BajaNomad

How safe is driving on hwy 1 to la Paz for whale birthing and whale shark snorkeling? Camping or cabins recommendations...

Charliefunny - 11-13-2017 at 09:31 AM

Planning a trip with 3 good retired friends and want to give them transport and lodging choices based on travelers experiences. I've read that day driving is safer, so we'll do that. Vehicle will be a Honda SUV or similar. Welcome any lodging and outfitter recommendations. Muchas gracias. :bounce:

David K - 11-13-2017 at 09:52 AM

Night driving is unsafe due to range cattle and burros who like being on the warm blacktop at night. Obviously, you miss seeing Baja if your drive at night and finding a motel late or a good camping spot may not happen.

JZ - 11-13-2017 at 10:59 AM

What's your experience level with Baja?

C205Driver - 11-13-2017 at 12:22 PM

...And consider Bahía de Los Angeles September- November; just about guaranteed to swim with one...Do your research for best time of year, where ever you go....

TMW - 11-13-2017 at 02:29 PM

Depending on when you start.

Ensenada, San Nicolas or Corona hotel both have restaurants.

San Quintin, Villa de San Quintin and restaurant, Jardines hotel and restaurant.

El Rosario, Baja Cactus hotel. Restaurants close by.

Guerrero Negro, there are several as you get into town.

San Ignacio, the La Huerta hotel & restaurant past the mission.

Loreto, many good hotels my favorite is the Oasis hotel and restaurant, south end past the Malecon.

La Paz, many good hotels and restaurants. The La Perla has history with the Baja 1000 and is on the Malecon.

These are just a few of my favorites

shari - 11-13-2017 at 03:20 PM

Hola funny Charlie and welcome to the Nomad sand box!

thousands of us travel by car up and down the peninsula all the time so if you follow the Baja rules...dont drive at night, slow down, follow traffic rules, be vigilant and use common sense...you will be fine.

If you would like help planning a stop at Laguna OJo de Liebre at Guerrero Negro..where the majority of gray whales birth and raise their babies, I can help out. It is a great place to camp and listen to the whales breathing at night.

check your U2U which is up in the right corner under your login name.

[Edited on 11-13-2017 by shari]

thebajarunner - 11-13-2017 at 03:50 PM

Get insurance before you go
Most of us use bajabound.com Geoff is a Nomad

Keep the gas tank topped off
The El Rosario Pemex is owned by Nomad Baja Cactus and is always reliable
Just be sure to make sure that they clear the dials first.

Get pesos.... they will screw you on exchange rates, and it is not always a quick and easy calculation to make change.
The banks south of downtown Ensenada, just about a mile, all have ATM and they give the proper rate. Most banks will balk at changing your green dollars, so use the ATM. The instructions are in Spanish and the amount your request is in pesos....so be sure to ask for enough.
$500 US equals almost 10,000 (yeah, ten thousand) pesos

Ask for help.... here on Nomad or just from people you encounter
The Mexicans you meet will be almost always more than helpful

bajaguy - 11-13-2017 at 04:10 PM

There are several banks with ATM's in the Wal-Mart Microplaza. "Most" all of the ATM's have an English version on start-up.

Remember, when entering the amount, it is in pesos. 6,000 pesos is/was (depending on the daily exchange rate) about $340 US

Most of the time I use the Banamex ATM in the Ensenada COSTCO

Stay away from BBVA Bancomer, highest ATM fees

Quote: Originally posted by thebajarunner  
Get insurance e.
The banks south of downtown Ensenada, just about a mile, all have ATM and they give the proper rate. Most banks will balk at changing your green dollars, so use the ATM. The instructions are in Spanish and the amount your request is in pesos....so be sure to ask for enough.
$500 US equals almost 10,000 (yeah, ten thousand) pesos

Eats

bajaguy - 11-13-2017 at 04:13 PM

If you are really, really hungry.............Don't have the Km number

Ejido Nueva Odisea (just south of San Quintin) Parcela 12 Restaurant Outstanding food, great selection. One price, 10 to 12 different items. Hard to find but worth it. On the east side of the highway almost across from the entrance to El Pabellon RV park

https://www.facebook.com/Parcela12/?rf=338499866201067

KM. 16 south of San Quintín, on the left (east side).

David K - 11-13-2017 at 05:09 PM

Quote: Originally posted by bajaguy  
If you are really, really hungry.............Don't have the Km number

Ejido Nueva Odisea (just south of San Quintin) Parcela 12 Restaurant Outstanding food, great selection. One price, 10 to 12 different items. Hard to find but worth it. On the east side of the highway almost across from the entrance to El Pabellon RV park

https://www.facebook.com/Parcela12/?rf=338499866201067


Hi Terry, we really heard a lot about this place here on Nomad, didn't we?
So, naturally, the Km. marker was quick to be posted. I saw the place on my last trip south, as well...

Search on Nomad search engine 'Parcela 12' and you get: http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=86783#pid1083...
It is just past the Km. 16 post (which is the El Pabellon RV Park entrance, and a half km. north of Fidel's El Pabellon RV Park).

bajaguy - 11-13-2017 at 06:56 PM

Thanks!!....trying to dig up a reason to get back there for the food!!


Quote: Originally posted by David K  
Quote: Originally posted by bajaguy  
If you are really, really hungry.............Don't have the Km number

Ejido Nueva Odisea (just south of San Quintin) Parcela 12 Restaurant Outstanding food, great selection. One price, 10 to 12 different items. Hard to find but worth it. On the east side of the highway almost across from the entrance to El Pabellon RV park

https://www.facebook.com/Parcela12/?rf=338499866201067


Hi Terry, we really heard a lot about this place here on Nomad, didn't we?
So, naturally, the Km. marker was quick to be posted. I saw the place on my last trip south, as well...

Search on Nomad search engine 'Parcela 12' and you get: http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=86783#pid1083...
It is just past the Km. 16 post (which is the El Pabellon RV Park entrance, and a half km. north of Fidel's El Pabellon RV Park).

BAJA.DESERT.RAT - 11-14-2017 at 10:22 AM

hola and welcome to nomad.

all in your group MUST notify your bank that you are going to mexico.

you should have at least two cards in case you lose one OR...if the atm eats your card.

the bancomer atm in los barriles ate mine and didn't give me any money.

you will need valid passports, CHECK THE EXPIRATION DATES to get your FMM...TOURIST VISAS.

familiarize yourselves with the currency exchange, don't just trust the business you're dealing with.

have a great journey !

BIEN SALUD, DA RAT

yumawill - 11-14-2017 at 11:17 AM

Hola Charliefunny. First, don't bring any money because the Bandidos or the Policia will just take it. You can sleep at the Police station for free if you drink a lot. The gas station attendants are the most honest people in all of Mexico. That's why they have that job. Lastly, Whales are extremely dangerous and known to eat Fat Gringos on sight. Well that said, Have a good time.

BajaBlanca - 11-14-2017 at 08:29 PM

You certainly have come to the right place for information! So many years of experience here.

Whales with Shari - you can't go wrong!

We are south of her and are off the beaten path if you want a little adventure that is not run of the mill. We have our B&B where you have access to a kitchen and there are cabins on the beach with a full service restaurant. There is a lagoon for shore fishing...

Welcome to Bajanomad!


billklaser - 11-15-2017 at 07:11 AM

Hola Charliefunny. Just to reiterate some of the above comments. Baja 1 is a dangerous road, and common sense and due deligents is mandatory . Areas have a problem with potholes, so slow down around them. Sometimes you can be lulled into a false sense of security on this road. On a 20 hour drive to La Paz, you can have no problem for 19 hours and 59 minutes followed by shear terror. So....be careful.

Gurrero Negro

bajaguy - 11-15-2017 at 07:35 AM

"Reported" from Talk Baja board, a Federal Police speed trap located between Guerrero Negro and Vizcaino

Get a dash-cam and a radar detector

Km. 37 San Quintin/El Rosario

David K - 11-15-2017 at 07:56 AM

Quote: Originally posted by bajaguy  
"Reported" from Talk Baja board, a Federal Police speed trap located between Guerrero Negro and Vizcaino

Get a dash-cam and a radar detector


Radar in use in this section. 80 kph (50 mph) is the speed limit!