Charliefunny
Newbie
Posts: 1
Registered: 11-13-2017
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How safe is driving on hwy 1 to la Paz for whale birthing and whale shark snorkeling? Camping or cabins recommendations welcomed
Planning a trip with 3 good retired friends and want to give them transport and lodging choices based on travelers experiences. I've read that day
driving is safer, so we'll do that. Vehicle will be a Honda SUV or similar. Welcome any lodging and outfitter recommendations. Muchas gracias. 
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64857
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Night driving is unsafe due to range cattle and burros who like being on the warm blacktop at night. Obviously, you miss seeing Baja if your drive at
night and finding a motel late or a good camping spot may not happen.
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JZ
Select Nomad
Posts: 10583
Registered: 10-3-2003
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What's your experience level with Baja?
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C205Driver
Nomad
Posts: 266
Registered: 8-25-2008
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Mood: Life is Good
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...And consider Bahía de Los Angeles September- November; just about guaranteed to swim with one...Do your research for best time of year, where ever
you go....
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TMW
Select Nomad
Posts: 10659
Registered: 9-1-2003
Location: Bakersfield, CA
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Depending on when you start.
Ensenada, San Nicolas or Corona hotel both have restaurants.
San Quintin, Villa de San Quintin and restaurant, Jardines hotel and restaurant.
El Rosario, Baja Cactus hotel. Restaurants close by.
Guerrero Negro, there are several as you get into town.
San Ignacio, the La Huerta hotel & restaurant past the mission.
Loreto, many good hotels my favorite is the Oasis hotel and restaurant, south end past the Malecon.
La Paz, many good hotels and restaurants. The La Perla has history with the Baja 1000 and is on the Malecon.
These are just a few of my favorites
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shari
Select Nomad
Posts: 13048
Registered: 3-10-2006
Location: bahia asuncion, baja sur
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Mood: there is no reality except the one contained within us "Herman Hesse"
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Hola funny Charlie and welcome to the Nomad sand box!
thousands of us travel by car up and down the peninsula all the time so if you follow the Baja rules...dont drive at night, slow down, follow traffic
rules, be vigilant and use common sense...you will be fine.
If you would like help planning a stop at Laguna OJo de Liebre at Guerrero Negro..where the majority of gray whales birth and raise their babies, I
can help out. It is a great place to camp and listen to the whales breathing at night.
check your U2U which is up in the right corner under your login name.
[Edited on 11-13-2017 by shari]
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thebajarunner
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3718
Registered: 9-8-2003
Location: Arizona....."Free at last from crumbling Cali
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Mood: muy amable
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Get insurance before you go
Most of us use bajabound.com Geoff is a Nomad
Keep the gas tank topped off
The El Rosario Pemex is owned by Nomad Baja Cactus and is always reliable
Just be sure to make sure that they clear the dials first.
Get pesos.... they will screw you on exchange rates, and it is not always a quick and easy calculation to make change.
The banks south of downtown Ensenada, just about a mile, all have ATM and they give the proper rate. Most banks will balk at changing your green
dollars, so use the ATM. The instructions are in Spanish and the amount your request is in pesos....so be sure to ask for enough.
$500 US equals almost 10,000 (yeah, ten thousand) pesos
Ask for help.... here on Nomad or just from people you encounter
The Mexicans you meet will be almost always more than helpful
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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
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Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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There are several banks with ATM's in the Wal-Mart Microplaza. "Most" all of the ATM's have an English version on start-up.
Remember, when entering the amount, it is in pesos. 6,000 pesos is/was (depending on the daily exchange rate) about $340 US
Most of the time I use the Banamex ATM in the Ensenada COSTCO
Stay away from BBVA Bancomer, highest ATM fees
Quote: Originally posted by thebajarunner  | Get insurance e.
The banks south of downtown Ensenada, just about a mile, all have ATM and they give the proper rate. Most banks will balk at changing your green
dollars, so use the ATM. The instructions are in Spanish and the amount your request is in pesos....so be sure to ask for enough.
$500 US equals almost 10,000 (yeah, ten thousand) pesos |
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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
Member Is Offline
Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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Eats
If you are really, really hungry.............Don't have the Km number
Ejido Nueva Odisea (just south of San Quintin) Parcela 12 Restaurant
Outstanding food, great selection. One
price, 10 to 12 different items. Hard to find but worth it. On the east side of the highway almost across from the entrance to El Pabellon RV park
https://www.facebook.com/Parcela12/?rf=338499866201067
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64857
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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KM. 16 south of San Quintín, on the left (east side).
| Quote: Originally posted by bajaguy | If you are really, really hungry.............Don't have the Km number
Ejido Nueva Odisea (just south of San Quintin) Parcela 12 Restaurant
Outstanding food, great selection. One
price, 10 to 12 different items. Hard to find but worth it. On the east side of the highway almost across from the entrance to El Pabellon RV park
https://www.facebook.com/Parcela12/?rf=338499866201067
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Hi Terry, we really heard a lot about this place here on Nomad, didn't we?
So, naturally, the Km. marker was quick to be posted. I saw the place on my last trip south, as well...
Search on Nomad search engine 'Parcela 12' and you get: http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=86783#pid1083...
It is just past the Km. 16 post (which is the El Pabellon RV Park entrance, and a half km. north of Fidel's El Pabellon RV Park).
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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
Member Is Offline
Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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Thanks!!....trying to dig up a reason to get back there for the food!!
| Quote: Originally posted by David K | | Quote: Originally posted by bajaguy | If you are really, really hungry.............Don't have the Km number
Ejido Nueva Odisea (just south of San Quintin) Parcela 12 Restaurant
Outstanding food, great selection. One
price, 10 to 12 different items. Hard to find but worth it. On the east side of the highway almost across from the entrance to El Pabellon RV park
https://www.facebook.com/Parcela12/?rf=338499866201067
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Hi Terry, we really heard a lot about this place here on Nomad, didn't we?
So, naturally, the Km. marker was quick to be posted. I saw the place on my last trip south, as well...
Search on Nomad search engine 'Parcela 12' and you get: http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=86783#pid1083...
It is just past the Km. 16 post (which is the El Pabellon RV Park entrance, and a half km. north of Fidel's El Pabellon RV Park).
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BAJA.DESERT.RAT
Senior Nomad
Posts: 980
Registered: 11-5-2009
Location: BAJA SUR
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hola and welcome to nomad.
all in your group MUST notify your bank that you are going to mexico.
you should have at least two cards in case you lose one OR...if the atm eats your card.
the bancomer atm in los barriles ate mine and didn't give me any money.
you will need valid passports, CHECK THE EXPIRATION DATES to get your FMM...TOURIST VISAS.
familiarize yourselves with the currency exchange, don't just trust the business you're dealing with.
have a great journey !
BIEN SALUD, DA RAT
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yumawill
Nomad
Posts: 103
Registered: 10-11-2016
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Hola Charliefunny. First, don't bring any money because the Bandidos or the Policia will just take it. You can sleep at the Police station for free if
you drink a lot. The gas station attendants are the most honest people in all of Mexico. That's why they have that job. Lastly, Whales are extremely
dangerous and known to eat Fat Gringos on sight. Well that said, Have a good time.
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BajaBlanca
Select Nomad
Posts: 13197
Registered: 10-28-2008
Location: La Bocana, BCS
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You certainly have come to the right place for information! So many years of experience here.
Whales with Shari - you can't go wrong!
We are south of her and are off the beaten path if you want a little adventure that is not run of the mill. We have our B&B where you have access
to a kitchen and there are cabins on the beach with a full service restaurant. There is a lagoon for shore fishing...
Welcome to Bajanomad!
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billklaser
Nomad
Posts: 142
Registered: 3-31-2011
Location: Loreto, Lopez Mateos
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Hola Charliefunny. Just to reiterate some of the above comments. Baja 1 is a dangerous road, and common sense and due deligents is mandatory .
Areas have a problem with potholes, so slow down around them. Sometimes you can be lulled into a false sense of security on this road. On a 20 hour
drive to La Paz, you can have no problem for 19 hours and 59 minutes followed by shear terror. So....be careful.
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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
Member Is Offline
Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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Gurrero Negro
"Reported" from Talk Baja board, a Federal Police speed trap located between Guerrero Negro and Vizcaino
Get a dash-cam and a radar detector
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64857
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Km. 37 San Quintin/El Rosario
| Quote: Originally posted by bajaguy | "Reported" from Talk Baja board, a Federal Police speed trap located between Guerrero Negro and Vizcaino
Get a dash-cam and a radar detector |
Radar in use in this section. 80 kph (50 mph) is the speed limit!
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