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newtobaja
Junior Nomad
Posts: 42
Registered: 11-3-2009
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First time baja Dec 2009 trip Qs
hi,
Planning my first baja trip in dec 2009. I have been reading this forum for a couple of weeks now and enjoying the trip reports. I have also read the
LP guide book to get a feel. I will be asking a bit on questions in the weeks to come but here are some to make sure I am in the right ball park
We are in SF Bay area. Planning 2 weeks trip in Dec, driving all the way down to Cabo. We have 3 kids under age of 10.
- roughly thinking of taking 3 -4 days to drive down to Cabo, 3-4 days to drive up and spending about 6-7 days in cabo/la paz area. Does that sound
reasonable? Kind of worried doing all that driving with the kids. I expect the 3-4 days driving to be around max 8 hours a day with potential stops
along the way.
- Worried about the petrol/gas situation. Is there any way I can know which gas stations are available along the way so I know where I can fill up? I
was specially looking at the ITMB Baja Map that has gas station marked. Is that reliable?
- Suggestion for guidebooks and maps? Moon book is most recent. LP, rough guide, Frommers are other choices.
- Would it be worth getting a cell phone in case of a problem? I have an extra cell phone. Thinking of getting a SIM while down there for emergency.
Any suggestion where/what SIm to get ?
- haven't booked hotels in Cabo/La Paz area yet. Going from Dec 18 - Jan 1 time frame. How far in advance need I book?
- any car suggestions? I've read the usual driving warnings for baja. Don't plan to be going off road in this trip. Will stick to the main road except
maybe to Cabo Pulmo. Is there a AAA equivalent in baja that I should get in case of emergency?
thanks
[Edited on 11-3-2009 by newtobaja]
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grmpb
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Posts: 103
Registered: 5-24-2009
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as far as gas in northern baja no problem. just make sure you fill up in el rosario. the next gas is in jesus maria about 225 miles south. if you mess
up there are always people selling gas out of barrels at catavina and the turn off to bay of l.a.. in southern baja haven't heard of any problems but
i haven't been south of loreto in years.
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Diver
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4729
Registered: 11-15-2004
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grmp is right.
As long as you remember to fill in El Rosario on the way south and Jesus Maria on the way north, you will be fine. Each town south of Loreto has
multiple stations; Cuidad Constitution, La Paz, Cabo ...
You problem will be driving with the kids - as you know -"kid's time".
There are not always convenient places to pull off the road when you need them, and pulling off alone in lonely places is not always advised, so plan
ahead. Bathrooms are often hard to find for long distances.
I'd consider planning the trip in kid days and maybe adding a day on the way up and back to play.
Here are a few options;
1. San Quintin
2. San Ignacio (SI bed and breakfast)
3. Loreto after spending a few hours on the Conception beaches
4. La Paz
1. Catavinia (Desert Inn)
2. Mulege (Playa Frambes or Serenidad)
(hang on the Conception beaches for the day then head to Loreto for dinner)
3. Loreto
4. La Paz
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Cyanide41
Nomad
Posts: 303
Registered: 1-7-2009
Location: Tijuana
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Welcome newtobaja. Your US cell phone should work in Baja. It conects to a Mexican carrier, and of course you get charged heavily, but if you are just
using it incase of emergency, then you probably won't use it at all. I don't even think they can charge you for making a 066 (911) call. Also, to
make a phone call from your cell phone on a Mexican network, you need to drop all the international codes unless you are calling back to the US.
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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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Get the new edition of the Baja Almanac.......you won't be sorry!!!
http://www.baja-almanac.com/
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norcalbajabetty
Newbie
Posts: 15
Registered: 11-2-2009
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I would plan at least 4 days drive time each way. We took our kids down to Mulege and took 3 solid days to get there. You do not want to be driving at
night, if you can avoid it.
Plan lots of activities for the kids to engage them in the car. Especially important is for them to have comfortable places to sleep in the car. This
was the hardest part for my kids, as "mean old mom" made them stay buckled. If their seats do not recline, definately invest in some travelers neck
pillows.
Can you stay longer? After that drive, you will not want to leave so quickly, trust me.
Good luck!
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Martyman
Super Nomad
Posts: 1904
Registered: 9-10-2004
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If you are into camping...I would do that at least part of the time. When you are out in baja nature, adventure will find you. Try and stretch your
trip to three weeks. Bring fishing poles for the kids.
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Casey67
Junior Nomad
Posts: 75
Registered: 4-4-2009
Location: Bahia Concepcion
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Mood: Baja Hot
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I would book your hotel in Cabo very soon. The place fills right up with Canadians, Americans, and Mexicans for the Christmas holiday and most room
prices in your time-frame are nearly double what they are for a Dec 1st - 15th stay.
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Bajahowodd
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9274
Registered: 12-15-2008
Location: Disneyland Adjacent and anywhere in Baja
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newtobaja- You didn't mention what type of vehicle you will be driving, and what sort of mileage it gets. I mention that because when we head South,
we haven't stopped for gas in El Rosario for several years. Granted, there is a long stretch without a Pemex station from El Rosario to Jesus Maria
which amounts to just slightly over 200 miles. However, San Quintin has many Pemex stations, the Southern-most of which by the Los Pinos facility is
new, modern and has excellent restroom facilities(think electronic activated fixtures). It is barely 20 miles from El Rosario. I mention this, in
particular because of the kids.
As for the lodging matter, you also did not mention the level of amentities you are seeking. Casey is correct about the area being very popular at
that time of year, so do not wait to book rooms.
I assume that you itinerary includes a day each way to and from the Bay area and the border. I assume that you will likely stay on the US side your
first night. If so, you could easily make it to Catavina the next day. Alot depends on your kid's tolerance for travel. It's a matter of weighing the
length of travel days versus days at your destination. We have "mixed it up". We've taken four overnights to get to Cabo from Orange County, staying
in San Quintin, Guerrero Negro, Loreto and La Paz. We have also made it back from Cabo to home with a single overnight in San Ignacio. Granted, that's
brutal. But you have many options.
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DianaT
Select Nomad
Posts: 10020
Registered: 12-17-2004
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Cyanide41
Welcome newtobaja. Your US cell phone should work in Baja. It conects to a Mexican carrier, and of course you get charged heavily, but if you are just
using it incase of emergency, then you probably won't use it at all. I don't even think they can charge you for making a 066 (911) call. Also, to
make a phone call from your cell phone on a Mexican network, you need to drop all the international codes unless you are calling back to the US.
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Does you US cell phone work everywhere on the main highway? If so, I would like to know which carrier that is because my Mexican TelCel phone does
not work everywhere.
newtobaja, if you break down, and I hope you don't, someone will stop to help. Have a great trip.
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vgabndo
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3461
Registered: 12-8-2003
Location: Mt. Shasta, CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: Checking-off my bucket list.
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I have ATT cell in the US for $5.00 a month when traveling I've added ATT Mexico. There is some roaming cost, but I had a signal anywhere a Mexican
had a signal. Another way to put that is that no one has much of a signal on the highway between towns. (My experience)
I pretty much love the Baja desert, and it can become mind-numbing and ordeal-like without enough time to drive it comfortably. Got a DVD player for
the kids? How about Spanish language DVDs for all to study as you drive?
How about enjoying La Paz as a destination with two extra days in the bank for safe travel. Its a nicer place, it should be less expensive, it should
be more relaxing than Cabo San Ludicrous. If you are intent on getting your Wabo serviced, there is only one Cabo, IMHO there are better places to
take kids.
This just occurred to me, and I wonder if others think this may be true. All my first trips were with the intention of spending the least amount of
time traveling. Get to San Nicolas and park. I still drive brutal hours. I'll bet that if "newtobaja"opts for the hardest driving their circumstances
allow that a year from now their biggest memory of their first trip to Baja will be the drive.
For years I called it "Adventure Travel with a White Line" it is good for me to keep that in mind.
Undoubtedly, there are people who cannot afford to give the anchor of sanity even the slightest tug. Sam Harris
"The situation is far too dire for pessimism."
Bill Kauth
Carl Sagan said, "We are a way for the cosmos to know itself."
PEACE, LOVE AND FISH TACOS
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newtobaja
Junior Nomad
Posts: 42
Registered: 11-3-2009
Member Is Offline
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Wow - 4 days to get to mulege. LP said drive from TJ to LP can be done in 2 days so I thought 3-4 days would be good for us with the kids. We will try
not to spend too much time in northern baja as we can always come back to it in the summer or later.
Between kid's schools 2 weeks is all we get. Again LP mentioned it should be enough. Looks like I may need to scale down the plan a little
thanks
| Quote: | Originally posted by norcalbajabetty
I would plan at least 4 days drive time each way. We took our kids down to Mulege and took 3 solid days to get there. You do not want to be driving at
night, if you can avoid it.
Plan lots of activities for the kids to engage them in the car. Especially important is for them to have comfortable places to sleep in the car. This
was the hardest part for my kids, as "mean old mom" made them stay buckled. If their seats do not recline, definately invest in some travelers neck
pillows.
Can you stay longer? After that drive, you will not want to leave so quickly, trust me.
Good luck! |
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newtobaja
Junior Nomad
Posts: 42
Registered: 11-3-2009
Member Is Offline
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I am into camping unfortunately wife isn't. Hopefully next trip would involve more off-the-main-trail areas.
I am hoping it would be cheaper to buy fishing poles in baja rather than here ?
thanks
| Quote: | Originally posted by Martyman
If you are into camping...I would do that at least part of the time. When you are out in baja nature, adventure will find you. Try and stretch your
trip to three weeks. Bring fishing poles for the kids. |
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newtobaja
Junior Nomad
Posts: 42
Registered: 11-3-2009
Member Is Offline
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thanks for the response. yes we are counting in our trip down to SD.
Plan to spend the first night at San Ysidro and then cross the border in the mornign and get done with the money/travel card formalities.
I am hoping to go as far as possible during the first day. Gettign to catavina would be good on the first day. We are driving a Odyssey minivan. Gives
around 20-22 mpg. I plan to fill up at every major town and not wait. Thanks for the tip on the restrooms in Los Pinos.
I also plan to carry a filled up gas canister just in case. Since its my first trip, I am probably being over-prepared.
I will try to book the rooms in the next 2 weeks. Didn't want to book for the trip down since I don't know how long I will drive so I was hoping to
stop at around 4pm at whatever major city and get a room.
thanks
| Quote: | Originally posted by Bajahowodd
newtobaja- You didn't mention what type of vehicle you will be driving, and what sort of mileage it gets. I mention that because when we head South,
we haven't stopped for gas in El Rosario for several years. Granted, there is a long stretch without a Pemex station from El Rosario to Jesus Maria
which amounts to just slightly over 200 miles. However, San Quintin has many Pemex stations, the Southern-most of which by the Los Pinos facility is
new, modern and has excellent restroom facilities(think electronic activated fixtures). It is barely 20 miles from El Rosario. I mention this, in
particular because of the kids.
As for the lodging matter, you also did not mention the level of amentities you are seeking. Casey is correct about the area being very popular at
that time of year, so do not wait to book rooms.
I assume that you itinerary includes a day each way to and from the Bay area and the border. I assume that you will likely stay on the US side your
first night. If so, you could easily make it to Catavina the next day. Alot depends on your kid's tolerance for travel. It's a matter of weighing the
length of travel days versus days at your destination. We have "mixed it up". We've taken four overnights to get to Cabo from Orange County, staying
in San Quintin, Guerrero Negro, Loreto and La Paz. We have also made it back from Cabo to home with a single overnight in San Ignacio. Granted, that's
brutal. But you have many options. |
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newtobaja
Junior Nomad
Posts: 42
Registered: 11-3-2009
Member Is Offline
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I guess I don't particular care about Cabo specifically. I was trying to take advantage of the weather which should be warmer the further south we go.
Also all the tourism focus seems to be also in the Cabo area.
I worry about the long drive part as well. I will look into focusing on La Paz. Is it possible to do a day trip to Cabo from LaPaz? Check out what the
fuss is all about.
thanks
| Quote: | Originally posted by vgabndo
I have ATT cell in the US for $5.00 a month when traveling I've added ATT Mexico. There is some roaming cost, but I had a signal anywhere a Mexican
had a signal. Another way to put that is that no one has much of a signal on the highway between towns. (My experience)
I pretty much love the Baja desert, and it can become mind-numbing and ordeal-like without enough time to drive it comfortably. Got a DVD player for
the kids? How about Spanish language DVDs for all to study as you drive?
How about enjoying La Paz as a destination with two extra days in the bank for safe travel. Its a nicer place, it should be less expensive, it should
be more relaxing than Cabo San Ludicrous. If you are intent on getting your Wabo serviced, there is only one Cabo, IMHO there are better places to
take kids.
This just occurred to me, and I wonder if others think this may be true. All my first trips were with the intention of spending the least amount of
time traveling. Get to San Nicolas and park. I still drive brutal hours. I'll bet that if "newtobaja"opts for the hardest driving their circumstances
allow that a year from now their biggest memory of their first trip to Baja will be the drive.
For years I called it "Adventure Travel with a White Line" it is good for me to keep that in mind. |
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mulegemichael
Super Nomad
Posts: 2310
Registered: 12-24-2007
Location: sequim,wa. and mulege
Member Is Offline
Mood: up on step
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DO NOT buy your fishing gear in baja...all fishing equipment is horribly inflated down here...buy your stuff at a walmart in the states; 8 ft. rod,
fairly skookum reel spooled with 15 lb line...spoons and rapalas for terminal gear...you'll have fun..
dyslexia is never having to say you\'re yrros.
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Heather
Nomad
Posts: 370
Registered: 10-31-2002
Location: National City, CA
Member Is Offline
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You can definitely get to Cabo in 3 days from San Diego. If you leave from San Diego early, we like to stay in San Ignacio at the Yurts (kids will
love them)! Then you can probably get to Ciudad Constitution or La Paz second night.
I would choose Cabo over La Paz, although I'm in the minority. More to do in Cabo. La Paz always seems kind of boring to me. It could be because my
in-laws are there so we spend a lot of time at their house. Both cities have a "malecon" where you can take the kids walking around. Cabo has more
boats and tours to do, and of course the arch is a must see. I think the water might be a little cool for swimming, although, if your kids are like
mine, they'll be in it!
Balandra is a nice beach for the little ones in La Paz. My kids call it, "the beach with no waves". We like Playa Chileno in Cabo, although there
are waves there.
The drive from La Paz to Cabo is about 2 hours, so you could actually stay a couple of nights in both places.
What is your budget hotel-wise? Cabo will be more expensive, but you may get some good internet deals. There are a couple of hotels in town, too, so
what are you looking for? Hope all goes well, we should be down in the area for New Years...my kids are 6 and 9. If you want to do a real Mexican NY
eve party, let me know!
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Bajahowodd
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9274
Registered: 12-15-2008
Location: Disneyland Adjacent and anywhere in Baja
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newto- Just my own thoughts on this, but if I had never been to Cabo, and made the effort to go as far as La Paz, I would certainly at least take a
day trip to see what the hoopla is about. You can get there from La Paz in less than 2 hours. However, the preferred way is through Todos Santos and
it's also worth browsing around there for a bit. Thing about Cabo- nothing like it was 25 years ago. way built up. But, as you are bringing kids,
there are a number of touristy activities the kids might like. Biggest one, although pricey(hotels often have discount coupons) is the Dolphinarium
where you swim in the tank with them. Also, a glass bottom boat ride out to the arch and back can be fun. Personally, I've kayaked to and through the
arch several times. I think if it was me, I would seriously look into spending a couple of days in Cabo, if only for the fact that you will have
already traveled so far.
I love la Paz. However, since Todos Santos and Cabo are so much different, I think it's worth the effort.
And if you are willing to stay at a place away from the beach, there are several decent hotels for less than $100 per night Christmas week.
[Edited on 11-4-2009 by Bajahowodd]
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newtobaja
Junior Nomad
Posts: 42
Registered: 11-3-2009
Member Is Offline
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Thanks Bajahowodd & Heather.
I think I will make at least a 2 day trip down to Cabo. Thanks for the kid friendly acivitities/hotels suggestions. That is real helpful. Keep it
coming.
My worry is that the kids will only remember the drive and not the fun. I do want to go back a second time 
Budget wise - cheaper the better though my wife has stds. My wife is just not
into camping. I am going to see if I can persuade her for at least one night beach camping to get the Baja experience. In the US we stay in hotels
that range from $70-$100. Your Residence Inn types. Not sure what the cost will be in Baja. I do realise that cabo would be expensive but I think we
will only stay in that area for ~2 nights so it shouldn't be too bad. Quirky inns/hotels are fun as long as they are clean. I haven't gone thru the
hotel list yet but your suggestions would be helpful esp those that the kids will like. Also looking for vacation rentals in the LP area. It would be
great to stay with a mexican family for a couple of days to get more of a local experience.
thanks
| Quote: | Originally posted by Bajahowodd
newto- Just my own thoughts on this, but if I had never been to Cabo, and made the effort to go as far as La Paz, I would certainly at least take a
day trip to see what the hoopla is about. You can get there from La Paz in less than 2 hours. However, the preferred way is through Todos Santos and
it's also worth browsing around there for a bit. Thing about Cabo- nothing like it was 25 years ago. way built up. But, as you are bringing kids,
there are a number of touristy activities the kids might like. Biggest one, although pricey(hotels often have discount coupons) is the Dolphinarium
where you swim in the tank with them. Also, a glass bottom boat ride out to the arch and back can be fun. Personally, I've kayaked to and through the
arch several times. I think if it was me, I would seriously look into spending a couple of days in Cabo, if only for the fact that you will have
already traveled so far.
I love la Paz. However, since Todos Santos and Cabo are so much different, I think it's worth the effort.
And if you are willing to stay at a place away from the beach, there are several decent hotels for less than $100 per night Christmas week.
[Edited on 11-4-2009 by Bajahowodd] |
[Edited on 11-5-2009 by newtobaja]
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newtobaja
Junior Nomad
Posts: 42
Registered: 11-3-2009
Member Is Offline
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Got it. I guess we should buy the snorkeling masks etc here at Costco/Walmart as well before heading south then?
| Quote: | Originally posted by mulegemichael
DO NOT buy your fishing gear in baja...all fishing equipment is horribly inflated down here...buy your stuff at a walmart in the states; 8 ft. rod,
fairly skookum reel spooled with 15 lb line...spoons and rapalas for terminal gear...you'll have fun.. |
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