BajaNomad

Checkpoints and -- roadblocks?

eguillermo - 11-15-2020 at 07:30 PM

I went back checking out posts in the road conditions forum (snooping around BajaNomad forums is a way more productive way to burn time than facebook) and noticed some alarming discussion of whole communities being roadblocked, and even more alarming references to camping on the beach being illegal.

Was that just for a little while early in the confusion of the pandemic? Did it last a while, and do you think it is likely to come back into play if US infections keep going up?

My whole trip down there is camping on or near the beach, camping in the desert on the way to those camps, and occasionally retreating to a hotel when the wind is howling and I need a shower. Still planning on coming down next month, and still ready to have it be a failed attempt due to unforeseen problems.

Roadblocks into Asuncion and no beach camping, though -- those would be foreseeable and showstopping, if they are real. Help a guy out if you know that a gringo with a truck and tent would be run off remote beach areas. Thanks!

JZ - 11-15-2020 at 07:34 PM

Think you read some old posts.


We did not see such things happening

John M - 11-15-2020 at 07:49 PM

We've recently (Sept into Oct) spent 4+ weeks roaming around Baja - and did not encounter any of the things you mentioned. We saw and experienced no closed beaches and many had campers on them.

Businesses mostly had signs requiring masks - and we saw pretty universal compliance. There was a lot in dining in available.

Some of the restaurants we favor were closed and the "tourist" traffic was less than normal.

We didn't see or experience any COVID related confrontations anywhere. Every military check point we went through all the way south and back north simply stopped us momentarily, a quick conversation and we were on our way - never were we asked to get out of the vehicle. Even the San Ignacio military checkpoint both north and southbound was pleasant for a change.

J & B

David K - 11-15-2020 at 07:49 PM

Old news! First stage panic, last March-May maybe? Contact Shari at Bahía Asunción for current conditions there.

shari - 11-16-2020 at 09:41 AM

the one "health check" that was set up a few months back was only up for a few hours for photos I imaging..haha....then taken down. Everything is open here but masks are required in stores.
None of our guests at the Inn have had any issues at all getting here....didnt have to show anything..temperature taken once in awhile at some spots but never asked about essential travel at all.

AKgringo - 11-16-2020 at 07:00 PM

The only "official" temperature check I experienced, was at the Guerrero Negro inspection and agricultural car spray station. Nothing but the usual "where are you coming from....where are you going?" except for the last inspection before La Paz.

At that station, after the military standard questions, a federal officer asked if I was on vacation. I told him "No, medical. My dentist is in La Paz" He wished me well (I think that was what he meant) and sent me on my way.

I put on a mask as I approached the ag/temp check at G.N., and probably should have at the others, but no one came close to me. These checks were on the 22nd, 23rd of October.

gnukid - 11-16-2020 at 07:30 PM

Blockade happening today at km 117 north of La Paz near Las Pocitas

https://www.bcsnoticias.mx/empieza-el-desquicio-carretera-la...

[Edited on 11-17-2020 by gnukid]

BajaBlanca - 11-16-2020 at 07:32 PM

La Bocana indeed discouraged folks from coming in from out of the area for about a week....then that ended.

The way we found out was some of our friends from Punta Abreojos were not let into town to visit.

There are still sign off highway 1 saying that the beaches in Abre and La Bocana are closed, but they are not.

bajamary1952 - 11-17-2020 at 09:57 AM

I drove solo (with my dog) from Ensenada to La Paz last week and there were only the typical military roadblocks. No one asked me for anything at any of the roadblocks other than they wanted to pet my dog...and said they were glad a different president was elected in the U.S. That seemed to be the major topic with many Mexicans I encountered.

eguillermo - 11-17-2020 at 11:43 AM

Thanks for the replies! All sounds pretty good :)

Funny, I also sent Shari a message at the same time I was fretting about this stuff last night.

I'd hate to be the first guy with whom some official person decides to suddenly start enforcing a beach camping ban, but them's the breaks and the chances you takes.

Thanks again!