BajaNomad

a few questions - first road trip to baja

anjianbitionjf - 8-9-2006 at 07:56 PM

we're an american couple in our mid 20s. we're taking our first road trip down to baja in a just a few days, for a couple of weeks or so. we're thinking of crossing from san diego to tijuana, and then head down to bahia de los angeles, mulege, bahia concepcion, loreto, etc. we've travelled southern mexico quite a bit and are fluent in spanish. we're chill, not party kind of people, and don't plan to go all the way down to cabo. anyways, we have a few questions:

(1) we were thinking of taking our newer volvo wagon and getting mexican insurance for it. we've been hearing that a few american cars have been stolen/vandalized recently though, and of course there's always the issue of big potholes, etc. and the possibility of flocking up our car. so we're wondering whether we should buy the bullet and rent a car instead. we called a few american car rental companies and they let us take their cars accross the border (paying, of course, quite a bit extra for mexican insurance). what do people think? previous experiences? any input on this would be great!

(2) we know it's going to be hot and humid, but we're wondering whether it's to the point that it'd be uncomfortable to camp. also, any recommendations on cheap (ideally <US$20) cabin style (or so) accomodations in BOLA, mulege, bahia concepcion and loreto would be great. we just don't want to stay in bigger hotels.

(3) we're vegetarians. we're wondering how hard will it be to find food. we've been hearing that there's less fruits and veggies in baja than in other parts of mexico, since everything has to be shipped from mainland.

(4) is it worth crossing the border back through mesa de otay instead of san ysidro?
we've heard it's really bad to cross back through the latter.

thanks in advance! we'll report back and post pictures.

jerry - 8-9-2006 at 10:35 PM

# 1a cars a car there up and down the#1 every day just drive either just like its yours and you will be ok
# 2 the term is a personal thing if tour volvo has air ya can allways sleep in the cool cheaper then a room but id advise just go for it try it you can allways change. in loreto at hotel brenda is about $22.00 has air some times lol its mexico so check it out
3 Iloreto there are fruit and vedge stands in town plus a fle market on hyw1 on i think saterday morning big store in town too
# 4 depends where your going just take your chances most memories are not made because everything went as planed
the most inportant is to slow down live a little let mexico catch up with you
injoy

jerry - 8-9-2006 at 10:36 PM

dang dug i need spell check

DavidT - 8-9-2006 at 10:46 PM

I believe Avis is the only major company that allows their cars past Ensenada. They used to allow travel all through Baja, but now, on their website travel is limited to 450 miles. That gets you to about BOLA. You have to have Mexican insurance and the fine print says you have to stay on paved roads.
Last October I stayed at Campo Naranjo and Ecomundo in Conception Bay, palapas $10 to $22 a day. Daggets camp in BOLA has palapas, but I haven't been in three years. That was July 4th weekend. Hot but the fishing was great, made it easier to handle the heat. Cabin style might be in the $40 up range. If you get into Baja Sur, splurge and stay at http://ignaciosprings.com/
Great place and great people.


Crossing the border at either Otay Mesa or San Ysidro is, I think just a combination of timing and luck. More experienced travelers will have their favorite times and places to cross.

BajaDanD - 8-10-2006 at 02:24 AM

Just take your own car the roads are not that bad as far as car being stolen that mostly happens in TJ and Ensanada so just dont stop there or if you do dont leave your car unattended It will be safe in BOLA the road in is now paved all the way the section of pot holes near Catavina have been repaired
most Us rentel companies dont want you taking their cars past Ensenada few would let you take one to Loreto.
DAND

[Edited on 8-10-2006 by BajaDanD]

thebajarunner - 8-10-2006 at 08:38 AM

I used to take my Porsche 911 down.... don't have it anymore (sigh) but still take new vehicles and don't sweat it. Mexican insurance is a must!

As to accomodations, you want a/c and you want cheap... probably not too easy to find both, but in LABay the a/c will be essential this time of year.

Border crossings are a crapshoot.... never a guarantee of easy passage. My favorite is Tecate, and it will give you a chance to drive through the Guadalupe Valley and see some very nice country en route to the border.
Waits there are typically half (or less) those in TJ.
Also, with elevated terror levels today the waits may get worse for a few weeks. Who knows?!?! or as we say ?Quien Sabe?

There are many, many references here on Nomad to each and every query you posed, take a few minutes, crank up "Search" and you will find these topics thoroughly vetted....

and yes, some people on this board need spell check>> and they need it in a very big way!!!

Bob H - 8-10-2006 at 10:52 AM

Call your insurance company to see what is already covered when driving in Baja. For instance, we have ours through AAA of Southern California and I am covered for damage and theft all over Mexico, but not liability. So, we only purchase Mexican liability coverage when we go.

thebajarunner - 8-10-2006 at 12:52 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bob H
Call your insurance company to see what is already covered when driving in Baja. For instance, we have ours through AAA of Southern California and I am covered for damage and theft all over Mexico, but not liability. So, we only purchase Mexican liability coverage when we go.


But you still have to get the vehicle back to the US to have it adjusted...
And the theft issue is important, better make very very clear that 'stolen vehicle' is covered in Mexico under the US policy.

Border crossing delays

thebajarunner - 8-10-2006 at 06:09 PM

http://apps.cbp.gov/bwt/index.asp

Check out this website. Will give you interesting insight into the border crossing delay times.

Debra - 8-10-2006 at 07:21 PM

The only problem you will run into being a vegan is that you won't be able to eat in restaurants, most everything is cooked with animal fat (anything worth eating that is)

Al G - 8-10-2006 at 08:04 PM

I usually call people by their name or screen name. In your case I will not tax my brain (what I have left). Is it an ego thing or paranoia thing?
With the paranoia you have now, I question your choice of Baja????? I hope you enjoy yourself, but must say I have my doubts. The best advice I can give (and only advice) is stop worrying.
Life has a cost and if you worry about all the little things the cost is to high. Mexico is not for veggie people. Baja is 50% about the food.
Don't be angry, I only want you to "smell the roses"
Volvo:lol: Rent a Jeep!

anjianbitionjf - 8-11-2006 at 09:09 AM

thanks everyone for their input. we're so looking forward to this trip! we'll report back when we come back.