BajaNomad

Vizcaino peninsula

saritayjoaquin - 2-25-2014 at 07:18 PM

Thinking about checking out Bahia tortuga & the Vizcaino peninsula & possibity the route south to Bahia asuncion & south to Punta Abreojos. Anyone been there? How far a drive from Vizcaino turn of to Bahia tortuga? Can a mini van make it? What is the scenery like? Worth the trip?

woody with a view - 2-25-2014 at 07:29 PM

you'd do just as well to head towards BA and then south.

Barry A. - 2-25-2014 at 07:58 PM

Bahia Tortuga is unique, and worth the visit if you have the time, IMO. Also the reasonably short drive up to the "horn" of the peninsula while out there. As said, the drive south to Asuncion (etc.) is also highly rewarding.

We made that trip in a full size Van with no problems. Just keep your speed down to reasonble levels. Lots of wash-board, unless recently graded. You can make it a big loop, so few repeats.

Barry

vgabndo - 2-25-2014 at 08:48 PM

You could get the impression that you could make a loop including Bahia Tortugas, I don't think you'd want to do the back roads from up there down to San Roque on the coast then to Bahia Asuncion. Maybe Barry knows better. Woody makes a good call.

We have folks at Campo Sirena now who recently pulled small vacation trailers over the road from Abreojos.

It is an hour and ten minutes to BA from Vizcaino.

monoloco - 2-25-2014 at 08:51 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Barry A.
Bahia Tortuga is unique, and worth the visit if you have the time, IMO. Also the reasonably short drive up to the "horn" of the peninsula while out there. As said, the drive south to Asuncion (etc.) is also highly rewarding.

We made that trip in a full size Van with no problems. Just keep your speed down to reasonble levels. Lots of wash-board, unless recently graded. You can make it a big loop, so few repeats.

Barry
I agree, the whole peninsula is worth exploring especially around Punta Eugenia.

DianaT - 2-25-2014 at 08:57 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by vgabndo
You could get the impression that you could make a loop including Bahia Tortugas, I don't think you'd want to do the back roads from up there down to San Roque on the coast then to Bahia Asuncion. Maybe Barry knows better. Woody makes a good call.

We have folks at Campo Sirena now who recently pulled small vacation trailers over the road from Abreojos.

It is an hour and ten minutes to BA from Vizcaino.


Perry, there is a back road from Tortugas to Bahia Asuncion. It is one that many of the locals use and we have traveled it a few times. It varies in condition, but it is beautiful. It does not go through San Roque. Some prefer the main road back to the turn off to BA.

We like Tortugas and think it is worth the visit and especially if one continues out to Punta Eugenia which is one of those end of the world places. Then one can take the back road to Bahia Asuncion.

vgabndo - 2-25-2014 at 09:02 PM

Thanks DT, I haven't been on that road yet, I'm glad to hear its is better than I thought.

DianaT - 2-25-2014 at 09:10 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by vgabndo
Thanks DT, I haven't been on that road yet, I'm glad to hear its is better than I thought.


Ask the locals before you take that road as it can vary in condition, but we never found it to be a problem. Where there was deep silt, the locals had made a road around it.

One note of caution. The locals always told us to be very cautious in the mountain areas as the locals tend to drive too fast! There is a lot of interesting country along that route.

[Edited on 2-26-2014 by DianaT]

Bajaboy - 2-25-2014 at 09:33 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DianaT
Quote:
Originally posted by vgabndo
Thanks DT, I haven't been on that road yet, I'm glad to hear its is better than I thought.


Ask the locals before you take that road as it can vary in condition, but we never found it to be a problem. Where there was deep silt, the locals had made a road around it.

One note of caution. The locals always told us to be very cautious in the mountain areas as the locals tend to drive too fast! There is a lot of interesting country along that route.

[Edited on 2-26-2014 by DianaT]


We like that drive as well and have seen a variety of vehicles on it. But, we have also heard from locals that it is not safe to drive it at night because of bad guys.

DianaT - 2-25-2014 at 09:57 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajaboy
Quote:
Originally posted by DianaT
Quote:
Originally posted by vgabndo
Thanks DT, I haven't been on that road yet, I'm glad to hear its is better than I thought.


Ask the locals before you take that road as it can vary in condition, but we never found it to be a problem. Where there was deep silt, the locals had made a road around it.

One note of caution. The locals always told us to be very cautious in the mountain areas as the locals tend to drive too fast! There is a lot of interesting country along that route.

[Edited on 2-26-2014 by DianaT]


We like that drive as well and have seen a variety of vehicles on it. But, we have also heard from locals that it is not safe to drive it at night because of bad guys.


Even without the idea of any bad guys, that road would not be good at night. That is good advice.

David K - 2-26-2014 at 09:53 AM





DavidE - 2-26-2014 at 10:18 AM

I can offer a little info...

From the intersection of the Vizcaino - Bahia Tortugas roads, to B.T. the road crews are apparently still at work, so the road surface is not nearly as nice as from Viz to the intersection.

I like the quirky ambiance of Bahia Tortugas. The bay is pretty, and there is a genuine gasolinera there with all three grades of combustible. But the water is chilly until late summer or autumn.

An area I have found to intrigue me is "Los Cerros de Punta Prieta". Various locals have described the region as "unique" with deer, bob cats, mountain goats, mountain lions, and very pretty lush vegetation. But it's not a "drive-to" area. Apparently there is water there for backpackers. No way in hell in my physical condition would I even think about making such a trek but I would love to see a barrage of photos from the area.

Udo - 2-26-2014 at 10:33 AM

Earlier this week, on Monday, I saw about 30 dump trucks headed up that road. Some were carrying road base material, and others were carrying asphalt. It looks as though the road is getting very close to being completely paved.
Late last year, we drove it and there was about 12 miles of dirt still left.
The road is easily passable.
Do make the trip to Playa Malarrimo, the fish camp just before the town itself. Very scenic once you get there, and lots of stuff for beach combing.

mtgoat666 - 2-26-2014 at 11:07 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by DavidE
I can offer a little info...

From the intersection of the Vizcaino - Bahia Tortugas roads, to B.T. the road crews are apparently still at work, so the road surface is not nearly as nice as from Viz to the intersection.

I like the quirky ambiance of Bahia Tortugas. The bay is pretty, and there is a genuine gasolinera there with all three grades of combustible. But the water is chilly until late summer or autumn.

An area I have found to intrigue me is "Los Cerros de Punta Prieta". Various locals have described the region as "unique" with deer, bob cats, mountain goats, mountain lions, and very pretty lush vegetation. But it's not a "drive-to" area. Apparently there is water there for backpackers. No way in hell in my physical condition would I even think about making such a trek but I would love to see a barrage of photos from the area.


Where is Los Cerros de Punta Prieta?

I have always wanted to explore the Santa Clara Mountains, anyone been into them?

Armchair Travelling

SFandH - 2-26-2014 at 02:42 PM

DavidE - 2-26-2014 at 03:06 PM

"Where is Los Cerros de Punta Prieta?

I have always wanted to explore the Santa Clara Mountains, anyone been into them?


I used the name locals call the hills. After you turn on the road to B.A. from the B.T. highway look to your left. What the locals call Cerros de Punta Prieta are off the port quarter. Unique rugged shape. Sometimes when there is a lot of dust in the air they are hard to see. Can be seen from B.A.

BajaBlanca - 2-26-2014 at 05:04 PM

Be sure to visit us in La bocana on your way from Bahia Asuncion to Punta Abreojos. Once you pass the cemetary, take the first right at the stop sign. Take a right at the first stop sign again. Look for the 2 story house or the white house right after it, if no one is at the B&B.

You can do emails on the front porch while we look at the horizon. (((:

DavidE - 2-27-2014 at 04:34 PM

Blanca I would come and visit, but days later they would start to find a trail of parts off my car, then a skeleton on the side of the road. The days of brecha beating are over for this car and driver. The car has aged ungracefully as have I.

saritayjoaquin - 2-27-2014 at 09:42 PM

Thank you everyone for all this very useful info. We definitely will be going this year!

mooose29 - 3-3-2014 at 12:06 AM

How long time wise is the drive from Visciano to BA and then how long to get back to the hwy if we go south through Abriojos? We are headed to our place in May and some friends of our would like to see the pacific side so I thought we might take a detour on our way to Punta Chivato and stay for a night or 2 along the way.


[Edited on 3-3-2014 by mooose29]

Udo - 3-3-2014 at 08:45 AM

Vizcaino to BA is about 1-1/2 hour.

If you take the road to from BA to Abreojos, plan on two hours depending on the vehicle you are driving.
Abreojos to Hwy 1 is a little over and hour.
I hope you know the road to Punta Chivato is fairly rutted ans slow going.

rts551 - 3-3-2014 at 02:16 PM

65 miles BA to Abreojos ... graded dirt road...55 miles Abreojos to 1...hwy.

Thank you

mooose29 - 3-3-2014 at 11:12 PM

Guys Thank you for the info much appreciated. We have a 4wd suburban that has been all over Baja as we are fairly well traveled down here. Udo we have a place at Punta Chivato so we will have to make the road work thanks for the heads up.