BajaNomad

Driving from Canada to Los Cabos: Smart or Dumb Idea?

echino - 8-14-2019 at 08:55 PM

I am thinking of driving from Vancouver to Los Cabos and back for Christmas. Here are some facts:

- I have never driven in Mexico
- We are a family with elementary school aged kids
- I will be driving a new expensive looking SUV
- I will have an expensive photo camera
- We don't speak Spanish
- My wife is freaking out about the idea

So, in your opinion, is it a good idea or dumb idea? We did drive in the States a lot, is it the same safety wise in Baja, or is it more dangerous? Will we be shaken down by police for bribes? We will be visibly not poor, looking like we have money. Should we worry about crime more so than in the States?

David K - 8-14-2019 at 09:08 PM

Why Los Cabos when there is so much more Baja before that?
It is a great idea for the family to experience but how long do you have for Christmas? From Canada, I hope 3 weeks to a month minimum.
Welcome to Baja Nomad... Plenty of options will flow!

Mulege Canuck - 8-14-2019 at 09:23 PM

I have been driving down from the “great white north” for the last 7 yrs. Dont go to Cabo. May as well go to Vancouver.

If your into camping and water activities, Baja is the place for you. I have a shack in Mulege and do all my adventures out of that little town.

Start working on your Spanish on Duolingo. It is free and you will pick it up quick. If you decide to head down, there are a lot of boys here that will have some great info for you. Just decide what type of trip your interested so you can get the right kind of advice. Hotels or camping, etc.

echino - 8-14-2019 at 09:47 PM

We've a got a non-refundable reservation for the Christmas week in Cabo that we made a long time ago. Now the airline tickets are so expensive we cannot afford them for the family. So the choice is either to drive, or don't go at all.

If we drive, we will visit a lot a places on the way. Especially interested in hot springs. But we don't have much time. From San Diego to Cabo we have about four days, on the way back we have about two days.

My wife is really freaked out. She keeps showing me the news about Cabo being the world murder capital with the highest murder rate per capita of any city in the world. This sounds very serious. So we are worried about violent crime, especially because we will have kids with us.

Also, we may look like rich dumb gringos and easy targets. Police corruption is also a concern.

I would go, but convincing my wife especially with kids is very difficult.

David K - 8-14-2019 at 11:11 PM

From Cabo to San Diego in 2 days is NOT recommended. Just leave the place a day sooner. Days are short in the winter, the highway is mostly very narrow, and driving in the dark is unwise. Take more time off work and school, and spend more days north of Cabo.

The news you are reading is very odd. If that was true for tourists, it would be all over this forum. Many members live on the peninsula.

San Quintín, Cataviña, Bahía de los Angeles (40 miles on a paved side road), Mission San Borja (22 miles on a easy dirt road), The whale watching lagoon: Ojo de Liebre (15 miles on a side road), San Ignacio town plaza, Mulegé, Bahía Concepción, Loreto, San Javier (22 miles on a paved side road) would all be wonderful stops for the family.

I would be happy to make up a photo trip detail if you can give Baja (north of Cabo) more time than 2-4 days!

Bajazly - 8-14-2019 at 11:19 PM

So if you have 4 and 2 drive days to and from the border, how much time do you have to get to and from the border from the great white north? You’re really pushing it with the 2 days north, short days means a lot of driving at night, don’t do that having never driven in Mexico before. Even if you have driven here, still a bad idea.

You might look at driving to San Diego and flying from TJ using the CBX. That would save you the 6 if not 8 days you’ll need for the drive down and back. Flights in Mexico are much cheaper but that isn’t a good time of year to be flying to nice weather places, cheap.

paranewbi - 8-15-2019 at 04:15 AM

That much driving in a short time in Baja will get you on your way to a divorce from a reluctant wife (and being stuck in a car for that much time will cause the kids to choose her).

There are a lot of less than day drives to comfortable abodes before and around Loreto. Maybe a couple of days on Conception bay would soothe your wife's soul. Great accommodations are available on the way there.

You wouldn't be the first to bail out on reservations already paid for...let Cabo go. Get DK to personalize some points closer to the midsection of Baja with accommodations that your wife and kids will choose you for.

PS. Go as fast as you can through the major cities of California...much scarier than Baja.

[Edited on 8-15-2019 by paranewbi]

23S52N - 8-15-2019 at 05:47 AM

I drive every November from Calgary to La Paz and stay until April. Averaging about 7 hours a day, I take 8 days to arrive In La Paz. Its just under 5K kms one way. I think its unrealistic to attempt it in your time frame.

mtgoat666 - 8-15-2019 at 05:59 AM

Quote: Originally posted by echino  
We've a got a non-refundable reservation for the Christmas week in Cabo that we made a long time ago. Now the airline tickets are so expensive we cannot afford them for the family. So the choice is either to drive, or don't go at all.

If we drive, we will visit a lot a places on the way. Especially interested in hot springs. But we don't have much time. From San Diego to Cabo we have about four days, on the way back we have about two days.

My wife is really freaked out. She keeps showing me the news about Cabo being the world murder capital with the highest murder rate per capita of any city in the world. This sounds very serious. So we are worried about violent crime, especially because we will have kids with us.

Also, we may look like rich dumb gringos and easy targets. Police corruption is also a concern.

I would go, but convincing my wife especially with kids is very difficult.


It takes 3 or 4 days to drive San Diego - cabo, one way. 3 day drive San Diego to Vancouver.
Don’t drive at night (it’s a 2 lane road w/ no markings, no shoulders, livestock hazards).
The drive has little crime concerns, you should worry more that it is narrow 2-lane road for much of the way.
Dumb idea to spend 1.5 to 2 weeks driving for a 1 week vacation.
The money you spend on driving/hotels in transit will pay for plane tickets.

BajaRun - 8-15-2019 at 07:25 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Bajazly  
So if you have 4 and 2 drive days to and from the border, how much time do you have to get to and from the border from the great white north? You’re really pushing it with the 2 days north, short days means a lot of driving at night, don’t do that having never driven in Mexico before. Even if you have driven here, still a bad idea.

You might look at driving to San Diego and flying from TJ using the CBX. That would save you the 6 if not 8 days you’ll need for the drive down and back. Flights in Mexico are much cheaper but that isn’t a good time of year to be flying to nice weather places, cheap.


Do This ^^^^

4x4abc - 8-15-2019 at 07:49 AM

OP does not sound serious
someone wants to stir up the pot

CaboMagic - 8-15-2019 at 07:50 AM

Consider the cost of driving - fuel/food/accommodations. that will add up more than you think.
That is ALOT of driving for one week. As others have said .. heed the advice.
Check the costs of getting family to one of the Alaska Airline California cities that fly either nonstop, or direct with connection. Apply for the Alaska Air travel credit card.

If you drove, you would 'fit in' fine in Baja Sur (cities south of Guerrero Negro where it changes from Baja Norte) and would definitely look like ya belong in Cabo with your 'expensive looking....' but you might be a target for mordida along the way (looking like a flaunter of your 'wealth/toys' in places where life is not focused on "things")

Bsjszly and BajaRun advice is important to put into your consideration equation.


I have never driven in Mexico
- We are a family with elementary school aged kids
- I will be driving a new expensive looking SUV
- I will have an expensive photo camera
- We don't speak Spanish
- My wife is freaking out about the idea

So, in your opinion, is it a good idea or dumb idea? We did drive in the States a lot, is it the same safety wise in Baja, or is it more dangerous? Will we be shaken down by police for bribes? We will be visibly not poor, looking like we have money. Should we worry about crime more so than in the States?

SFandH - 8-15-2019 at 07:57 AM

Quote: Originally posted by echino  

My wife is really freaked out. She keeps showing me the news about Cabo being the world murder capital with the highest murder rate per capita of any city in the world. This sounds very serious. So we are worried about violent crime, especially because we will have kids with us.


I thought quaint and charming Tijuana had the honor of the world's murder capital, or close to it. By far, most of the violence in Mex is gang violence, bad guys killing bad guys in the slums. Tourists are seldom involved, but sometimes as collateral damage. It's not like the United States where crazy people murder innocent people in movie theaters, schools, popular bars, and shopping malls.

I'd say you don't have enough time to make the drive. Two nights and three days minimum down from the border and the same back to the border. Plus, the road is unlike any road in the US or Canada, it's very heads up driving. In fact, I'd say more danger is involved in driving than with the bad guys, especially for a newbie in a hurry.

[Edited on 8-15-2019 by SFandH]

advrider - 8-15-2019 at 07:58 AM

That's a lot of driving and stress to put on the family. I think the drive and fly idea is good and gives you more time to enjoy Baja. Maybe turn it to a camping trip and just cut your losses in Cabo! You could spend your time in Northern Baja between camping and hotels with some beach time...

AKgringo - 8-15-2019 at 08:06 AM

I have to ask, is your schedule centered around your children's school vacation? If so, go to their teachers and tell them that you will be home schooling them for the week before and after the scheduled break.

A road trip with your young family will provide life long memories, and the adventure far out weighs any risks if you use your head. Do some research, but don't over think things!

By the way, when I was in grade school, my parents pulled us out of school twice for three months at a time for road trips in Mexico.

I did the same with my kids when they were that age, and I am trying to push them in to continuing the tradition with my grandchildren. For what it is worth, Vancouver is about a halfway point for us on the road to Cabo!

I would not attempt the drive given the time frame you described. Hope it works out for you and your family, you won't be sorry if you can buy more time!

bajaguy - 8-15-2019 at 08:09 AM

Check flights from Vancouver or Seattle to San Diego (Alaska Air or Southwest), then cross the border and take a flight from TJ to Cabo

Paco Facullo - 8-15-2019 at 08:11 AM

Besides Cabo isn't all what it's cracked up to be, unless you only like resorts.
It's certainly NOT Mexico

MMc - 8-15-2019 at 08:59 AM

echino, it's your trip, do what you want. The drive time from TJ to Cabo is 20 to 24 hours, I do the drive every year or so. I do it in 2 days.
I would look into flying TJ to Cabo via Volaris Air also. You can park on the USA side (secure), and Uber to the USA entrance of the TJ airport. it is much cheaper than San Diego. I like the idea of pulling the kids out of school for a couple of days.

Cabo is fun and safe. Midnight bar crawls or durg tears not so much. Many here are not fans of Cabo as it gearer for tourism. If you never have been it is a very good way to experience Baja for the first time.
Figure out a way to do this trip and have a great time.
You can U2U me if you would like to chat about it.

mtgoat666 - 8-15-2019 at 09:15 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Paco Facullo  
Besides Cabo isn't all what it's cracked up to be, unless you only like resorts.
It's certainly NOT Mexico


My map shows Cabo in Mexico.

Perhaps you meant to say it is a resort town, and no longer a rural/dusty fishing village that you prefer.

There are many resort areas in Mexico, silly to suggest the resort areas are not Mexico. Mexico is more than rural/dusty fishing and agricultural villages.
There are resort areas, manufacturing areas, big cities, little villages, alpine areas, jungles, deserts, etc., many types of areas.

AKgringo - 8-15-2019 at 09:28 AM

Quote: Originally posted by 4x4abc  
OP does not sound serious
someone wants to stir up the pot


I suspect you are right! I did not notice the poll at the top of the post before. Highly unusual for a newbie, first post to start that way.

Oh well, some of the replies and advice given here may be of help to someone else with similar thoughts.

SFandH - 8-15-2019 at 09:35 AM

Quote: Originally posted by MMc  
The drive time from TJ to Cabo is 20 to 24 hours, I do the drive every year or so. I do it in 2 days.



That's hauling arse. It consistently takes me 15 hours drive time over 2 days to get to Mulege.

MMc - 8-15-2019 at 12:14 PM

Google Maps calls it 21 hours 45 minutes, this is drive time, not time driving. YMMV.

Mother of Dragons - 8-15-2019 at 02:17 PM

Get some Valium once you cross the border and all will be well. Advice I wish I had had after my recent road trip with kids there.
Just sayin’..

norte - 8-15-2019 at 02:36 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Mother of Dragons  
Get some Valium once you cross the border and all will be well. Advice I wish I had had after my recent road trip with kids there.
Just sayin’..
. Thank yoi

windgrrl - 8-15-2019 at 04:37 PM

You might enjoy hopping over the border at Tecate, an easy drive east of San Diego. You could wind and dine through the Valle de Guadalupe Ruta de Vino or carry on to Ensenada or a bit further to San Quintin. I wouldn’t go much farther within your time frame and you’d likely see enough to catch the Baja bug. Lots of people drive down each year and many families make a year or two out of it with kids being home-schooled and even attend Mexican schools. We’ve travelled
From Alberta to Baja for over 25 years, driving all the way down the peninsula with a trailer for the last 10 with nary problem bigger than a flat tire. Lots of recommendations here, including books and references to help with your research and trip planning. Cabo can be entertaining, but the rest of Baja is incredible and transformative.

windgrrl - 8-15-2019 at 04:52 PM

Just a note - crime related cartel turf wars spiked in Cabo 2 years ago and Increased attention to tourist safety seems to be keeping Cabo booming. It’s also true that the cost of driving is almost equal to flying. If you want savings - Westjet has good prices in the shoulder seasons (not Dec., Jan. or Feb.) and if you sign up with their rewards program, there are extra perks to offset costs.

Paco Facullo - 8-15-2019 at 05:37 PM

Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666  
Quote: Originally posted by Paco Facullo  
Besides Cabo isn't all what it's cracked up to be, unless you only like resorts.
It's certainly NOT Mexico


My map shows Cabo in Mexico.

Perhaps you meant to say it is a resort town, and no longer a rural/dusty fishing village that you prefer.

There are many resort areas in Mexico, silly to suggest the resort areas are not Mexico. Mexico is more than rural/dusty fishing and agricultural villages.
There are resort areas, manufacturing areas, big cities, little villages, alpine areas, jungles, deserts, etc., many types of areas.


I stand corrected. Cabo isn't as popular as it is for not being like and loved by many......

wilderone - 8-15-2019 at 05:38 PM

IMO, that's way too much time in the car, especially with children. If you can afford it, try flying out of Tijuana to Cabo. Park the car near the Otay border. Cross on foot, take taxi to the airport. Easy.

del mar - 8-15-2019 at 06:53 PM

if you can get mrs echino on board I say go for it! :yes:

echino - 8-15-2019 at 07:59 PM

Thanks all for the replies, very helpful! To clarify, I want to go, but convincing my wife is next to impossible. We are not worried about road conditions or driving time. We could add days on both ends if needed.

The only concern my wife has is about crime, including from police. Not necessarily being targeted, maybe just being in the wrong place at the wrong time, like accidentally witnessing a drug deal or something like that. This is the link she keeps showing me about murders:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_cities_by_murder_rat...

And she also searches the internet using keywords like crime in Baja and the results look very frightening. Even on this forum there is a thread about a woman and her dog disappearing near a tourist attraction suggesting foul play.

Advice on the internet is generally stick to the resort grounds to be safe. All this makes it very hard to convince her to go. She is refusing to allow me to take kids to a Baja road trip. If I can't convince her in the coming months, we will need to lose the prepaid reservation for the Christmas week in Cabo. It is a two bedroom villa at Cabo Azul, we paid about $1,400 total for the week, which is very reasonable for that kind of almost luxury accommodation. That's why we booked it in the first place, but now with expensive tickets for the whole family we cannot afford to fly. Does anyone want that week at cost? I would even let it go at a loss. It's transferable. But I still hope to convince her to go. It would be a great adventure, I am sure.

redmesa - 8-15-2019 at 08:13 PM

I on Vancouver Island and have been driving the Baja for 10 years with my partner and alone. The thing is bad things can happen anywhere but Baja is not a scarey place. I was always as worried about traveling in the U. S. as Baja except there is no BCAA there to help you. If your partner is nervous about the trip just cancel and go to San Felipe.

Mulege Canuck - 8-15-2019 at 08:19 PM

Your wife has “ Narco Fever”

Our first time in baja, my wife and I were very nervous. To reduce potential problems we crossed at Mexicali very early in the morning on Sunday. It was quite through town and had no problems. Our first stop was Guadalupe Hotsprings west of Mexicali. We planned to stay 2 days and needed up staying a week. Amazing place and great for kids.

Why not sell the Cabo all inclusive and plan a week from the Hotsprings them move down to Gonzaga Bay. It is a rough gravel road to the Hotsprings but nothing crazy.

Don’t drive to Cabo. With the time you have nobody will have a good time.

mtgoat666 - 8-15-2019 at 08:26 PM

Quote: Originally posted by redmesa  
I on Vancouver Island and have been driving the Baja for 10 years with my partner and alone. The thing is bad things can happen anywhere but Baja is not a scarey place. I was always as worried about traveling in the U. S. as Baja except there is no BCAA there to help you. If your partner is nervous about the trip just cancel and go to San Felipe.
Quote: Originally posted by Mulege Canuck  
Your wife has “ Narco Fever”

Our first time in baja, my wife and I were very nervous. To reduce potential problems we crossed at Mexicali very early in the morning on Sunday. It was quite through town and had no problems. Our first stop was Guadalupe Hotsprings west of Mexicali. We planned to stay 2 days and needed up staying a week. Amazing place and great for kids.

Why not sell the Cabo all inclusive and plan a week from the Hotsprings them move down to Gonzaga Bay. It is a rough gravel road to the Hotsprings but nothing crazy.

Don’t drive to Cabo. With the time you have nobody will have a good time.


You guys are a riot!

Why would someone choose San Felipe, Gonzaga bay and guadalupe hot springs over cabo? :lol::lol::lol:

David K - 8-15-2019 at 08:30 PM

I have been traveling in Baja most of my life, first trip in 1965. When I got a driver's license at 16, I began driving there.
In the past three years, I have driven more roads, more times than ever before, close to 15,000 miles... Camping and motels all over the peninsula, too.
With all these trips, not once has any harm or extortion happened to me from police or criminals. I feel safer in Baja than anywhere else.
See the trip reports forum on Nomad and read and see what Baja has to offer and what really happens there. Notice my links just below to help plan a Baja trip.

echino - 8-15-2019 at 08:31 PM

Actually, if we do somehow end up driving, then Guadalupe Hot Springs in the first place we will drive to in Mexico, for two nights. We love hot springs, and have been to almost all of them around Vancouver, even super remote ones.

windgrrl - 8-15-2019 at 09:04 PM

1. Vancouverites are exposed to a lot of crime. It’s far safer in Cabo. Navigation through LA is another matter.
2. Today, WestJet Vancouver to SJD on Christmas week for 2 adults and 2 children is CAN $4200. round trip. More days of fun at the beach.
3. Cost to drive, factoring in gas, hotels, meals, visas, health insurance and car insurance with the US exchange rate, and potential repairs would be more. And then there is the wear and tear on the vehicle and people.
4. The Cabo Azul which is actually in SJD, is a nice property and is con the beach in a dense tourist area with a bit of upscale shopping and dining. A good town to safely explore history and the local arts and dining scene. There was security at the hotel last time the was there. The biggest danger in the area was hurricane Odile, but you won’t be there during hurricane season. You could rent a car and explore the city and tour surrounding lovely smaller coastal towns in a day.

David K - 8-15-2019 at 09:33 PM

Quote: Originally posted by echino  
Actually, if we do somehow end up driving, then Guadalupe Hot Springs in the first place we will drive to in Mexico, for two nights. We love hot springs, and have been to almost all of them around Vancouver, even super remote ones.


Then you will be going south on Mexico Hwy. 5 which is the best way if some graded roads and detours for 20-30 miles doesn't freak you guys out.
Guadalupe Hot Springs is 35 miles down and back from Hwy. 2-D, west of Mexicali. It is faster to do that than the short cut to Hwy. 5 from the canyon because of that road's condition (Baja 1000 course).
Gonzaga Bay is beautiful, so be sure to drive the 1 mile from the highway to see it. Maybe stay there on the way back north.
Study the trip reports and ask questions to design your route.
Enjoy Baja, it's great!

[Edited on 8-16-2019 by David K]

Lee - 8-15-2019 at 09:44 PM

Quote: Originally posted by echino  

My wife is really freaked out. She keeps showing me the news about Cabo being the world murder capital with the highest murder rate per capita of any city in the world. This sounds very serious. So we are worried about violent crime, especially because we will have kids with us.


Thought this post was a joke. Still get a feeling it's all made up.

OP's wife is freaking out, both are worried about violent crime, cops shaking them down. No Spanish? Driving to Cabo is a bad idea.

Don't listen to anyone here. Baja is not the place for you. Fly to Cabo, enjoy the resort living, and skip the hassle.

Seriously, the OP needs to pay attention to his wife and plan a safer vacation.

Those postings about how safe Baja has been for them is meaningless. Don't see anyone posting how to negotiate with corrupt cops. How not to get scammed getting gas?

Don't do it.

freediverbrian - 8-15-2019 at 09:59 PM

Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo  
Quote: Originally posted by 4x4abc  
OP does not sound serious
someone wants to stir up the pot


I suspect you are right! I did not notice the poll at the top of the post before. Highly unusual for a newbie, first post to start that way.

Oh well, some of the replies and advice given here may be of help to someone else with similar thoughts.












Good observation on the poll , it has been NICE and quiet for past few days , too quiet for some troll . Not happy unless there is a controversy and name calling.

BajaParrothead - 8-16-2019 at 02:29 PM

Quote: Originally posted by wilderone  
IMO, that's way too much time in the car, especially with children. If you can afford it, try flying out of Tijuana to Cabo. Park the car near the Otay border. Cross on foot, take taxi to the airport. Easy.

The CBX crossing is a snap. Very easy with reasonable air fares and secure parking on the US side.

SunDevil - 8-16-2019 at 05:41 PM

It looks like your idea about visiting Cabo could use some tweaks here and there, but your biggest issue seems to be persuading your wife that this trip is something she and the kids can do safely.

You might find someone you both know and trust that has been to Cabo and have a conversation.

In the future you might want to check out the book "Pre-suasion" by Robert Cialdini before you try to get your wife to agree to something she has never done before.

wilderone - 8-17-2019 at 11:53 AM

"The only concern my wife has is about crime, including from police. Not necessarily being targeted, maybe just being in the wrong place at the wrong time, like accidentally witnessing a drug deal or something like that. This is the link she keeps showing me about murders"
Possible, but unprobable to occur.

I am a solo old lady and I have traveled in Baja Calif, and other Mexico cities by myself many, many times and have never had a problem.
The fact that you are traveling with a wife and children is a plus. Targets for crime against gringos are usually young males, people who have flashy stuff in their truck bed that beg to be stolen. The only hazard you should be concerned with is bad drivers on Highway 1. Sometimes other drivers go too fast and end up in your lane when making sharp turns. Passing slow semi-trucks; semi-trucks passing you; the unexpected pothole. Observe road signs, go slow through towns. Your wife should feel comfortable after the first 5 hours.
There are other women on this forum who also travel solo in Baja.

pauldavidmena - 8-18-2019 at 03:03 PM

A little less than two years ago I started this thread about taking 4 weeks to travel from New England to BCS (Todos Santos, to be specific) and decided that spending 50% of my "vacation" driving wasn't a vacation at all. We were planning to travel with our dog, and flying to Cabo with a 40-pound dog is wrought with issues, hence our decision to drive instead.

Long story short, we thought better of it and instead planned to board our pooch and spend a week per usual. As it turns out my employer eliminated the paid 4-week sabbatical just before I reached my 10-year anniversary (which would have triggered the service award), so trips for longer than a week or so (and hopefully with our dog Tito, who is featured in my avatar) will have to wait until I retire and schedule is no longer a concern.

[Edited on 8-18-2019 by pauldavidmena]

Hook - 8-19-2019 at 12:43 AM

Why can't we just take people at face value, rather than assume he is some troll? Some of you read JJJ posts for too long. All Go Fund Me accounts are not scams. All Americans are not illegally in Mexico. All ills of Mexico are not caused by Americans and Canadians.

All his questions, including the poll, just seem like what a savvy social media guy might do with his first post. Glad to see many are giving their opinions.

Here's mine.

Don't drive to Cabo in that timeframe. You are asking for a divorce, if she is that set against it. If even one little thing goes wrong in all that driving time, she will be a wreck. Especially when murders DO occur in Cabo, and the papers report it, or you hear the shots. They likely WILL occur. For many of us who were going to Cabo in the 80s, we cant believe the murder rates now. But it won't involve tourists.

Don't put the monetary value of that Cabo property over the value of your relationship with your wife. Whatever its cost, the Big D and the Big CS are bigger.

I still think you could have a good time if you flew there in that time frame, though.

Just too much time for her to think about what could go wrong in all that driving time............

thebajarunner - 8-19-2019 at 09:08 AM

For me the greatest joy of Baja is in the driving.
I love to see the desert in all of its forms and the days at the wheel are pure joy.
Drove straight home from La Paz one time. Breakfast at the Los Arcos and at my desk in Modesto the next morning.
But, not with wife and kids aboard.....
And, if the great sense of peace behind the wheel (even on a narrow 2 lane no shoulders Baja road) is not your thing, then best listen to the others.

Driving to TJ and taking an inexpensive flight to Cabo is certainly a good option.
For me, missing the drive is missing all the fun,
but again, that is just my spin

By all means (sorry Doug, no pun intended) get to Baja and enjoy the great things it has to offer.

Hook - 8-19-2019 at 11:04 AM

There is no doubt that, for many on this board, the joy of the drive and the joy of arriving at places that arent easily accessible by air, is THE attraction in Baja.

Cabo is just not where Nomads tend to go in Baja.

But it just cant feasibly be done in that time frame and at that time of year. It's possible, but not feasible, IMO.

[Edited on 8-19-2019 by Hook]

Lee - 8-19-2019 at 01:41 PM

Quote: Originally posted by echino  
If I can't convince her in the coming months, we will need to lose the prepaid reservation for the Christmas week in Cabo. It is a two bedroom villa at Cabo Azul, we paid about $1,400 total for the week, which is very reasonable for that kind of almost luxury accommodation. That's why we booked it in the first place, but now with expensive tickets for the whole family we cannot afford to fly. Does anyone want that week at cost? I would even let it go at a loss. It's transferable. But I still hope to convince her to go. It would be a great adventure, I am sure.


OK, I'll bite. What are the dates at Cabo Azul? I have a friend that might be interested.

daveB - 8-20-2019 at 11:02 AM

Sounds a lot like this is a drive, for you. That's nice, I like the drive as well, wherever it takes us. But I've been retired a long time, have little or no time restrictions Fast trips may not be the best for you and your family especially on a long drive down the Baja Penninsula. I did not get just how much time, overall, you would have. Roads are often narrow, mostly with oncoming traffic, with buses and semis being wider than car traffic especially on corners, and, to me, no driving after dark, as strange things do happen in the dark. Almost alllways, there is no shoulder on roadways and edges of the road in places can just be drop-offs. Your Canadian insurance is void in Mexico, you need to arrange for Mexican coverage. You will want a TIP (Temporary Import Permit) for your car, and FMM (Tourist Permits) for you and your family. Passports of course. I would forsake the Cabo arrangement and go part way down only, if time did permit. This would give you some time at least to enjoy Baja, not just the grey asphalt. The best ideas are already above, doing air travel, maybe out of Tijauna. We have driven to Mainland Mexico for winters, enjoyed simply doing 250 miles a day with a motor home. Have never driven at night there, either. What you will find once you go - especially if you have time - is that the people are wonderful, good folks that you will always remember. I have seen that in Baja and it does not change 1500 miles south of the border. The warmer weather is the icing on the cake.

gnukid - 8-20-2019 at 11:17 AM

Fly in, rent a jeep or something and go to Cabo Azul and enjoy circumnavigating the peninsula sur on daily trips. It's amazing and there are endless places to explore and so much to see and do from there. It's perfect.

Hook - 8-20-2019 at 11:18 AM

A really good solution. Sell the Costa Azul thing to Lee's friend and spend all your time from Mulege to Loreto. Get there quickly by car and then slooooooow down.

JZ - 8-20-2019 at 11:28 AM

Very good idea if you eliminate Cabo and take your time.

La Paz or Loreto >>>>>>>>>>> Cabo.

David K - 8-20-2019 at 11:44 AM

ABC (Anywhere But Cabo) ? :cool::biggrin:

Don Pisto - 8-20-2019 at 11:58 AM

chalk this up to different strokes but CSL is my favorite town in baja, over 30 years of spending thanksgiving week there i've seen the town grow some, but yeah, this time you might want to fly!

David K - 8-20-2019 at 12:32 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Don Pisto  
chalk this up to different strokes but CSL is my favorite town in baja, over 30 years of spending thanksgiving week there i've seen the town grow some, but yeah, this time you might want to fly!


It is very special that Baja has something for everyone! :light::bounce:

Temporary Import Permit???

thebajarunner - 8-20-2019 at 01:06 PM

Quote: Originally posted by daveB  
Sounds a lot like this is a drive, for you. That's nice, I like the drive as well, wherever it takes us. But I've been retired a long time, have little or no time restrictions Fast trips may not be the best for you and your family especially on a long drive down the Baja Penninsula. I did not get just how much time, overall, you would have. Roads are often narrow, mostly with oncoming traffic, with buses and semis being wider than car traffic especially on corners, and, to me, no driving after dark, as strange things do happen in the dark. Almost alllways, there is no shoulder on roadways and edges of the road in places can just be drop-offs. Your Canadian insurance is void in Mexico, you need to arrange for Mexican coverage. You will want a TIP (Temporary Import Permit) for your car, and FMM (Tourist Permits) for you and your family. Passports of course. I would forsake the Cabo arrangement and go part way down only, if time did permit. This would give you some time at least to enjoy Baja, not just the grey asphalt. The best ideas are already above, doing air travel, maybe out of Tijauna. We have driven to Mainland Mexico for winters, enjoyed simply doing 250 miles a day with a motor home. Have never driven at night there, either. What you will find once you go - especially if you have time - is that the people are wonderful, good folks that you will always remember. I have seen that in Baja and it does not change 1500 miles south of the border. The warmer weather is the icing on the cake.


For a 10 day back and forth?
Is this a new rule that applies to Canadians?
Where did you dredge this up from??

mtgoat666 - 8-20-2019 at 01:43 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Hook  
A really good solution. Sell the Costa Azul thing to Lee's friend and spend all your time from Mulege to Loreto. Get there quickly by car and then slooooooow down.


Bail on cabo for mulege?
Better idea is to sell cabo reservation, and fly to thailand or south africa for xmas vacation :light:

David K - 8-20-2019 at 02:07 PM

ABB (Anywhere But Baja) ?

echino - 8-20-2019 at 05:08 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Lee  
OK, I'll bite. What are the dates at Cabo Azul? I have a friend that might be interested.


December 21-28, 2019, if you are serious.

I will also ask around maybe some friends of friends would want to go. It will solve the problem. If not, I still hope to persuade my wife to go.

If we can get rid of the Cabo Azul reservation, then maybe we will just dip our toes into Baja by going to Guadalupe Canyon Hot Springs for two nights. We plan to be around Joshua Tree National Park in California for the New Years anyway (the plan was to drive there after Baja), and the border is close.

Lee - 8-20-2019 at 06:48 PM

Quote: Originally posted by echino  
Quote: Originally posted by Lee  
OK, I'll bite. What are the dates at Cabo Azul? I have a friend that might be interested.


December 21-28, 2019, if you are serious.

I will also ask around maybe some friends of friends would want to go. It will solve the problem. If not, I still hope to persuade my wife to go.

If we can get rid of the Cabo Azul reservation, then maybe we will just dip our toes into Baja by going to Guadalupe Canyon Hot Springs for two nights. We plan to be around Joshua Tree National Park in California for the New Years anyway (the plan was to drive there after Baja), and the border is close.


U2U please.

daveB - 8-22-2019 at 09:46 AM

Quote: Originally posted by thebajarunner  
Quote: Originally posted by daveB  
Sounds a lot like this is a drive, for you. That's nice, I like the drive as well, wherever it takes us. But I've been retired a long time, have little or no time restrictions Fast trips may not be the best for you and your family especially on a long drive down the Baja Penninsula. I did not get just how much time, overall, you would have. Roads are often narrow, mostly with oncoming traffic, with buses and semis being wider than car traffic especially on corners, and, to me, no driving after dark, as strange things do happen in the dark. Almost alllways, there is no shoulder on roadways and edges of the road in places can just be drop-offs. Your Canadian insurance is void in Mexico, you need to arrange for Mexican coverage. You will want a TIP (Temporary Import Permit) for your car, and FMM (Tourist Permits) for you and your family. Passports of course. I would forsake the Cabo arrangement and go part way down only, if time did permit. This would give you some time at least to enjoy Baja, not just the grey asphalt. The best ideas are already above, doing air travel, maybe out of Tijauna. We have driven to Mainland Mexico for winters, enjoyed simply doing 250 miles a day with a motor home. Have never driven at night there, either. What you will find once you go - especially if you have time - is that the people are wonderful, good folks that you will always remember. I have seen that in Baja and it does not change 1500 miles south of the border. The warmer weather is the icing on the cake.


For a 10 day back and forth?
Is this a new rule that applies to Canadians?
Where did you dredge this up from??