luknight
Newbie
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Registered: 9-18-2007
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On way car rental in Baja
I would like to get a one way car rental to travel the peninsula. The drop off fees are killer. Anywhere from $650-$1,000. Any suggestions around
this? I have time for one way only and can do it from either Tiuana to Cabo or Cabo to Tijuana.
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BajaGeoff
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Registered: 1-11-2006
Location: San Diego and Campo Lopez
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Mood: Heading To Baja!!!
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That is a tough one. Either way you are going to get hit with a drop off fee or mileage fees. How much time do you have for the trip? Maybe just
flying in and staying in one spot would be a better option.
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toneart
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Comparing prices, the bus is not a bad option. They are a lot more comfortable than they used to be....Movies and hostesses too.
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gnukid
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You can offer to drive someone's car here for a fee-they pay you. Or you could buy a cheap car and have a great adventure and sell it at the end,
albeit a US plate car would need to be sold to a US citizen. I have had luck with driving one way in both of these fashions.
In California there are many cars that do not pass smog and can not be driven there legally for longer than one month according to temp vehicle smog
permits, there they sit waiting for you, but you can buy a round trip driving permit for your off road race car, ahem, for $15 at the dmv. I have a
car lot of old cars I drove down and they rock en baja. How about you buy an old car and customize into an art car with a theme like "recycle" glue
cans to the whole outside or glue smashed broken glass and do green demonstrations of "where litter goes and what happens to your waste." That would
be fun!
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vandenberg
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Gnu
Your imagination knows no bounds.
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luknight
Newbie
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Registered: 9-18-2007
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Thanks for all the replies. I have checked out drive aways, but I have found nothing for outside of US. I will pass on the steal a car, too old for
that stuff now!. The purchase a car and sell it sounds ok, but I think the buying and selling would gobble up time that I would rather be exploring,
snorkling, eating, talking, etc. I also would be a little worried about breakdowns.
Any other ideas out there?
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rhintransit
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Registered: 9-4-2006
Location: Loreto
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fly to Cabo, La Paz or Loreto and rent there/return there driving all over the south land. in a limited amount of time, you just can't do the whole
drive, and I assume that is what you have if you are consider renting a car. there is little you can explore in the north on PAVED roads as required
by car rental companies that can match BCS for a short visit. (Nomads of the North, not knocking your state, but to drive Hwy One to the south just
to say you've done it eats a lot of precious vacation time)
reality\'s never been of much use out here...
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Mango
Senior Nomad
Posts: 685
Registered: 4-11-2006
Location: Alta California &/or Mexicali
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| Quote: | Originally posted by rhintransit
fly to Cabo, La Paz or Loreto and rent there/return there driving all over the south land. in a limited amount of time, you just can't do the whole
drive, and I assume that is what you have if you are consider renting a car. there is little you can explore in the north on PAVED roads as required
by car rental companies that can match BCS for a short visit. (Nomads of the North, not knocking your state, but to drive Hwy One to the south just
to say you've done it eats a lot of precious vacation time) |
I think this is your best option. If you really want to see Hwy 1 in the north still, consider taking the bus from TJ to BCS (long trip) with a stop
or two along the way. When you get to La Paz or Cabo you can then rent a car and drive around, then fly home from there.
Like toneart said, the buses nowdays are very comfortable and inexpensive. Have a lot of stuff? No problem, just throw it underneath. All the first
class buses have A/C, bathrooms (I prefer to wait for clean pay restroom at a bus stop to do #2), movies, and even stewardesses on the deluxe buses.
Some even offer free drinks and snacks.
If you go just don't get a seat in the rear(pick a seat between #12-#22), as the seats around the bathroom can smell for a time after some people go.
Otherwise, sit back, relax, watch the movie or stare out the window... and leave the driving to the professional.
I prefer a window seat in the middle of the bus on the right side. It is safer from frontal impact, far enough from the bathroom, and I am able to
look out the window as bags are loaded and unloaded at stops along the way. I have traveled 10's of thousands of miles in Mexico by bus and never had
a bag stolen or lost yet! Nonetheless, carry your valuable stuff (iPod, TP, sweater, book, etc) in a daypack and put it at your feet or over your
head. Sometimes I bring a small 3/16" x 3' cable and lock my bag shut and lock it to my seat at night just so I can sleep easier.
Travel by bus may sound like a bummer for many; but, I find it an enjoyable and cheap way to travel. You will have more contact with the locals and
get a better feel for the culture. Most "scary" people you can think of will be on the cheaper second class buses, so don't worry about that. Save
second class buses for local day trips of less than 3 or 4 hours.
One potential problem I know is that there is not bus connection from Bahia de los Angles to Hwy 1. So you will have to wait at the connection and
get a ride with a friendly soul and/or kind gringo for the last hour to the bay.
Have a great trip either way you go!
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gnukid
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4411
Registered: 7-2-2006
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Here is an upcoming art car festival, they will probably give you one to drive if you ask nicely.
http://artcarfest.com/info.html
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luknight
Newbie
Posts: 3
Registered: 9-18-2007
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Gnukid,
My clothes clash with the artsy cars! Looks like I will go with Rhintransit idea and skip the northern Baja this trip.
Thanks to all.
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gnukid
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4411
Registered: 7-2-2006
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Luknight,
Excellent plan. It's always a compromise between staying at camp in one place versus moving camp often for most enjoyment, although every turn
provides beauty and adventure. One can have a fantastic journey circling, even just the southern tip; cabo, todos santos, conejo, la pa, then south
down the sea of cortez, Bahia de Muertos and over the Los Plannes mountains to the east cape south, rinse and repeat. You'll have great fun and I bet
we get to see you at the beach somewhere, albeit sans art car. Pablo
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