BajaNomad

Girls Traveling alone. Safe or Stupid?

Suzy - 4-29-2004 at 03:59 PM

Hey there, Just found this sight and thought I might find some women who have traveled Baja w/o a male escourt or males who might know something on the issue. A friend and myself are ready for an adventure and will be traveling to Baja on the 22nd of May. We will be driving down and living it "day to day". We are both avid travelers but this is our first time taking a vehichle out of the country and are a little nervous. If any one has any input or advice I would love to hear from you. Thanks a lot.:light:

elgatoloco - 4-29-2004 at 04:29 PM

How long and how far wiil you go south??

Get Mexican Insurance for said vehicle, including legal aid.

Obey the speed limits despite what others who are passing you might suggest.

Get pesos at an ATM for the Pemex.

Treat all that you meet with respect.

Learn how to say 'Thank you', 'yes please' and 'one more beer and two more fish tacos' in spanish.
:biggrin:

Have fun and tell us how it went when you return!

David K - 4-29-2004 at 04:40 PM

Many 'non-escorted' women travel Baja, and many are posters or read this board, incl. some I have met, such as: Alejandra, M, jeans, Debra, Baja Bucko, Lindsay, Mary, Wendy Kayak, Marla, etc.... There's a lot of reading and learning on Baja Nomad. The Nomad subject search feature wokrs very well too. Welcome aboard!

Hi Suzy

jeans - 4-29-2004 at 04:42 PM

You came to the right site, however, I don't have time to chat. I'm getting ready for Girlz Only Baja trip and they will be here soon.

I've driven the entire peninsula solo as have many women on this board. Look in the archives around last October for a post entitled To the End of the Road or something like that. Also look up posts by M and Debra. They've traveled solo a lot as well.

Most of the recommendations will pertain to preparedness and common sense.

To get the best input, let us know where you will be going, what kind of vehicle you are traveling in (that determines which roads to recommend or not), hobbies & interests so those who respond can give location-specific advice.

Ok....gotta go. I'll check back this time next week...adios

tim40 - 4-29-2004 at 07:05 PM

I would concur with all posted. Don't do anything that wouldn't be called safe almost anyplace and you will have one of the best times of your life. My wife and I raced the SCORE desert series for years and related to that she has driven (in and out of the race car) many many places in baja without the slightest bit of trouble or didcomfort. Do provide your details and the fine folks on this BB will near assure a wonderful time.

wilderone - 4-30-2004 at 08:17 AM

If you're not stupid, it's safe. I've traveled alone several times and have found that the fine people of Baja go out of their way to help out. Also, the unwritten rule of the road in Baja is to lend a hand when necessary. Just be prepared - make sure your car is in good condition and don't drive offroad in dicey areas if you're unsure you can make it (soft sand, through water, etc.). Top off with gas when you get a chance - for sure in El Rosario. Otherwise, plenty of gas stations. Fill up before going off road. If you're going to the mainland, you'll need to get temporary registration. You'll need your original registration, title, valid visa (plus 2 copies of each) and I believe you'll need to post a $200 deposit, which is refundable AT THE SAME OFFICE YOU ACQUIRED YOUR REGISTRATION once you turn it in. You'll have a wonderful time. (Wish I had a month to do likewise).

traveling the baja alone

Kathleen - 4-30-2004 at 08:24 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Suzy
Hey there, Just found this sight and thought I might find some women who have traveled Baja w/o a male escourt or males who might know something on the issue. A friend and myself are ready for an adventure and will be traveling to Baja on the 22nd of May. We will be driving down and living it "day to day". We are both avid travelers but this is our first time taking a vehichle out of the country and are a little nervous. If any one has any input or advice I would love to hear from you. Thanks a lot.:light:
>>>

Hi Suzy. I used to only travel baja with a male. But starting 8 years ago I have only gone by myself with one exception--my 23 yr old last summer.
I made two trips first by plane to san jose del cabo with two different girlfriends.
Then that same year I packed up my little civic and drove the whole baja alone and lived in san jose del cabo for a while.
Since then I have made all trips--at least two or three baja trips a year with no male escort, except that one with my son.
I have had no problems.
I would not recommend walking at night by yourself or even with a girlfriend. Catch a taxi or have your car nearby.
don't drive long distances in your car at night.
I have done both of the above with no harm coming to me but I highly DO NOT recommend it.

AND don't get in an argument with anyone especially at a bar AND don't get into any love triangles. ;-)
Always have plenty of water drink and a full tank of gas.
Kathleen

I also wouldn't recommend a lot of camping unless you're with a larger group.

Stephanie Jackter - 4-30-2004 at 11:54 AM

And do take your normal precautions, like a can of mace on the keychain. Find creative places to hide money and don't carry a lot. The advice about getting money from ATMs is good. Use your debit card, NOT your credit card, as there are no extra charges for debit but a lot for credit.

There is far less crime in Southern Baja (if you make it that far), than in just about any major city in the United States, but you never want to make yourself into a mark, nevertheless. Just follow general common sense and politeness (nothing worse than Americans with attitude to the Baja natives - and nothing better to them than those who don't fit the ugly american stereotype!) You should be fine.- Stephanie (who travels regularly alone with three little ones).

camping

Kathleen - 4-30-2004 at 04:33 PM

I almost always camp. Though always in a campground. And if I feel a tiny bit wary--I just sleep in the back of my SUV. I have it made up as a bed in back.
I pile all my stuff on top of it.
If I want to sleep back there--I just pile everything up front.
The only motel I have stayed in is Hotel colon in Ensenada when I want to be real close to town for a couple of days.
Even when I lived in San Jose del Cabo I lived in the campground there. Las Brisas--I housesat someone's RV.
Kathleen

Campgrounds, of course, are different

Stephanie Jackter - 4-30-2004 at 06:21 PM

Of all the camping I've done in Southern Baja, I've never had the opportunity to camp in one. When I talk about camping, it's the no amenities kind on the beach. Used to be a lot safer than it is these days.

I still do it sometimes with the kids, but am very careful to make sure there are other Mexican families around to make sure we're safe. If I were one of two young women camping together, I'd be even more careful.

Bottom line, as always, is better safe than sorry. - Stephanie

GeoRock - 5-7-2004 at 12:12 PM

I'll probably be echoing a lot of what's already been posted, but here goes:

Use the same smart sense precautions you would in the states.

Don't freely inform strangers of where you'll be staying.

Gas up at every opportunity. Drive a vehicle that is in prime condition. Carry tools and spare parts, water and food at all times.

Drive carefully, slowly, pay attention for hidden stop signs in the towns.

When getting gas, make sure the pump is zeroed out before they start pumping. When it is filled, notice the peso amount, even stating it out loud. Pay in pesos if possible, in dollars it is to your disadvantage. Loudly count the money as you hand each bill to the attendant. Make sure he is counting also, so there is no misunderstanding where they claim you owe more.

If you are staying in hotels, take a lock that is available at travel stores or websites such as Magnella's. It will lock the door from the inside, providing extra security.

I've just returned from a girls only trip lasting one week. We had a blast. There were no problems. It's our second one. Previously, I've traveled many times with kids through Baja and the mainland and never have had a single problem.

Have fun!

Eli - 5-8-2004 at 11:08 AM

I prefer to travel alone, and have been traveling in that mode all over Mexico, (including Baja) for 15 years. I am treated with kindness and respect every where I go.

Put out respect and that is what you will get back.

By the way, even if I was a guy, GeoRock's excellent advise would still apply.

What Eli said about traveling alone is interesting

Debra - 5-8-2004 at 02:35 PM

I've also enjoyed traveling alone, you tend to meet more new friends that way than if you are traveling with your spouse...

I have most often traveled solo around the world (including mainland Mexico, if you count 'fly-in' resorts starting about 25yrs. ago)

Most often now-a-days, it's just myself and my young son, caravaning with, or meeting up with friends that I've come to know from this and the old Amigo's board in the last few years.

The main thing to remember is to be polite and respectful, offer a smile to all you meet, be aware of your surroundings...if you don't feel comfortable, chances are there is a reason for that. Follow your instints, and have fun.

It has also been mentioned on this board several times that El Rosario is probably not a place that you would want to hang out very long....too bad, it's a beautiful area.

Yes, Debra there is much to be said for traveling alone.

Eli - 5-9-2004 at 06:50 AM

The are many reasons to take a trip; See new sites, to get away from the heat of summer, to buy art for my gallery, but a principal reason is to rediscover myself.

I live in a small town where I am well known, I am fortunate to be treated with love and respect by my family, friends and neighbors, I have no complaints there. The problem is I get lost in the persona that I project and those around me reflect. Folks that you see every day tend to see you a certain way and one tends to find it oh so easy to play the role expected of them and feed back what folks think of them in order to make their neighbors and themselves comfortable. I find that in doing so one gets immersed in the role of the persona that everyone knows and well, one can just forget to grow.

So, when I get out there in the world where no one knows me, I can try on different sides to myself, I am given the opportunity to no longer have an identity beyond what I am projecting in the moment.

I can be the observer and in watching and not interacting, I give my persona a rest. It is only when I travel alone that I draw and when I draw I discover from my art what was really going on inside of me.

I am getting ready for a big trip, a major quest in search of my self. I have many ideas of what I will do when I arrive at my destination. Ah, but the first thing I must do, is do nothing, just watch and draw and hope to meet a different side to me because to tell you the truth, I am kind of weiry and bored with being the person everyone around me expects me to be.

And if all goes well, I will return to my pueblita renewed and ready to play the role that all expect of me, but maybe with some new twist in there that I found while I was out there in that big ol wooly world, I hope, I hope.

elgatoloco - 5-9-2004 at 09:59 AM

Eli

Have a safe trip and we look forward to visiting you and yours in your pueblita in the fall.

What you've done becomes the judge of what you're going to do - especially in other people's minds. When you're traveling, you are what you are right there and then. People don't have your past to hold against you. No yesterdays on the road. ~William Least Heat Moon, Blue Highways

Yes Grover

Debra - 5-10-2004 at 09:21 AM

It's not with pleasure that I make the comment. Unfortunatly, when what seems to be totally 'green' women ask about safety, well....

It is a beautiful area though :)

Right on Mateo;

Eli - 5-10-2004 at 03:29 PM

You got it, I am off in search of "no yesterdays on the road".

I still have a few things to wrap up, so I won't be out of here until end of June, or begging of July. I know that when I go; I will be taking a ton of preconceived notions with me, and anyone you meet reflects their preconceived notions about who you are, just by your very physical appearance, i.e. I can't get away from the plain and simple fact that I am a large Guera middle aged woman. Still, beyond that, I can pretty much pull up which ever side of myself that I want to project in the moment.

The plan is to return here to do a Day of the Dead Alter and celebratation of the first year anniversary of "Galeria Los Angeles" on Nov. 1st.. It sure would be outstanding to see you and Barb down here at that time, or really whenever; Ya sabes; "Mi Casa es Su Casa".