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BajaBlanca
Select Nomad
Posts: 13242
Registered: 10-28-2008
Location: La Bocana, BCS
Member Is Offline
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I say see how you are faring when you get to G Negro (Malarrimo has an excellent restaurant and I hear there is now free wi-fi)
IF it is light outside still AND you are good to go - do the extra miles til San Ignacio and stay with Juanita at CASA LEREE. She is peaceful and
inexpensive and there is a free museum/craft shop with Baja books for sale.
http://www.casaleree.com
Good luck on your move and welcome to BajaNomads, Keith from Canada !!
Remember to get your FMM right at the border in TJ. Takes maybe 10 min.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65410
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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| Quote: | Originally posted by BajaBlanca
I say see how you are faring when you get to G Negro (Malarrimo has an excellent restaurant and I hear there is now free wi-fi)
IF it is light outside still AND you are good to go - do the extra miles til San Ignacio and stay with Juanita at CASA LEREE. She is peaceful and
inexpensive and there is a free museum/craft shop with Baja books for sale.
http://www.casaleree.com
Good luck on your move and welcome to BajaNomads, Keith from Canada !!
Remember to get your FMM right at the border in TJ. Takes maybe 10 min. |
Nice idea... right off the town plaza by the mission!
I read this in his post: "... permanent retirement to my new home in La Paz"
So, he must already be an immigrant to Mexico with an FM-3 or FM-2 type visa? FMM is a tourist card, and tourist are only in Mexico on vacation, then
go back home (Canada or U.S.) leaving nothing of theirs behind in Mexico.
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chrisx
Banned
Posts: 173
Registered: 12-17-2009
Member Is Offline
Mood: baj nomad is broken
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did you consider renting a trailer and towing the vet down?
Baja roads are not made for low clearance vehicles
All parts will come in the mail, which takes time
HEY GRINGO HIT THE BRAKES
SCAN THE ROAD AHEAD AT ALL TIMES
HIT THE BRAKES AND SLOW WAY DOWN
WAIT, PASS WHEN SAFE
HEY GRINGO HIT THE BRAKES!
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Cypress
Elite Nomad
Posts: 7641
Registered: 3-12-2006
Location: on the bayou
Member Is Offline
Mood: undecided
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bennme, Welcome aboard! Topes. Beware! But they're only in "towns". On the open road vados will send you airborn if you're making good time. Potholes?
Cattle? Bicycles? Keep your eyes open. Good luck.
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Barbarosa
Nomad
Posts: 188
Registered: 1-12-2011
Location: Jackson, CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: "On th' road again..."
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| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
The long stretch is between El Rosario and Villa Jesus Maria or Guerrero Negro (if Maria is closed).
El Rosario is 225 miles/ 5 hours from the border... TOP the tank here. The Pemex station is owned by a Baja Nomad and has honest pumps...
Villa Jesus Maria is 209 miles from El Rosario... However, there are 2 or more 'independent' gas dealers between those towns, selling out of cans at
about a dollar over Pemex pricing. If your range is 250 miles or more per tank, then you are fine... Just never pass up a chance to top off when you
are down a half a tank or more. Sometimes stations run out or will be closed.
The country is beautiful. and it is too bad you need to rush through in such a short time.
In San Ignacio, and do take the mile side trip into town to see the oasis and mission, there is a bed & breakfast run by Canadians called Ignacio
Springs, with deluxe yurts... See photos on the second ay of our trio through there in 2009: http://vivabaja.com/709
San Ignacio is about 600 miles from the border and an exact 12 hour drive at the 50 mph average you can expect, including stops and the military
inspections looking for drugs, guns, ammo.
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First of all, crazy for driving an old 'Vette down there? I wouldn't say crazy but it better be in very good running order.
All of the above advice is great. Regarding the long stretch between El Rosario and Villa Jesus Maria, if you're good for 225 miles, then head all
the way into Guerrero Negro. Otherwise, there's guys with gas cans at Catavina (75 miles south) and at the Bahia de Los Angeles Jct. (140 miles).
I've bought gas there many times without problem. The price is reasonable, the gas is fine and they've always been there when needed. I just top up
at Catavina and don't worry further about it.
Does your car prefer premium gas? Lots of stations won't have it (won't have the pump (look for the red sign) or won't have gas in their tank).
Be sure to get the AAA driving map of Baja (free to any AAA member). Got all the mileages and all the gas pumps.
I agree about San Ignacio. Definitely not a place to fly past. And about the comments about the overall pace. I consider 3 days an absolute
minimum.
Accommodations? The Desert Inns are a good bet for a traveling newbie Gringo. Kinda a Best Western south of the border. (The one in Catavina is now
Hotel Mision Catavina.) There's also a nice one in San Ignacio. And I've certainly heard good things about those yurts.
In Guerrero Negro I'd choose Malarrimo (or Cowboy, liked by many here) over Desert Inn. In Mulege, Hotel Serenidad just south of town by the airstrip
is pretty nice. But be sure to get down into town. I would consider the parking reasonably secure in any one of these places I've mentioned. Just
went down through there on my Harley and honestly didn't even think the bike needed to be locked at all. I certainly didn't cable it to anything.
The federalies aren't much of an issue going south. They're much more intrusive (just means more time) when northbound.
Barbarosa
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JESSE
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3370
Registered: 11-5-2002
Member Is Offline
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I did Tijuana to Mulege in one day, then Mulege to La Paz the next. Road is pretty good, just a lot of cattle from Cataviņa to Guerrero negro.
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Barbarosa
Nomad
Posts: 188
Registered: 1-12-2011
Location: Jackson, CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: "On th' road again..."
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| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
In San Ignacio, and do take the mile side trip into town to see the oasis and mission
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Gotta add one more thing about this. Some of you recall the photo log of my recent run down there
http://papaboop.smugmug.com/Travel/Baja-With-Barbarosa
So go here (this is pic # 102)
http://papaboop.smugmug.com/Travel/Baja-With-Barbarosa/15966...
(you gotta fix the wordwrap)
That's a picture of Scotty, a scooter tramp we met on The San Ignacio Town Square, right across the street from The Mission.
He's been kicking around the US and a bunch in Baja on that bike for the past 14 years and 400,000 miles. And until this past February 7, he had
never discovered San Ignacio. Amazing. (Nobody had ever told him to turn off the highway.)
This story took another unusual turn. A month later, in early March I was out in Beaumont, TX (that's 10 miles from Louisana) visiting another biker
bud, Dale. Regaling him and his bride with tales of Baja. And cranked up the slide show. And I get to pic #102. And they say in unison and with
considerable surprise: "Hey, that's Scotty." Seems that 'coupla years ago Scotty was riding thru Beaumont and had a serious problem with his bike.
Got hooked up with Dale and hung at his place for awhile as his bike got fixed. Small world, indeed.
Barbarosa
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bennme
Newbie
Posts: 22
Registered: 1-26-2011
Member Is Offline
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Wow, thanks for all the info folks. Well, highway driving is not new to me, I drove a tractor rig from Calgary to Laredo Tx and back to Vancouver so
I am used to long days. Also as far as the vettte being bandido bait, I certainly take that under advisement but wonder about harleys, hummers,
mercedes and other cars us folks drive down that way. I'm not shy to the world, I am a retired policeman so do have a bit of experience. I plan to
take things slow, and if it takes another day, so be it, I just have to be on the plane from Cabo on Sunday afternoon.
I'll copy this thread to take with me....thanks again folks..........Keith
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bajabass
Super Nomad
Posts: 2016
Registered: 10-4-2006
Location: La Paz,BCS
Member Is Offline
Mood: Want to fish!!!
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I will agree with Jesse. The road is in great shape, and I would volunteer to drive a '72 Vette to La Paz right now! Hopefully a big-block 4 speed
with air!
I have driven from the O.C. to Mulege in a day, several times! The Serinidad is as safe a place as any, then La Paz is a fun drive the next day.
Do take much more time driving the rig down and enjoy! Say 2 weeks, since you went from S.D. to La Paz in 2 days, you can justify the time.
Keep your eyes on the road, and your hands upon the wheel!
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gnukid
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4411
Registered: 7-2-2006
Member Is Offline
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Tires are more expensive in baja, if you need some get them before you go as well needed service on bearings, ball joints, alignment etc...
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El Camote
Senior Nomad
Posts: 514
Registered: 9-7-2003
Location: Above the clouds
Member Is Offline
Mood: y Blues
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1972 Corvette Stingray
I remember drooling over one of these on the Chevy dealer's car lot on the way home from school. $6K was a lot of dough-re-mi back then...
Knowledge is good. - Emil Faber
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bajabass
Super Nomad
Posts: 2016
Registered: 10-4-2006
Location: La Paz,BCS
Member Is Offline
Mood: Want to fish!!!
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Hey guys, it is either a small block or big block Chevy. A Turbo 350 or 400 trans, and basic Chev parts through and through. In good condition, go and
have a blast! If it breaks, it will get fixed.
Keep your eyes on the road, and your hands upon the wheel!
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tiotomasbcs
Super Nomad
Posts: 1837
Registered: 7-30-2007
Location: El Pescadero
Member Is Offline
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How does the warning Go...Este Camino no es de Alta Velocidad! High speed is not recommended unless you know the road! Banking, road construction,
etc will mean you should use moderate speed! Cows, Goats, etc will also grab your attention. Cruise that Vette and arrive on time!1 Have fun!
Tio
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Barbarosa
Nomad
Posts: 188
Registered: 1-12-2011
Location: Jackson, CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: "On th' road again..."
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| Quote: | Originally posted by gnukid
Tires are more expensive in baja, if you need some get them before you go as well needed service on bearings, ball joints, alignment etc...
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How about "If you need..." or can anticipate any conceivable maintenance...? It's wild and wooly (and very much fun!) down there. But problems, esp
mechanical in nature, can be,... well,... very problematic.
The closest thing we have in the US is Highway 50 across Nevada. Except with no resources to -- in the case of Nevada -- the north or south.
One thing newbies would probably not appreciate is that there's countless cases of poor sight lines and absolutely NO shoulder. Not a great place for
a breakdown. The only good news is the light traffic and improbability of 2 vehicles converging at that moment. But then steps in Murphy.
Barbarosa
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gnukid
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4411
Registered: 7-2-2006
Member Is Offline
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Presumably the motor is late model chevy along with the tranny, those can be replaced or fixed hours anywhere in baja.
I have more trouble and higher costs getting mechanics to carefully repair ball joints, wheel bearings, balance and install tires and basic alignment
issues. La Paz has tons of mechanics, tire shops and so forth, but tires are expensive and possibly factory seconds.
The biggest problems I have run into is when some girl waves and I pull over off the shoulder and the road edge tears apart the muffler or some other
piece of the underbody, then I end up living in that town with no muffler, I would advise never risk pulling over without a clear and obvious flat
pull out. And if you go off the road by accident do not try to swerve back on, that's where tires get shredded on the rough shoulder.
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Barbarosa
Nomad
Posts: 188
Registered: 1-12-2011
Location: Jackson, CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: "On th' road again..."
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| Quote: | Originally posted by gnukid
The biggest problems I have run into is when some girl waves and I pull over off the shoulder and the road edge tears apart the muffler or some other
piece of the underbody, then I end up living in that town with no muffler
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LOL! Gotta hate when that happens. Oh, for lack of a muffler!
Wrt repairs in La Paz, I agree I wouldn't worry too much about after he gets there (piece o' cake). I'm thinking of the 900 miles inbetween.
Barbarosa
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Doug/Vamonos
Nomad
Posts: 418
Registered: 6-19-2006
Location: Bahia de los Angeles
Member Is Offline
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What a bunch of old freekin' guys on this site! This is the freekin' GumBall Rally. Go for it! Put the pedal to the metal and run that bad boy the
distance! I once had a 69 Firebird that I transplanted a 455 and 4-speed Muncie and did a lot of suspension work. Took that bad boy for a drive from
SoCal to Monterey up Highway 1 and what a freekin' blast. Might as well have been Riverside Raceway in 1969. I know I never got more than 8mpg because
I was in it the entire way. My dream is to take a muscle car for a blast down the Baja peninsula. Bring enough money to pay off the federales and go
for it!
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honda tom
Nomad
Posts: 493
Registered: 8-28-2003
Location: middle calif
Member Is Offline
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Cross the border before sunrise, maybe 4or 5am, most thieves are now asleep. Then burn it to san Quintin for a mid morn snack... be in mulege or
loreto before sundown. Easy drive the next day to la paz. Road conditions are not a concern for the vette. Just did this trip in Nov. and the road is
best ever!
[Edited on 4-11-2011 by honda tom]
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65410
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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| Quote: | Originally posted by tiotomasbcs
How does the warning Go...Este Camino no es de Alta Velocidad! High speed is not recommended unless you know the road! Banking, road construction,
etc will mean you should use moderate speed! Cows, Goats, etc will also grab your attention. Cruise that Vette and arrive on time!1 Have fun!
Tio |
 
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65410
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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| Quote: | Originally posted by bennme
Wow, thanks for all the info folks. Well, highway driving is not new to me, I drove a tractor rig from Calgary to Laredo Tx and back to Vancouver so
I am used to long days. Also as far as the vettte being bandido bait, I certainly take that under advisement but wonder about harleys, hummers,
mercedes and other cars us folks drive down that way. I'm not shy to the world, I am a retired policeman so do have a bit of experience. I plan to
take things slow, and if it takes another day, so be it, I just have to be on the plane from Cabo on Sunday afternoon.
I'll copy this thread to take with me....thanks again folks..........Keith |
Mexico Hwy. 1 is not like our highways. Specially from San Quintin (Km. 0) south... except where (after almost 40 years, they are widening a few
sections)... it is only 19 feet wide, often with no shoulders or possible pullouts (ie. cliffs)... and you must share the road with semis, busses, RVs
pulling boats, idiots on bicycles, wild burros, cattle, and maybe a chupacabra or two!!!
The point is, it is more stressfull driving in Baja on Mex. 1 when you do encounter any of the above... so it needs to be considered a low speed
highway for many parts.
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