jbull2000
Newbie
Posts: 1
Registered: 11-25-2007
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Safety of traveling to Baja?
Hello, I found out about your forum from the following article in the Ventura County Star.
http://www.venturacountystar.com/news/2007/nov/20/surfing-in...
My family and a few friends with young children are planning on coming down to the Rosarito area in December. I wanted to get your thoughts and
suggestions about the safety of doing so in light of some of the recent news reports.
Thanks in advance for your comments.
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surfer jim
Super Nomad
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Registered: 8-29-2003
Location: high desert
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Nobody can really answer that question......many people come and go with no problems...but not everybody.......
Rosarito "should" be OK for a family outing if you come and go in the daytime and have safe location for your vehicle to park....just be ready for the
local cop to get some spending money for his Christmas presents...
Welcome to NOMADS.....
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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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What are you planning on doing?????..Check out Ensenada, in my opinion (as humble as it is) I think Ensenada/Punta Banda is a better area for family
activities. Besides, it's a "real" town.
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larry
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Location: Orinda, CA
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You will find a lot of discussion about this topic recently in this section and in the General Baja discussion section (see the thread titled Will
this be my LAST trip to BAJA and others).
Whether the danger in Baja is greater than in Los Angeles, for instance, is arguable. But the Ventura County Star piece is not worth considering.
Unfortunately, the "article" referred to is not really a news article--it is a column and has a lot of unsubstantiated claims. It looks to me like
the "Correspondent" may never have even been to the area he is "reporting" on: he spells the same place name two different ways. He make the
following ridiculous statement: "According to one report, more journalists have died in Mexico than in Iraq." Would that be in the history of each
country? Of natural causes? What does this statement mean? And then he says "Traveling surfers are easy targets for drugged up gangsters and
corrupt police officials." What makes traveling surfers easy targets? Show me how surfers are more vulnerable than everyone else. I can assure
you, drug cartel gangsters have no interest in traveling surfers.
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larry
Nomad
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Location: Orinda, CA
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I agree with Bajaguy. Ensenada is a very enjoyable place to visit. And you can avoid what has been referred to by some Nomads as a recent trouble
spot (the toll road from Tijuana to Ensenada) by entering at Tecate and taking the beautiful road through the Valle de Guadalupe wine country between
Tecate and Ensenada. I think the drive takes about 1 1/2 hours. Much better than going through Tijuana and Rosarito.
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larry
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Another suggestion: if you decide on Ensenada, stay at the Estero Beach Hotel. It is south of town and is a great place to take kids and large
groups. There is a lot of space to run around, a nice beach, lawns, and play areas. Our family stayed there when our kids were small, and it was
very comfortable. There are nice affordable hotels in downtown Ensenada, but with young children, there is no where for them to go outside due to
traffic, etc.
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Al G
Ultra Nomad
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Location: Todos Santos/Full time for now...
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Mood: Wondering what is next???
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| Quote: | Originally posted by larry
You will find a lot of discussion about this topic recently in this section and in the General Baja discussion section (see the thread titled Will
this be my LAST trip to BAJA and others).
Whether the danger in Baja is greater than in Los Angeles, for instance, is arguable. But the Ventura County Star piece is not worth considering.
Unfortunately, the "article" referred to is not really a news article--it is a column and has a lot of unsubstantiated claims. It looks to me like
the "Correspondent" may never have even been to the area he is "reporting" on: he spells the same place name two different ways. He make the
following ridiculous statement: "According to one report, more journalists have died in Mexico than in Iraq." Would that be in the history of each
country? Of natural causes? What does this statement mean? And then he says "Traveling surfers are easy targets for drugged up gangsters and
corrupt police officials." What makes traveling surfers easy targets? Show me how surfers are more vulnerable than everyone else. I can assure
you, drug cartel gangsters have no interest in traveling surfers. |
Plagiarism yes...but everything I read has been reported in numerous first person interviews..so I do not agree with you.
If this is your first time in Baja, I would rethink your plans...the dangers are real...many vehicles have disappeared off the streets and from
parking lots. At this time putting young children at risk is just plain silly. Just the ordeal of getting home if your car is stolen will traumatize
them.
I am sick of hearing crime is just as bad in the states as Baja...there is crime, but at least you have real help with cops and support as a
victim...in Baja you are a piece of meat they got to make disappear fast. Dec. 1st a new government takes office in Baja Norte...look for change.
There are many things they must deal with, but the tourist is income and will be high on the list...I hope.
Albert G
Remember, if you haven\'t got a smile on your face and laughter in your heart, then you are just a sour old fart!....
The most precious thing we have is life, yet it has absolutely no trade-in value.
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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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And I disagree with Al......but I digress..........
Another benefit of staying at Estero Beach....a number of great eateries are close by, a new shopping center with a 12 screen theater, and if you
golf....the Baja Country Club is just down the road.
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Roberto
Banned
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If you've never been to the area and are planning on taking your children, my advice is don't go. Even to Ensenada. I like Ensenada, but the
likelihood of getting ripped of, especially if you've never to the area before are getting worse. Literally hundreds of folks were ripped of and worse
just over a week ago for the Baja 1000, and I seriously doubt that the authors have vanished. Thus the advice, and this comes from someone who's been
going for years.
To the others - how can you, in good conscience, suggest places to go when in other threads some of you have been debating the possibility of
boycotting?
[Edited on 11-28-2007 by Roberto]
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larry
Nomad
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Location: Orinda, CA
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| Quote: |
To the others - how can you, in good conscience, suggest places to go when in other threads some of you have been debating the possibility of
boycotting?
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I can suggest places to go in good conscience because I disagree with those who are spreading fear. As I stated in another thread, I have been going
to northern Baja every December since 2000 and have not had or observed one negative experience.
There have been around 130 murders this year in Oakland where I work. I wonder how many there have been in Ensenada? They have roughly the same
population. My guess is far fewer.
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rdrrm8e
Nomad
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Registered: 5-14-2007
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DO not go!
IMHFO you are a fool to put yourself and your family at risk.
Rosarito is a cesspool. How many cops have washed up on the beach beheaded in the past 8 months?
How many carjackings and hijackings have been reported?
How many Mexican authorities have been shot, killed and kidnapped?
Who are you going to call for help if this happens to you????
There are many here with their heads so far up their a$$e$ that they will not or cannot tell the obvious truth.
You would be a fool to take your family to Baja any time soon.
I am selling both of my properties in Baja and will not return.
I have beeen travelling to Baja Norte and Sur since I was 10 years old. That's over 40 years.
Truth MUST be told!
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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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Bull
Check your u2u....
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Don Alley
Super Nomad
Posts: 1997
Registered: 12-4-2003
Location: Loreto
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| Quote: | Originally posted by larry
He make the following ridiculous statement: "According to one report, more journalists have died in Mexico than in Iraq." Would that be in the
history of each country? Of natural causes? What does this statement mean? |
Actually, in 2006 32 journalists were killed in Iraq, and two in Mexico (Committte to Protect Journalists, http://www.cpj.org/Briefings/2006/killed_06/killed_06.html. Still, the group describes Mexico as one of several "traditionally dangerous countries
for the press."
As for Baja Norte, I think of that area as a gauntlet to get through on our way to and from Loreto. I would not recommend it for a family vacation
spot.
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mojo_norte
Senior Nomad
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Go , be smart and have a blast!
Just don't travel the toll road at night. Once in Ensenada you will feel safe and will be safe with the usual common sense -
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