BajaNomad

First Road Trip in Baja this Week - Advice

jet_speed - 8-15-2015 at 10:59 PM

My friend asked me to go on a spurr of the moment 8 day road trip in mid and southern Baja. I spend several months a year in Cabo the past few years.

We are meeting in Loreto and they have a truck, not 4x4.

We will be going to:
Loreto
Mulege
Bahia Tortugas (furthest north we are going)
Magdalena

We do not have a solid plan such it is spurr of the moment.

What are the must see places, beaches, and food spots?

We will not be camping and do not speak spanish.

Do most places take Visa?
Where is the best spot to exchange us for pesos in Loredo.

Thanks

LaTijereta - 8-16-2015 at 07:00 AM

Loreto options..
Stay at Coco Cabanas .. as they have a "chilled" pool which comes in handy for this time of year...(You will really enjoy the weather over on the Pacific side part of your trip)..
As for food.. give La Palapa and Orlando's both a try..
For pesos.. your best choice is to use your ATM card at the Bancomer in the plaza (notify your bank your traveling in Mexico).. you will get the best exchange rate there, even with the fees..
Plan on going down to the marina and hiring a guide to take you out to Coronado Island for a tour and a great beach/ snorkeling location..

Buena Suerte and Happy Trails!

woody with a view - 8-16-2015 at 07:03 AM

sounds like a great trip! don't listen to anyone's opinion. just go and you'll finger it out on your own! there is no lack of hospitality on the road!

Chupacabra - 8-16-2015 at 07:18 AM

My only advice is to spend more time at the beach than in your car.

Destinations in Baja tend to be far from each other and you can easily burn most of your time driving endlessly through desert rather than strolling on beaches.

SFandH - 8-16-2015 at 07:18 AM

Quote: Originally posted by jet_speed  

Do most places take Visa?



Assume the answer is no.

BigBearRider - 8-16-2015 at 08:01 AM

There are many beautiful beaches between Loreto and Mulege.

Be sure to check out the Mission in Mulege.

I'd also go to Santa Rosalia and check out the french-built mining town and it's interesting architecture, and Eiffel metal church.

San Ignacio is about 2 hours from Mulege, an also has a very beautiful mission. It's a nice sleepy little town, with whale petting excursions in the winter.

Loreto has a mission too, but I've never been inside it. Loreto is a nice, clean, little town too. Very nice malecon, and a little marina.

BajaBlanca - 8-16-2015 at 10:27 AM

I will repeat what was already said - be sure to warn your bank that you are traveling to Mexico.

even when you do, sometimes the cards still wont work

have another one to use while you call your bank

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be sure to have drinking water with you at all times

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get pesos from atm machines -the first one is after the last toll booth once you cross the border

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coco cabanas gets a second vote from us.


http://cococabanasloreto.com/

Have a wonderful trip.



Lee - 8-16-2015 at 01:17 PM

Quote: Originally posted by SFandH  
Quote: Originally posted by jet_speed  

Do most places take Visa?



Assume the answer is no.


Or, if you can use VISA, assume that you'll be scammed somehow and need to cancel the card. A backup card will help.

PS -- 3rd vote for Coco's. The only place to stay.

bajabuddha - 8-16-2015 at 01:38 PM

You'd mentioned "Where is the best spot to exchange us for pesos in Loredo."

Answer is, don't. Exchanging cash for cash is a hassle; you can draw up to $500 U.S. for Pesos per day from an ATM; best way to go, and you get the best rates that way. And again (and again) be sure to notify your home bank BEFORE you go that you'll be out of country and making large transactions (smartest to draw the max. amount of Pesos to minimize the piddly fees you still have to pay to the ATM).

You didn't mention how soon your trip is: are you planning this sooner, or later? Makes a difference on where you'll want to 'hang out'.... if you're coming in the next 3-4 weeks the east side is hotter than the gates of hell right now.

mtgoat666 - 8-16-2015 at 02:00 PM

Quote: Originally posted by jet_speed  
My friend asked me to go on a spurr of the moment 8 day road trip in mid and southern Baja. I spend several months a year in Cabo the past few years.


We... do not speak spanish.


How do you spend several months per year in Mexico and not pick up some Spanish?????
I suspect you won't like getting out of cabo...
The establishment in the boonies don't take visa. Use ATM to get pesos ( you haven't learned this from several months per year in Mexico?)

Chupacabra - 8-16-2015 at 04:50 PM

Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666  


How do you spend several months per year in Mexico and not pick up some Spanish?????
I suspect you won't like getting out of cabo...
The establishment in the boonies don't take visa. Use ATM to get pesos ( you haven't learned this from several months per year in Mexico?)


This is an inappropriate response to someone simply seeking information.

jet_speed - 8-17-2015 at 01:22 AM

Thank you all for the responses keep them coming it does help.

@Mtgoat666, that is a fair question. I need to learn Spanish. I know basic Spanish and when spoken in Cabo 99% Spanish speakers reply in English. A few have gotten mad since I am half Hispanic and do not speak.

What are the beaches to check out between Loreto and Mulege?

I believe we will be staying at Loreto Golf resort for first few nights in Loreto.


Yep got to let the bank know I will be traveling. I was in Cabo from Feb - Mid June this year and my bank told me they do not like I am spending my money in Mexico and shut down my visa and atm card. I could not believe this. I call them every week just cuz when I am traveling.

Are you guys in Baja now?

rhintransit - 8-17-2015 at 04:11 AM

Changing dollars for pesos in Loreto is not a hassle...it's pretty much impossible. Bank won't do it. Many places will take dollars, the exchange rate will be bad. ATMs. By the way, unless this has changed in the past month, no ATMs in Loreto Bay, the golf resort you referred to. Nearest is at the airport. Bank atm in town has high fee. Use the one at Leys.

bajabuddha - 8-17-2015 at 07:31 AM

RH:
Is the bank just north of the entrance to the town on Hwy 1 still open, and if so how are their rates compared to the bank in town?

bajaguy - 8-17-2015 at 07:37 AM

Quote: Originally posted by jet_speed  

"........ my bank told me they do not like I am spending my money in Mexico and shut down my visa and atm card......."





Get a new bank before you go

shari - 8-17-2015 at 08:33 AM

dont forget there is no bank in Bahia Tortugas so fill up with pesos at the Bancomer in Vizcaino before you head out to the coast. Swing by Asuncion while you are in the neighbourhood for a cold one! We are at the end of town at the very point....just ask anyone for the Bufadora! Have a great trip.

David K - 8-17-2015 at 08:40 AM

Quote: Originally posted by jet_speed  
Thank you all for the responses keep them coming it does help.


What are the beaches to check out between Loreto and Mulege?




Along Bahia Concepcion are many (and the only) beaches along the highway between the two towns... Here is a look at some (taken last month), south to north:


Where we camped, Playa la Perla.