fixtrauma - 12-24-2008 at 01:45 PM
Another website says that the entire Baja is included in a "Free Trade Zone". If you travel in that zone other than proof of ownership and insurance
you will not need other permits for your motor home or car being towed........True?
Our plan is to drive motorhome towing car crossing at Tecate Jan. 15th. First night at Catavenia, second night at Mulege and arrive La Paz third day.
I have discovered from this forum where to stay just out of Catavenia the first night. Still need suggestions where I can stay in the motorhome at
Mulege.
Return leaving La Paz Jan. 30 and reverse the trip going home crossing Tecate Feb. 1.
I desire advice from you well experienced about :
Permit for motorhome or car
Where to stay in Mulege
Appropriate time for travel?
Anyone else traveling those same dates and want to travel together?
Thank you for you responses.
Don
bajalou - 12-24-2008 at 06:01 PM
N o importation permits required for anywhere in Baja Calif and Baja Calif Sur. Only proof of ownership. Of course you need Mex insurance.
woody with a view - 12-24-2008 at 06:09 PM
motor home time = 40-50 mph average....
David K - 12-24-2008 at 06:38 PM
1) There never has been a car permit needed for Baja California (the entire peninsula)... Only the mainland south of Guaymas.
2) In a motorhome or a motel? If in your moho, go on south to Bahia Concepcion... just a few more miles. Baja Nomad 'Pompano' lives there along with
other Nomads and can advise as to the best place to park the rig set up you have.
3) Travel to where... In a big rig, towing... avg. speed will be close to 30-40 mph tops and 8 hour days is very long on a Baja highway!
Hope you have a great time!
toneart - 12-24-2008 at 10:27 PM
Don,
I think Catavina is too far to travel during the short days of winter. Especially so with a motorhome. Do not drive at night.
Better would be El Rosario the first night. Guerrero Negro the second night...or maybe San Ignacio. From San Ignacio, you can roll into Mulege around
noon, the next day.
Be safe!
In Mulege you can dry camp at The Orchard or get full hookups at Maria y Isabel.
You can make it to La Paz in a day from Mulege. You might want to take an extra day or two exploring Mulege, though.
Bob and Susan - 12-25-2008 at 06:23 AM
crossing at tecate saves you an hour to catavina
i crossed recently at otay mesa at 9:30am and was in catavina at 5pm
pulling a heavy trailer
it was just getting dusk
just have a back-up plan in case there is "car trouble"
Hook - 12-25-2008 at 07:31 AM
I dont see how crossing at Tecate can save you an hour on the drive southbound, when compared to the SY crossing and the toll road.
Given a common starting point somewhere along I-5, you must factor in the distance to Tecate and then the rural road down to where it meets Hwy 1. NO
WAY is that faster.
I agree with Soulpatch. Cross at SY, get your FMTs without a headache, and continue on to Rancho Santa Ines. Get to SY at grey light and you'll be
fine.
At this point, I would ask the board where to overnight on the US side of the border before crossing. I lived within an hour of the border so I just
left an hour before daylight.
[Edited on 12-25-2008 by Hook]
jorgie - 12-25-2008 at 07:39 AM
tecate to catavina is a long first day haul. I did the trip without the tow and would o'night before the run through the mountains then park up for
the next night at GN . I would also allow for a night or two in Mulege.
There will be Moho caravans on the road and DK estimate of 30-40 average is about right.
Take good care
Hook - 12-25-2008 at 07:44 AM
Mulege is not a great MH town, in my opinion. The best places are well outside of town like Naranjos, Escondido, Burro, Coyoto or Requeson. No hookups
at any of these.
I am not fonda the ones along the river. Highway is too noisy and the area is not as scenic as on the shore of Concepcion.
Others can give you info on Ray's, an option a few miles inland.
Mango - 12-25-2008 at 03:50 PM
David K has the speed about right and toneart has the plan.
Don't push yourself too hard. You will have moderate to heavy amounts of traffic from the border to San Quentin, which is just north of El Rosario.
Navigating this traffic and these towns can be a little stressful if you are in a hurry. After heading south from El Rosario, there are very few
towns and thus little traffic on the road.
I really like to stay at the Baja Cactus Hotel at El Rosario - just get there early or call ahead because it fills up. The next morning you will have
the best of baja right in front of your windshield, a full tank of gas, a full belly, and good nights sleep. I can't think of a better way to start a
better drive.
Have a great time!