BajaNomad

From the FB inbox...

BajaNomad - 10-28-2013 at 08:45 PM

A message from the inbox of the BajaNomad Facebook site:
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Hello Baja Nomad, first off thank you for your time in advance if you are able to reply. I've been asked recently to drive a friends vehicle from B.C. Canada down to Cabo on short notice... I plan on getting to SanDiego tomorrow (already in Sacramento) and waking up rested and early on Wednesday for two long days of travel as I have friends flying down by Thurs night and Friday.

Any and all tips you can pass along are very much appreciated. I am prepared with lots of water, Big jerry can of gas and plan on taking the #1 highway. Any suggestions on accomadations approx half way I should stay at. And are there any areas or actions I should avoid ? - again, thank you

David K - 10-28-2013 at 09:06 PM

1) Gas can should be empty crossing border.
2) San Ignacio is halfway to Cabo and has several accommodations.
3) Enjoy your trip!

mtnpop - 10-29-2013 at 08:06 AM

Personal opinion only as there are many...
Be sure to top off fuel in El Rosario on the left as you come into town..
This year the further south you get the taller the grass and weeds by the highway... so keep a close watch for cows, horses, and goats along or on the road... Even tho this is only a 1K drive,,, its a really long 2 day drive with road conditions, traffic, checkpoints, blah blah,blah,, A lot of folks do it and have no problem... Just not my cup of tea...
Drive safe and defensive,, We willl wave when you blow by Mulege...Zona de topes......
Happy trails....

rts551 - 10-29-2013 at 08:11 AM

leave all the jerry cans at home...unless there is a specific reason to bring them. Plenty of gas stations along the way.

Russ - 10-29-2013 at 08:18 AM

IMO: First trip down you really need to take it slowly. 3 days would be better on you and their car. Do NOT drive in the dark for the above reasons. The curves are deceptive and the cation signs are sometimes missing on really bad corners. Just take it slow and have an enjoyable trip.

vandenberg - 10-29-2013 at 08:37 AM

And... Mexico is the land of the topes, speed bumps that can rattle your teeth and may propel your head against the car roof. And many are very poorly marked or not at all.

No need for gas can. Plenty of stations along the highway.

As mentioned, make sure to gas up in El Rosario, for it's a long stretch to the next station. However there are always points on the highway where enterprising Mexicans sell you gas out of drums for a higher price. Beats running out.

Have a nice trip. Lots of beautiful scenery. Enjoy!!

DENNIS - 10-29-2013 at 08:44 AM

We're getting just a bit of wet weather here on the Baja North coast. It shouldn't be a problem.
Can't speak for points south, but I haven't heard anything to date.
Drive slow and stay safe.

BajaBlanca - 10-29-2013 at 08:50 AM

reiterating the above: YOU MUST TOP OFF GAS IN EL ROSARIO, the next gas station is very far.

You might consider 3 days as it is your first time in Baja ... it is lovely and deserves time.

I say stop in either San Quintin and stay at the Jardines Hotel

http://www.hotel-jardinesbaja.com

or continue a lot further and stay at the Baja Cactus (ask for a new room) in El Rosario and take advantage and eat at the Mama Espinoza restaurant on the corner. It is one of the oldest eateries in Baja and everyone should eat there once and check out the museum-like artifacts on the walls etc.

If you are not in a hurry, visit some of the wonderful older oasis towns along the way:

san Ignacio (stay at the yurts at san Ignacio inn at the entrance to town, on the left

http://www.ignaciosprings.com


or with Juanita at Casa Leree, the first guesthouse in the area


http://www.casaleree.com


santa rosalia (not worth staying at IMO), but there is the French Hotel St.Francis at the top of the hill which is worth a visit and the church on themain drag as you enter town was designed by Eiffel of the Paris Eiffel tower

mulege (tons of choices) I recommend staying with Cliff at Clementine's http://www.clementinesbaja.com

loreto (again, tons of choices but we stay with Steve at the CocoCabanas)
http://www.CocoCabanas Loreto.com

from Loreto you can do La Paz easily and La Paz is worth a visit. bigger town. If you are not into expensive hotels, I recommend the Bahia Dorada

http://www.hotelbahiadorada.com


and from there it is a hop skip and jump to Cabo.

remember not to drive at night.
be aware that there are army checkpoints and that you must keep your valuables in sight at all times. they will ask you to get out of the car and they are looking for weapons and drugs. no big deal but keep cameras and cash on your body

have a wonderful trip!

David K - 10-29-2013 at 08:55 AM

Jardines motel (south side of San Quintin) to Baja Cactus motel (El Rosario, next door to Pemex station) is about 25-30 miles.

mtnpop - 10-29-2013 at 09:00 AM

oh, oh, oh, I am sure that you did but just in case....

Did get mexico auto insurance????? If not do not pass go or go to jail...

We actually stop in GN the first night... its a long day for us and there are some great hotels there....
also usually windy and cool..... ha

keep ur eyes open....

mtnpop - 10-29-2013 at 09:05 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
We're getting just a bit of wet weather here on the Baja North coast. It shouldn't be a problem.
Can't speak for points south, but I haven't heard anything to date.
Drive slow and stay safe.


So far in Mulege, just partly cloudy,,,, will be interested to see if it gets more as it gets closer to the BAJA... really nice day in our neighborhood....

David K - 10-29-2013 at 09:08 AM

Good point mtnpop... many of us have annual policies, so the buying Mexican auto insurance thing skips our mind, as we are covered for the year... At the top of this web site is a banner ad for BajaBound.com an excellent company and member of Baja Nomad (BajaGeoff). Another popular insurance choice is for members of an excellent club offering member discounts on insurance, books, maps, motels, etc.: Discover Baja Travel Club. Buy insurance for the number of days you think you will be in Mexico, or get a 6 or 12 month policy (which can be cheaper if you will be in Mexico over 3 weeks a year).

5 to 7 days and enjoy the ride

captkw - 10-29-2013 at 10:42 AM

Mulegena - 10-29-2013 at 01:05 PM

Suggest poster read thread "will take seasoned traveler" by bajarookie for related context, content.

Bajahowodd - 10-29-2013 at 05:02 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by mtnpop
oh, oh, oh, I am sure that you did but just in case....

Did get mexico auto insurance????? If not do not pass go or go to jail...

We actually stop in GN the first night... its a long day for us and there are some great hotels there....
also usually windy and cool..... ha

keep ur eyes open....


Great hotels in Guerrero Negro? :lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

Thanx for the laugh.

And on a different note, unless you are driving a vehicle with an especially small gas tank, or one that gets really lousy mileage, my recommendation is to fillk up at the Pemex by Los Pinos just South of San Quintin. They gave a good store, and excellent restrooms.

TimeTraveler - 10-29-2013 at 05:25 PM

Ok so kinda a newbie thing to say maybe... I know whenever we go that far south we get a tourist visa? Is this just a unnecessary formality?

David K - 10-29-2013 at 05:28 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by TimeTraveler
Ok so kinda a newbie thing to say maybe... I know whenever we go that far south we get a tourist visa? Is this just a unnecessary formality?


That's the rule... any trip anywhere in Mexico over 72 hours, or any trip south of the 'border zone' for any time... requires an FMM 'Tourist Card'. You get one when you enter Mexico at the INM office at the border. Free for up to 7 days... about $23US for up to 180 days.

It is only inspected at (and not always) the state border near Guerrero Negro on Hwy. 1.

tourest card

captkw - 10-29-2013 at 05:29 PM

GET IT !!

Kgryfon - 10-30-2013 at 12:09 AM

Didn't know there was a FB Bajanomad presence. I just searched BajaNomad on FB and didn't find it. What am I missing?

Mula - 10-30-2013 at 06:50 AM

https://www.facebook.com/dougmeans

dasubergeek - 10-30-2013 at 09:53 AM

Yes, you'll want to get the tourist card. It's 300 pesos to ensure that you don't have troubles if you get pulled over in one of the little towns south of the 28th parallel (in Baja California Sur).