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asdfghjkl
Newbie
Posts: 2
Registered: 1-3-2008
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single female driving Tijuana to Cabo - insane??
I am thinking of driving hwy 1 from the border to Cabo and back by myself. I'm blonde, female, and not super young but not very old. I'd drive my own
car down from California, where it's registered.
I would plan the drive for each day in advance and have a hotel to stay at each night. I'm not interested in partying but simply seeing Baja and the
history and culture.
What do you guys think? Too risky?
Thanks in advance for your feedback!
Elizabeth
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Bajagypsy
Super Nomad
Posts: 1416
Registered: 8-31-2006
Location: BahÃa Asuncion BCS
Member Is Offline
Mood: Living the dream
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I would do it, but I would also travel with my big dog!!! Don't drive at night!
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Loretana
Senior Nomad
Posts: 825
Registered: 5-19-2006
Location: Oregon/Loreto
Member Is Offline
Mood: alegre
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Elizabeth
Welcome to Nomad.
I made the drive by myself in October from Oregon to Loreto......
I found that fellow American and Canadian travelers on the Baja Highway seemed to fall in with me on the road and keep a "eye" on me.
One couple from BC even stopped to see if all was well with me when I pulled over outside Catavina to let my Pup take a pee pee. It was very
reassuring! 
I guess that, since there is not a lot of traffic, we recognize each others' rigs and take note of each other as we progress further south. You pass
them, they stop; then they pass you, and so on.
Just remember to "plan your drive and drive your plan".
Y que les vaya muy bien!! 
"If you want to find the secrets of the universe, think in terms of energy, frequency and vibration."
-Nikola Tesla
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Bob and Susan
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8813
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Mulege BCS on the BAY
Member Is Offline
Mood: Full Time Residents
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you NEED to learn to change a tire quickly in the dirt
bring a little water
otherwise...
go for it!!!
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vacaenbaja
Senior Nomad
Posts: 640
Registered: 4-4-2006
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Above all do not forget insurance. Get at least liability. An annual policy would be most econmical for the amount of time that you would be
spending, especially if you plan on returning to Mexico, even if its TJ for the day, you would still be covered. Stop every two or three hours to rest
the eyes and body.
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jorgie
Nomad
Posts: 430
Registered: 8-25-2006
Location: on another road,again
Member Is Offline
Mood: on the road....again,again
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as SWF I suggest crossing at Tecate, drive straight though to Esterio Beach resort south side of CBD Ensenada for 1st night. Early start then right
though to GN Lots of pemex gas stops. If you log on and state your departure date it's a good bet someone else will be traveling that day and will
hook up
Take good care, smile, have a great trip
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shari
Select Nomad
Posts: 13048
Registered: 3-10-2006
Location: bahia asuncion, baja sur
Member Is Offline
Mood: there is no reality except the one contained within us "Herman Hesse"
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the nice thing about getting a flat when you are blonde and alone is someone stops in about 5 seconds to change it for you!!!! I oved driving canada
to baja by myself...singing loud, doing what I wanted when I wanted...but now you need to be a bit more careful for sure...life is a risk
anyway....Have fun.
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wilderone
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3821
Registered: 2-9-2004
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Go for it - just be extra careful driving and don't take any risks - obey street signs in town, slow down in curves, don't speed, don't pass unless
you know it's absolutely safe, don't drive when you're tired. It'll be AWESOME.
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fishbuck
Banned
Posts: 5318
Registered: 8-31-2006
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I know a guy by the name of Big John who might travel with you. You won't need a hotel because he has a van with a matress...
Sounds like a fun trip. Just follow the basic Baja safety rules and you should be fine.
So, you got a photo of yourself you can post on here. You know, for Big John.
"A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for." J. A. Shedd.
A clever person solves a problem. A wise person avoids it. – Albert Einstein
"Life's a Beach... and then you Fly!" Fishbuck
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wilderone
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3821
Registered: 2-9-2004
Member Is Offline
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fishbuck - you're scaring her.
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rhintransit
Super Nomad
Posts: 1588
Registered: 9-4-2006
Location: Loreto
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go for it. I'm the same, but brunette, and I've done it many times. other than totaling one vehicle in the middle of nowhere, all has gone well for
me.
make sure the car is in good condition, be sure you can take care of the car and yourself, don't drive at night unless you absolutely have to (like
the hotel was freezing and dawn was two hours away...), use good sense, trust in the universe and the kindness of strangers. take books on tape, good
music, and travel light. cross at Tecate, smile and flirt nicely with the poor kids at the checkpoints, and trust in the kindness of strangers.
trust in God(dess), row away from the rocks! bien viaje!
reality\'s never been of much use out here...
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rhintransit
Super Nomad
Posts: 1588
Registered: 9-4-2006
Location: Loreto
Member Is Offline
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ps I might say that making Cabo your destination is insane, but that's my own bias...if that whole existence/experience is what you are looking for,
you might as well fly and keep your fingernail polish unchipped.
reality\'s never been of much use out here...
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bajadock
Super Nomad
Posts: 1219
Registered: 12-20-2006
Location: Punta sur de \'Nada
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1. Nice handle, asdfghjkl!
2. Your trip is more sane than daily commute to/fro office. Avoids carpal tunnel, too!
3. FB is referring to someone who was looking for female companionship on his tour of Baja. Still haven't seen results/pix of that alleged person nor
his alleged adventure/mattress.
4. Per feedback to another Cabo drive adventurer, you'll need a good 3-4 weeks unless you enjoy windshield time. Suggest detachment from Cabo goal
and go with the flow. Stay a few days in an area that fits you and really enjoy it.
5. What books/online resources are you using for assistance? Lots of good stuff in Nomad, including websites, listed in signatures of veterans.
Those with lots of stars*** w/ their names have some solid websites for travel info.
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Cardon Man
Super Nomad
Posts: 1319
Registered: 8-28-2003
Location: Thetis Bank
Member Is Offline
Mood: !Al Chingaso!
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| Quote: | Originally posted by rhintransit
ps I might say that making Cabo your destination is insane, but that's my own bias...if that whole existence/experience is what you are looking for,
you might as well fly and keep your fingernail polish unchipped. |
Very true that Cabo itself is not for every one. But there is a ton to see and do along the way to Los Cabos: East Cape, Todos Santos, La Paz...and
the list goes on. Worth making the trek to land's end
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ElFaro
Nomad
Posts: 231
Registered: 9-16-2007
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Here are a few things I have gleaned from driving Baja since 1971...
I always take along a small portable ceramic heater for the cold hotel rooms since most of the hotels are const. of block and cement and the room
heaters may not work very well if at all. Make sure you have a full sized spare tire (not the small temporary tire commonly sold with new cars
today). Carry a spare fan belt. Carry an extra pair of sunglasses. Bring a couple of the straw brim hats to keep the sun off your head. In your
car cover your items with a small tarp or blanket to keep prying eyes from seeing what you have. Don't leave your car unattended to go into a market
to
look around for very long. Put a good club on the steering wheel preferably one that locks to the column rather than just the steering wheel. You
might consider wearing a money belt to keep valuable papers, money on your person in case your car happens to get stolen. At least you will have
ID, papers, and money to get home. Be careful at inspection stops that you don't leave anything in a door pocket or on the seat of value that an
inspector could steal. Arrange your "stuff" in your car and trunk ahead of time before you hit the road even after a rest stop because the
inspections can be just around the next curve. Get a locking gas cap. It forces the gas attendant to wait for you to get out of the car and then you
can make sure the pump is zeroed out 1st and you can tell him/her what you want for filling. Carry PESOS in 500 peso denominations or less and pay in
pesos for everything. DO NOT take down $100 US bills and DO NOT accept $100 bills to give change to someone. Especially the old ones...they can be a
real pain to get rid of. When you buy insurance make sure the VIN # on the insurance papers matches you car VIN#. I've had them copy the # down
wrong! Stay out of banks if at all possible. Their hours can be a hassle and the lines can be very long eating up your
vacation time. Make sure your brakes are in good shape...you're going to need them. For changing a tire I recommend the "Gorilla Wrench". It makes
removing lug nuts easy. Besides if someone helps you let them use your tire wrench. If you don't they might use a wrench that ends up
damaging your lug nuts. Bring a good tow strap. I prefer straps over chains. Chains don't give and can inflict underside damage during towing.
Bring jumper cables and a good battery. Don't loan your tire jack to someone especially if they don't have a spare. You'll never see it again.
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
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You mentioned you are a blond. I'm only curious as to why?
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comitan
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4177
Registered: 3-27-2004
Location: La Paz
Member Is Offline
Mood: mellow
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Very good and well thought out advise ElFaro, and Dennis Blonds draw more attention.
Strive For The Ideal, But Deal With What\'s Real.
Every day is a new day, better than the day before.(from some song)
Lord, Keep your arm around my shoulder and your hand over my mouth.
“The sincere pursuit of truth requires you to entertain the possibility that everything you believe to be true may in fact be false”
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fishbuck
Banned
Posts: 5318
Registered: 8-31-2006
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by wilderone
fishbuck - you're scaring her. |
Oops! Sometimes I get scaring and teasing mixed up. I thought my little smiley face would cover me.
"A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for." J. A. Shedd.
A clever person solves a problem. A wise person avoids it. – Albert Einstein
"Life's a Beach... and then you Fly!" Fishbuck
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asdfghjkl
Newbie
Posts: 2
Registered: 1-3-2008
Member Is Offline
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Thanks everyone for all your advice and help. To answer your questions i only thought of Cabo as a destination because it is the end of the peninsula
- I'd love any suggestions on other ways I could construct the trip. My point is to see and experience Baja - I am not interested in partying or even
in socializing particularly. I mention the blonde part because, in my experience with dying my hair dark (on purpose to test this), blonde definitely
turns more heads and gets you followed more. This certainly isn't a comment specific to Mexico or anything.
I'd love to go but i'm still not sure I could handle it. At this point I feel like I would hesitate to leave my car and essentially drive slowly from
hotel to hotel. That's ok because I am confident I can see plenty that way still. My car is wonderfully reliable and in great shape and I'm a very
competent driver.
Again, your thoughts are very helpful and very welcome.
Thank you!
E
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bajaandy
Senior Nomad
Posts: 769
Registered: 2-7-2004
Location: North County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Adventurous
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Sounds like a great trip! I say go for it.
I agree with the others to make your first day's journey to somewhere south of Ensenada. I'd say shoot for the Baja Cactus motel in El Rosario. Do
some research on this board and you'll find that I'm not the only one to recommend it. You can make El Rosario easy in about six hours.
If you search some of the past posts, you can find lists of things that other Baja Nomads think are important to have along. The most important thing
to take with you is common sense. That, and a little bit of respect for the culture will get you further than having a command of the language. (But
it dosen't hurt to know a few phrases in Spanish as well.)
The advice to see if anyone else happens to be going when you do is excellent. Always safer to travel together, even if only for a day or two.
Enjoy your trip, and be sure to post a trip report when you get back. With lots of pictures!
subvert the dominant paradigm
"If you travel with a man, you must either fall out with him or make him your good friend."
JBL Noel
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