hinspate
Newbie
Posts: 2
Registered: 11-9-2008
Location: Denver
Member Is Offline
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1st Time Post/Drive
Greetings Everyone,
I recently joined Baja Nomad, and this is my first post. I have been perusing your forum for the last few years and have really enjoyed it. Your
trip reports are very interesting and entertaining. I have also learned a lot. So thank you for this site. I think it is great!
My family and I have flown to Cabo San Lucas four years in a row to go to my father's timeshare. Since we used to live in So. Cal. I always debated
making the drive, but it never seemed cost effective. Now that we have moved another 1000 miles away, I think it may just work out, only because we
plan to visit family and friends in So. Cal. anyway.
Since this will be our first time driving down, I am trying to become as informed as I can. My primary concern is for our safety. My wife is Mexican
and she watches Spanish news all the time. She is always telling me about the latest killings. I know that most of what is going on is related to
drugs, but I still worry about the crossfire and falling prey to the typical banditos. We have driven as far as Ensenada in the past without incident
and we have visited my in-laws in TJ many times. Still, I would very much like to hear from some baja-driving veterans about staying safe on the
trip. Do any of you ever caravan?
I better cut off this post here. I apologize for it being kind of long. Thank you for taking a look at it and thanks again for a great site.
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Russ
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6742
Registered: 7-4-2004
Location: Punta Chivato
Member Is Offline
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hinspate, Welcome on board! To my way of thinking you have done the dangerous part already. if you drive during day light hours you'll enjoy your
drive South. Get out the map and get an idea about where you'd like to go, pick a few destinations and use the search feature at the top of the page
to get some idea of where you be going. Or just ask. Being with some one that is part of the culture will really be fun. Stop and eat or snack at some
of the smaller pueblos along your journey and talk with some locals. If I could speak Spanish well enough to just rattle on, the traveling would be as
big a thrill as the destination. Have a lot of fun!
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woody with a view
PITA Nomad
Posts: 15939
Registered: 11-8-2004
Location: Looking at the Coronado Islands
Member Is Offline
Mood: Everchangin'
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rule #1 don't be scared to get out, be adventurous and enjoy life.
rule #2 read rule #1...
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fernando
Junior Nomad
Posts: 69
Registered: 11-16-2008
Member Is Offline
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Hi Im local from Ensenada and I think the danger part is Tijuana. When I travel to San Diego I cross TJ without stopping. There have been robery
reports in the highway from TJ-ENS from people that stop at night so I recomend driving in daylight and dont stop in desolate places. Appart from that
I think Baja is safe for travelers and people are generally friendly and willing to help if you are in trouble.
Fernando
Baja Outfitters & Adventures
www.baja-outfitters.com
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64836
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Welcome to Nomad!
Since you said you read the trip reports forum, no need for me to tell you to go there and read how we do traveling south... We were down below San
Felipe just a week ago and had a great experience!
If Tijuana to Ensenada didn't phase you... the rest is a piece of cake... Only the rare, recent tragedy at an El Rosario taco stand clouds the safe
Baja that is more typical south of Ensenada!
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hinspate
Newbie
Posts: 2
Registered: 11-9-2008
Location: Denver
Member Is Offline
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Thank you all for your welcome and for your reassuring replies. I did read the unfortunate story about the El Rosario shooting. I also remember
reading a while back about run-ins on the tollroad south of TJ. I suppose like anywhere else, you hear more about the few incidents than the many
safe travels.
While I anticipate enjoying the drive down, along with the small pueblos along the way, our goal is to reach CSL to spend some time with my parents.
I have read in the past that the drive typically takes three days. Can it be done in two? Either way, would any of you have any recommendations on
good waypoints and (inexpensive) accommodations?
It might work out that my wife will not accompany us on this trip. In that case, it would be my 7-year old son and me. My Spanish is good enough for
us to get by, but I would feel more at ease with her along. In any case, it should be a lot of fun.
Please let me know if I should not be posting these questions here. Perhaps there is an area of the site I should be reading instead?
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mtgoat666
Select Nomad
Posts: 18366
Registered: 9-16-2006
Location: San Diego
Member Is Offline
Mood: Hot n spicy
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| Quote: | Originally posted by hinspate
I have read in the past that the drive typically takes three days. Can it be done in two? |
You can do it in 2 days, but you will need to be risky and drive at night and take speed.
Doing it in 3 days without a second driver sounds exhausting -- I would choose to fly. 12 hours per day driving narrow single lane road. No thanks.
stop and smell the roses
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DianaT
Select Nomad
Posts: 10020
Registered: 12-17-2004
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by hinspate
Thank you all for your welcome and for your reassuring replies. I did read the unfortunate story about the El Rosario shooting. I also remember
reading a while back about run-ins on the tollroad south of TJ. I suppose like anywhere else, you hear more about the few incidents than the many
safe travels.
While I anticipate enjoying the drive down, along with the small pueblos along the way, our goal is to reach CSL to spend some time with my parents.
I have read in the past that the drive typically takes three days. Can it be done in two? Either way, would any of you have any recommendations on
good waypoints and (inexpensive) accommodations?
It might work out that my wife will not accompany us on this trip. In that case, it would be my 7-year old son and me. My Spanish is good enough for
us to get by, but I would feel more at ease with her along. In any case, it should be a lot of fun.
Please let me know if I should not be posting these questions here. Perhaps there is an area of the site I should be reading instead?
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Ask away---no problem, IMHO, and welome.
We drive back and forth to Bahia Asunicion about every 6 weeks. We do it in two days, not one.
We do not cross the border until after the sun is up.
If it is late and it is winter, we stop in Catavina---if not, we only go as far as Guerrero Negro.
You will do fine, but don't push it and do not drive at night.
Fear? Well the road at times scares the poop out of me.
Just have fun
Diane
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Sallysouth
Super Nomad
Posts: 1835
Registered: 10-9-2003
Location: Capo Beach
Member Is Offline
Mood: missing Baja...
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I would go with mtgoat666's suggestion and fly.Sounds like you you have a time limit, so give you two an extra coupla days.Also, you don't need to be
concerned about the safety issue on the roads.JMHO.Probably cost the same,depending on your mode of transportation.
Happiness is just a Baja memory away...
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Alan
Super Nomad
Posts: 1626
Registered: 4-6-2005
Location: Yucaipa, CA/La Paz
Member Is Offline
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I've been driving in Baja for let's just say decades  As stated previously, you
have already driven the worst section. Recently I have taken to calling that section the gauntlet but only because of the reports of crime against
tourists in that section in the middle of the night. Never from any personal experience. Of course there haven't been any FRESH reports involving
tourists on this section for two years now (2006 Baja 1000). My personal experience has been completely contradictory to the reports. The axle on
my boat trailer came off on the toll road about midnight and I drug my rig off the next offramp. An off-duty Rosarito police officer who was
moonlighting as a guard at the dairy spent four hours helping me re-attach the axle then lead me to a tire shop when he got off duty in the morning.
He was a life-saver, running to get an additional jack so I could jack up the trailer and then the axle. He worked just as hard as I did to fix it
without ever putting down his mini-14 He only asked that I pay for his gas
since the tire shop was in the opposite direction from his home. Never did figure out why a dairy required an armed guard 
Even prior to those reports that section has always made me uneasy. I think it is just the bordertown connotation. I never really relax until I get
below Ensenada.
If you haven't done it, make the drive. It is well worth it. I drove to La Paz 3 times last year. I usually do it in 2 days. Guerrero Negro the
first day then into La Paz the next. For CSL I would suggest 3 days. First night El Rosario (Baja Cactus) and the second night, Loreto. Just drive
during daylight. If you cross the border at sunrise you will beat all the traffic through TJ and Ensenada, then just kick back and enjoy the drive.
The rule about driving during daylight hours is not bandidos. It is the real road hazards - cattle and disabled vehicles in the roadway (no
shoulders). If you should have car troubles I have always found people to be extremely helpful to get you back on the road.
In Memory of E-57
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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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welcome amigo and family...we live in baja sur and drive up and down the peninsula...always using caution and within the speed limit...be aware of
things but enjoy your trip...thank you for joining our community here in nomadlandia and telling us a bit about yourself...we look forward to your
posts.
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2-tie-dye-4
Nomad
Posts: 145
Registered: 9-25-2008
Location: Jerome, AZ population, strange
Member Is Offline
Mood: jonesin' for Baja
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Welcome aboard amigo! Ditto to the above, don't drive at night...narrow unlit roads and livestock. That has scared us beyond the point of even
thinking about banditos. If you don't plan well, you will find yourself driving at night. We have never had a bad experience with anyone we've met
in Baja and one of our favorite things to do is stop at little taco stands and such along the way. We've even had fun getting our tires fixed and
gasoline out of a barrel. I would also avoid TJ, especially if your wife is not along, but if someone was to fall victim to a random act of violence,
I don't think it matters who's in the car. You might try crossing at Tecate. It's not to far from TJ. And, by all means, if you are going all the
way down Baja, stop in Bahia Asuncion and meet many of the Nomads. Shari will hook you up.
We\'re all here cuz we\'re not all there, mountain stranded time
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Jack Swords
Super Nomad
Posts: 1095
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: Nipomo, CA/La Paz, BCS
Member Is Offline
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Alan and "tie-die", thanks for the positive reasoned posts. Welcome "hinspate". CSL is doable in 2 days from San Diego in the summer with the longer
days. Unfortunately, you will run out of daylight this time of year. You might be in a place with no accomodations and then need to drive at night.
We will be crossing TJ at dawn next week and will make Guerrero Negro just at dusk. Leaving at dawn from GN, we get to Juncalito (Loreto) mid day or
can make La Paz by dark. No way we could get to CSL in 2 days without driving at night. Road hazards are just not visible at night. Drive carefully
or fly and have a good trip.
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BajaGringo
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3922
Registered: 8-24-2006
Location: La Chorera
Member Is Offline
Mood: Let's have a BBQ!
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I think what happens with a lot of first timers is that they underestimate the narrow highways; especially when they see new pavement and road paint.
Driving all day long on these narrow highways dealing with RV's, double trailers, slow locals, animals, tight (sometimes unmarked) turns and
unexpected topes can ruin what could have been a wonderful trip to save an hour or two.
Allow an extra day, enjoy the ride, scenery and plan your stops...
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