BajaNomad - SAFETY ADVICE NEEDED: Woman travelling alone from Los Cabos to Tijuana

SAFETY ADVICE NEEDED: Woman travelling alone from Los Cabos to Tijuana

catwoman888 - 9-21-2006 at 02:17 PM

Hello!

I am a 44 yo European woman and was thinking of spending almost two weeks driving in a rental car from Los Cabos to Tijuana along the Sea of Cortes and then on to LA.

After reading some stuff on the net and in various guides I am wondering if renting a car and driving is a safe alternative for a woman alone. All brave that I am, I have had a very tough year without a holiday and thinking it might not be worth taking some risks...

I wanted to be able to go off the beaten tracks a little visit some missions, photo hunting and also go to Baya de los Angeles...

Are there any female here who are travelling or have travelled in Baja on their own driving? I have read about cops stopping cars forcing people to give away their possessions, etc... How true and frequent are these stories?
Obviously as a single woman I may risk a lot more too! Am I being a little paranoid or should I really revise this plan??

Now.. given that I want to spend already quite a few days diving around Eastern Cape and then also find some Spanish courses to improve my knowledge of the language, I am thinking it won't leave that much time for exploration...

Is the risk really worth taking for that little time left? And I should instead take the bus and stop now and then in little towns??

Is it possible at all to rent a taxi to go to Baya de Los Angeles? Are missions really difficult to reach without my own means of transport? Am I really going to miss much without a car???

Looking for advice, and hoping to hear from fellow women travellers.. and others... to make my decision.

Thanks a million! :-)

frizkie - 9-21-2006 at 02:53 PM

I have made the trip for five years + now between Cabo San Lucas, through the US to Canada. Twice a year ... there and back. On my own usually and I have never once had a problem.
In Baja Sur, the people are helpful, caring, sharing and friendly. Just make sure you follow a few general safety guidelines: Have a good map with you. Do not drive at night. Do not pick up hitchhikers. Make sure you have a good spare tire, and can change the tire on your own. Carry plenty of water and extra food. And don't forget the Handi-Wipes!!
Try to Caravan with someone, especially in Northern Baja.
And remember, the attitude that you put forth to people will come back to you. So put on a big smile and have a GREAT time. :spingrin:

Oh, and it also helps to take along a dog or two, Heh! Heh! :yes:

If there are other questions feel free to U2U me.
Barbara

fishbuck - 9-22-2006 at 02:33 AM

Well, I can't answer for the female part but I don't think it's dangerous if you follow the basic safety guidelines.
2 weeks is not very long. It's 3 days minimum to drive safely from Cabo to L.A.
If you flying into Cabo you could rent a car there and do the Cabo-Todo Santos-La Paz-East Cape-Cabo loop. Then fly to LAX. 2 weeks really isn't enough to see the entire Baja.
There is a great spanish school in La Paz called Se Habla La Paz.
The Cortez Club is a good dive shop.
If I only had two weeks I'd spend it like that.

[Edited on 9-22-2006 by fishbuck]

osoflojo - 9-22-2006 at 07:16 AM

Not a safety issue but have you researched how much the drop off fee would be for the rental car that far from Cabo?
P.S I agree with fishbuck about two weeks not being a lot of time for what you are thinking of.

Wise women and common sense

Sharksbaja - 9-22-2006 at 10:22 AM

I know two women who travel to Baja Sur and maintain homes there as well. They have told me of being treated great by everyone and never fear driving alone.
Don't drive at night.
Stay in a well known place.

Carry pepper spray(always)
Don't give rides to strangers unless....
Carry spare gas and a make sure you have a spare tire. Stay in San Diego or Chula Vista if you worry about TJ.

Two weeks will get you hooked.

Bajamatic - 9-22-2006 at 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by fishbuck
you could rent a car there and do the Cabo-Todo Santos-La Paz-East Cape-Cabo loop. Then fly to LAX.
If I only had two weeks I'd spend it like that.

[Edited on 9-22-2006 by fishbuck]

I think this is really good advice. Save the drive for when you have more time and/or you feel more comfortable - because I think we would all agree here that after 2 weeks, there WILL be a next time!

catwoman888 - 9-22-2006 at 01:01 PM

Hummm I think Fishbuck and the others may have made the best suggestion to just keep it to a loop and fly back to LAX. How about taking the bus? Does anyone know where I can find information about night buses? Apparently Mexico has some great ones but I have been unable to find much info on the net... even in Spanish..

How about increasing the loop to Loreto??? Wouldn't it be a shame to miss it?? Making it a day trip or a 2 day trip... or stopping by bus should I go North by bus...

I sure think I will be back... and this time hopefully with a travelling and diving buddy!! :spingrin:

THanks for all your great comments so far!! Gracias!!

kellychapman - 9-22-2006 at 02:06 PM

I have made the trip from Loreto to the states 3 times alone (well...I do have a staffordshire terrier) and have only had 1 issue when I took a detor in Ensanada..but was very late at night ...which is the dumbest thing I have ever done....I refused to get out of the car for the police.....paid 6,000 pesos and they showed me the right way to where I was staying. I believe as long as you follow safety rules and pay attention....do not stop for strangers it is safe to be on the road. Yes it can be scary if your not using good judgement like I did in Ensanada....however most people are very helpful and will not do you any harm.....never drive at night that is for sure and never stop for anyone......and never get out of your car for anyone even the police.....if there is a problem follow them to the police station...but do not get out of your car.....it can be taken care of at the station, but not on the roadside. Kelly

longlegsinlapaz - 9-22-2006 at 03:02 PM

I've lost track of how many times I've made the drive between La Paz & the states over the past 7 years! A couple times just myself & my now 88 y/o mother, many times alone. I NEVER drive after dark, likewise, I don't park out in the boonies. I have stopped to help people if their obviously stuck in sand or mud, or a flat with no jack. I've either been smart or very lucky! I've never had a bad situation. However, because of all the recent problems up north, I'd really have to think long & hard if I'd be willing to drive it alone north of Guerro Negro for the forseeable future. Until that recent post about the incident in Loreto, I'd have said I'd feel totally safe alone anywhere in Baja California Sur. Personally, I feel there's more than enough to see, do, taste, experience & enjoy making the loop & staying on the lower part of the peninsula. If you've never driven the length of the Peninsula, IMHO, now would probably not be the best time to do the northern part; you'd be distracted by the scenery & probably not be paying attention to your own space.

You could spend months on the lower 150 miles & still not even come close to seeing it all! Take your time, be smart, be safe, save the full peninsula drive for later when you have someone to travel with & hopefully things calm down in Ensenada, Rosarito, Tijuana areas.

And if you don't yet own a digital camera, invest in one! :bounce:

KELLYCHAPMAN: $6,000.00 PESOS?????

catwoman888 - 9-23-2006 at 03:45 AM

Yes, was thinking of replacing my SRL by a digital SRL... So that I can take a lot more pictures...

You guys have convinced me that for the time I have I am better off taking it easy and enjoying myself without rushing.
I think I don't realize the distances not the state of the roads and also having to make sure that I am safe all the time.

THanks!! :bounce:

kellychapman - 9-23-2006 at 04:53 AM

oops.....meant 600 pesos....and they wanted more but I let my staffordshire sit in my lap and she scares everyone at her almost 90 lbs. sorry....those damn zeros....I do tend to be on the grandious side but it was only 600 pesos.....still makes me see red when I think of how easy it was for them to pull me over in an isolated detor and try and take advantage of me. Once when my husband was driving up just past ensanada he got hit for 1,250 pesos for driving the speed limit except he was pulling a trailer and that is not allowed....an empty trailer no less and they socked it too him....but being a man and a retired police officer he did not have the same issues of being scared like I did. Needless to say he was very angry at me for driving so late at night and made me understand how dangerous it was.....I'll never do that again.....

Packoderm - 9-23-2006 at 08:10 AM

I think 2 weeks is plenty of time for a first trip to traverse baja. I did TJ to Cabo round trip in 14 days on my first trip. The drive is part of the trip. However, I think it would be much more rewarding if you did the trip the other way around from TJ to Cabo.

David K - 9-23-2006 at 09:44 AM

Agree with Packoderm... 14 days at least for a trip to Cabo and back, to have a 'quick' overall look.

I did the trip in 15 days: http://vivabaja.com/baja15

catwoman888 - 9-23-2006 at 11:58 AM

Girls and guys...!! Thanks so much for all your comments.
I think I will stick to the idea of doing a loop pushing it to Loretto for a day or two and try the diving around there too. I realize I also want some days just diving and reading... and I will have exactly 11 days from the day I land in Los Cabos...

I look foward to discovering this beautiful place all of you love so much! And it sounds like I will be back too!! :yes:

boe4fun - 9-25-2006 at 08:41 AM

I have heard stories of gringos being stopped/detained because of having pepper spray. It seems the authorities put this into the category of a handgun or rifle.

Carry pepper spray(always)
Don't give rides to strangers unless....
Carry spare gas and a make sure you have a spare tire. Stay in San Diego or Chula Vista if you worry about TJ.

bajaguy - 9-25-2006 at 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by boe4fun
I have heard stories of gringos being stopped/detained because of having pepper spray. It seems the authorities put this into the category of a handgun or rifle.

Paul: what are your references re: pepper spray

[Edited on 9-25-2006 by bajaguy]

Skipjack Joe - 9-25-2006 at 10:05 AM

You mentioned an interest in seeing a baja mission. I would recommend you go to the mission San Javier. It's on a graded road that leaves just south of Loreto. Very easy to get to and very safe. You can get a taxi in Loreto to take you there. You will also get to see baja's 'outback' as the town is quite small.

The mission at San Ignacio is virtually right on the highway and a good place to see.

There is a great deal of the peninsula that is worth visiting north of Loreto. I don't agree with the suggestion of limiting yourself to baja sur. I can't imagine visiting baja without at least a stop at Conception Bay. It's the single most beautiful piece of water on the entire peninsula. Plus the desert scenery in northern baja is superior to the south.

Baja is no more dangerous than the streets of Rome and I am sure you wouldn't think twice about a roman holiday. The highway is in excellent shape and there is very little traffic. The thing to do is not to worry. Go with confidence and enjoy yourself.

David K - 9-25-2006 at 11:01 AM

Joe is correct... the missions of Baja are a treasure indeed!

See them all at: http://vivabaja.com/bajamissions

Photos from Nomads 'Jack Swords', 'Kevin in Oklahoma', academicanarchist', and me. Also, a couple photos from Ed Vernon, author of the beautiful 'Las Misones Antiguas, The Spanish Missions of Baja California'.

Here is San Ignacio...

[Edited on 9-25-2006 by David K]

boe4fun - 9-27-2006 at 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajaguy

Quote:

I read of two incidents on the (old) Vagabundos chat board a couple of years back.