I read the posts on this board and in the media about the current violence in Baja, especially BCN. I'm just wondering from those who are "full timers
in Baja" how dangerous it really is.
From what I can gleen there are two different problems-
Gringos being robbed and some being beaten.
A war between the cartel and some faction of authority?
So for the average gringo that passes through the TJ to Ensenada corridor or takes one of the alternative routes that many have suggested, during
daylight hours and in a convoy of at minimum 2-3 in your group, is the consensus safe or stay home.
A few posts have eluded to problems in BCS but there doesn't seem to be the consistency of those in BCN, are these just normal random acts of stupid
gringo's being taken advantage of when their guard is down, or is the violence actually spreading and the word isn't as quick to get out.
I'm trying to plan a trip in March and I need to prepare accordingly.Packoderm - 1-14-2008 at 11:53 PM
I took the chance and took the toll road and camped at Saldomano on the trip down. Nobody bothered us at all, but my VW bus looks pretty junky and not
like a very lucrative target.bigmike - 1-15-2008 at 12:46 AM
My wife and I live full time in Punta Banda, below Ensenada, my wife drives to the states by her self quite frequently with no problems. However she
only drives during day light hours, she also takes the new Blvd 2000 road to Otay and crosses there. She was stopped by the TJ police on one trip,
trying to get mordito, she played dumb and kept saying ok lets go to the police station, they finally told her to go on but to drive slower. Do I
worry when she drives by herself? Yes I do, but she ran a successful business in the U.S. and drove into the worst areas of LA everyday and I feel she
weas in more danger there. Drive carefully and be aware of your surroundings and by no means drive after dark in TJ-Rosarito area.
With your convoy you should be fine.DENNIS - 1-15-2008 at 07:18 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by bigmike
she played dumb and kept saying ok lets go to the police station,
Actually, she played it pretty smart. Pay them nada.bajadock - 1-15-2008 at 07:48 AM
I like castaway$'s question. Just like the poll thread asking if recent news will change your Baja habits, how could there be such diverse reaction?
Reality and perception can be strange bedbugs.
Scary that I have to agree with bigmike this morning. I consistently post my very positive(some say rose colored Oakleys) Baja California
experiences.
[Edited on 1-15-2008 by bajadock]rhintransit - 1-15-2008 at 08:20 AM
it's an unanswerable question. most of Baja is safe if one take reasonable precautions; most of the people are warm, friendly, helpful. if you are
in the wrong place at the wrong time it's not. BCS has its issues but they are not at the same violence/organizational level as BCN. Cabo/and to a
lesser extent La Paz are places one is more likely to encounter the mordida/traffic/car and valuables theft issues, however it can happen anywhere,
more commonly to "stupid gringos being taken advantage of when their guard is down" but anyone can be caught in new and inventive ways. violence
though is definitely more rare in the south.
I can say as a single woman I have always felt safer here...BCS and Mainland Mexico...than most areas of the USA. I encourage friends and family
(with the exception of elderly relatives, the health care issues of mine are such that I wouldn't want to rely on medical care in BCS) to visit.
wouldn't ask/expect them to drive without a lot of precautions, as well covered by various forums here. do your homework, be prepared, come on down
south!kodiak - 1-15-2008 at 08:28 AM
In my opinion...the media preys on the American peoples fear. Is there violence in Baja?? Sure. But on the other side of the coin, some wacko in
Kentucky, Killed 2 people, injured a third person, then took his ex-wife hostage.....in Kentucky.
If that were to happen in Baja...the feeding frenzy of the media would have all the Norte Americanos wide eyed and shaking in their boots, afraid for
their lives.
This is just my opinion on the situation.
17 million people visited Baja in 2007.
Sunman - 1-15-2008 at 08:46 AM
I've made two trips since these shenanigans started, I entered through San Ysidro/Toll Road (daylight hours) and came home toll road/Blvd 2000. Both
times no problems...I have a newer truck and travel with surfboards on the roof.
It seems to me that the common denominator re: tourista problems is driving at night. Not to say it can't/won't happen during daylight, but it seems
less likely.
One must evaluate and mitigate risk individually. If you find yourself in a situation where the hair is standing up on the back of your neck for any
reason, act on it and remove yourself from the situation as best you can. Never doubt your instincts.kodiak - 1-15-2008 at 09:35 AM
Agreed...common sense, is the rule to live by.capn.sharky - 1-15-2008 at 10:23 AM
By all means---drive in the daytime. There are only so many robbers and crooks in Tijuana and many more of us driving so you can play the law of
averages. You will probably make it okay.
