BajaNomad

Baja newbie- Christmas and New Year recommendations/convoy

JeffDeb - 12-18-2014 at 09:54 PM

We have been camping the past 2 months around AZ and So CA in our 21' travel trailer. Currently in Palm Springs and considering dropping down to Baja for Christmas and New Year. Any suggestions, advice, hand holding or conveys?
Thanks, JD

[Edited on 12-19-2014 by JeffDeb]

MMc - 12-18-2014 at 10:19 PM

Go have a good time. Bay of Los Angeles, San Quintin, Whales in Guerrero Negro or San Ignacio, Get your Ins. and tourist cards and make an adventure.

bajaguy - 12-18-2014 at 10:29 PM

Get your insurance for the tow rig AND the trailer at Bajabound....see banner at the top of this page.

It may be easier when towing a trailer to get your tourist card (FMM) and cross at San Ysidro. There is plenty of room to park your tow rig and trailer while you are getting the FMM, then hit the toll road to Ensenada.

There are also ATM's there to get pesos for the FMM and the toll road.

Any large supermarket will also have ATM's. Notify your financial institution that you will be in Mexico or they may cancel your card (debit and/or credit) if they see foreign use without prior notification/

Is your tow rig gas or diesel??

hola Jeff

captkw - 12-18-2014 at 10:43 PM

Hi, if you need a convoy,,this might not be your Gig !! That Said,,If you want learn about life and yourself (Please) carry on ! if your well traveled and have a good rig qnd drive with saftely and caution you will have a BLAST!!! PLEASE..keep in mind that the folks in Baja Norte & Sur are some of he best folks you could meet in your life !!! Just don't Think,,,Act like your a better crew member spaceship Earth,, than they are !! Sabe?

CortezBlue - 12-19-2014 at 07:40 AM

We are coming down to San Felipe Dec 26. If you are going down that direction would be glad to take you to Pete's Camp. It is a great place to park a trailer. It is dry camping, but there are great showers and bathrooms at the bar/restaurant area. Sometimes you can have one of the folks who live on the edge of Pete's rent you electricity as well.

If you are continuing south, you can head to Guerro Negro, however, with a trailer attached make sure everything is glued down for the segment of road that is not done yet.

Let me know.

JeffDeb - 12-19-2014 at 07:58 AM

Appreciate the encoragement. Many of the folks we talked to were alarmed, scared and advise against traveling south across the border. Even the U.S. government updated the Travel Warning last month.

Our tow vehicle is a 2013 1/2 gas wheel drive truck pulling a 2010 21' travel trailer. We are somewhat seasoned travelers ....March we spent 3 weeks in some small Guatemalan pueblos with only 5 days of Spanish language school :-). Lots of smiling seemed to keep the machetes away.

thanks

bajaguy - 12-19-2014 at 08:43 AM

JeffDeb thanks for the update and info on your truck. I only ask because of the diesel situation and type between Baja and Baja Sur.

Stop by your local Auto Club (AAA) and pick up a Baja map. Plenty of great camping areas from Ensenada south on the Pacific Side and on the Gulf side, north and south of San Felipe.

To reinforce what Cortez says (above) wouldn't recommend Hwy 5 south of Gonzaga Bay towing an RV

bajalearner - 12-19-2014 at 09:10 AM

Quote: Originally posted by JeffDeb  
Appreciate the encoragement. Many of the folks we talked to were alarmed, scared and advise against traveling south across the border. Even the U.S. government updated the Travel Warning last month.


If you need someone to tell you the sky is falling, there are tons of those people. Our government works on maneuvering the political advantage. If your shocked at that you could stay in Palm Springs and enjoy looking at 80 year olds, in shorts, stocking up at Cosco. :(

I prefer to enjoy MX for what it is and try to live by the golden rule and respect for MX. If a person uses his head and respects the "rules of the road" he will elevate many of the problems others' complain about. There will always be little upsets along the way, it's how one handles them that count.

AKgringo - 12-19-2014 at 09:48 AM

Your rig won't make it into my favorite places, but before I became a hermit camper, I enjoyed spending some time at Sanispac Beach south of Mulege'.
It does not have hook ups for your trailer, but showers are available at the restaurant, and it is a good place to park the house while you check out the area with your truck.
You really ought to drive at least that far south. There are so many other places, you're gonna need another trip!
Also, the AAA map is handy, but the latest version is 2010, and that info was probably a year old when it was published. A GPS is handy as well, but are often not current.
Are you traveling with a pet? If so, there are more tips you will need, so go for it, and have a great trip!

Bajaguy......you peaked my interest!

fixtrauma - 12-19-2014 at 10:10 AM

What is the diesel situation between Baja and Baja Sur? I am always able to reach La Paz before needing to refuel with diesel. This time I am driving a diesel pickup and will need refueling along the way. (Sorry for leading this thread slightly askew).

David K - 12-19-2014 at 10:37 AM

(until bajaguy gets back: 'Ultra Low Sulfur' may not be available in Baja Sur, just the 'Low Sulfur' that was used by all up to a few years ago).

If you are concerned about using Low Sulfur in the newest diesels designed for Ultra Low, then that is the issue.

Thanks David.

fixtrauma - 12-19-2014 at 10:45 AM

My pickup truck is plenty old to handle what is there. 1995 Powerstroke.

willardguy - 12-19-2014 at 11:58 AM

looks like this is the week to be down here, gonna get chilly after christmas!

JeffDeb - 12-19-2014 at 09:07 PM

Appreciate the info and insights from this fun seasoned group. Original thought was just to dip our toes in BC and drop down toward Clam Beach and the lure of many lobster. Now considering San Filipe....Checking availability at Pete's Camp. We do have a small dog. Current on all shots - have a health cert from our vet. Still working thru concerns about taking the trailer south of the boarder. Might store it and drive just our truck for our virgin voyage.