BajaNomad

Baja or Sonora?

domromer - 12-25-2007 at 01:19 PM

I've got 10 days off and I know I want to go to MEX but I'm not sure where. I live in Tuscon. My choices are drive straight south Through Sonora and eventually to Mazlatan. Or drive East to San Diego and then explore Baja. I've taken the bus as far south as Mulege and have driven to San Felipe. So I know Baja is great. I've been to Rocky Point and Caborca on the Sonora side.

Any ideas which way to go?

Is the drive to Mazlatan similar to a Baja trip?

Is there as much to do?

Or should I just bite the bullet and drive to Baja via San Diego? I thought of going to Guyamas and taking the ferry but it seems it will neither save me time or money.

JZ - 12-25-2007 at 02:46 PM

The road to Mazatlan is a 4-lane divided highway w/o mountains. So it is completely different from Hwy 1 through Baja. It's about a 16hr drive to Mazatlan from Tucson.

If you do stay on the Mainland, I'd skip Mazatlan and hit San Carlos instead. It is nothing like Rocky Point. www.sancarlosmexico.com.

[Edited on 12-25-2007 by JZ]

Al G - 12-25-2007 at 03:00 PM

Here is a link to the adventures of Tioga and George...he is in Guaymas now.
Not sure if he is crossing to Santa Rosalia or not...did not read that far back.
Just click the yesterday button and you will learn about the trip that far...
http://vagabonders-supreme.net/blog/blog.html

Oso - 12-25-2007 at 03:45 PM

Mazatlan is in Sinaloa, not Sonora. It's a great town but you will have to do the temporary car import thing if you go past Empalme, south of Guaymas/San Carlos. I'm heading that way next month, but not to the beach. I'll be hunting with Mexican friends in the mountains east of Magdalena, near Cucurpe. Not much to attract tourists up that way, but I enjoy the company of the unpretentious, sincere and hospitable ranch people and the quiet, bucolic countryside.

fishbuck - 12-25-2007 at 04:18 PM

I've been thinking the same. Except instead of Mazatlan I thinking Zijautanajo. And I want to fly. I'm not in the mood for all that driving. I figure to rent a car for a little local looking around.
The weather is windy in Baja now.
Any tips for flying out of Tijuana? I could fly out of LAX but hate returning through the Bradley terminal. Too crowded.

domromer - 12-25-2007 at 04:24 PM

Mazlatan isn't my destination it's just on the way. I plan on driving 4 days down and 4 up. I don't really have an actual destination in mind. I'm just not sure what would be a better trip. Sonora of Baja. I like to camp, fish, hike and take photos. When I say camp I meant tent camping.

fishbuck - 12-25-2007 at 04:35 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by domromer
Mazlatan isn't my destination it's just on the way. I plan on driving 4 days down and 4 up. I don't really have an actual destination in mind. I'm just not sure what would be a better trip. Sonora of Baja. I like to camp, fish, hike and take photos. When I say camp I meant tent camping.


8 days of driving on a 10 day trip? Why not just pick a good spot and fly? It might cost a little more to fly but not much when you factor fuel costs etc.
I found hotels for $20/night in Ziwhat. I plan to make day trips and sleep in a nice room each night. A hot shower is a good thing.
Just a sugestion that will get you out of the car.

domromer - 12-25-2007 at 04:38 PM

I don't really mean 8 days driving. I meant drive around and stay in various spots. Like if I was doing baja I'd like to stop at LA Bay. Mulege, and Cabo. I just meant I have no set desinations. I thought about flying but I can't bring all my crap, fishing rods, diving gear, camping supplies.

fishbuck - 12-25-2007 at 04:57 PM

Ya, you're right about not being able to bring stuff. That's the draw back.
I'm bringing 1 rod and snorkel gear. If I decide to fish seriously they have rods for you. Same with diving.
Camping gear? You might be able to bring enough for basic camping. You could buy a disposable cooler and grill.
But I get your point. You want to see the sites on your way down.
But keep in mind that 16 hrs in a car is about 3 hrs in a jet. That's 13 more hours on the beach some where! And isn't that what it's really all about?

domromer - 12-25-2007 at 05:02 PM

You have a point, but for me it's not the destination it's the journey.

The trip starts when I leave my drive way.

JZ - 12-25-2007 at 08:51 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by fishbuck
I could fly out of LAX but hate returning through the Bradley terminal. Too crowded.


You don't have to go through Tom Bradley for many (most?) of the airlanes flying to Mexico. They all have their own terminals (Delta, Aeromexico, American, etc.). Only the airlines with limited presence are in the international terminal (i.e. China Airlines).

TJ will likely be cheaper. But it might be a lot more crowded depending on what flight and what airline you pick.

I fly out of LAX at least two times a month. Once you figure out what your doing it's one of the most convient airports in the world. You can park the car, take the shuttle, and be at your gate in about 10-20 mins total.

JZ - 12-25-2007 at 08:54 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by domromer
I like to camp, fish, hike and take photos. When I say camp I meant tent camping.


You will be better off going to Baja for that.

bajalid - 12-25-2007 at 10:32 PM

Listen to the last post, baja is much better for camping,mt.biking and the people are really nice once you pass ensenada! I am leaving for my wonderful baja dec 27 cant wait!!!
what ever you decide just to it!

JESSE - 12-26-2007 at 01:33 AM

Baja is a lot safer than the mainland, and more cool as well, why risk it in the main land if you have paradise here?

fishbuck - 12-26-2007 at 02:06 AM

Fly into La Paz... rent a car... go straight to Jesse's restuarant... eat freshly killed lobsters!
Man, I like that plan! But I must admit I don't get as crazy about lobster as most people do. I like shrimp better or a nice piece of fish too. Both grilled on open flame.
Lobster tastes like butter flavored rubber.
Sorry for the thread jacking.

JESSE - 12-26-2007 at 03:01 AM

I am not so sure fishbuck, have you ever tried fresh, real fresh Lobster? i tell you, its out of this world.

fishbuck - 12-26-2007 at 03:25 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by JESSE
I am not so sure fishbuck, have you ever tried fresh, real fresh Lobster? i tell you, its out of this world.


I guess I'll need to come by and check it out!

Pescador - 12-26-2007 at 08:52 AM

The mainland is more convenient and accessible so consequently has a lot more people. There are still great areas to get away in to the desert and I love the area from Rocky Point through Bahia Kino for camping but it is pretty remote and colder this time of the year.
But the Baja is certainly less populated and sounds more like the type of experience you seem to be looking for. You may want to consider some of the areas like Asuncion, La Bocana, Abreojos, and Campo Rene, although the Pacific Side is a little cooler this time of the year and can be better experienced in the spring and fall.
Both the mainland and Baja offer the kind of thing you are talking about but I suspect you have to look a little harder to find it on the mainland.

Fred - 12-26-2007 at 09:37 AM

Pescador.....................Where to you camp on the beach between Rocky Point and Bahia Kino?

JZ - 12-26-2007 at 12:24 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by JESSE
Baja is a lot safer than the mainland...


What is your source for this.

JESSE - 12-26-2007 at 06:55 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by JZ
Quote:
Originally posted by JESSE
Baja is a lot safer than the mainland...


What is your source for this.


Its a well known fact, i dont need sources.

JZ - 12-26-2007 at 07:35 PM

Yeah, maybe if you are considering Mexico City against BOLA. Otherwise, I don't think your blanket and un-sourced comments work. Have you heard about the little crime wave in Baja Norte? Any place with a large population will have bad patches. We are talking about Sonora here anyway in reference to the mainland. What are your facts regarding Sonora or Mazatlan in Sinaloa?

Those kind of comments are what got you hammered a couple years back.


[Edited on 12-27-2007 by JZ]

stanburn - 12-26-2007 at 08:43 PM

Pretty funny. I live on the mainland and I don't worry about anything. But I wouldn't begin to think about travelling between Ensenada and the border.

Uncited "well known fact" that is nothing but a personal opinion.

JESSE - 12-26-2007 at 11:06 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by JZ
Yeah, maybe if you are considering Mexico City against BOLA. Otherwise, I don't think your blanket and un-sourced comments work. Have you heard about the little crime wave in Baja Norte? Any place with a large population will have bad patches. We are talking about Sonora here anyway in reference to the mainland. What are your facts regarding Sonora or Mazatlan in Sinaloa?

Those kind of comments are what got you hammered a couple years back.


[Edited on 12-27-2007 by JZ]



Sonora and Sinaloa are the drug trafficking capitals of Mexico, very violent places where roberies, kidnappings, and rapes have been going on for decades. Thats just common knowledge here in Mexico, that why i said that i dont need any sources, anybody in Mexico knows that.

relax.

JZ - 12-27-2007 at 01:17 AM

Quote:
quote]Originally posted by JESSE
Sonora and Sinaloa are the drug trafficking capitals of Mexico, very violent places where roberies, kidnappings, and rapes have been going on for decades. Thats just common knowledge here in Mexico, that why i said that i dont need any sources, anybody in Mexico knows that.

relax.


Relax? and listen to your blanket bs statements? Have you actually ever been to Sonora?? Your words suggest you haven't. Back your stuff up with facts? If you are speaking about a specific place(s) in Sinoloa name them. Don't generalize. Don't speak about things you don't know.

You won't catch me hanging out in TJ anytime soon. But I have no worries going to Hermosillo, Nogales, or Mazatlan.


[Edited on 12-27-2007 by JZ]

Pescador - 12-27-2007 at 07:58 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Fred
Pescador.....................Where to you camp on the beach between Rocky Point and Bahia Kino?


I used to explore all those roads and trails and in times past the areas around Libertad and Desemboque were great. On the road from Kino through Desemboque to Libertad there were little roads that went to the sea side. Since there were lots of drug smuggling that went on, the army patrolled the area pretty well so we felt somewhat safer knowing the army was around and knew of our whereabouts. In the late 60's or early 70's, I met several Seri woodcarvers doing Ironwood carvings and traded packets of sandpaper for some really beautiful carvings.

domromer - 12-27-2007 at 08:21 AM

That area is great. We camped at Desemboque last year for new years. We had the entire beach to ourselves.

Fred - 12-27-2007 at 08:41 AM

Pescador.....thanks for the info.

domromer - 12-27-2007 at 08:51 AM

Anyone know the driving time from Tucson to Desemboque? Would you take the 15 to Caborca then over to Desemboque?

JESSE - 12-27-2007 at 07:28 PM

Quote:
Quote:
Originally posted by JZ
quote]Originally posted by JESSE
Sonora and Sinaloa are the drug trafficking capitals of Mexico, very violent places where roberies, kidnappings, and rapes have been going on for decades. Thats just common knowledge here in Mexico, that why i said that i dont need any sources, anybody in Mexico knows that.

relax.


Relax? and listen to your blanket bs statements? Have you actually ever been to Sonora?? Your words suggest you haven't. Back your stuff up with facts? If you are speaking about a specific place(s) in Sinoloa name them. Don't generalize. Don't speak about things you don't know.

You won't catch me hanging out in TJ anytime soon. But I have no worries going to Hermosillo, Nogales, or Mazatlan.


[Edited on 12-27-2007 by JZ]


I have family in Cananea, Hermosillo, and Ciudad Obregon, i know exactly what i am talking about.

JZ - 12-28-2007 at 04:04 AM

I have dozens of friends in Hermosillo and Orbegon. I visit those towns regularly. What you are saying is not the truth.


[Edited on 12-28-2007 by JZ]

stanburn - 12-28-2007 at 06:20 AM

Last time I checked, there were 31 states in Mexico. 2 of them are in Baja and Jesse, the self proclaimed expert on the risks of travelling the mainland has identified 2 states with problem. Seems to me using my simple math that leaves 27 states on the mainland without a problem according to Jesse.

Doesn't sound like it is alot more dangerous to me. That is the problem with these gross generalizations, they don't hold water.

Yes there are dangerous places in Mexico. There are dangerous places in the US. Keep with the facts, not generalizations.

I agree Culíacan is a major drug area, but that didn't stop me from spending a night there. Did I see or experience any violence? No.

Jesse, you are entitled to your opinion, but Mexico is a big country, much larger than Sinaloa, Sonora, BCS & BCN.

Fred - 12-28-2007 at 12:09 PM

There are 50 states in the US and they all have good and bad areas.

JESSE - 12-28-2007 at 06:31 PM

Look guys, do what ever you want, ask any Mexican that knows even a little about what he is talking about, and he will know just like most people in this nation, that Sonora and Sinaloa are to Mexico what Sicily is to organized crime in Italy.

Fact is wether you like it or not, Baja is a lot safer.

stanburn - 12-29-2007 at 06:30 AM

You have trouble admitting that your original statement that the mainland is more dangerous could be wrong. If you want to compare Sinaloa or Sonora to the Baja that is one thing, but to make a grand statement that the mainland is more dangerous is absolutely wrong!

All you have to do is admit that you are talking about the two states, not all of the mainland. We all make mistakes, repeat after me.........I mispoke, I should have been more specific.

Now that didn't hurt too much did it?

domromer - 12-29-2007 at 09:40 AM

Dang, talk about thread jacking.