BajaNomad

Driving vs Flying w/kids to Cabo Pulmo Dec 18 - Jan 12 2017/18

Tres Rios - 7-26-2017 at 04:46 PM

We are throwing around the idea of driving to Cabo Pulmo vs flying on a 3 week Baja vacation. We are a bit hesitant d/t the fact that we have a 3yo and a 10yo. We will most likely be caravanning with another couple w/o kids. I spent 6 months (winter of 96-97) traveling Mexico by bus. So I am a little familiar with travel in Mexico. Both my wife and myself speak pretty good Spanish. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.... Salud....


[Edited on 7-26-2017 by Tres Rios]

Tres Rios - 7-26-2017 at 04:48 PM

I guess our greatest concern is the safety of our children....

bajabuddha - 7-26-2017 at 04:53 PM

Safety isn't your concern if you are good parents, which i'm sure you are. Main question is COST... 3 weeks is a short Baja vacation. You wanna spend a full week of driving to and from? If the bucks are there, fly in, rent, travel, enjoy, fly out. Saves at least 5 days of travel time, unless travel is your enjoyment. If you have your itinerary set up then more time in a locale gives you more time for local entertainment and exploration. A tad more info would garner better answers. Buena Suerte.

Tres Rios - 7-26-2017 at 05:06 PM

Travel, camping, new adventure within a vacation is always a top priority with us. Being able to haul toys like paddle boards, snorkeling gear etc. are important as well. I think driving for us is about the adventure and seeing different places. Flying in and spending most of the time in one place sounds a little hum drum to us. It all comes down to the safety of our family.

Tres Rios - 7-26-2017 at 05:09 PM

And yes cost is a concern. Don't really have the $$$$ to stay in a house or hotel, rent a car etc. for a full 3 weeks.

Tres Rios - 7-26-2017 at 05:11 PM

I have never traveled in Baja. But like I said I spent 6 months traveling Southern Mexico....

Tres Rios - 7-26-2017 at 05:14 PM

Cheers and Thanks for the reply BB

MMc - 7-26-2017 at 05:36 PM

I like the drive, it's about 20 to 24 hours of driving time. You'll have a great time either way.

Lee - 7-26-2017 at 05:43 PM

Didn't see where your trip will originate from. Guess it makes a difference. Kamloops, CN vs. San Diego.

Drive from SoCal can take 2 days to Pulmo. It takes me 3 nights to Cabo from SD.

Big plus is having your own stuff.

Either way works but I'm partial to driving -- and I like my stuff.

(The drive is really a great one. The Peninsula is fabulous!)

chippy - 7-26-2017 at 06:09 PM

Safety and the kid factor is a non issue. Mexico has to be one of the better places on the planet to travel with kids. Just do it!

Drive it!

AKgringo - 7-26-2017 at 06:18 PM

My parents took me on my first trip to Mexico when I was 10 years old (1957) and again two years later. I still have great memories of those trips!

In 1986, I passed the tradition on to my kids, but we had three months for our travels. We left Anchorage in February, traveled down through Baja, then crossed to the mainland to continue down to Zihuatenejo (sp?).

More lifetime highlights! You should be just fine in Baja. Do some searching through past threads on this forum, and ask questions as you think of them.

Tres Rios - 7-27-2017 at 08:58 AM

Thanks for all the replies ;) The wife is worried about being harmed by the Cartel situation down there.... We are driving from Three Rivers Ca 5 1/2 hrs north of San Diego....

[Edited on 7-27-2017 by Tres Rios]

MMc - 7-27-2017 at 10:04 AM

I understand her concern, anything I put here will not change her concern. I/we go to Baja every month to camp/surf/fish/kayak. It's always good and fun. She will far more comfortable after her first trip, if you can get to make it.:D
I would drive to Ensenada on your first day, you can do the rest of the trip in 2 days easy. Think about coming back on the cortez side (Hwy 5) just to see more of Baja.

JZ - 7-27-2017 at 10:12 AM

Quote: Originally posted by bajabuddha  
Safety isn't your concern if you are good parents, which i'm sure you are. Main question is COST... 3 weeks is a short Baja vacation. You wanna spend a full week of driving to and from? If the bucks are there, fly in, rent, travel, enjoy, fly out. Saves at least 5 days of travel time, unless travel is your enjoyment. If you have your itinerary set up then more time in a locale gives you more time for local entertainment and exploration. A tad more info would garner better answers. Buena Suerte.


Don't listen to this at all. Turrible advice, just turrible.

It's the journey not the destination. You will get to see so much more on your trip down. 3 weeks is a long time, plenty of time to stop along the way. See Gonzaga Bay, Bahia de Los Angeles, Loreto, etc.

Stay 2-3 days at each of your stops.



[Edited on 7-27-2017 by JZ]

surfhat - 7-27-2017 at 12:07 PM

There is so much beautiful country to see along the way that should not be missed, especially at that time of year when the desert could be a lush green garden full of color most of the way.

The variety of terrain is a constant wonder. The destination, as others have pointed out, is only part of the whole experience.

On your way back north, you could even join Shari for her Whale Magic tours near Guerrero Negro in January. If that doesn't become a never to be forgotten experience for you and your family, I will eat my hat, figuratively speaking. Her Bufadora Inn in Bahia Asuncion is a good stopover and the blowholes out front would be a treat your family may not get anywhere else. Standing over these and getting sprayed is a gas.

The possibilities are endless if you choose to drive. I hope you have a reliable truck of some sort. Truck rated tires dealing with the potholes are preferred. So many cars down there look like they have been through the wringer, with bumpers hanging loose, that I wouldn't want to risk driving a car. Suspensions are tested constantly and trucks have it all over cars in that respect.

You will get many recommendations of places to not miss, that those three weeks will fly by. Try to have a somewhat flexible schedule if possible. There is much not to be missed along the way. All the best.

Thanks to all here.

Happy trails. Thanks to all here.

bajabuddha - 7-27-2017 at 12:07 PM

Jizzy, y'er such a negative little troll. :P

JZ - 7-27-2017 at 12:59 PM

Quote: Originally posted by bajabuddha  
Jizzy, y'er such a negative little troll. :P


I would never expect to see such bad advice from a Baja regular.

Who wants to sit in one spot without a car for 3 weeks??

woody with a view - 7-27-2017 at 01:49 PM

Exactly!

OP, ask you wife to search the net and produce one story regarding cartels kidnapping tourist's children. If she is able to do that you're screwed, but she won't. Start planning and packing.

mtgoat666 - 7-27-2017 at 02:18 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Tres Rios  
We are throwing around the idea of driving to Cabo Pulmo vs flying on a 3 week Baja vacation. We are a bit hesitant d/t the fact that we have a 3yo and a 10yo. We will most likely be caravanning with another couple w/o kids. I spent 6 months (winter of 96-97) traveling Mexico by bus. So I am a little familiar with travel in Mexico. Both my wife and myself speak pretty good Spanish. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.... Salud....


[Edited on 7-26-2017 by Tres Rios]


Well, it is a long drive. Over 1,000 miles San Diego to Cabo Pulmo. Same distance as driving San Diego to Denver (but driving on average 15 or 20 mph slower in Mexico).

That said, it is a fun drive, goes thru fascinating deserts, and lots to see on the trip. But it's not fun to do in 2 or 3 days w/o taking additonal time to explore along the way.

It's pretty safe. Just dont drive at night, as the road's poorly maintained, road hazards are often unmarked, and livestock are hard to see at night (and live stock are most anywhere, it's most all open range).

Personally, if headed to far southern BCS for a school break/xmas vacation, I would fly in and rent a car. 3 week vacation, but 8 days of that driving? No!

Tres Rios - 7-27-2017 at 03:11 PM

Thanks everyone for all the suggestions/advice. Wife is not a wimp lol. she's traveled a bunch. she has lived in spain, lived in a masai village in Kenya while helping to map out natural resources for the village. She herself has driven with a group of folks many years ago throughout the Baja peninsula. It's pretty much decided that we will drive.... Gracias por todo....

Tres Rios - 7-27-2017 at 04:06 PM

Y estamos manejando una 2011 Honda Pilot AWD con aggressive llantas. Como creas esta bien????

bajabuddha - 7-27-2017 at 04:23 PM

TresRios, you definitely made the right choice, and thanx for the extra info. Your OP was a poser, and with facts out you're ok to go now. Have a wunnerful trip and as it's your first Baja road party listen to folks when they tell you to be SAFE on the roads, that's your biggest worries is the long drive times. Slow, steady, and don't push it. Take each day easy, no over-doing to 'get somewhere', and be malleable to changes in itinerary; talk with folks such as yourself and glean info on the best places to be next; don't rely on a set schedule to the 'T'.

Buena Suerte, welcome to the boards, and try to ignore the little petty disputes some idjits have with other members. :coolup:

shari - 7-27-2017 at 04:50 PM

YOu will love the drive...it's always interesting and so many beautiful spots to stop! The kids would LOVE camping in the whale lagoons...they are super safe and fun for the whole family. The kids and you wife will be baja hooked in no time!

Tres Rios - 7-27-2017 at 06:18 PM

Thanks for the input from everyone. We're driving!!!
Love,
The Wife

Tres Rios - 7-27-2017 at 06:52 PM

Enter through Tecate or Tiajuana????

JZ - 7-27-2017 at 07:05 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Tres Rios  
Enter through Tecate or Tiajuana????


Mexicali

David K - 7-27-2017 at 07:09 PM

Mexicali!
:)
Tres, welcome to Baja Nomad!
Please see my trip reports for camping and motel ideas... plus awesome natural and historic attractions.
I am happy to help. I am on the road now, so my replies may be delayed.


MMc - 7-27-2017 at 07:11 PM

TJ, come home via Mexicali. Spend the night in Ensenada and head south in the morning. Come home the cortez side, see a bunch O Baja.


2011 Honda Pilot AWD es bueno.

[Edited on 7-28-2017 by MMc]

El Jefe - 7-28-2017 at 09:55 AM

Enter Tecate. Nice drive from there down to Ensenada through wine country. I agree that west side down and east side up is the way to go. That way you see both. Your Honda Pilot is a great ride for Baja. I drive mine up and back once a year. We live out the east cape road and it handles the dirt just fine.

Good decision on driving. Making the trip in this manner is the best thing you can do for your kids. You will make memories that will last a lifetime for you as well as them. We made the drive almost every year starting in the 80's while the kids were growing up. They still talk fondly about those trips.

Now we have grandkids that fly in with our grown kids. Wonderful to have them at the house, but I always have to think they are missing something when they pass on the drive due to time constraints. Lucky you for having three weeks. Have a wonderful trip.

Tres Rios - 7-31-2017 at 09:28 AM

we will actually have 27 days in baja.... cant wait. Thanks Everyone

Tres Rios - 7-31-2017 at 01:39 PM

We have 11 days to get down to Cabo Pulmo to hook up with some friends who are flying in. 10 days in CP area with them. and 6 days to get back home. So I was thinking down Cortez side and back Pacific side. What's Hwy 5 like past San Felipe???? ;)

David K - 7-31-2017 at 01:52 PM

Beautiful!
No crowds
No city traffic (less Mexicali and San Felipe)
50 old paved road miles with many sharp dips (SanFelipe-Puertecitos)
70 new paved miles (new report today on Nomad says)
5 easy graded dirt miles.
I will confirm the newest section of Hwy. 5 that just opened with exact mileage figures, very soon.

JZ - 7-31-2017 at 05:33 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Tres Rios  
We have 11 days to get down to Cabo Pulmo to hook up with some friends who are flying in. 10 days in CP area with them. and 6 days to get back home. So I was thinking down Cortez side and back Pacific side. What's Hwy 5 like past San Felipe???? ;)


It's very good, especially around Gonzaga.

Pro tip, stop at the fireworks stand just before San Felipe and buy a bunch. Don't let anything off in your hands other than smoke bombs or something lite. Even the roman candles can go bad. But they are awesome if you play it safe. We always load up on big rockets. Best part of the trip for my kids.

Another reason to go down the East coast and not the Pacific side (besides avoiding the horrible traffic and the windy ride through the mountains after San Quintin).




JZ - 7-31-2017 at 09:48 PM

Quote: Originally posted by MMc  
TJ, come home via Mexicali. Spend the night in Ensenada and head south in the morning. Come home the cortez side, see a bunch O Baja.
Quote: Originally posted by El Jefe  
Enter Tecate. Nice drive from there down to Ensenada through wine country. I agree that west side down and east side up is the way to go.



Very bad advice. Pacific side has way too much traffic. Plus you are taking them through the most treacherous part of the Baja highway, San Quintin to Catavina.

Much better to go down through the 5 from Mexicali and avoid all that. He's traveling with the wife and kids. That drive will freak the wife out for sure.

[Edited on 8-1-2017 by JZ]

MMc - 7-31-2017 at 11:54 PM

We will disagree on this, few services, less traffic. I love the drive down the Pacific much more than the cortez side but am water oriented.


Quote: Originally posted by JZ  
Quote: Originally posted by MMc  
TJ, come home via Mexicali. Spend the night in Ensenada and head south in the morning. Come home the cortez side, see a bunch O Baja.

]


Quote: Originally posted by El Jefe  
Enter Tecate. Nice drive from there down to Ensenada through wine country. I agree that west side down and east side up is the way to go.




Very bad advice. Pacific side has way too much traffic. Plus you are taking them through the most treacherous part of the Baja highway, San Quintin to Catavina.

Much better to go down through the 5 from Mexicali and avoid all that. He's traveling with the wife and kids. That drive will freak the wife out for sure.


[Edited on 8-1-2017 by JZ]