BajaNomad

San Ignacio checkpoint

weebray - 3-6-2017 at 08:03 AM

A local reported a hour wait and full inspection of all vehicles at the checkpoint. Has anyone else been through there lately? Anything unusual or just a random event?

Udo - 3-6-2017 at 08:16 AM

The thoroughness checks are just a random check.

Sometimes it is in Guerrero Negro north, other times San Quintin, and most recently at the Santo Thomas Valley.

BigBearRider - 3-6-2017 at 09:15 AM

No wait southbound around Feb 19th. No apparent wait northbound.

David K - 3-6-2017 at 09:21 AM

In February, no look southbound, but northbound there were 2 cars infront, Mexican nationals, and both vehicles were gone through. After 20 minutes, I was only asked the basic questions and no search.

This was the same checkpoint that in 2015 accused me of having marijuana... see that trip report.

unbob - 3-6-2017 at 09:25 AM

This report just in - unsure of the exact date/time but sometime in the past several days:

"Hwy 1 travel info re: military inspections: Just completed trip back to San Diego, Hiway 1 entire way (vs. San Felipe cut-off & Mexicali). All inspections similar to past 9 years except outside San Ignacio. Huge line awaiting inspection, maybe 45min-1 hr. 10-15 RV's in caravan & 25-30ish vehicles. Each and every one got the deep dive, going inside opening most bags & boxes, rifling thru everything, leaving most open & spread around after satisfied. If you carried computer case or purse when exiting vehicle, took that too & went thru 'em (usually they have not asked to see inside bag I carry on my body). Much more aggressive, harassing feel than any inspection in my 9 year experience. Southbound vehicles waved thru absolutely no line southbound. Give a shoutout about what you experience. Allow for a lost hour if you get there peak travel time."

bajamary1952 - 3-6-2017 at 10:20 AM

Went thru there yesterday with no problems. They don't seem to bother single females (esp. if Spanish is spoken). A brief check of my fully loaded car for a couple of minutes and then off I went.

BajaBlanca - 3-6-2017 at 11:11 AM

How absolutely random. The only times I have had my purse checked is when traveling by plane out of Guerrero Negro and every time I have traveled by bus.

Hearing of a check when going by car- that is a first.

BigBearRider - 3-6-2017 at 11:17 AM

I don't object to uniform scrutiny on northbound traffic.

nbentley1 - 3-6-2017 at 11:28 AM

went through 2/18 without issues

AKgringo - 3-6-2017 at 11:40 AM

The most I have ever gone through there, is exiting the vehicle with my dog, and a brief search of the area within reach of the steering wheel. This year just before Christmas, it was just a couple of questions, and on my way!

I have never had any inspection point ask me to open my duffle bag, ice chest, or any other container. That includes a military style ammo can that I would think would be a red flag!

Either they must think I have an honest face, or they don't want to mess with my dog (very friendly, but a little intimidating)!

BigBearRider - 3-6-2017 at 11:59 AM

My experience, I am sure, is much more limited than many on this board. However, southbound, I have only been asked to open bags once. It was 7 years ago coming into La Paz on my motorcycle. I was asked to open one of the panniers on my bike. Otherwise, I have been asked to roll down a window, but that's about it.

Northbound, I have been asked to open the trunk of the car and people have looked around. I've gotten questions about stuff in the back, including my snow chains...

One time, I think it was at San Ignacio, one young man found a few thousand pesos I had put in the passenger rear seat pocket. He said to put them somewhere else, as not everyone is as honest as they are, or words to that effect.

weebray - 3-6-2017 at 03:47 PM

I'm going to assume it was a random event likely caused by the bad luck of being behind a caravan of RV's. I got behind one once S. of Bola turn off. White knuckle driving for about 40 min.

norte - 3-6-2017 at 03:56 PM

Could it be because Baja California Sur has one of the highest murder/crime rates in Mexico?

Udo - 3-6-2017 at 04:04 PM

San Quintin is not in Baja Sur.

Lots of murders there this year.
Quote: Originally posted by norte  
Could it be because Baja California Sur has one of the highest murder/crime rates in Mexico?

norte - 3-6-2017 at 04:08 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Udo  
San Quintin is not in Baja Sur.

Lots of murders there this year.


Quote: Originally posted by norte  
Could it be because Baja California Sur has one of the highest murder/crime rates in Mexico?

That is nice...but the post is about San Ignacio which is in BCS...at least since the last time I checked.

Bajazly - 3-6-2017 at 04:27 PM

Quote: Originally posted by norte  
Could it be because Baja California Sur has one of the highest murder/crime rates in Mexico?




Really? BCN looks way worse according to this but still no where near the top.

http://www.economist.com/blogs/graphicdetail/2012/11/compari...

norte - 3-6-2017 at 04:40 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Bajazly  
Quote: Originally posted by norte  
Could it be because Baja California Sur has one of the highest murder/crime rates in Mexico?




Really? BCN looks way worse according to this but still no where near the top.

http://www.economist.com/blogs/graphicdetail/2012/11/compari...


That data is from 2012.

norte - 3-6-2017 at 04:41 PM

http://www.borderlandbeat.com/2016/05/baja-california-sur-wa...

Bajazly - 3-6-2017 at 05:36 PM

Quote: Originally posted by norte  
http://www.borderlandbeat.com/2016/05/baja-california-sur-wa...



The crime rate all over Mexico has risen in recent years but Per capita has been about the same over all, and, I don't see anywhere in this that says BCS has one the highest crime rate in all of Mexico.

Some perspective, http://www.bajainsider.com/article/mexico-travel-warning-per...


Excerpt, "The year 2016 was a banner year for tourism in Baja California Sur and all of Mexico. Mexico remains one of the top 10 worldwide tourist destinations."

I could go on but The Borderland Beat seems to feed on mass hysteria.

norte - 3-7-2017 at 10:30 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Bajazly  
Quote: Originally posted by norte  
http://www.borderlandbeat.com/2016/05/baja-california-sur-wa...



The crime rate all over Mexico has risen in recent years but Per capita has been about the same over all, and, I don't see anywhere in this that says BCS has one the highest crime rate in all of Mexico.

Some perspective, http://www.bajainsider.com/article/mexico-travel-warning-per...


Excerpt, "The year 2016 was a banner year for tourism in Baja California Sur and all of Mexico. Mexico remains one of the top 10 worldwide tourist destinations."

I could go on but The Borderland Beat seems to feed on mass hysteria.


Maybe you will believe the Mexicans. Some people will do anything to protect tourism.

https://crimenmexico.diegovalle.net/es/

norte - 3-7-2017 at 10:36 AM

good analysis of the problem http://www.latimes.com/world/mexico-americas/la-fg-mexico-mu...

WideAngleWandering - 3-18-2017 at 05:14 PM

There may have been something unusual going on. Right around that time I noticed a bunch of military activity around Guerrero Negro, including a bunch of military poised to stop northbound traffic just south of town. They were just watching when I drove through but they had manned the gun positions on top of their humvees and were watching traffic intently.

At the checkpoint further north, the inspection wasn't as invasive as the OP described, but they had marines out there observing.

I'd never seen any of that in the last five years.

AKgringo - 3-18-2017 at 06:00 PM

Right at the end of November I was headed south on the long straight road from the junction with the road to the Comondus. Just north of Insurgentes, an armed military checkpoint had been set up and was stopping all northbound traffic.

Southbound traffic was totally ignored, not even slowed down! I don't know what the reason for the checkpoint was, but it was not there three weeks later when I drove back north. :?:

Sweetwater - 3-19-2017 at 09:15 AM

Specifically addressing the San Ignacio checkpoint, 3 motos had to go through twice 2 weeks ago. Turned around after a flat tire would not air up just past the checkpoint. They were stopping all vehicles for significant time/searching but let us though easily the second time around. We noted military activity several times on the northbound trip which included men with their weapons deployed and walking through the area of Punta Prieta. We did not stop to ask for directions.

jamesthomsen - 3-23-2017 at 05:39 PM

We went through the San Ignacio checkpoint southbound on March 7, 2017 and returned 10 days later and both times they had us open the side van door and looked inside, but did not search. Less than 10 minutes.