BajaNomad

Safe travels in Loreto & Mulege

shell - 11-13-2009 at 04:27 PM

I'm planning to travel to Loreto & Mulege area next week. I'm curious about crime and safety in the area?

Udo - 11-13-2009 at 04:31 PM

NONE

Although, don't leave you car unlocked!

Bajahowodd - 11-13-2009 at 04:33 PM

Safe as one could imagine. Don't give it a second thought. I'm actually curious as to what motivated you to even ask the question. As with travel anywhere in the world, there are certain things that one must remember; such as traveling alone after dark. but, I can't think of any reason someone should fear traveling between Mulege and Loreto. Other than time share salespeople.;D

DENNIS - 11-13-2009 at 04:33 PM

No problem. Don't drive at night for the other bad drivers and just go. If you arn't comfy with that, stay home. There are no assurances of anything in Baja or anywhere.

Have a good trip.

captain.olives - 11-13-2009 at 05:56 PM

:biggrin: Stamford CT has more crime!

shell - 11-13-2009 at 06:04 PM

Shakin not stirred?

At this point, I have no doubt that Stamford has fallen off the list of safest places!

captain.olives - 11-13-2009 at 06:11 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by shell
Shakin not stirred?


Absolutely! Of course Jager is always good too.

Howard - 11-13-2009 at 06:43 PM

Be very, very careful of some shyster trying to sell you warm beer! Just kidding, just use common sense, you will be fine at those 2 locations.
Have fun.

Sharksbaja - 11-14-2009 at 12:13 AM

Just be very careful when passing by that looney farm place, NoBuenaVentura:o:o

mulegemichael - 11-14-2009 at 05:58 AM

i think most of the bad guys have left us here in mulege...a couple of years ago there were some breakins but we sent one bad guy away and the military showed up,(there's now a garrison of about 300 of them here), and now it's all fun and games...you'll love it here.

Pompano - 11-14-2009 at 07:13 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Sharksbaja
Just be very careful when passing by that looney farm place, NoBuenaVentura:o:o


Corky...there are far worse dangers along that stretch from Mulege to Loreto..
.

rhintransit - 11-14-2009 at 07:21 AM

Loreto is fine. the normal petty crime and time share salesmen. don't be stupid and have a great time.

capt. mike - 11-14-2009 at 08:44 AM

Killer lives!!!!!!!!!!:biggrin:

captain.olives - 11-14-2009 at 12:15 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajahowodd I'm actually curious as to what motivated you to even ask the question. ;D


Shell was going to fly down and meet me in Baja this coming week. She has been getting very bad information about Mexico (as I believe far too many Americans are). Stories about the drug wars, abductions, murders, banditos etc. Been traveling baja for couple of decades and tried to explain the difference between Nogales/Tijuana and Baja Sur. Her FBI friend mentioned his concern about Millitary check points (I of course mention that 1. they have been there for decades and I have never had a problem with then and 2. this guy has never been to baja and doesnt know what he is talking about). Sent a couple of articles and directed her to this forum as well to hear from people who actually travel and/or live in the area. Well, after my phone conversation with her today...... she is listening to her gut and not the voice of reason - cancelling her trip. :rolleyes:

Too bad... she is going to miss out in what I believe is one of the most tranquil, safe, and beautiful places in the world. Truly dissappointed, but I am going to enjoy my trip anyways!

Bajahowodd - 11-14-2009 at 12:31 PM

Bummer.:barf: You are so correct about what she'll miss.

capt. mike - 11-14-2009 at 03:01 PM

try telling an aircraft owner who's never experienced the joys of flights south of the border that he needs to do it........they think we are crazy....
good...keeps them out of the airspace, more room for us that dig it.
once i hit the border southbound west of nogales the auto pilot goes on and the DVD movie starts.

motoged - 11-14-2009 at 03:06 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by captain.olives

Shell was going to fly down and meet me in Baja this coming week. She has been getting very bad information about Mexico <snip>...... she is listening to her gut and not the voice of reason - cancelling her trip. :rolleyes:


Que lastima:no:

She made the right decision for herself....and will most certainly miss a great place, Her worries and anxiety would likely have wrecked your time with her....so count your blessings:light:

A worrier and/or whiner will usually contaminate a great trip for those others in their company.

shell - 11-14-2009 at 09:05 PM

You are spot on... I wouldn't want my uncertainty to get in the way of anyone's much awaited vacation that they've been looking forward to. I'm certainly waffling and it's something I don't do very often. I also tend not to whine... but I do wine on a regular basis ;-) Thanks all for your input, perspective and humor. Much appreciated!!

flyfishinPam - 11-15-2009 at 09:34 AM

I just returned from a trip to the USA where I haven't been in seven years. I live in Loreto and feel much safer here than anywhere I visited North of the border. I towed my two children around with me and am glad to be home for constantly being on the alert for them. Both Mulege and Loreto are small towns where the locals know one another. I am so glad to be back not only because it feels safer here to me but because of the sense of relaxation of being out of the rat race, the great weather and beauty of this place.

If you need to recharge your batteries this is a good place to do it.

I made it a consious effort not to follow "the news" while NOTB so I don't know what you're exposed to exactly but I can say that tourism has been severely affected as a result. I work in tourism, my sector has declined but we do remain suprisingly strong in comparison with the other sectors. These other sectors such as kayak, eco-tours, real estate toursim, resort all inclusive types...have been severely affected by the economy and the bad publicity. Our fishing sector has been hit by the lack of walk in customers that came when the other sectors were strong.

The tourism that IS still coming for the most part now .... are the COOLEST, and most desirable and beneficial to our local economy that could possibly come here...because they genuinely appreciate the beauty, the nature, the small town and its history and are NOT here for the mega resort type of atmosphere. The bad news and the economy have acted as a filter to the kind of tourism that is now coming, and I believe that will remain our base in the future. (despite the mega resorts that may or may not establish themselves here and that may or may not ever become fully functional)

So you'll be able to enjoy it here without the crowds. So if you want to recharge your batteries, if you want to experience and become in tune with the earth, and also come to know yourself better this is an excellent place to do that. If you want to be another that is held back by the filter that is your choice too. The good news for us who already know and love this place I believe we'll be able to continue doing these things for many years to come and we may thank the great filter for this!

[Edited on 11-15-2009 by flyfishinPam]

mulegemichael - 11-15-2009 at 10:42 AM

right on, pam!

Just DO IT!

bajabeachbabe - 11-15-2009 at 10:47 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by shell
You are spot on... I wouldn't want my uncertainty to get in the way of anyone's much awaited vacation that they've been looking forward to. I'm certainly waffling and it's something I don't do very often. I also tend not to whine... but I do wine on a regular basis ;-) Thanks all for your input, perspective and humor. Much appreciated!!


Welcome Shell to the one place where you will get real answers from people who live and love Baja Sur. Your hesitation to visit such a scarey place reminds me of our own experience this past spring when we invited a very good friend to join us on a trip to Loreto. For my husband and I Loreto is our second home and we are in the process of builidng a house there. We've made over 10 trips in the last three years and I can say without a doubt that, as Pam pointed out, I feel much safer in Loreto than in downtown Seattle.

Our friend has shared all our stories and love of Loreto over the past three years, but with a sister who lives in San Diego, she was warned not to travel to Baja with all the crime. Our friend ignored her sisters warnings and came with us. Our biggest laugh during the whole trip was what a "scarey place" Loreto was. Here are some of the best "scarey moments":

Sitting in front of Cafe Ole while a parade of preschoolers came by all dressed up in costumes. We weren't sure at the time what they were celebrating, but it turned out to be to promote the joy of reading!

Walking down the Malecon where the locals would stop by and say "Hola" to a stranger.

Sitting in restaurants and starting conversations with locals and visitors.....something you normally don't do back home.

Arriving at the airport where even the immigration people recognizied my husband and I and welcomed us.

As Pam mentioned Loreto is a very small town and once you have visited, it is hard not to walk down the street and run into someone you know.

Loreto and Mulege are not northern Baja. That place is worlds away, thank God. If you listen to the media you will miss an opportunity of a lifetime to visit one of the most beautiful and friendly places in the world. My husband, who is German, and I have traveled all over the world and we chose Loreto as our second home.

To get another perspective on Loreto, check out Loni and Clint Stark's blog site at:
www.starksilvercreek.com