galumphix
Newbie
Posts: 10
Registered: 11-16-2009
Location: Boise, Idaho
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Camping with a 2WD rental car
Hi all -
Two of us will be flying into SJD in mid-December and will be poking around southern Baja for two weeks in celebration of my big 40th birthday.
We'll be renting a car (company suggestions welcome) for most or all of that week. Are there places to camp that are easily accessible with 2 WD (we
can't afford 4 WD)? We're backpackers and car/raft campers, so primitive camping is fine with us.
Suggested itineraries are welcome, too! We'd like to sea kayak and do some whale watching. We've traveled mainland Mexico extensively but never
Baja.
Thanks!
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David K
Honored Nomad
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Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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The biggest advantage of 4WD in that part of Baja for you might be deep sand... So, in 2WD the equilizer to 4WD in sand is to lower the air pressure
in your tires... down until they buldge or around 10 psi... and you can cross sand. Have a cig. lighter plug in air pump to re-inflate when you get
off the sand.
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fender
Banned
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Registered: 11-12-2009
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| Quote: | Originally posted by galumphix
Are there places to camp that are easily accessible with 2 WD (we can't afford 4 WD)?
Thanks! |
FYI you can access & get out anywhere with 2WD!
The trick is being able to re-inflate your tires having deflated 'em (often times SUBSTANTIALLY) allowing for your escape. Period. (NOTE: the other
trick is to never 'floor it' during your escape.)
It's incredible how few people (including residents AND fulltime ex-pats) are aware of this.
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oldjack
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BEFORE YOU LEAVE THE RENTAL OFFICE!!!!
I have rented from Budget Car Rentals numerous times and was told that the insurance is invalid if you are driving off the improved roads(meaning the
dirt roads are a no no)... check with your rental company and understand the limitations... rental cars are very expensive to repair!!!!!
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David K
Honored Nomad
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Location: San Diego County
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Isn't the standard answer: "It looked like a road"?
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Skipjack Joe
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Location: Bahia Asuncion
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1. Juncalito or Tripui (paddle Pt. Escondido and Danzante).
2. Daggetts at BOLA (paddle to islands).
3. San Luca Cove RV park (paddle the cove/lagoon).
4. Laguna Manuela (paddle the lagoon).
5. San Roque next to the 'cemetery' (paddle the kelp beds).
6. El Requeson (paddle Concepcion Bay).
The choices are endless. It will be windy in December so I would imagine you don't want to go too far. Escondido is nice in that respect. The cliffs
protect you nicely providing glass calm conditions even when the wind is raging. You normally get one calm day for 2 windy days. But it's a crapshoot
- you could get 2 calm weeks or 2 windy weeks.
7. Oh, another one. There's a private campground at Cabo Pulmo (kayak over the Pulmo reef and look at the beautiful fishies).
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ligui
Senior Nomad
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Location: Fraser co.
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Check out ligui beach south of loreto 25 kms , store close by ice ,beer , fish boats every day from the locals , other campers , local school to
check out , i've never had a problem finding a nice private spot to camp here . Want some fresh fish or clams ,only need to ask . Great hiking up the
mountains 1/2 mile from beach camp site . 
Bueno amigio's
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65409
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Skipjack Joe has a great list of places!
Here is El Requeson as seen from Hwy. 1:
Ligui:
Here is Playa Ligui, 4 months ago:
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Bajahowodd
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Alot will have to do with how much you want to drive. There have been recommendations for places up by Loreto and Bahia Concepcion. I note the
recommendation of Cabo Pulmo. You can do the drive from SJD all the way up in 2wd.
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Taco de Baja
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It might be cold this time of year but the Parque National San Pedro Martir is a great place to car camp in a 2x4. Easy access throughout most of the
park on paved and well maintained dirt roads. Plenty of options for day hiking too.
It's not in Southern Baja, but you really should take a side trip either coming or going.
http://www.bajaquest.com/sidetrips/sidetrip06.htm
Truth generally lies in the coordination of antagonistic opinions
-Herbert Spencer
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mulegemichael
Super Nomad
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just out of santiago is aqua caliente with a spot to camp adjacent...a nice hot springs and a nice primitive campground..you can use the campground or
camp on a sand spit right on the river next to the hotsprings....this is a GREAT place to go when it's windy down on the water..and it's beautiful!
dyslexia is never having to say you\'re yrros.
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Martyman
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Punta El Mechudo north of La Paz is very nice and desolate. Hooked a dorado from shore there. We went in a rental car.
Use toothpaste to take out any scratches before you return the car.
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wilderone
Ultra Nomad
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There are some nice RV parks in Loreto - don't have to worry about deep sand to drive through. From there you can drive to the mission in the hills.
I've camped off the side of the road en route. One the coldest nights of my life however - moved inside the car and still couldn't wait for the sun
to shine en la manana. Likely same temps for you in December. Be prepared.
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comitan
Ultra Nomad
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We went to agua caliente last friday 20 pesos a person, 100 pesos overnight camping. There was nobody there, there were no pools. Just the Tub on
the side of the hill.
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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vandy
Senior Nomad
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Registered: 10-10-2003
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As Mulege michael said, stop by Santiago if it's windy on the beach.
Go to the zoo, then straight 7 miles dirt road to the dam. Camping with park fee.
The hot spring is just above the dam.
I may show you the really nice spots if you come into the last iron gate driveway on the right before El Chorro.
Or ask for Juanito
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mulegemichael
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Location: sequim,wa. and mulege
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the pool probably was washed out with jimena...the hot springs are just on the other side of the dam against the cliff...i once spent two days packing
one man rocks from upstream to build the pool..when it's there, it's very cool..uh, very hot!...then, with a short hike upstream is a beautiful falls
and a gorgeous plunge pool...we've seen bullfrogs fighting up there the size of a catchers mitt...worth the hike, for sure
dyslexia is never having to say you\'re yrros.
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galumphix
Newbie
Posts: 10
Registered: 11-16-2009
Location: Boise, Idaho
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Thanks, everyone. Looks like we'll grab a car (and an air compressor!) and see you all on the beach.
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galumphix
Newbie
Posts: 10
Registered: 11-16-2009
Location: Boise, Idaho
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Oh hey, what's the best place to rent a car in La Paz? We're considering busing it there from Cabo, then renting from there.
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