BajaNomad

Discover Baja vs. Vagabundos del Mar

Gaucho - 2-22-2010 at 08:42 PM

I've been a member of both in the past. Mainly for the ease of getting car insurance and a Mexican fishing license. I'd be interested to get other people's opinions on both.

BajaWarrior - 2-22-2010 at 09:01 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Gaucho
I've been a member of both in the past. Mainly for the ease of getting car insurance and a Mexican fishing license. I'd be interested to get other people's opinions on both.


I was previously with Vags for about 10 years but now I'm with DB and have so for the past 12 years, they're good people and have good services. They have a great annual vehicle rate and we insure our home in Baja with them as well.

Neal Johns - 2-22-2010 at 09:37 PM

Discover Baja is better for four wheel explorers and the Vags are better for the motorhome people.

Gaucho - 2-22-2010 at 10:19 PM

Thanks for the feedback. I'm about 20 years away from the motorhome circuit (kinda look forward to it though :D). I definately fall into the 4WD/surf/dive/fish/explore category.

Diver - 2-22-2010 at 10:27 PM

We've used DB for the past 5 or more years and enjoyed the service and response time.
For our truck, camp trailer and boat; fishing licenses and FMTs.

Pescador - 2-23-2010 at 07:27 AM

Once around a campfire in Baja, one of the participants remarked that everytime he saw one of the Vagabundos Del Mar magnetic signs on the door of a camping rig, that the people were almost always jerks. I thought that a rather rash statement but wondered why he might make that kind of a statement. In a trailer park it sees that you get to see a good cross section of baja travelers and while I can not say for sure that he was 100% accurate, there was some truth to the matter.

David K - 2-23-2010 at 09:28 AM

I was a charter member of Tom Miller's Mexico West Travel Club (1974+) and after Tom passed away, followed Shirley Miller over to the new Discover Baja Travel Club when it got started, with her assistance...

They are in San Diego, have a Baja book and map store at their office, open 6 days a week... they sell to anyone, but members get a discount. So, it is a nice friendly place to do business or just chat with others. If you aren't near San Diego or passing by, then everying is available online http://www.discoverbaja.com including their quarterly newsletter. See the Fall, 2009 edition ;) here: http://www.discoverbaja.com/pdf/fall09.pdf

[Edited on 2-23-2010 by David K]

Doug/Vamonos - 2-23-2010 at 08:13 PM

I started out with DB in the mid 90's because they offered multi-year memberships for one cheap upfront payment. I bought a five or six year membership and after it expired and the price increased I went to Vags. I was also annoyed with DB because I would often call for various information and the girls/ladies who answered the phone NEVER answered my questions. They just didn't have the Baja knowledge. (hope I don't pee anyone off) And it was always a hassle getting rushed docs such as fishing licenses and insurance. In my experience VAGS are much easier to work with for these items.

Udo - 2-23-2010 at 10:03 PM

They both offer about the same services. I've been a member of DB for about 16 years, and the Vags for two.
Joined both to see if I received anything different between them.
The Vags have amonthly printed newletter that gets mailed to you every month. DB's newletter is emailed every three months.
Both services are basically the same (books, FMT, insurance, etc.).
I have yet to meet a Vag, but spoken and met with 6 DB personnel. And if Graham Macintosh endorses DB, his word is gospel (just like DavidK's).

Bajaboy - 2-23-2010 at 10:20 PM

I'm not really sure of the cost/benefit of belonging to either. I get my insurance online and buy my fishing license from Squidco. I belonged to Vags many years ago (1997ish) but now don't see the need.

dtutko1 - 2-24-2010 at 07:35 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Pescador
Once around a campfire in Baja, one of the participants remarked that everytime he saw one of the Vagabundos Del Mar magnetic signs on the door of a camping rig, that the people were almost always jerks. I thought that a rather rash statement but wondered why he might make that kind of a statement. In a trailer park it sees that you get to see a good cross section of baja travelers and while I can not say for sure that he was 100% accurate, there was some truth to the matter.

I've been a vag member for 6 years, fairly satisfied with there service. I take exception to the sign observation. I have the signs and consider ourselves goodwill ambassadors sp from the US. The signs always eliscite at least a smile and sometimes a salute from check points in Baja.

David K - 2-24-2010 at 07:59 AM

One thing nice about Vags, is that they made an effort to honor a great friend of the Baja travelers...



805gregg - 2-24-2010 at 07:00 PM

I belonged to Vagabundos for years, I would put their magnetic decals on my truck doors and get waved through all check points. When they lost the ability to do tourest visas, I went to DB they were great, and now the Vag decals don't work anymore. I met a guy in Manhatten beach that had a problem with the Vags at their campground in Cabo, he told me the real name was Fagabundos.

AcuDoc - 2-24-2010 at 08:58 PM

I met a guy in Manhatten beach that had a problem with the Vags at their campground in Cabo, he told me the real name was Fagabundos.

anybody making such a statement to me would be the problem and a bigot...just my opinion

Howard - 2-24-2010 at 09:32 PM

Just for the record, it was not me AcuDoc was talking about!

AcuDoc - 2-24-2010 at 10:12 PM

I don't know the persons name and don't really care to know. I'm not really big on people that use racist, bigoted terms and hate speech. I'll call anyone out for doing so...friend or foe...

and no I was not talking about Howard.

DeMinimis - 2-25-2010 at 12:41 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Neal Johns
Discover Baja is better for four wheel explorers and the Vags are better for the motorhome people.


Wait, you mean there's a difference between four wheel explorers and MH people;D

David K - 2-25-2010 at 12:42 PM

VIVA CALAMAJUE!:light: