the US.
Just gotta use your head !

2 dogs totalling 180lbs of barks also helps !!

Frank - 3-23-2006 at 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Barry A.
-----vis-a-vis the meth problem :?:

They smoke/freebase meth in light bulbs....

Packoderm - 3-23-2006 at 07:40 PM

That's right.

bancoduo - 3-23-2006 at 07:44 PM

they sell meth bulbs at home depot. :biggrin:

David K - 3-24-2006 at 09:35 AM

Bad Roads = Good People, Good Roads = ALL KINDS of People*

*Mama Espinoza, El Rosario 1973 with the arrival of pavement.

Ken Cooke - 3-24-2006 at 05:53 PM

Here is how my wife and I stay safe while camping in Baja...

Frida is one spunky Chihuahua that is not afraid to be heard. She barks with authority, and will not let strangers come near us. She has drawn blood on more than one occasion as well...

David K - 3-24-2006 at 07:03 PM

Frida es MUY MACHA!!!

Diver - 3-24-2006 at 07:15 PM

I love those homely little things ! Rats on steriods.
When they go after your ankles, you can kick them a mile !! :lol:

Great fun !

Macho 4x4 Ken; your real self is exposed; nice purse honey !! :lol:

bancoduo - 3-24-2006 at 07:35 PM

Is this coming from a little rodent like man? :lol:

Bruce R Leech - 3-24-2006 at 07:49 PM

once I was reading electric meters for a living . I came to a house that had a pined in aria around the meter and there was a Chihuahua with a big letter of almost grown pups. they were cute. I stepped over the little 3 foot high fence to read the meter and they attacked. they were like a bunch of Purana's, little mouths taking little bites At very high rate of speed.

I left fast

Diver - 3-24-2006 at 07:50 PM

Oh yes, of course, that makes good sense ban-o.

Why would you want to know ??
Are you a "rodent hugger" ??

Ken Cooke - 3-24-2006 at 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DiverMacho 4x4 Ken; your real self is exposed; nice purse honey !! :lol:

I bought the purse for my wife, Suzanne. Frida is her dog, and I got the fat rat - TJ the puppy!

Fierce chihuahua

Gypsy Jan - 3-24-2006 at 08:22 PM

A beautiful picture of your gorgon.

I have posted on this subject before; faithful four-legged companions are your best "dragons at the gate". Treat them with love and good care and they will take care of you.

A friend of ours, a Tijuana businessman, living in a good community recently arrived home from work, he unlocked the iron gates blocking his driveway and greeted his fifteen-year old German Shepherd that habitually slept on the driveway until he arrived home.

Just as he exited his car, a thug came up from the street, through the open gate with a knife to stab him in the back.

The German Shepherd, which had been a family pet all its life, attacked the attacker and drove him away.

Neal Johns - 3-26-2006 at 01:26 PM

I have not lost anything in Baja and have been camping there since 1977, but I came close one time (about two blocks).
We were staying in a motel in Calexico about two blocks from the border and I took a small Husky for a walk around the block. When I got back, the rear vent window was broken, the door unlocked, the glove compartment open and glass everywhere.
Nothing was missing.

A little Crime Scene Investigation told the story. We had a 72 pound monster Husky named Kodiak in the camper with the pass-thru open. The poor guy must have looked over his shoulder to see the always hungry, drooling monster creeping toward him and make a fast exit. Kodiak was devastated that he did not get a pet. :lol:

Huskys are not watchdogs, but Wife Marian.......

I agree with David K's early post; camp in the boonies.

And Diver, quit picking on Poor Ken, the Jeep driver. He is not really that way, Jeep drivers just like to have a purse to match their high heels.

Whistler

Skipjack Joe - 3-26-2006 at 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by whistler
Skipjack,when did this take place in Abreojos?

That was about 12 years ago, I guess. There is a campsite at the base of a hill with a house (or was it a cross) on it about 2 miles from town on the way to Campo Rene. We used to love to camp there with the other gringos because of the wonderful cove that it borders. The water was crystal clear and had a gentle slope for our son to play in without any danger. You could see corbina feeding from the bluff at high tide and the halibut bit real well on a rising tide. A road circled the hill from the main road and the vendor would show up on that road once or twice a day with his lobsters.

I don't know if you were living in Abreojos in those days, Whistler (or I would've looked you up :yes

. I thought all of the residents were Mexican back then. Nice, bright, white-washed homes in the sunny desert climate. I saw no poverty. It looked like a wonderful place to live, I thought.

Ken Cooke - 3-26-2006 at 05:31 PM

Quote:

And Diver, quit picking on Poor Ken, the Jeep driver. He is not really that way, Jeep drivers just like to have a purse to match their high heels.

Absolutely right. Except, she (Suzanne) sold her Jeep 13 months ago...

[Edited on 3-27-2006 by Ken Cooke]

Skipjack Joe - 3-26-2006 at 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by whistler
If your in the area come visit.I got plenty of room.

Thanks for the invitation, Whistler. I have thought of being in the area in early July this year. Do you think any of the pelagic gamefish will be around during that time (based upon your experience)? I mean fish like yellowtail, dorado, and bonito. Even barracuda and shortfin corvina would make Alex happy.

I've gotta tell you about my first trip to Abreojos. It was December of 1991. The locals steered me to this drop off on the reef next to the lighthouse during a minus tide. I caught and released shortfin corvina on every cast for 2 solid hours. I got out the flyrod and was getting them with 35 foot casts. It was amazing. Every trip needs a day like that.

This year, if I go, I was thinking of staying at La Bocana and going out through the mouth to some of those seamounts around there. That reminds me, there's a sale at Sportsmart right now with every reel marked down 25% off list price. That includes the Trinidads, Tecotas, and Toriums. Seems like a great deal.

Capt. George - 3-26-2006 at 07:08 PM

If you really want fish, go see Capt George...he learned all from GK...ain't that right Senor Glenn..

no kidding though we'll make it a threesome, I have a 7 ft dingy...

still here, get on the road wednesday...be back July, to show you how to fish!! bring your "spinning rod"..........

el Vikingo de Punta Abreojos

Capt. George - 3-27-2006 at 07:17 AM

It's your lucky time of year....but I'll make up for it come July..

Bien Viaje! Maybe we'll cross paths on the camino and you can get a last look at a "real truck"...

regards to Ron y familia. Capt. George

Skipjack Joe - 3-28-2006 at 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by whistler
Skipjack .... but come see me first.

Your ship, my ship.
We eat, same food.
We kill, same whale.
We friends.

Natalie Ann - 3-29-2006 at 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Skipjack Joe
Your ship, my ship.
We eat, same food.
We kill, same whale.
We friends.

Don't mean to butt in on this fishermen's conversation, but... Skipjack that is one fine saying. Did you coin it yourself?

Pompano - 3-29-2006 at 11:14 AM

Natalie...think Queequeg may have said that to his shipmate in Moby Dick. Just a hunch...I always liked Herman Melville.

Skipjack Joe - 3-30-2006 at 01:12 PM

Pompano is correct. Queequeg it was.

I've bought a bunch of DVD's of films from the 50's to share with my son recently and Moby Dick is one of our favorites. His memory is much better than mine and he'll quote something from the film now and again. And so, it starts to rattle inside my brain as well. What makes this film great is the language. Here are some tidbits:

Queequeg's vision:
See tomorrow here.
Bones tell everything.
How much you bid coffin for?
Money yours. Sea chest yours. Harpoon yours.

Ahab telling his crew about the whale:
All you mastheaders, now hear me! You're to look for a white whale. A whale as white as a mountain of snow.
....
It's a white whale, I say.
Aye, I'll follow him around the Horn. To chase him around the earth till he spouts black blood and rolls over dead.

Gardner asks for Ahab's help:
Captain Gardner, I seek the white whale.
Your own son's murderer.
I am losing time.
Avast, touch not a rope.
I must go.
Goodbye, I say, and fare thee well.
God help you Capt Gardner.
May God forgive you Captain Ahab.