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Marc
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2802
Registered: 5-15-2010
Location: San Francisco & Palm Springs
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Mex 5 & Mexicali or sure.
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BigBearRider
Super Nomad
Posts: 1299
Registered: 4-30-2015
Location: Big Bear, Punta Chivato, and Cabo
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Quote: Originally posted by pinchyelguapo  | Got back on Tuesday from a long weekend in Bahia. We traveled through Mexicali - San Felipe - Gonzaga Bay like you're planning.
It took 8 hours of actual drive time (not including stops) in a lightly loaded 2013 stock Wrangler. There are only 22 miles of off-road left between
the Hwy 5 and Hwy 1.
4h30m - Mission Beach to San Felipe
1h30m - San Felipe to Gonzaga Bay
50m - Off-road
1h10m - Chapala to Bahia
I've stayed at both Los Vientos and Villa Vita. Los Vientos was 7 years ago and never again. Then, it was a pretend "Luxury Hotel" with an empty pool,
your very own pet ants inside the room, and double/triple the rate of other motels in the area. I've stayed at Villa Vita 6 times and it is always
perfectly adequate. The pool is always full and the AC always works which is the most you should expect in Bahia. At $50-$70 / night, it works
perfectly for what you want. Mario is the Manager at Villa Vita, from Tijuana, and speaks English pretty good if that is a concern.
Whale Sharks were the best I've ever seen last weekend (7 years experience). About 15-20 in the bay right now including a "big mama" at 33 feet. She
has 2 vertical scars on her top side making her easy to recognize in addition to her massive-ness. There are many choices with pangas (I think there
are 20 licenses for the bay). I've been using Ricardo Arce's service for the last 4 years and it's a bit more expensive than others. The prices have
went up each year (this year was $200 for 6 hours) Mario (yep another Mario) is the captain that we always request. He doesn't speak English well (or
maybe not at all), but my girlfriend is fluent and I'm no slouch myself. Captain Mario has the eyes of a Frigatebird! He spots whale sharks under the
surface from 100 yards away. In addition, to whale sharks, we do some sight seeing, fishing, and clamming/"oystering". We met some new friends at
Villa Vita who hired a $120 boat from somewhere else and didn't even have half the experience we had.
We went out 2 days and had great experience both days, but the last hour of the 2nd day was mind blowing. 9+ whale sharks feeding up and down the
water column not leaving a 200 foot square. We slipped in the warm sea and didn't get out for over an hour. There were times during the hour that you
had to do your best not to get hit by a dorsal or tail fin, sometimes all 9 sharks were visible to us at the same time. |
Sounds fantastic!
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Terry28
Senior Nomad
Posts: 824
Registered: 8-25-2007
Location: S.Calif mtns.
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I second the opinion that Los Vientos has changed...New owners William and Rosa. It has been really cleaned up and a great place to stay. Right on
the water, very clean rooms, plenty of AC....
Mexico!! Where two can live as cheaply as one.....but it costs twice as much.....
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C205Driver
Nomad
Posts: 265
Registered: 8-25-2008
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Mood: Life is Good
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. . My Jet Jockey buddy thinks driving 100/mph is for the slow lane; don't wanna do La Rumorosa Grade so I will not mention it to him. . . ( last time
going to Asuncion we were between 95 -100 in my truck in stretches; I did NOT let him drive back at all! )( Great pilot tho )
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C205Driver
Nomad
Posts: 265
Registered: 8-25-2008
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. . .Any suggestions on crossing down & up at Calexico / Mexicali? Know we gotta get a tourist visa & drive slow in Mexicali; what else???. .
.TIA. . .
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redhilltown
Super Nomad
Posts: 1130
Registered: 1-24-2009
Location: Long Beach, CA
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The immigration office is just to the left as you enter...the guy there last time gave us some gruff as we tried to get the free week long
visas...said the computer was broken and we'd have to pay to get the 180 day ones...we waited him out until what appeared to be his superior showed up
and magically the free seven day visas were available.
I am a lone voice as to I always prefer to cross each way at Tecate...then take the toll road over to Mexicali where you miss all the city
traffic...just like the vibe crossing there better. But your mileage may vary!
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yellowklr
Senior Nomad
Posts: 507
Registered: 4-14-2006
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I like both routes, my self I would go TJ home, just to hot at the Mexicali border this time of year!
anyone know what they are charging now at Los Vientos?
Derek
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C205Driver
Nomad
Posts: 265
Registered: 8-25-2008
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. . Would love to have a new review of Los Vientos! TIA......
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64746
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Welcome aboard pinchyelguapo. Great post!
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C205Driver
Nomad
Posts: 265
Registered: 8-25-2008
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Mood: Life is Good
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Good Morning all. . .Has anyone recently stayed at Los Vientos or Villa Vitta and have comments / review to share??? Thanks!!!!
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64746
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Drove by them last week, that was all. I have heard that Los Vientos has new owners that will actually provide good service, for a change!
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