BajaNomad

Baja RV Trip planning

HeyMulegeScott - 2-17-2018 at 01:38 PM

Hi all - We are planning an RV trip in early March down to Bahia Conception. Will probably stay in Baja for a month. We went down to San Felipe last year and now want to go further south. 36ft Class A towing a Jeep Wrangler. Here's the route I'm thinking of crossing in Tecate. Any feedback? Thanks!

https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?hl=en&mid=11M-rDztNvy...


Drive 61 mi, 1 hour, 27 minutes
Pio Pico, Thousand trails
http://www.ontheroadin.com/rancho-sordo-mundo-el-sauzal-baja...
http://app.ioverlander.com/places/199-school-for-the-deaf-wi...


Drive 154 mi, 3 hours, 53 minutes
http://www.ontheroadin.com/rancho-cielito-lindo-san-quintin-...
http://app.ioverlander.com/places/3909-cielito-lindo-motel-a...

Drive 109 mi, 2 hours, 13 minutes
http://www.ontheroadin.com/rancho-san-ines-rv-camping-park-c...
http://app.ioverlander.com/places/11984-rancho-santa-ynez

Drive 146 mi, 2 hours, 43 minutes
http://www.ontheroadin.com/malarrimo-motel-rv-park-guerrero-...
http://app.ioverlander.com/places/101-malarrimo-rv-park

Drive 89 mi, 1 hour, 34 minutes
http://www.ontheroadin.com/rice-beans-san-ignacio-baja-calif...
http://app.ioverlander.com/places/204-rice-beans-san-ignacio

Drive 111 mi, 2 hours, 27 minutes
http://www.ontheroadin.com/el-requeson-bahia-concepcion-baja...
http://app.ioverlander.com/places/4463-playa-el-requeson

David K - 2-17-2018 at 02:04 PM

You may like the newer Los Olivos RV Park and Baja Jardines Restaurant next door over the old Cielito Lindo? Both are at Km. 1.5 (Cielito Lindo is at Km. 11). Gypsy's RV Park at Cielito Lindo is long been closed... there are a few spots right by the Cielito Lindo motel.

fishbuck - 2-17-2018 at 03:50 PM

Nice. That is quite a rig. I am hunting down a big moho myself so am now much more interested.
I need a jeep too.😎

Cliffy - 2-17-2018 at 06:42 PM

We did the same trip last year
Crossing at Tecate you will find lots of trucks on Mex 5 going and coming from the USA. They travel fast and pass you at bad times. Keep your eyes open and hit your brakes if they pass when traffic is coming at you so they can get around faster.

Your worst traffic will be down to San Quintin. Take your time. Mind the KM speed limits even if the locals don't. WATCH OUT for tapos (speed bumps). They're big and sometimes not marked. They are at every town.

Rancho Santa Inez may or may not have someone there when you arrive. Just pick a spot in the big lot and park. He will be around in the morning. Don't plan on any water there.

Somewhere between El Rosario and Santa Inez (someone here may know exactly where) there is a very large dip in the road crossing a dry river bed. Be careful. Its very steep (you won't be able to slow down on the downhill ) it has large pot holes and its a big bang at the bottom if you're going too fast. 10 MPH at the bottom!!!

Rice and Beans is a good place to stop. 15 amp electrical only. You won't be running your A/C. Good restaurant right there also. Rooms in hotel are good also.

Coming into Santa Rosalla on the east side of the peninsula it is a very steep and twisty road into town at the bottom. Be VERY careful to stay near the center line on all curves into town. There are big holes near the right edge of the road on all right hand turns and if you drift too close to the right edge you'll hook one of those big holes and bend an axle (don't ask me how I know). You won't see them until its too late.

Water is available at all towns from Agua Purifica stations. They mostly have hoses to drag out to the RV to fill the tanks.

Hope this helps

MMc - 2-17-2018 at 06:44 PM

Los Olivos is a VERY nice RV / Camping place. Not on the water but one of the Best places to stay.

David K - 2-17-2018 at 06:48 PM

Cliffy, you mean Mexico #3, verdad?

Could the big dip be the arroyo with palms, 2 miles north of Cataviña? They have been working on a new concrete base for a couple years there.

Great info for the newbie!

Lee - 2-17-2018 at 08:04 PM

Skip C. Lindo. Los Olivos is the only place to stay in SQ -- walk to Jardins for dinner. Forget what nights they're closed.

HeyMulegeScott - 2-18-2018 at 09:44 AM

Thanks for all the advice and tips!

Paco Facullo - 2-18-2018 at 11:21 AM

If'n you do decide to stay at Cielito Lindo , do try one of their "famous " margaritas ( beware though they are really strong ) but don't taste that way. They are Delicious.

The cracked crab dinner of which they are famous for is a must !!~

Personally I love the place due to it's history, the food and drinks, the hospitality, the group of x-pats and not to mention, the price.....

Note, happy hour is between 4:00 and 5:00 and IS the liveliest time ....

[Edited on 2-18-2018 by Paco Facullo]

TMW - 2-18-2018 at 01:02 PM

I've always had a good meal at Cielito Lindo and yes the margaritas are among the best.

HeyMulegeScott - 2-18-2018 at 01:28 PM

Margaritas, happy hour, and cracked crab sound pretty great!

Paco Facullo - 2-18-2018 at 01:35 PM

A word about the cracked crab, wear something you don't care about due to things can get messy. Especially after a couple of margaritas.
The crabs are SO good that you can kinda go into a taste ecstasy world.....

The crabs are stone crab claws and in a fabulous paprika sauce .
Also be sure to have the black beans soup as the side with them. GREAT !

[Edited on 2-18-2018 by Paco Facullo]

JZ - 2-18-2018 at 01:47 PM

You are going down the wrong side of the the peninsula. Much easier and more beautiful drive down the East coast.

I wouldn't drive that side with an RV, no way. Way too much traffic, a million stops/topes, and a very nasty stretch through the mountains after El Rosario. Trust me on this one, go the other way.


[Edited on 2-19-2018 by JZ]

HeyMulegeScott - 2-19-2018 at 09:29 AM

Quote: Originally posted by JZ  
You are going down the wrong side of the the peninsula. Much easier and more beautiful drive down the East coast.

[Edited on 2-18-2018 by JZ]


That 20 miles or so of unpaved road on highway 5 does not sound fun in an RV.

David K - 2-19-2018 at 09:40 AM

Most of Baja is found at the end of a dirt road. If you don't mind driving slow, the unpaved south end of Hwy. 5 is just part of the adventure you get in Baja.

However, if driving more than a couple of dirt miles (there are often dirt detours as they work on other highways) will thrash your motorhome, stick to Hwy. 1. You have choices in Baja... it makes the place very special!

windgrrl - 2-19-2018 at 10:00 AM

San Quintin: Los Olivos is getting popular and was packed last week. Alternatively, one may dry camp in the huge, flat dirt parking lot at the marina by the Molina Viejo restaurant for the price of a tip to the night security. Be sure to ask permission. Beautiful setting, good walking on the massive and popular boardwalk, good service and WiFi at the restaurant, beautiful views. Downside is that the parking lot serves as a popular all night party spot on the weekend. There is an RV Park at Don Eddy’s landing away from the fun. We had a very good breakfast with fresh corn tamales there and will try the RV set up next time. Baja 1000 pre-runners we’re set up there in November. Looks secure...there are walls around each very large site, but not much for views. The paved road into this area is a welcome feature. The lumpy and sometimes muddy road into Los Olivos and Hotel Jardines can be entertaining driving with a big rig, but also worth visiting. If you stay at the hotel, contact them in advance. They also have night security and can accommodate a few big rigs overnight.

wilderone - 2-19-2018 at 10:03 AM

Re Cielito Lindo: Inside the gate, there are plenty of large RV spots (the few sites in front are for tent campers). I like Cielito Lindo because you can have a nice morning beachcombing walk and the ambiance of the bar/restaurant.

HeyMulegeScott - 2-19-2018 at 10:20 AM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  
Most of Baja is found at the end of a dirt road. If you don't mind driving slow, the unpaved south end of Hwy. 5 is just part of the adventure you get in Baja.

However, if driving more than a couple of dirt miles (there are often dirt detours as they work on other highways) will thrash your motorhome, stick to Hwy. 1. You have choices in Baja... it makes the place very special!


Reading through the road conditions threads hwy 5 doesn't sound so bad. We often boondock in remote areas off dirt roads so I'm not opposed to a little dirt road driving.




[Edited on 2-19-2018 by BajaNomad]

David K - 2-19-2018 at 11:37 AM

That is huge! The only concern would be that l-o-n-g rear overhang as there may be steep detours on and off new roadbed... Even leaving paved highways in Baja, expect to drag the back end of that.
In any case, you have done your homework! HAVE FUN!!

daveB - 2-19-2018 at 11:55 AM

You have a strong-looking motor home. I wondered, knowing you were towing a Jeep (usually very heavy) if you would be diesel powered. Recall some entrances to the highway that there could be a foot of empty space that needed very careful attention, as nobody was looking after the edges that got a lot of heavy traffic. Your 22 inch wheels will help.

JZ - 2-19-2018 at 11:58 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Three2tango  


That 20 miles or so of unpaved road on highway 5 does not sound fun in an RV.



It's really well graded. Last time through there I passed an RV.

More beautiful and safer way for you to go. Plus you can see Coco.

mtgoat666 - 2-19-2018 at 12:15 PM

Quote: Originally posted by JZ  
Quote: Originally posted by Three2tango  


That 20 miles or so of unpaved road on highway 5 does not sound fun in an RV.



It's really well graded. Last time through there I passed an RV.

More beautiful and safer way for you to go. Plus you can see Coco.


Hwy 1 has much better scenery :light:

I'm mystified why anyone would want to see Coco :?:

willardguy - 2-19-2018 at 12:28 PM

Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666  
Quote: Originally posted by JZ  
Quote: Originally posted by Three2tango  


That 20 miles or so of unpaved road on highway 5 does not sound fun in an RV.



It's really well graded. Last time through there I passed an RV.

More beautiful and safer way for you to go. Plus you can see Coco.


Hwy 1 has much better scenery :light:

I'm mystified why anyone would want to see Coco :?:


I have to agree on both counts.....but different strokes......:yes:

woody with a view - 2-19-2018 at 12:34 PM

The miles/hours are equal which = both routes are the same yet different!

:light:

Edit: correct fat thumb error

[Edited on 2-19-2018 by woody with a view]

AKgringo - 2-19-2018 at 12:52 PM

Quote: Originally posted by JZ  
Quote: Originally posted by Three2tango  


That 20 miles or so of unpaved road on highway 5 does not sound fun in an RV.



It's really well graded. Last time through there I passed an RV.

More beautiful and safer way for you to go. Plus you can see Coco.


The hazards you will encounter on the dirt portion of Mex 5 will be at a much slower speed than the minefield of pot holes on hwy 1.

Having said that, the older section of 5 between San Felipe and Puertecitos uses a lot of 'vados' for drainage instead of culverts. Most, but not all of them are posted or visible, but you will still hate them!

David K - 2-19-2018 at 12:58 PM

AK makes a great point!
Hitting potholes on Hwy. 1 at 50 mph is FAR worse than the graded dirt miles of Hwy. 5 at 10 mph.

The older style highway for 50 miles south of San Felipe has steep sided dips (vados) that will be a shock if you are driving at normal paved road speed. Expect to bottom-out!

HeyMulegeScott - 2-19-2018 at 01:16 PM

You guys aren't kidding about those vados. I hit some of those pretty good in the Jeep last year when we stayed in San Felipe. Will definitely take it slow. Thanks for all the tips. Here's my new plan.


https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?hl=en&mid=11M-rDztNvy...

Drive 186 mi, 3 hours, 27 minutes
Desert Paradise
10537 S Ave 9 E, Yuma, AZ 85365, USA

Victor's RV Park
Av. Mar de Cortes Sur 10, Verdugo, 21850 San Felípe, B.C., Mexico

Drive 100 mi, 2 hours, 37 minutes
Victor's RV Park - Gonzaga Bay
Drive 150 mi, 3 hours, 17 minutes
Gonzaga Bay - Malarrimo RV Park Guerrero Negro
http://app.ioverlander.com/places/101-malarrimo-rv-park

Drive 89 mi, 1 hour, 34 minutes
Malarrimo RV Park - Rice & Beans San Ignacio
http://app.ioverlander.com/places/204-rice-beans-san-ignacio

Drive 111 mi, 2 hours, 27 minutes
Rice & Beans San Ignacio – Playa El Requeson

http://app.ioverlander.com/places/4463-playa-el-requeson


JZ - 2-19-2018 at 01:38 PM

Looking good. I'd highly recommend a stop over at BoLA. One of the better roads in Baja from the Hwy to the town.

Fun place.

CatCrazyJulie - 2-25-2018 at 02:06 PM

Thank you, Three2tango, that was useful info about the distances and travel times headed south from San Felipe. We had a pretty terrifying near miss on Hwy 1 a little north of Catavina last year as we were driving south: road was in awful condition, and a big rig was headed toward us in other lane. But the side of our lane had crumbled off. We had no choice but to proceed straight ahead, in our Tundra pulling a 26' trailer, with the trailer's right tire going off the road. Weren't sure if the trailer would tip and pull us over, but it didn't. At next pull-out, I did tequila therapy. Six months prior, in Oct 2016, our truck and trailer had been totalled by a big rig less than two miles from where we had the March 2017 close call. Sooo...we want to avoid that potholed area between La Ribera and Guerrero Negro as much as possible when we drive down to Cabo Pulmo next week. For the first time, we're planning to take Hwy 2 to Hwy 5, then south through Gonzaga and Cocos, to hook up with Hwy 1. Not pulling a trailer this time (because of the potholes, leaving the trailer at home), just the 4wd Tundra, so we have more options re manuevering.

HeyMulegeScott - 2-25-2018 at 02:13 PM

Quote: Originally posted by CatCrazyJulie  
Thank you, Three2tango, that was useful info about the distances and travel times headed south from San Felipe.


Yikes! That sounds scary. The travel times came from Google maps so I would take those with a grain of salt or many grains on the rim of a margarita glass. Have fun in Cabo Pulmo! We love it there.

TecateRay - 2-25-2018 at 02:18 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Lee  
Skip C. Lindo. Los Olivos is the only place to stay in SQ -- walk to Jardins for dinner. Forget what nights they're closed.

Jardines Restaurant is closed on Mondays.

David K - 2-25-2018 at 02:19 PM

Figure 50 mph avg speed not towing on paved roads.

There are military inspection stops, detours, accident delays, and stretch stops to consider in Mexico, too.