BajaNomad

heading to southern baja for the first time

cjinca - 4-1-2009 at 09:08 AM

buenos dias this fine morning...

first post here. :)

we stayed in tecate yesterday and are going to move southward today. husband is between jobs and we are out for adventure, peace, tacos and living on a dime...

we are both 50ish, not fluent in spanish but we get by, have camping equipment, a dog and 2001 ford taurus. really don't have plans but would like to see some whales if it's not too late, fish, snorkel, hike and eat more tacos.

plan on making it as far as la paz, but again, no real plans. :)

i got lost in several threads here last night and so really don't know where to start. but we are open to input (yeah, from perusing threads i know i'm opening myself up to much minutia).

as for saftey issues, yeah we are a bit more concerned this trip. we lived in saltillo coahuila for 7 months in 2006, living in a poor area ($70 rent) with no worries. as for baja, we're newbies, having only ventured the northern area for a few days here and there.

i see threads about caravans but we fly by the seat of our pants. if you have input about safety, destinations, 'must see/do' ideas, camping information, etc. please share.

i have seen threads about how crowded it gets around easter - is this only in the north?

thanks in advance...

carolina y pablo (and tatanka). ;D
already editing: i have at&t cell phone and haven't opted for any international features... thoughts? in terms of safety, should we spend the money for coverage? it looks like my phone allows me to pick up mexico service and it just charges me an arm/leg for usage. heading towards saint tomas or san quintin today.


[Edited on 4-1-2009 by cjinca]

[Edited on 4-1-2009 by cjinca]

Skeet/Loreto - 4-1-2009 at 11:26 AM

Welcome! It is known as BAJA SUR CALIFORNIA MEXICO !

Be careful as you will have some trouble with your Car if you get off into the Sand and Rocks.

Make sure your Spare is Aired up and in good shape as well as your Jack.

If you stay in San Quintin tonite the Las Ciros Motel is my choice.

Do Not Depend on your Cell Phone for much Help in Baja Sur.There is no 911 .

Talk to the People in GN about Whale s, I would suggest that you go on to Lopes Matoes for Whale Watching.


If I where you I would make this First Trip an Observation type, staying on the Paved Road , talking to People taking Notes etc. Spend a Day in Loreto, look around Constitution, then a couple of days in La Paz.
A good Budget Hotel in La Paz is the Califia or the Gardinea.

After your first trip if you want to go back, look around for a 3/4 Ton Ford Pick Up 4 WD- Basic Camper and start you Adventure Off Road going from GN to the Pacific and then South, Back across to the Sea Of Cortez to Mulege, San Nicholas, San Bruno, Agua Verde then up to the Moutains to Commondu, La Purusimo, San Javier etc.

By that time if will be a couple of Years from now and you will find that you have had the best time of your Life.

Skeet/Loreto

woody with a view - 4-1-2009 at 11:31 AM

Quote:

we stayed in tecate yesterday and are going to move southward today. husband is between jobs and we are out for adventure, peace, tacos and living on a dime...


THAT IS THE KIND OF ATTITUDE THAT WILL GET YOU ALL THE ADVENTURE YOU'RE LOOKING FOR!!!!!

have a great time and fill us in when you return...

rpleger - 4-1-2009 at 11:36 AM

Have a great time on your adventure....be sure to stop in Mulege and look around...good place to stay a while...cheap rentals at Villa Maria Isabel...
you will have a great time...

Martyman - 4-1-2009 at 03:50 PM

You will be surprised how expensive baja is. Mainland Mexico is much cheaper. Hit the supermercados, go camping, and you should be fine.

cjinca - 4-2-2009 at 10:47 AM

buenos diiiias. :)

all is good except for mi cabeza dalor... trying to figure out if the three shot hornitos margarita was worth it or not. tasty indeed. stayed at the cielito linda for $20 last night. walked the beach, had a drink, dinner and then cafe y burritos this morning. our dog really did think it was heaven as he came into the restaurant/bar with us and also made a friend, 'tracy'.

just stopped in rosario to email our daughter. nice treat to see all the responses - thanks!

i think we'll be staying in guererro negro tonight.

thanks for all the greetings and ideas... manana, cj/p/t

cjinca - 4-3-2009 at 01:11 PM

well, i thought i was coming back to thank someone for the whale referral... but i see my memory failed me and we actually toured with marios. can't say enough good things about experience. this late in the season, we were prepared for a slow day of it. but guides went out of the way to make it good - stopped for photos of osprey and babies, got salt on the way out and the boat experience was incredible.

we touched so many whales - we are FULL in spirit. and we were with a small group of kids from the school and that was great in itself, seeing them experience the whales for the first time...

san ignacio, manana...