RICHARDH - 11-26-2006 at 03:54 PM
I seem to recall reading that there may be some areas in Vizcaino Desert ("Biosphere Reserve"?) where visitors may not be welcome.
And I also seem to recall reading some hint somewhere that some permit is required to visit the Tres Virgenes volcanoes.
I've also read that one is required to officially register and to hire a guide to visit the rock art in the Sierra de San Francisco north of San
Ignacio.
Generally, I'd like to know about such restrictions ahead of time so I don't get into trouble or waste my gas going to such places unprepared.
I'm planning to visit natural wilderness areas next spring in various "remote" places tourists do not usually visit.
Could someone please clarify these restrictions?
(Moon Handbooks' *Baja*, 6th ed., by Joe Cummings (2004) seems to adequately cover the requirements for visiting the Rock Art of the Sierra de San
Francisco.)
Is there a complete listing and description somewhere of official restrictions to travel that visitors are expected to adhere to?
Are such restrictions clearly indicated on the maps of the *Baja California Almanac*?
David K - 11-26-2006 at 04:00 PM
You are required to have a local guide to visit the San Francisco sierra sites... The museum next to the San Ignacio mission is where that is supposed
to be obtained (you can check with Ricardo at Rice & Beans as well). It may be possible to drive right to San Francisco de la Sierra and get a
guide there... Others can report back to you here.
As for other areas... Use common sence, haul out what you haul in, don't touch rock art with your hands, no spray paint, etc.
If you are interested in the Spanish mission sites, check out: http://vivabaja.com/bajamissions
shari - 11-26-2006 at 06:27 PM
YOu also need a permit for Sta.Marta also from san ignacio. There are many cave painting around and it's neat to visit different ones as they are all
quite different with unique drawings in each. Definately visit the San Borja area, this is my favorite road in all of Baja, a desert forest! And their
paintings are small but interesting. Sta.Marta is very impressive and you can hike into them with one of the rancheros. If you come to Asuncion, I can
point you to an amazing huge arroyo where there are lots of petrified bones, sharks teeth, coral, shells etc. It is a remote area that is safe to camp
alone and vastly interesting.