BajaNomad

Car rental from San Diego

escristian - 8-1-2006 at 09:12 PM

We're landing in San Diego and decided to rent a car and drive of to Baja.

Is there any car rentals companies in the airport that will allow me to take the car into Baja?

How much more expensive is it then an american only rental?
Thank you :)

David K - 8-1-2006 at 09:15 PM

A family flew into San Diego from Vermont and rented at the airport, a Jeep Liberty for Baja, no problem... They even posted a trip report with photos... I think the car was rented from Avis... I will see if I can find that article.

They came as far south as El Rosario and we met them at the Baja Cactus Motel...

bajabound2005 - 8-1-2006 at 09:17 PM

yes - many of them...when you call or rent on line you'll get the details. Added expense as you must purchase Mexican car insurance from the rental company. And I don't think you can take it south of Maneadero.

David K - 8-1-2006 at 09:19 PM

Here's that thread... from 'Vermonter': http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=14360

bancoduo - 8-1-2006 at 09:26 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by escristian
We're landing in San Diego and decided to rent a car and drive of to Baja.

Is there any car rentals companies in the airport that will allow me to take the car into Baja?

How much more expensive is it then an american only rental?
Thank you :)
Enterprise will let you go as far as Ensenada.
I talked to the manager and he let me go farther. They take care of the insurance. Costs about 15$/day more.

DavidT - 8-1-2006 at 09:47 PM

Call Avis, as stated on their website you can go 450 miles into Baja, that could get you to Bahia de Los Angeles. You have to buy ins. from them @ $21 a day. Local phone # 619 688 5000 or 800 852 4617 for more info about driving into Mexico.

thebajarunner - 8-2-2006 at 12:27 PM

Great to hear you decided to drive.
Don't get hung up in the big northern cities, get down to El Rosario and Catavina, pronto!
Stop at Ranch Santa Marta orphanage, four miles south of San Vicente, they will greet you and show you around, great place,
Go up to the observatorio if it gets too hot.
Be sure to stop off at Meling Ranch for a meal on the way up.
Enjoy!!! Baja Arriba!!!

bajajudy - 8-2-2006 at 12:34 PM

I, too, am glad that you decided to drive and, I agree, head south as fast as your rental car will take you.
Have a safe trip!
Buen Viaje

David K - 8-2-2006 at 06:38 PM

I brought a Trip to Baja from a Vermonters point of view post up as it was so good, and they rented their Liberty in San Diego...

jerry - 8-2-2006 at 08:10 PM

pick up a light waite sleeping bag pillows a cheep ice chest a few gallons of drinking water and some canned food and give her hell

woody with a view - 8-2-2006 at 08:16 PM

be careful when you head south of ensenada. the mountains are steep and winding. after that, it's smooth sailing. like jerry said, have fun!

Don't be frightened by these guys

thebajarunner - 8-2-2006 at 09:42 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by woody in ob
be careful when you head south of ensenada. the mountains are steep and winding. after that, it's smooth sailing. like jerry said, have fun!

The road South of Ensenada is no more winding that US 50 from here to Lake Tahoe.
In fact, it is not a scary hiway at all, just a bit more narrow than you are used to, but not enough to pre-worry over!

David K - 8-2-2006 at 10:28 PM

What does change is Hwy. 1 south of San Quintin/ Lazaro Card##as about 200 miles from the border... Km. marker 0 is where the highway shrinks in width to 19 feet or so... It also is mostly elevated with no shoulders... Passing semis, busses, and R.V.s towing trailers will test your nerves... South of El Rosario you will be on a winding road in beautiful cactus gardens... Be careful of approaching trucks... slow way down before meeting them as they are often on your side of the narrow highway... This narrow section was the last part of the Baja Highway to be built, in 1973... To meet budget and deadlines, they made this road as skinny as possible. The result is many accidents to those who do not pay attention and drive too fast.

(photo from jr baja)

[Edited on 8-3-2006 by David K]

escristian - 8-3-2006 at 07:40 AM

Ye me too I'm really happy that we rented a car.
I've already driven around Gaspesie (on the east coast of canada) and the roads have no shoulders, with loads of semis and potholes.

So i do have some experience in this kind of driving. I've noticed that roads in the states are MUCH better then the roads in Quebec, so what migth be potholes to most is normal for us.

And the plan is saturday morning take the car and blast it past ensanada and from there just go from little town to little town. Renting from avis or budget depending on their mexico policies.

I'll send a link to my pictures when I come back.
And thanks again for all teh advice :)

San Diego Car Rental

Kell-Baja - 8-12-2006 at 02:36 PM

California Baja, Rent-A-Car (in San Diego) specializes in rentals for travel throughout Baja. www.cabaja.com
Quote:
Originally posted by escristian
We're landing in San Diego and decided to rent a car and drive of to Baja.

Is there any car rentals companies in the airport that will allow me to take the car into Baja?

How much more expensive is it then an american only rental?
Thank you :)