BajaNomad

Inspections/Checkpoints

edm1 - 6-27-2007 at 08:02 PM

My map source shows, for baja norte, an inspection south of Maneadero, another north of Santo Tomas and another north of El Rosario.

I don't see any checkpoints along Mex5.

Are these recent/current info on inspection/checkpoint locations?

Mango - 6-27-2007 at 08:13 PM

There is usually a checkpoint just north of San Felipe. It is just north of where Mex 3 from Ensenada intersects with Mex 5.

Like almost all checkpoints in the northern 1/3 of Mexico. They only stop you going north.

I've also seen a checkpoint arther north on Mex 5 near Rio Hardy. This checkpoint was operated by federal police and not the army.

bajalou - 6-27-2007 at 08:20 PM

The checkpoint at Hghy 3 and Hghy 5 has been more thorough with their inspections the last few months. Checking southbound about 1/2 the time, not quite as extensively as northbound but looking in trunk etc.

Mango - 6-27-2007 at 08:22 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajalou
The checkpoint at Hghy 3 and Hghy 5 has been more thorough with their inspections the last few months. Checking southbound about 1/2 the time, not quite as extensively as northbound but looking in trunk etc.


Good to know.. there is also a check point of the La Rumorosa toll road West of Mexicali. I've only been stopped going westbound.

bajalou - 6-27-2007 at 08:24 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Mango
Good to know.. there is also a check point of the La Rumorosa toll road West of Mexicali. I've only been stopped going westbound.


I was waved through that one a couple weeks ago heading west.

BajaWarrior - 6-27-2007 at 08:29 PM

This past weekend we were checked just a little bit heading south, took maybe 30 seconds, but waved through coming north. And that was with a large flatbed loaded with two jetski's and two quads. Usually they like to check through the jet ski storage and engine compartments.

I don't mind them checking my vehicle out, but hate the long lines it creates sometimes.

Mango - 6-27-2007 at 09:00 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajalou
Quote:
Originally posted by Mango
Good to know.. there is also a check point of the La Rumorosa toll road West of Mexicali. I've only been stopped going westbound.


I was waved through that one a couple weeks ago heading west.


Yeah, last two times I've been though there I was waved through too.

I was given a hard time by a 17 year old soldier there once after I addressed him as Senor. He told me in spanish that he is not my, "Senor... I'm just a kid."

I decided to agree and drive off instead of telling him that anyone talking to me with an M16 in their hands... is a Senor. :lol:

David K - 6-27-2007 at 09:36 PM

The checkpoint south of Maneadero was moved to the top of the grade, north of Santo Tomas.

The one on the mesa north of El Rosario... open.

The one near the El Marmol jcn., closed

The one between Papa Fernandez and Alfonsina's, closed

The one south of San Felipe near the airport road jcn., closed

The one 31 mi. north of San Felipe at the Hwy. 3 jcn., open

bajabound2005 - 6-28-2007 at 07:31 AM

And the sporadic ones due to Calderon's stepped up efforts to reduce the problems with the drug cartels. So you have the one in TJ still, southbound just before the road merges with Mex 1, and one south bound coming out of Otay Mesa.

bajalou - 6-28-2007 at 07:44 AM

I like to military surplus jackets and sometimes pants in the desert - very durable - stand up to the brush etc. I usually have a light weight camo jacket in the back seat or trunk. When asked, I tell them I was a Marine a long time ago and there is not much looking after that.

Bajajorge - 6-28-2007 at 09:33 AM

Hwy 5 has one permanent check point at the Ensenada turnoff. They check both north and southbound. When I left San Felipe around 5/10/07 I went through 5 check points between SF and Mexicali. They really get thourogh and carried away with themselves when they have a long list of usual suspects to look for.:o

Lee - 6-28-2007 at 12:09 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajalou
I like to military surplus jackets and sometimes pants in the desert - very durable - stand up to the brush etc. I usually have a light weight camo jacket in the back seat or trunk. When asked, I tell them I was a Marine a long time ago and there is not much looking after that.


I noticed a couple guys at a checkpoint once looking at the military decal on my car window and when I said ''militar,'' everything stopped and they gathered around me to talk story. It was interesting.

:cool:

rhintransit - 6-28-2007 at 05:42 PM

and the magic word for women traveling alone is 'soltera.' takes all the attention away from the vehicle inspections and works wonders. of course you have to politely and sweetly explain that no, you can't take anyone along...