BajaNomad - Newbie heading south!

Newbie heading south!

ibannie - 1-9-2009 at 08:16 PM

Hi everyone

I am Annie and we are heading to Baja in the first week of February. We have about a month to explore this awesome looking part of the country and can do with all the help we can get with advice and good places to stop and things to see and do.

We will be in a 29ft Class C with two small doglets and are not in a rush - not towing this time in either. From what I have read, its good to cross at Tijuana - is the coast road good to go on from there on? We want to see the whales on both coasts, hang out at the beach and just see as much as possible. It would be preferable to be in semi-regular internet contact with home, but thats not absolutely critical.

I know this question is pretty generic, but its difficult imagine how to squeeze everything into a mere month! My cameras are jumping with joy at the prospect of everything we have looked at on the internet so far.

You all are so full of information and I am excited to hear your suggestions.

In advance - thanks!
Annie

shari - 1-9-2009 at 08:23 PM

a big old baja hearty welcome to you Annie...glad to have another woman on board. We'll be looking forward to your trip reports...some fresh views. Come on out to asuncion if the mood strikes you. Make sure you camp a few nights at the lagoon south of Guerrero Negro and the whales can spout you to sleep!

oxxo - 1-9-2009 at 08:35 PM

Annie, you are in for the experience of a lifetime!!!!! Keep a sense of humor, expect the unexpected, and be flexible. Share all of your experiences with us. Discover your own "good places", they are everywhere. All of us are Bajanuts here, we live vicariously through other's experiences.

Bajahowodd - 1-9-2009 at 11:51 PM

A month is going to make you an expert. Best advice is to keep in touch with this board. For now, how about what plans you have. Or, are you looking for advice up front?

oldlady - 1-10-2009 at 07:46 AM

Welcome Annie. You will have a wonderful experience! Wi-Fi and internet "cafes" are more available than you might think and with what sounds like flexible expectations on your part, you should be fine in the tech department. Plenty of great info on this board so use the search function for every bee that pops into your bonnet.

Good Luck!

ibannie - 1-10-2009 at 07:54 AM

Oh boy - I don't want to be an expert - then there will be less reason to come back again

I would love to have advice on where to stay and what places are the best to pass by. We have driven the Alcan Hwy twice now, but this definitely looks different in so many wonderful ways. Where are some good rv parks?....we will need to leave the doglets in the rv. Which is the best place for whale trips and also beach camping...
This is all so new and we are really excited as well as a little apprehensive - especially about missing out on the good stuff! Gotta learn how to enjoy Margaritas!
Any and all input, advice, pointing in the right direction would be welcome..... So far our plans are to leave here, head west, enter through YS.......enjoy and head back. Big, wonderful blank slate that can do with some help in filling in

Thanks for your comments

2-tie-dye-4 - 1-10-2009 at 07:56 AM

Welcome aboard! I would advise not to cross at TJ. Cross at Tecate. you should definitely go to Bahia Asuncion. You could stop in El Rosario, and then in Guerrero Negro to see the whales and on to Asuncion. On the Cortez side, we like Mulege and you might dig Pete's camp in San Fellipe. You can camp right on the beach.

ibannie - 1-10-2009 at 08:15 AM

I think this is one on my greatest 'heebie geebies' to deal with........the crossing. Tijuana looks like a personal nightmare to me but I had read that there is some road work going on if we go through Tecate that was due to last a goodly while? I know we are going to be screaming "newbie/sucker" as we go through the border....

And yes - I was just looking at Asuncion and Sheri's place - it looks awesome! Hope to meet you Sheri...

The idea of camping right on the beach sounds just what we need. Do you know how hard it is to be landlocked in TN!!??

Hook - 1-10-2009 at 08:40 AM

TJ is a breeze. Cross there. I would NOT recommend the Tecate route to a first timer in a 29 foot class C. Especially considering the comparative difficulties in getting an FMT.

Loreto Shores RV Park

bajabeachbabe - 1-10-2009 at 08:44 AM

As you pass through Loreto on your way down Baja you might want to spend some time at Loreto Shores RV Park. They have Wi-Fi and a brand new swimming pool. We have friends who are currently staying there for the season and we have stayed in some of their villas in the past. Here is a link to their website:

http://www.loretoshoresvillasandrvpark.com/

Pescador - 1-10-2009 at 08:54 AM

I would never, ever,cross in Tijuana, as things are just too hurried.. We just came through the road from Tecate and the main constuction was closer to Ensenada and there really was no delay. The Wine Country of the Guadalupe Valley is a real treat and there are numerous RV Parks that you could stay in and make it a point to visit some of the wineries.
Coming south, we always stop in at El Pebellon in San Quintin which is right on the Pacific and you get put to sleep with the Pacific ocean waves.
Then it is Catavina and a great stop at Rancho Santa Inez where you will be off of the highway and a great place to let the dogs stretch their legs. From there it is a great trip into Guerro Negro where you can visit Ojo Liebre and see the whales and a must side trip to Asuncion to visit with Juan and Sheri. Further south is San Ignacio, where you will find some great places to park your RV and for sure you will want to go to the lagoon for a visit with the "Friendlies" where the whales are famous for coming right up to the boat. Santa Rosalia is a great exploration and one of my favorite places in all of Baja that is not loaded with tourists night and day and gives you a real flavor of true Mexico.

Udo - 1-10-2009 at 08:59 AM

Annie,
be sure to keep us posted on your views, We love to see the perspective of a new traveler in Baja...the freshness and amazement of the eyes.

boe4fun - 1-10-2009 at 09:27 AM

Hola Annie, I would also recommend crossing at Tecate. I think the road from Tecate to Ensenada is very "do-able" in a 29' coach as we have often towed our 27' Alpenlite 5th wheel on this particular highway. Stop and park before crossing the border in your rig to get your visas (if you don't already have them). You might want to contact the Vagabundos for your visas/fishing licenses/auto insurance/etc. at: http://www.vagabundos.com
Baja is a truly wonderous part of our planet, but can be dangerous just as anywhere else could possilby be. Use common sense, don't drive at night, don't camp alone in remote places, etc. Also use this forum to research areas you may wish to visit while you're down there (wish I was too!). Bien Viaje, Paul Boe

shari - 1-10-2009 at 09:48 AM

hey annie...have you figured out how to U2U messages and check your mailbox on nomad yet? It is up in the upper right corner and says you have a message...just click on it or the U2U thingy in blue.
If you head our way, it's good to have our phone # and call us before you leave the main highway so we can look out for you...U2U me for the number or email me sharibondy@gmail.com its also a good plan to have someones number in case of any problems, emergencies or questions you might have en route.

Does that campground in Loreto have their swimming pool heated in the winter?...it's real chilly there.

Paulina - 1-10-2009 at 04:07 PM

Hi Annie, welcome to the board. I've sent you a u2u as well.

Go Titans!

P<*)))>{

Bob H - 1-10-2009 at 04:24 PM

I would rather have a newbie to Baja cross into Mexico at TJ where it is much easier to obtain your travel permits. However, those who are recommending the crossing at Tecate should provide advice on where and how to get your travel permits there.

The drive down the toll road after passing through TJ is a wonderful drive along the ocean for a first timer. I would then recommend crossing back in to the US via Tecate when returning, which is a wonderful drive through the wine country, etc.

Just my 2 centavos..... Bob H

[Edited on 1-10-2009 by Bob H]

Bob H - 1-10-2009 at 04:25 PM

OH, and I would most definately recommend camping a couple of nights at Coyote Bay, just south of Mulege along Bahia Concepcion! And/or El Requeson (sp?)
Bob H

ibannie - 1-10-2009 at 05:06 PM

Oh wow - you have all been FANTASTIC - thanks so much.... I just don't think that one measly month is going to be enough at all

Could any of you recommend a reasonable amount of Peso's to carry? We live kinda low-key..
And yet another question.... I am a Permanent Resident of USA, Green Card, but have a British Passport. Am I going to need anything different at the border - other than the FMT? I only just thought of this, which is a bit late as we leave home last week in Jan.
Again -many many thanks for all your input

Packoderm - 1-10-2009 at 05:28 PM

I don't see any problems passing southbound at TJ. Like said above, the toll road is nice during the day. Just remember to take the far left lane into the automatic gate to customs. I like El Pebbelon for beach front camping. I was there the day before yesterday. I really missed not having my mini baja dirtbike from Pep Boys. If I were to take a motor home, I'd for sure put on a receiver hitch and get one of those bike holders for it. Like also said above, Santa Ines is good for a night of safe camping in Catavina. I'd say after that, the adventure is up to you. Maybe El Requeson in Concepcion would be a viable option. I wish I had a month to do what you're doing.

lingililingili - 1-10-2009 at 08:46 PM

Have fun Annie and u2u if you come to La Paz

2-tie-dye-4 - 1-10-2009 at 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bob H
OH, and I would most definately recommend camping a couple of nights at Coyote Bay, just south of Mulege along Bahia Concepcion! And/or El Requeson (sp?)
Bob H

Yeah, what he said, also, if you go to Mulege or Santa Rosalia, you might like Santispac. Another campground where you can camp on the beach, populated enough for some safety, and a restaurant and cantina.

DianaT - 1-11-2009 at 10:58 AM

Welcome and hope you love Baja. If we are in town and you make it out to Bahia Asuncion, we look forward to meeting you.

OK, now my two cents for first time in MoHo

1. Buy the Frank and Terri Church, Camping in Baja book---not totally accurate as things change, but it is a help and does not include more out of the way places like Bahia Asuncion.

2. Buy a guide book like on of the Moon, or Lonely Planet. The nomad, bajajudy has a Baja book and map store. Check out Baja Books and Maps.

3. When you look at distances on the map, do not compare them to distances in the US. It will take you longer in Baja to get anywhere. Plan carefully in some areas---areas far apart. There is the famous gas gap. Be sure to fill up your gas tank in El Rosario even if you don't think you need gas.

4. The great debate on crossings. When we go south, we cross at TJ and when we come back, we cross at Tecate. The Tecate road is under construction, but no real problem.

But, as already stated, it is easier if you cross at Tecate to camp on the US side the night before you cross and walk over the border to get your tourist visa, the FMT. The Tecate Agents are always very nice.

Reason for walking over is that it is really difficult to park near the immigration office, especially with your rig. When you walk over, the immigration is right there. You obtain the FMT, walk across the street to the small bank, pay the fee, walk back to immigration and they stamp it. Be sure to get it for 6 months even if you are only going to be there one month.

Really hope you have a great time!

Diane

Timo1 - 1-11-2009 at 11:13 AM

Don't worry about the Tecate-ensenada road....We just did it no problem in our 34 foot class A
We're in Asuncion right now and had no problems at all with any of the roads....Just use common sense and drive during daylight hours...all will be a hoot !!!
To bad we'll miss meeting you when you come down as we head home in a week

boe4fun - 1-11-2009 at 11:13 AM

If you do decide on crossing at TJ (San Ysidro) I would recommend staying in the middle lane (if not declaring anything), not the far lelt hand lane. Once you cross and go a couple of hundred meters you are going to have to exit on the right to get to the toll road. Getting there from the left lane may be problematical with a motorhome.

Bajahowodd - 1-11-2009 at 04:49 PM

Have to agree with Bob H. You're coming from Tennessee. If you cross at San Ysidro, you'll be able to enjoy ocean view vistas on your way to Ensenada. As far as how many peso to bring- assuming you have an ATM card, it's much smarter to enter Mexico with enough pesos for pocket change. The toll booths along the scenic highway to Ensenada take pesos or dollars interchangeably. You can use dollars almost anywhere in Baja. However, right now the disparity between the dollar and peso is at an extreme. So, you will benefit from using pesos. Bring some dollars because you'll need them upon your return. But go to an ATM and get pesos that way. You will be amazed at the availability of ATMs in Baja. They can be found at many Pemex stations and banks all over the place. Wasn't always that way. But this is today.

DianaT - 1-11-2009 at 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajahowodd
But go to an ATM and get pesos that way. You will be amazed at the availability of ATMs in Baja. They can be found at many Pemex stations and banks all over the place. Wasn't always that way. But this is today.

If you do plan on going to Bahia Asuncion, be sure to get pesos at the ATM in Vizcaino ---no ATMs in Bahia Asuncion.

Bajahowodd - 1-11-2009 at 05:00 PM

JD- Kinda funny. Last year, or maybe the year before, I ended up spending almost an hour in Guerreo Negro just to get to the ATM at Banamex, on my way to San Ignacio. It was a holiday weekend coming up and virtually everyone who worked at the Salt facility was in line at the bank. Didn't know that since my last trip, they had opened a bank in Vizcaino.

Bajahowodd - 1-11-2009 at 05:08 PM

Which brings me to ask- are ther any ATMs closer to highway one in GN than Banamex?

DianaT - 1-11-2009 at 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajahowodd
JD- Kinda funny. Last year, or maybe the year before, I ended up spending almost an hour in Guerreo Negro just to get to the ATM at Banamex, on my way to San Ignacio. It was a holiday weekend coming up and virtually everyone who worked at the Salt facility was in line at the bank. Didn't know that since my last trip, they had opened a bank in Vizcaino.

It happened really quickly! We left BA and returned a few weeks later. While sitting in the Pemex, I looked across the street and was sure I was seeing things. We were so happy---really dislike that bank in GN.

Annie, you might want to start a new thread about requirements for British citizens. There are a couple of people on this forum who should know and I am afraid that question will get lost on this thread.

Diane

ibannie - 1-11-2009 at 05:29 PM

Wonderful! I am going to mark all these places on the map and see how many we can get to this time!

We will definitely be going to Bahia Asuncion - I spent some time on Sheri's website and it looks absolutely lovely......just hope the weather is not perfect or we won't want to head further south!

I grew up on the coast of South Africa and being landlocked in TN is getting tougher each year, so any and all ocean vista's are very welcome.

We have Mike and Terri Church's book as well as Baja RV Camping by Moon as well as a gazillion pages of info from this board. We will be a traveling library unless I stop now.

I know this is going to be an awesome trip - it's already been amazing just planning. We will close down our computer repair shop on the 24th Jan will leave here about the 27/28th January and will spend a day or so in Twentynine Palms Marine Base with my daughter and then head through YS on around 3/4th January. We don't have any set schedule and will wander around as the interest and advice, whales and weather take us..... it's going to be glorious. I am really looking forward to meeting some of you down there

Every trip we make, I send emails home describing to all those that have to stay and work

where we are and what we are doing, this time I will be doing the same, as well as posting it all to www.bajabaggs.blogspot.com - with plenty pics, I hope.

All your help and advice has been tremendous - now keep the weather great down there for us - its fffreezing in TN!

ibannie - 1-11-2009 at 05:30 PM

Good idea Diane, re the UK citizenship angle.......... will do that now.
Ta muchly

BajaNuts - 1-11-2009 at 05:54 PM

hola Annie,

you mentioned internet...if you can bring a laptop, it makes things a whole lot simpler to access i-net. There are many coffee shops that have a computer you can use, but if there's only one computer, you could be waiting for 2 hours for the previous user to get done.

Also, if you have a laptop (most of them come standard with the wireless feature) ...and I would NEVER advocate anything illegal like sucking up an unsecured wireless signal in a town somewhere....but it has been known to happen that while driving around, our laptop got a signal and we were able to at least check email.

Also I'm sure you already know, but NEVER EVER use a credit card on a public computer! Or your laptop while on a public network.

I'd like to give a "shout out" to Shari, and Diane, LongLegs and the other women on the board even though we haven't corresponded directly as BajaNuts (aka Ann

) is another female on the board. Hubby (BajaNuts2) checks BN sometimes but most of the time it's me. :smug:

heike - 1-11-2009 at 05:54 PM

Hi Annie,
Have a safe trip, how far down bja do you think you want to go?

ibannie - 1-11-2009 at 06:48 PM

BajaNuts - love the name!

I have a laptop that is coming along with us.....

Of course we would not advocate tapping into an open wireless point - it's just fun to see them popping up, right?

My job is fixing computers 5 days a week and many times we have people coming in with horror stories of being "picked' while on an open connection............ We will also only use cash and Debit card while there..thanks for that advice.

Hi Heike - we were hoping to be able to drive the full length of Baja but I am not sure that a month is enough to do this and enjoy so much of what is there!

Thanks everyone!
Annie

BajaNuts - 1-11-2009 at 07:54 PM

I had to laugh when oxxo posted his line at the start of this thread calling us all Bajanuts..... :spingrin:

( Hey that's my nick........:spingrin

Also glad to hear your up on the 'puter scene.

I'll be watching for your posts.

Be Safe and Have Fun!

Ann (BajaNuts1)

Bajahowodd - 1-11-2009 at 11:30 PM

Annie-
There are some of us, who for whatever reason, have driven the entire length of Baja in two days. Not fun. Point is, that with an entire month, you'll have plenty of time to take in the multitude of beauty that is Baja.

boe4fun - 1-12-2009 at 10:23 AM

Hi Annie, You might try posting on Baja Brits board about any immigration issues: http://www.baja-forum.com/forum/ Since he's British, I pretty sure he knows the ins and outs. Buena suerte y bien vieje, Paul Boe