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skaboodle
Newbie
Posts: 6
Registered: 2-21-2011
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Safety in travelling to San Felipe?
Hi
Yes, I have gotten caught up in all the scary Mexico travel warnings/news. We live in L.A. and hubby wants to take a road trip to San Felipe this
April. I'd love to go and believe it's safe once you get there. It is getting there/getting home that is scaring me.
Has anyone driven there recently? Can I hear from some of you that can put my mind at ease? I am so petrified right now of getting
stopped/robbed/ambushed by not so nice people along the drive (yes the news has put all kinds of ideas into my head). But, I am trying so hard to
learn the truth about the problems in Mexico travel so I can go and feel safe.
I'm sure hubby would appreciate any info you can give me so we can go on this trip. Thanks!!!
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woody with a view
PITA Nomad
Posts: 15940
Registered: 11-8-2004
Location: Looking at the Coronado Islands
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Mood: Everchangin'
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i'd be scared if i lived in LA also!
if i told you "don't worry about it" you wouldn't believe me, just like you don't believe your hubby. isn't it funny how you value the opinions of
complete strangers but not the man you married?
just go.
edit: oh, and welcome to the jungle.
p.s. i'm going for 11 days in march. on top of the 11 days i've already been this year.
[Edited on 2-21-2011 by woody with a view]
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skaboodle
Newbie
Posts: 6
Registered: 2-21-2011
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Ha, I am here to hear from people who have RECENTLY driven there.
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woody with a view
PITA Nomad
Posts: 15940
Registered: 11-8-2004
Location: Looking at the Coronado Islands
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Mood: Everchangin'
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by this year i mean 2011.
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bajalou
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4459
Registered: 3-11-2004
Location: South of the broder
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I live there and came down a couple weeks ago. In 16 years I have never had a problem coming from Calexico/Mexicali or Algodones to San Felipe. Some
roadwork slows you down sometimes and there is a military inspection about 35 miles N of San Felipe. Friends went up and back last week, again no
problems.
No Bad Days
\"Never argue with an idiot. People watching may not be able to tell the difference\"
\"The trouble with doing nothing is - how do I know when I\'m done?\"
Nomad Baja Interactive map
And in the San Felipe area - check out Valle Chico area |
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skaboodle
Newbie
Posts: 6
Registered: 2-21-2011
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Thanks for that bajalou! BTW...hubby is an experienced baja traveler, but I am still nervous. Although your post from a very recent trip really
helped.
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The Wonderer
Junior Nomad
Posts: 69
Registered: 10-30-2003
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Relax. I did the trip south 12 days ago and returned to LA last Tuesday. No problems. Go and have a blast.
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mcfez
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8678
Registered: 12-2-2009
Location: aka BN yankeeirishman
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Having a vacation home in Campos Ocotillo, San Felipe......which is 7 miles north of town.....and I know many folks there too....we all have no
issues.
San Felipe offers no negatives to you. It's a safe place to be. The "natives" there are super friendly.....in fact a whole lot more friendlier than
what you'll find in California. There are many Americans, Germans and Aussies living there. Everywhere you go...you will see one. You are not in some
desolated town and being the only gringo :-)
The cops are helpful, and pleasant....as long as you are too.
Merchants will go out of their way to assist you. Night time is fine on the Malecon unless it's a holiday. The younger kids (Mexican and American)
tend to over do it a little. I wont let my kids downtown at night...regardless. Just like at home here in Sacramento....same rules apply.
Driving there....I drive at night behind a truck or two. This clears any cows off the road!!! I recommend that you drive during day light if you are
not a experienced Baja driver. There is a Military inspection station some 30 miles north of San Felipe that you will be going through. These folks
are here looking for guns, drugs, bad guys ....whatever is bad stuff. They all are holding these BIG ASSAULT WEAPONS.....dont let that scare you. They
so the same at any European airport too! The personnel are very friendly and will ask you if you speak Spanish...ask you to vacate your car. THIS IS A
NORMAL PROCEDURE. Takes a few minutes and off you go.
In this forum...you'll see a "road conditions" topic. Go there to get the latest news on the road. I know there is construction over in Rio Hardy
http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=50951
If you get caught up with a speeding ticket....BY LAW....the officer will have you follow him to the police station to pay the fine. This is a no big
deal...can be scary to new comers. Dont be.
Insurance....you get in a wreck...same thing...you all go to the police station. It gets taken care of on the spot. Dont have insurance....then you
should be scared !
before you head home....
http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/wait_times/
Some of the best places in San Felipe area is south of the town. 30 miles out and its white sandy beaches......many lazy campos along the new
highway...a cactus park....one can spend days exploring.....safely.
Here's our friends Jon and Tina a few years ago. They were paranoid of the crime stories......
Old people are like the old cars, made of some tough stuff. May show a little rust, but good as gold on the inside.
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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Just don't drive at night. Potholes are today's problem.
Oh yeah....since you live in LA, don't forget to take your pistol out of the glove box.
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skaboodle
Newbie
Posts: 6
Registered: 2-21-2011
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mcfez-I so appreciate your detailed post.
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MrBillM
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 21656
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Out and About
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Mood: It's a Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah Day
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DITTOS
On Driving at Night. Sometimes the potholes are unavoidable during the daylight. Not to mention whatever falls off Mexican Trucks onto the Roadway.
Last month, driving a truck with less than 2k miles, I came around a bend and found an old 4x4 post blocking the lane, a car on my tail and oncoming
traffic.
AND, Dittos on the Handgun. Easy to forget. Although I had given up Intentionally bringing one south years before, TWICE I forgot one
aboard. Fortunately, with no consequences.
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JoeJustJoe
Banned
Posts: 21045
Registered: 9-9-2010
Location: Occupied Aztlan
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Mood: Mad as hell
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| Quote: | Originally posted by skaboodle
Hi
Yes, I have gotten caught up in all the scary Mexico travel warnings/news. We live in L.A. and hubby wants to take a road trip to San Felipe this
April. I'd love to go and believe it's safe once you get there. It is getting there/getting home that is scaring me.
Has anyone driven there recently? Can I hear from some of you that can put my mind at ease? I am so petrified right now of getting
stopped/robbed/ambushed by not so nice people along the drive (yes the news has put all kinds of ideas into my head). But, I am trying so hard to
learn the truth about the problems in Mexico travel so I can go and feel safe.
I'm sure hubby would appreciate any info you can give me so we can go on this trip. Thanks!!! |
You don't have to be scared thousands of Americans are still traveling to Mexico to vacation and this year tourism to Mexico is up as Americans are
finding great bargains in Mexico.
Only certain areas of Mexico are said to be dangerous, and that would include some border areas like Tijuana but if you ask me Tijuana isn't dangerous
at all, unless your Mexican and involved in illegal activity like selling drugs
I don't think to much is happening in San Felipe regarding must of anything including drug cartel activity. It's pretty quiet there, although I
haven't been there in a few years.
My only advice is regarding San Felipe is never go camping there in one of those Mexican camp site,s because the locals that camp there don't get the
spiritual aspects of camping and taking in nature with all that loud music blaring and people bringing their whole kitchen sink to the camp site. The
second warning is if you like to go fast 80 to 100 MPH watch for slow moving vehicles in front of you.
If you read the sensationalized news stories, or worst the "alarmist" blogs they will combine anything negative that happens in Mexico and make it
seem like all of Mexico is a war zone when it really isn't. Nobody in Mexico is cowering under the blankets or peaking out their windows out of fear
of the drug cartels. Life goes on.
The only ones cowering under their blankets are people that read about Mexico's drug cartel's violence in places like "San Diego Tribune" and never
even visit Mexico or haven't been there in years.
Oh one more thing there has been many deaths in Mexico, but most of those deaths are related to drug activity and turf wars between the drug cartels.
Rarely do Americans tourists get killed who are visiting Mexico on vacation. Traffic accidents and getting ran over in the streets is how most
Americans die in Mexico. So look both ways before you cross the street.
Here is part of the travel advisory put out by the US State department:
________________________
Millions of U.S. citizens safely visit Mexico each year. This includes tens of thousands who cross the border every day for study, tourism or
business and at least one million U.S. citizens who live in Mexico. The Mexican government makes a considerable effort to protect U.S. citizens and
other visitors to major tourist destinations. Resort areas and tourist destinations in Mexico do not see the levels of drug-related violence and
crime reported in the border region and in areas along major drug trafficking routes. Nevertheless, crime and violence are serious problems. While
most victims of violence are Mexican citizens associated with criminal activity, the security situation poses serious risks for U.S. citizens as well.
[Edited on 2-21-2011 by JoeJustJoe]
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MrBillM
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 21656
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Out and About
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Mood: It's a Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah Day
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Tourist Traveling
Just stay out of Taxis.
After this weekend (in Acapulco), it appears to be a more dangerous form of transportation than it used to be.
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krafty
Super Nomad
Posts: 1052
Registered: 8-23-2010
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hola -we live ft in n.baja and go over the border at least once a week thru San Ysidro and never have any problemas.
May want to consider your dates as there is a Blues fiesta in SF the 26th of March which could be fun for you!
We never travel after dark-
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mcfez
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8678
Registered: 12-2-2009
Location: aka BN yankeeirishman
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Nutz invaders from Off Topics are here
.......one of those Mexican camp site,s because the locals that camp there don't get the spiritual aspects of camping and taking in nature with all
that loud music blaring and people bringing their whole kitchen sink to the camp site".
Just what sort of campsites you hang out at JoeJustJoe? Hobo Camps? This isnt the Off Topics forums where your slew of cesswords against nativities
of Baja is an issue.
....."the locals that camp there". WOW! So the locals from San Felipe are campers that has blaring ghetto blasters and are dancing around the bonfire
under the star night, like jungle warriors? Perhaps they all drag their kitchen's sink .... the refrigerator......the electric stove..... to process
thier freshly havested Peyotes plant and to make war paint for their faces! Hell...lets just ad to the fact that these folks are really week end
Cannibals celebrating their ancestors from Tiburon Island!
Let's sing their bonfire song, all together now.....
Oh yum yum yum
Oh yum yum yummy
Oh yum Tommy
Oh Tommy yum yum
Well yeah...I see these Motor Homes pull up with their kitchen sinks too. I see these state side Spring breakers with their rap blasting too. I seen
week end campers from San Diego loaded down with a boat, 4 wheel drive Rams, laptops, beach furniture and ...oh yes...the red hot chilly pepper lights
that they hang outside of their pop ten trailers!
But most I have seen...99% of the time...Mexican families camping just like the rest of us....peacefully and creating joyfulness of a time with
members of their family.
Stop portraying the Mexican in a negative fashion. Now go away...I took the liberty of calling you a cab. He's waiting outside for you 
[Edited on 2-22-2011 by mcfez]
Old people are like the old cars, made of some tough stuff. May show a little rust, but good as gold on the inside.
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Bajahowodd
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9274
Registered: 12-15-2008
Location: Disneyland Adjacent and anywhere in Baja
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What's Worrisome
| Quote: | Originally posted by MrBillM
Just stay out of Taxis.
After this weekend (in Acapulco), it appears to be a more dangerous form of transportation than it used to be. |
With the Mexico Open Tennis Tournament about to start, this activity would appear to be among the boldest moves yet made by the cartel folks to
disrupt the tourist economy. It sets an ugly and forboding precedent.
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jadams
Junior Nomad
Posts: 63
Registered: 10-5-2010
Location: Campo Delicias / Ramona
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Mood: wish I was at the campo
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San Felipe is a great place to go and it is safe. My daughter turned 0ne year old there and is now in her 20.s do not drive at night if you do not
have too, and the south campos are clean and the beach great.
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monoloco
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6667
Registered: 7-13-2009
Location: Pescadero BCS
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Just make sure you drive a fully armored vehicle and travel in a convoy.
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skaboodle
Newbie
Posts: 6
Registered: 2-21-2011
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monoloco....I am assuming (hoping) you are joking. I am hearing so many wonderful things and am feeling safe about traveling from people who are
making the trip currently.
I want to thank everyone for their input. It has helped so much! And I do feel better. I am so glad I found this site.
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burnrope
Nomad
Posts: 214
Registered: 10-24-2006
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Harbor Freight sells a nifty machine gun turret that mounts on the top of your rig.
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