Ok, So I am planning a trip from Orange County California down the Baja Coast then take a ferry and jet over to Playa Del Carmen Quintana Roo. Yes I
know it will be an adventure but my main question is...... Has anyone on here made any trip down that far??? Im just hoping to gain some tips and good
places to hit for atleast the Baja Part and any insight once I leave baja and get into Sinaloa would be great as well. I know driving to Texas then
taking the Gulf might be easier but I want an advenure and I just need a little help. Thanks Everyone!comitan - 1-4-2008 at 01:55 PM
Its adventure and you are dreaming of doing it, you don't need help you just need a shove. Well I'm pushing so just do it. It sounds like a good plan
been there done that and will always remember, hopefully will do it again but slower.Mango - 1-4-2008 at 01:55 PM
Welcome to the board.
Many people here, myself included, have traveled all over both the mainland and Baja Mexico, so I am sure you will get some good advice here.
I have one important question. How much time do you have?
Am I correctly assuming "jet on over to Playa del Carmen" involves using your car and not flying on a plane? Mexico is a very large country, that is
traversed by many roads in various conditions. In general it will take you more time to travel a given distance south of the border than it would
north of the border. The one exception is toll roads.
There are a bunch of great towns between Baja and Playa del Carmen. My advice is to take it slow, enjoy your trip. (i.e. Driving non-stop from TJ to
Mexico City will take you 48 hours straight. Thats not including stops, for photos, food, or bathrooms.)
For more info on the mainland check out the thorntree forums at Lonely Planet.
Also, I advise you to read the "Driving in Mexico" section in Carl Franz's book, "The People's Guide to Mexico" You should be able to find an older
edition at the local library; but, it is well worth owning a copy.CaboRon - 1-4-2008 at 02:49 PM
Just go for it.
CaboRonvgabndo - 1-4-2008 at 03:41 PM
Quite a while back ('92) we drove from Brownsville to Chetumal in about ten days. If I were to do it again I would budget about three weeks. Our
drive was tense, hectic, and we didn't see much. I advise not underestimating the distance and effort involved in that much travel even on the
mainland.misspheta129 - 1-4-2008 at 05:19 PM
Fortunatlly I have plenty of time, I guess you could say I dont have a time limit. I am actually relocating myself back to Q. ROO, my boyfriend and I
recently purchased some land in Puerto Morelos, I basically just want to launch my return with a tour de Mexico. I really want to stretch my limits
here.....The more intense the better I guess.....
Thanks Mango I will be sure to pick up a copy of that book.....
Oh yes and one more question which im sure can be widely debated....
Where are the best places to pick up a Fish Taco along the Baja Coast???bajadedom - 1-4-2008 at 05:34 PM
The main request I have for fish taco's is that they be 'white meat' fish...since the dark meat of some of the fish in Baja used for tacos is not as
tasty as the white meat fish. I have had some terrible fish tacos right on the same plate as some great ones and until I discovered the trick of
requesting 'pesca blanca" had no idea why...
In Loreto try Ceasars -right in town....although aside from the dark meat thing I don't think there is a bad fish taco!
AND there are lobster tacos (&burritos)on the Pacific side too!!- MMMMMMango - 1-4-2008 at 06:52 PM
Ah, Puerto Morelos is a nice town. My kind of place. Everyone called it Puerto Muertos when I visited, nice and slow.
I am glad to hear you have lots of time. It is the best way to see Mexico. There are lots of places to visit on the mainland. Guanajuato, Taxco,
Oaxaca, San Cristobal de las Casas are just a few of the many nice places.
My trick is to look at a map, find a place name then do a google photo and web search for it. This usually works best for the more obscure places.
If you have any questions about specific towns or places feel free to ask here or send me a U2U.
Have a great trip.
Fish tacos
bajaguy - 1-4-2008 at 06:58 PM
Check out this post. I've eaten there and recommend both the Tuna and Salmon tacos.
Anyplace in La Paz!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Bajafun777 - 1-5-2008 at 01:27 AM
Misspheta129, a map that shows where to get fuel, to stay, to eat and sites along the way can be purchased and downloaded online by going to www.ontheroadin.com you can not go wrong with this buy and it was only about $5 dollars when I bought it last year. I am using it again when I
drive back down to Maztalan in February. Happy travels--"No Hurry No Worry Just Fun" is what it is all about. Later--------------- bajafun777capt. mike - 1-5-2008 at 06:13 AM
i have flown all over Q Roo and Yucatan.
it is the best.
next time, and it is coming up! we will do Guatamala.
Carmen is nice, and there are many others out of the way still sleepy. i also love Akumal.
landing right at the ruins of Tulum and Chitzchen Itza is a trip. Next one is Tikal. I believe the Maya were befriended by space people.
which ferry? from La Paz to MAZ or?? is there one to PV?jorgie - 1-5-2008 at 06:26 AM
costa rica is the 'now' hot spot.....I googled it up and found that the 'boarder guard' were fearsome. Scary....looks like a spot to visit but return
to BajaBajafun777 - 1-6-2008 at 05:45 PM
Jorgie, been to Costa Rica and it is great in its' beaches, culture, people, food, sport activities, casinos but if you think some roads in Mexico are
bad your in for a new experience in Costa Rica!!! Next issue is the 5 hour plane trip and I hate to fly but wanted to experience Costa Rica, went
about 4 years ago it was great to visit. Later--------- bajafun777Roberto - 1-6-2008 at 06:51 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by capt. mike
I believe the Maya were befriended by space people.
Takes one to know one? vandenberg - 1-6-2008 at 07:41 PM
Misspheta,
After you've spend your Baja time, take the ferry from La Paz to Topolobampo/Los Mochis. It's a better ferry then the Mazatlan one and a much shorter
ride. From Los Mochis haul burro to Mazatlan, an easy one day drive. Then, going inland towards Durango, you see one of the most scenic Hwys in all of
Mexico. On the way up stop at Copala for the night at Daniels. Great restaurant and motel right in jungle territory.( still have jaguars there )
Durango is a nice city with comfy hotels right downtown. Then onto Freshnillo and Zacatecas, my favorite city. Same there, stay downtown. We went from
there to Guanajuato, another neat town. (very picturesque) In that vicinity you can easily visit San Miguel de Allende, Dolores Hidalgo and Queretaro,
all old colonial cities, each with their own charm. And many other charmng small towns. Santa Rosa comes to mind, with beautiful pottery and ceramics.
That's as far as I got, but I imagine going further east should be similar.
Did my month in Costa Rica. Wasn't impressed. Mexico "mucho mejor". Highlands are alright, west coast beaches not near as nice as Baja and windy.
Caribbean coast hot and muggy and poor. In short, can't hold a candle to Mexico.
