BajaNomad - Road Trip- Headed to Cabo

5. I'm bring pink slip for car, passports, Mexico car insurance - what else should I bring for documents?

The "pink slip" certificate of title is not needed. You will need a current registration, the original document, not a photocopy.
I am not aware of any good reason to have the certificate of title with you. Though there are good reasons to intentionally leave it at home. You could be setting yourself up for theft or extortion. Police have been known to extort vehicles, subsequent to a traffic accident or real or manufactured "crime". Never keep the title in the vehicle.

Bwk94510 - 2-2-2023 at 12:56 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Maderita

5. I'm bring pink slip for car, passports, Mexico car insurance - what else should I bring for documents?

Thank you - good advice. I'll leave it at home. My Jeep is registered in my name so that proves I owe it so that should satisfy any issue. I'm leaving my Jeep in Cabo at my house so I definitely need to keep it protected.

David K - 2-2-2023 at 01:15 PM

Top your tanks at San Felipe, the last reliable gas until Guerrero Negro, 240+ miles away.

The gas station at Km. 147/ San Luis Gonzaga (~100 miles south) is the next place to top off, if they are open... usually are.

If they are not open at Gonzaga Bay, after you join Hwy. 1, gas is sold from cans, at the abandoned gas station, at the junction to Bahía de los Angeles (Km. 282/ Km. 0), on the right. This is 60 miles from Gonzaga Bay/ 160 from San Felipe.

The first real gas station south of there, is at Villa Jesus María at Km. 95 (distance from the L.A. Bay junction). This is almost 220 miles from San Felipe. It is usually open.

The next gas station is at the state border/ giant eagle monument at Km. 127, on the left fork of the traffic circle around the monument and army base, at the foot of the eagle. This is 20 miles from Villa Jesus María and 240 miles from San Felipe.

The town of Guerrero Negro entrance (right fork) is just over two miles south the the eagle monument and it has a couple of reliable gas stations.

Have a great trip and do give us a report when you return, please!

mtgoat666 - 2-2-2023 at 01:23 PM

4. Most of my friends think I'm "crazy" to drive down Baja to Cabo -.

Most people are boring, just sheeple that follow the crowd.
It’s a fun drive, lots of scenery and new places to see.
Dont rush it, sometimes travel is more fun to just follow your whims and wing it w/o reservations.

mtgoat666 - 2-2-2023 at 01:25 PM

Skip guerrero negro, and stay in san ignacio. Interesting oasis town, traditional town square. .

bajafreaks - 2-2-2023 at 01:54 PM

1. 2nd the idea of staying the night in San Ignacio check out the Yurts/Ignacio Springs really cool place, I'm guessing GN is busy with whale season.
3. Road conditions are good, slight detour/road construction about 20 miles south of GN.
4. Sounds like most of your friends haven't experienced Baja...they don't need to know anyway.

boe4fun - 2-2-2023 at 02:37 PM

San Ignacio is a good option, but remember that it’s the height of whale watching season so getting a hotel room at either may be problematic. Try arriving early enough in GN so you can still have time to get to SI, or even Santa Rosalia.

You are driving a Jeep!

AKgringo - 2-2-2023 at 04:11 PM

It will be very unhappy if you drive the length of Baja without a few dirt roads thrown into the route!

An easy, fun side trip would be to drive to Bahia de Los Angeles, and head south. You would wind up back on Mex 1 near Vizcaino, which would be a slight back track to Guerrero Negro, or head to Bahia Asuncion, or San Ignacio.

Another adventure could start in San Ignacio, and pass through San Juanico. From San Juanico you could choose to stay on pavement, or choose one of the mountain dirt roads that wind their way over to the east side.

Get a copy of the Benchmark Atlas if you are interested in poking around on the back roads, and ask questions here. Personally, the back roads are what draw me to Baja!

Don Pisto - 2-2-2023 at 04:42 PM

Day 2 I would opt for Ensenada cutting across the 3 to San Felipe....have a great trip!

Maderita - 2-2-2023 at 05:45 PM

Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo

...Get a copy of the Benchmark Atlas if you are interested in poking around on the back roads, and ask questions here. Personally, the back roads are what draw me to Baja!

Excellent advice. The Atlas is available from Baja Bound at a discount: https://shop.bajabound.com/

BajaBlanca - 2-3-2023 at 12:18 AM

Have a blast!

Bwk94510 - 2-3-2023 at 04:51 PM

Thank you everyone! Really appreciate all the feedback. I’m now seriously considering driving from san Felipe to San Ignacio - seems like a much nicer town to visit. Will be a long day of driving but then it’s gives me more time to checkout the town.

Would love to do some off-roading but I’m thinking more like some beach driving if I can find a cool beach to check out. I’m driving a 2006 Jeep commander I bought specifically to leave in cabo bcs it has capacity for 7 people with the third row. Lifted it and put more aggressive tires - didn’t help my gas mileage but should be good for Mexico.

David K - 2-3-2023 at 05:11 PM

The coast between San Felipe and Puertecitos, mostly the northern half, is a popular beach that locals and gringos drive on... a technical illegal act, in Mexico.

I camp at place you only can get to on the beach, 2 miles from where the road meets the beach, a place I call Shell Island. During the highest tides, it can be surrounded by water, so not always safe to access.

Basically, a skinny barrier island:

The beach gets much bigger as the tide goes out!

Giant sand bars appear, as the tide goes even further out! This happens twice a day around full and new moons!

If it's not fully an island when you are near, the access road is by Km. 26, south of San Felipe. Measure from Km. 25, as 26 was missing when last driven by.

My favorite camping beach since 1978, when I found the way to get onto it. That's when I named it, being full of shells and an island. Local gringos who moved to the area many years later, have been calling it Shell Beach. However, that name has already been taken for the community by Punta Chivato.

pacificobob - 2-3-2023 at 05:30 PM

Skip guerrero negro, and stay in san ignacio. Interesting oasis town, traditional town square. .

X2. GN, has little of interest....

Bwk94510 - 2-4-2023 at 03:42 PM

Thank you DAVIDK - that’s definitely the type of beach I’m looking for! I didn’t realize driving on beaches in Mexico is illegal. I thought it was permitted on some beaches.

How about sand dunes?

AKgringo - 2-4-2023 at 04:07 PM

I have not personally been out on them, but there are dunes between El Datil and San Juanico. That would be on the low road headed to San Juanico from San Ignacio.

David K - 2-5-2023 at 08:24 AM

Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo

I have not personally been out on them, but there are dunes between El Datil and San Juanico. That would be on the low road headed to San Juanico from San Ignacio.

I camped in those dunes... Yes, they are nice:

Listed, on my map:

David K - 2-5-2023 at 08:56 AM

Thank you DAVIDK - that’s definitely the type of beach I’m looking for! I didn’t realize driving on beaches in Mexico is illegal. I thought it was permitted on some beaches.

On populated city beaches, it is not wise and you could be fined. Enforcement has been mentioned in Los Barriles.

On deserted or remote beaches, there is nobody to ticket you and the locals drive on the beaches to check their fishing nets and launch boats, as well as use them to get to camping spots. The 50-mile coast from San Felipe to Puertecitos, is a regular 'beach boulevard', especially in front of the hundreds of vacation homes between Punta Estrella and El Coloradito.

If you drive, do so during low tide, on the wet sand, minimizing the time on dry sand. Turtles have been growing in numbers in the gulf and for the first time in recorded history, have begun nesting north of Puertecitos (starting around five years ago). Their eggs are in the dry sand, above the high tide line, during two months of the year (Laying eggs in this area in late September to hatching in late November). Many photos and videos of both taken near Campo La Roca, a mile south of Nuevo Mazatlan (on the 'Baja's South Campos Amigos' Facebook group.... search: turtles)

Way south, near Los Barriles, I photographed a turtle nest site with the tracks of the mother (July 19, 2012):

baja-chris - 2-5-2023 at 11:15 AM

Thanks for posting that David. Years ago we were tent camping just off the beach down near Cabo Pulmo and when we awoke in the morning we saw tracks like that, the turtle nest was only 10 ft from our tent (and 6 feet below it as we were up on a small bluff not actually on the beach. Was pretty cool and we wish we would have been awake to see it. I do not know if we had been awake and watching if that would have disturbed the process or not. Would the turtle see/smell/hear us sitting in chairs on the bluff?

surfhat - 2-5-2023 at 11:39 AM

This is another reason why Baja Nomad is so valued and deservedly so.

The offerings from all of our Mother Natures givings are endless for those who choose to go and experience the magic Baja offers without demands other than to be prepared for all it can offer up. Good and not so good, if one does not have their bases covered, you will learn a valuable lesson for next time.

Life is for learning and we are all better off for knowing other Nomads experiences in avoiding being stranded and broken down when solutions are generously offered here by those invaluable Nomads
that offer solutions that can be gained only through personal experience. Kudos to all.

Anytime politics does not intervene is the gift that keeps on giving.

AKgringo - 2-5-2023 at 01:13 PM

I found turtle tracks like that north of Todos Santos this past October. Unfortunately, there were also coyote tracks and shell debris scattered on the sand.

I hope they didn't get all of the hatch!

TSThornton - 2-6-2023 at 08:38 AM

A year ago, we were sitting on the beach north of Todos Santos after sunset, and a mama came up and dug her nest about 6 feet away from us. We sat nearby for more than an hour watching. Magical.

It's a real treat to witness the preservation efforts and hatches around TS. The guy responsible for collecting the eggs from the nests and caring for them is a treasure. In season, you can walk the beaches in the morning and find new nests frequenly. If you call him, he'll be there in a few minutes to collect and protect the eggs.

bajafreaks - 2-6-2023 at 04:08 PM

Thank you DAVIDK - that’s definitely the type of beach I’m looking for! I didn’t realize driving on beaches in Mexico is illegal. I thought it was permitted on some beaches.

In Los Barriles there is a lot of atv traffic on the beaches and at the same time during turtle season a lot of nesting going on, so its obviously the standing argument when it comes to driving on the beach simply to protect the turtles. There is a group in Los Barriles two local brothers and volunteers that collect the eggs and put them in protected nests (nursery) and then release once hatched, they have saved/released tens of thousands of baby turtles over the years.

mtgoat666 - 2-6-2023 at 04:28 PM

look at that turtle track across tire ruts.
they should ban all vehicles from beaches, and enforce it with max penalties (eye for an eye, life for a life).

La Huerta hotel in San Ignacio

Whale-ista - 2-6-2023 at 11:46 PM

Thank you everyone! Really appreciate all the feedback. I’m now seriously considering driving from san Felipe to San Ignacio - seems like a much nicer town to visit. Will be a long day of driving but then it’s gives me more time to checkout the town.

In San Ignacio, La Huerta is a newer, large hotel that is down the street past the Mission. Thanks to the oasis, the local water pressure & quality is very good.

La Huerta

615.154.01.16

hotel.lahuertabcs@outlook.es

The yurts on the water are also nice.

Bwk94510 - 2-7-2023 at 12:38 PM

Perfect - I’ll give them a call today and book a room. Thank you!

I’m hoping google maps drive times are slower than it will actually take me to do the drive. For example from San Felipe to San Ignacio it estimates 7 hours 50 minutes but it’s only about 315 miles distance.

I’m getting some push back from family/friends about driving in Baja. Had anyone ever had any issues with crime/problems on the route that I’m taking? I feel like the issues of crime/kidnapping/violence are generally around Tijuana and that area.

David K - 2-7-2023 at 02:35 PM

No, been driving and camping in Baja since I was 16, in 1974.
I do not camp solo near a highway or in a city... which I avoid since I go to Baja to escape civilization! Hotels in cities are a safe way to overnight, getting away from civilization.

mtgoat666 - 2-7-2023 at 03:33 PM

Perfect - I’ll give them a call today and book a room. Thank you!

I’m hoping google maps drive times are slower than it will actually take me to do the drive. For example from San Felipe to San Ignacio it estimates 7 hours 50 minutes but it’s only about 315 miles distance.

I’m getting some push back from family/friends about driving in Baja. Had anyone ever had any issues with crime/problems on the route that I’m taking? I feel like the issues of crime/kidnapping/violence are generally around Tijuana and that area.

You say you own a house in cabo,… so to put things in perspective: rural hwys in BC are about same safety as rural hwys in BCS.. every year we hear of a car jacking or 2 in rural areas of both BC and BCS, but it is generally rare.
That said, the rural roads are narrow, and speed on such roads is dangerous. Don’t drive at night. Drive defensively, don’t drive with a lead foot, the roads are narrow, and you often pass opposing vehicles at with just a few feet or less separating you.

bajafreaks - 2-7-2023 at 04:27 PM

I can make it from Brawley Cal. to GN before sunset so San Felipe to San Ignacio should be about the same timing you just won't have a lot of time to sight see unfortunately.
As for driving Baja don't listen to what people who haven't driven it have to say, the folks on the Nomad won't sheer you wrong. And definitely don't get too caught up on internet stories or you'll never go. It's a little nerve racking but I say...Go for it, you'll be glad you did.

Marty Mateo - 2-7-2023 at 05:03 PM

“ I’m getting some push back from family/friends about driving in Baja. Had anyone ever had any issues with crime/problems on the route that I’m taking? I feel like the issues of crime/kidnapping/violence are generally around Tijuana and that area.”

As a Canadian I feel a great sense of relief after leaving the U.S. and driving into Mexico. I’ve lived in your country and driven quite extensively around it, but lately I feel a lot safer driving in Mexico. I’m not saying I’m scared of driving in your country, just that I feel more connected to people when I enter a restaurant, gas station or stopping to check on someone at the side of the road.
Anything can happen just about anywhere but I don’t think most people who’ve either never been to or only experienced Mexico from a resort perspective have a very accurate viewpoint.
Looking forward to your trip report 😎

Bwk94510 - 2-7-2023 at 05:06 PM

Thanks everybody. I’ve traveled many places in the world - mostly alone but bringing children this time adds a different dynamic. My plan is hotels and driving at or only slightly above the speed limit. 10 kph over or so. Not really a fast driver anyway. Thanks again for everyone’s thoughts.

surabi - 2-7-2023 at 06:29 PM

I’ve traveled many places in the world - mostly alone but bringing children this time adds a different dynamic.

Mexicans love kids. They are an asset when travelling here. I got a way better reception when I had young children in Mexico than when I travelled alone. (although I never experienced anything bad travelling alone)

wilderone - 2-8-2023 at 08:32 AM

"San Felipe to San Ignacio it estimates 7 hours 50 minutes but it’s only about 315 miles distance."
Hwy. 5 and 1 are not superhighways. Figure 50 mph, plus slowing for potholes, behind a semi in a no passing zone, construction zones, military checkpoints (which may be backed up or not), children? breaks for them, gas stop, lunch. Yes, it might take 7 or 8 hours.
Posters here will tell you how fast they drive, that they drive at night, that they do this all the time and they can make the entire peninsula in 2 days. If your trip is a race, then join their league. If you want to enjoy the drive, then allow the time to do it.

David K - 2-8-2023 at 10:08 AM

A safe drive time in Baja, on highways, is to figure 50 mph average (includes stops for gas, military checkpoints, pee, and a photo op or two).

If you are in a motorhome or towing (boat, toy hauler, or travel trailer), then figure 40 mph average.

Here are some examples:
Mexicali to San Felipe (125 miles): 2.5 hrs.
San Felipe to Gonzaga Bay (97 mi): 2 hrs.
Gonzaga Bay to the Bahia de los Angeles junction (63 mi): 1.25 hr.
L.A. Bay jcn. to San Ignacio (168 mi): 3.5 hours

So, using my average speed, San Felipe to San Ignacio is just under 7 hours. Keep in mind, there could be accidents or breakdowns (by others) that may block the road (it is too narrow and often on an elevated levee, to pass).

After passing the giant eagle monument and giant flag-traffic circle, you enter the state of Baja California Sur, which is on Mountain Time, so you lose an hour, on the clock. There is also a drive-over insect spray strip (20 pesos) just past the eagle, and this is 2 miles north of the entrance road to Guerrero Negro.

Here is a distance chart for Hwy. #1, from the Auto Club. The Hwy. 5 junction (at Laguna Chapala) is between Cataviña and the L.A. Bay jcn., 31 miles south of Laguna Chapala:

mtgoat666 - 2-8-2023 at 11:29 AM

Quote: Originally posted by surabi

I’ve traveled many places in the world - mostly alone but bringing children this time adds a different dynamic.

I found that the miltary inspections are breeze when you got kids in the car. They never make the kids get out -- so you can load up the kid's seat with guns, ammo and drugs :lol:

dusty.rambler - 2-8-2023 at 12:35 PM

I found that the miltary inspections are breeze when you got kids in the car. They never make the kids get out -- so you can load up the kid's seat with guns, ammo and drugs :lol:

Hahaha. I attended a music festival where you were not allowed to bring beer into the venue so you would have to pay for expensive vendor beer.... I loaded my wagon with beers, put down a blanket, then put my 2 year old on top of the blanket. It works every time!

David K - 2-8-2023 at 05:05 PM

Once a coyote, always a coyote? LOL

El Jefe - 2-8-2023 at 05:45 PM

Back in the days when our friends Angel and Paul from Zac's were doing the drive a lot with their teen aged daughters, they would hide their cash and other valuables in a big Kotex box. The inspectors wouldn't touch that with a 10 foot pole.

bajaric - 2-9-2023 at 11:49 AM

Thank you DAVIDK - that’s definitely the type of beach I’m looking for! I didn’t realize driving on beaches in Mexico is illegal. I thought it was permitted on some beaches.

So, it is better to squash the clams and other creatures that live and lay eggs in the tidal zone? Perhaps it is better to just not drive on any beach, especially deserted beaches. Why are you advising someone to do something that is destructive and illegal?

Everyone one does it, right? The beaches in the south campos look like a freeway from all the tire tracks. Well, people used to think it was fun to take a train out to the great plains and shoot buffalo, leaving them to rot.

David K - 2-9-2023 at 01:53 PM

I am not advising anyone, I am just stating the facts.
The truth is that vehicle tires (properly deflated) do not penetrate into the sand as much as human (or goat) foot prints. The eggs are safer than you might think from tires, and maybe, but less safe, from feet. Coyotes are more harmful to the eggs and how do you keep them off the beach?

mtgoat666 - 2-9-2023 at 02:03 PM

I am not advising anyone, I am just stating the facts.
The truth is that vehicle tires (properly deflated) do not penetrate into the sand as much as human (or goat) foot prints. The eggs are safer than you might think from tires, and maybe, but less safe, from feet. Coyotes are more harmful to the eggs and how do you keep them off the beach?

I think you are arguing in favor of vehicles, you just said foot traffic is more harmful than vehicle traffic. I think you are wrong.

The ground pressure of a human foot is on order of 8 to 10 psi. The ground pressure of a motorcycle or vehicle tire is on order of 25 to 40 psi.

You argue that vehicles should be allowed to damage nests because coyotes do. Your logic is not sound..

[Edited on 2-9-2023 by mtgoat666]

Maderita - 2-9-2023 at 03:14 PM

I'm not taking sides, nor advocating driving on beaches. However a little math may be in order:
The contact patch of an off road truck/SUV tire, deflated to 10-14 psi while on sand is vastly larger than street pressure on asphalt. Lets say conservatively 12" wide by 12" long = 144 square inches. The weight of a Jeep, small truck, midsize SUV is around 4,000 lbs. That is 7 psi.
Note that most 2-wheel dirt bikes will "dig a trench" in sand.

Maderita - 2-9-2023 at 03:17 PM

For anyone who wants to check my math, remember to divide by 4, unless you can do one-wheel wheelies in a 4x4

surabi - 2-9-2023 at 03:30 PM

No one needs to drive on the beach. So just don't. Show respect for the creatures who live there, instead of giving math stats for which vehicles or foot traffic are "worse".

David K - 2-9-2023 at 03:42 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Maderita

Correct, less or no damage at 7 psi (Jeep) vs. 8-10 psi (human per goat). The eggs are deep and the sand disperses the weight very well.

More proof?

Are you Karens going to tell the Mexican fishermen that must stop tending their nets or launching boats? One fishing village can only be reached by driving on the beach! There are more turtles than ever, at least in the upper gulf, where they have not been seen in 60 years! Clearly, vehicles on the beach are not harming them. Maybe those who don't use a vehicle and want to walk should be banned? LOL

surabi - 2-9-2023 at 03:58 PM

Local fisherman do not normally use vehicles to haul their pangas in and out of the water, they pull them up above high tide line by hand.

No one "needs" to drive on the beach for fun. It's just redneck gringo entitlement syndrome.

[Edited on 2-9-2023 by surabi]

mtgoat666 - 2-9-2023 at 04:01 PM

There are more turtles than ever, at least in the upper gulf, where they have not been seen in 60 years! Clearly, vehicles on the beach are not harming them. Maybe those who don't use a vehicle and want to walk should be banned? LOL

Not clear that vehicles are not harming them. Perhaps the turtles have recovered a bit because effort to stomp out turtle soup succeeded. And maybe there would be even more turtles if a$$hat gringos would stop driving on the beach, which activity they know to be illegal, but they seem to think laws don’t apply to them, or they make up science telling themselves breaking the law is harmless to the critters the law is intended to protect.

Dk: do you eat least terns for b’fast and turtle soup for lunch? Probably not, because you know it is wrong. You also know driving on the beach is wrong, so stop telling your tourist fanboys that laws are optional in rural areas and driving on the beach is harmless.

If you keep preaching how turtles have recovered and species protection laws should now be optional, then mark and Olivia will soon be serving turtle soup again!

The turtle soup thread was the most popular thread ever on nomad — one would think that nomads are turtle lovers and not turtle haters.

Come on, man, who doesn’t love turtles?

[Edited on 2-9-2023 by mtgoat666]

bajaric - 2-9-2023 at 05:02 PM

DK I guess we will have to agree to disagree on that one amigo. If we ever go camping at the beach together you can camp on the beach and get sand all over everything and I will stay up on the bluff --

David K - 2-9-2023 at 05:10 PM

Quote: Originally posted by surabi

Local fisherman do not normally use vehicles to haul their pangas in and out of the water, they pull them up above high tide line by hand.

No one "needs" to drive on the beach for fun. It's just redneck gringo entitlement syndrome.

[Edited on 2-9-2023 by surabi]

Well, I agree to a point... I don't drive up and down a beach for fun, I drive on the beach to get to a place I have been camping at for 45 years that can't be reached any other way. I have seen many times locals driving on the beach to check their gill nets at low tide and to pull their pangas up. No harm is coming to any animals from me. The most obscene damage to life is when they build highways and destroy wide paths of desert to do so. The dirt trails we drove before Mex. 1 was bulldozed were far more harmonious to Nature.

David K - 2-9-2023 at 05:14 PM

Quote: Originally posted by bajaric

DK I guess we will have to agree to disagree on that one amigo. If we ever go camping at the beach together you can camp on the beach and get sand all over everything and I will stay up on the bluff --

Funny, but I like camping on sand (beach or arroyo) because it is so clean, no dirt, it brushes right off. No critters or cactus, either.
Well, maybe sidewinders? LOL

dusty.rambler - 2-10-2023 at 10:16 AM

Wow! This got heated! We should all just go to the beach and relax.... are we driving or walking?

Bwk94510 - 2-10-2023 at 07:58 PM

Quote: Originally posted by dusty.rambler

Wow! This got heated! We should all just go to the beach and relax.... are we driving or walking?

David K - 2-10-2023 at 08:01 PM