BajaNomad - Spring time tour Calgary to Mulege

Spring time tour Calgary to Mulege

geomike - 12-3-2009 at 03:44 AM

Hi Folks,

First I would like to thank all the Nomads for the truly remarkable quantity and, more importantly, quality of information here!
Outstanding, and very helpful!

I hope to take my family down on a spring vacation for some camping on the beach, possibly Bahia el Coyote.

So my first question (actually my 5yr old Daughter's question) will we be able to swim in the bay or will it be too cold in mid March - early April?

What about stingrays? I hear they start to move into the shallows at that time of year. Is it enough to do the stingray shuffle and then carry on?

My wife will want to know ( I know her pretty well by now!) about no see-ums and other biting pests at that time of year. She still has no-see-um scars from 4 years ago in Scottland!

My question is about the tow vehicle. Can any Nomads confirm for me that vehicle permits are not required in all of Baja (Norte and Sur). Mine is a lease vehicle and I don't fancy having to chase down a Chrysler Financial Okee-Dokee letter to take the truck south of the border. Will the border crossing (probably Tecate) be asking for anything more than registration? What is the deal with visiting Baja in a lease vehicle?

Thank you again any help is surely appreciated!

Mike

woody with a view - 12-3-2009 at 07:14 AM

all you need is registration and insurance on the vehicle. no permits. tell the mex insurance company who the owns the vehicle so they know who to pay. april will be getting alot warmer than calgary so swimming should be fun. shuffle, shuffle, shuffle. my son and i slept under a palapa in that area mid may once. i worried about spiders and scorpions and other crawly critters. all we got was a good night sleep. bring OFF just in case.

oh yeah, bring a camera too!

[Edited on 12-3-2009 by woody in ob]

geomike - 12-3-2009 at 05:31 PM

Thanks Woody! That's just the sort of thing I wanted to know. Parts of me don't like the cold water :lol:

I sure hear you about the camera... I've been living vicariously through Pompano's photo tours and DavidK's photos and stories of nearly every square inch of the peninsula!

I will try to post some pics in the travel section if we get it all pulled together!

Mike

bajafam - 12-3-2009 at 05:56 PM

Have Fun!! That's the single most important thing

Make sure you have your Mex Insurance, the site you decide to get it from should take you through the process step by step. It's really quite simple. If you do it in person, they will walk you through it. The weather should be awesome. Swim Swim Swim!!! Too early in most places for bugs, but you should be prepared, just in case. You never know!! As far as the stingrays, I've never seen one, but again, be on the safe side. Research through here for recommendations, etc. And Enjoy!!!

David K - 12-3-2009 at 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by geomike
Thanks Woody! That's just the sort of thing I wanted to know. Parts of me don't like the cold water :lol:

I wish! There are far too many square inches of Baja I will never get to see before I die... The place is just too awesome!

Bob & Susan (Playa Frambes Lighthouse Resort) have quite a place if you need a break from camping or to get off to a good start in the area! http://mulege.org

See Part 2 and 3 of our 2009 Trip Report that covers Bahia Concepcion on the way to Loreto... http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=40372

and Part 6 when we camped at La Perla, Bahia Concepcion: http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=40426

[Edited on 12-4-2009 by David K]

Steve&Debby - 12-3-2009 at 08:08 PM

Make sure you have some kind of shoes on before you go shuffleing, There are alot of scallops sticking out of the sand and they are like razor blades.
I have only been able to make it down to Santispec in December and the first week of January,we never saw any stingray,maybe to cold.
Great place to go, have a great time :yes:

geomike - 12-4-2009 at 12:14 AM

Thanks for all the input Nomads!
Good advice on the wading shoes...man Baja is some kind of place where you have to watch out supper or will cut your feet open!

I understand you need a fishing licence to harvest shellfish. Are the ones near the shore edible...can you really go and forage for your supper?

BajaNuts - 12-4-2009 at 12:44 AM

welcome Geomike~

You've found a great resource! And I hope you enjoy your upcoming adventure!

I hope others will chime in here about the shellfish, but you have to be careful about what you are legal to harvest.

I believe it is illegal for all visitors to harvest shellfish.

Harvesting of shellfish or crustaceans? Others chime in?

woody with a view - 12-4-2009 at 06:20 AM

you don't need any license to fish from shore. not supposed to possess shellfish, but i never heard of it being an issue. grab some clams or shrimp from the fishermen in the morning....

David K - 12-4-2009 at 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by geomike
Thanks for all the input Nomads!
Good advice on the wading shoes...man Baja is some kind of place where you have to watch out supper or will cut your feet open!

I understand you need a fishing licence to harvest shellfish. Are the ones near the shore edible...can you really go and forage for your supper?

No license needed for surf fishing in Mexico (for fish).

Yes you can often collect enough clams for a meal, but it is technically illegal for non-Mexicans to collect any shellfish. A way around this is to offer to pay any local kids or adults to get them for you... if there are any locals where you camp.

geomike - 12-8-2009 at 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K

Quote:

Sounds easier than DIY and help the local economy too!
Thanks again all!
Mike