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koolaukid
Newbie
Posts: 22
Registered: 12-1-2011
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Christmas visit questions
Hello All,
My family and I plan to visit Baja next month from the 19th through New Years Day. We're from Hawaii and have never been to Baja although I spent a
day in Tijuana about 20 years ago. Our plan is to rent a car in Tijuana and drive down to Los Cabos before doubling back to return the car and fly
back from La Paz. Although the drop fee is high, I think this a good opportunity to make our own schedule, stay in interesting areas as long as we
like and explore. After perusing the road trips, it seems we'll be staying in larger towns, Ensenada, Guerrero Negros, Loreto, etc., my preference
is not to make reservations at any hotels. I've heard that because of the drug war scare, tourism is down in Baja but I've also heard that Christmas,
up to mid January is the high season. Do you think I should tie up reservations or will we be able to find accommodations easily? We'll probably
hole up somewhere Christmas Day, if not we would definitely make reservations for that day but what about the rest of the trip?
Thank you in advance for any help you can provide. After reading some of the articles here I'm really looking forward to going.
Scott
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
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Welcome to BajaNomad, Kool.
Well....lessee....you seem to be planning a lot for a short two week vacation. Down and up the Penninsula...stay here and stay there.
I dunno....I think I'll let others here help you with your itinerary.
Just wanted to say hi and have a good trip.
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tripledigitken
Ultra Nomad
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| Quote: | Originally posted by DENNIS
Welcome to BajaNomad, Kool.
Well....lessee....you seem to be planning a lot for a short two week vacation. Down and up the Penninsula...stay here and stay there.
I dunno....I think I'll let others here help you with your itinerary.
Just wanted to say hi and have a good trip. |
That's more days in one stretch than I had for my Baja trips over the last 30 years during my working career.
They are actually only going down to Cabo and then back to La Paz and flying home.
That's plenty of days to have a great time.
Ken
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David K
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Location: San Diego County
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I recommend that you do the side trip into Bahia de los Angeles (it is paved)... motels, taco stands, restaurants, stores... a great museum...
otherwise it is a tiny town on a beautiful island filled bay.
Take the short, mile paved side road into San Ignacio... not to be missed.
Mulege and Loreto both are special in their own way... then the miles of beautiful beaches along Bahia Concepcion will draw you.
Use my Baja Tours page to see photos of northern Baja (incl. Bahia de los Angeles) http://vivabaja.com/tours and then have a look at some of the beauty of Baja Sur from our 2009 trip page: http://vivabaja.com/709
Ask questions... Have a great time!
[Edited on 12-2-2011 by David K]
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koolaukid
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Thank you all for your input and support, what a great group! However it seems my original question has been missed.
During the Christmas Break, December 20-30, do I need to make reservations for sleeping accommodations or will I be able to pull into town(s) and find
accommodations easily without reservations?
Again, I'm looking to some experienced Baja hands to provide input on availability of lodging during this period. My goal is to enhance our
scheduling flexibility by not making reservations but of course no one likes sleeping in the car!
Scott
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MMc
Super Nomad
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Registered: 6-29-2011
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You should be able to find place to stay. Some will be better than others but with a open mind and a sincere desire for adventure,you'll do fine. Farm
this site for place to stay and things to do. MMc
[Edited on 12-2-2011 by MMc]
"Never teach a pig to sing it frustrates you and annoys the pig" - W.C.Fields
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desertcpl
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I wouldnt make reservations at all, the Hotels are way off from years past being booked, not even close,
its a customers market. you can get a better rate than the asking price, with a little haggling
making reservations really would only apply if you had been before and knew the lay out of the towns and Hotels
this way you can pick and choose which ones fit for you
most places are begging for business
so not to worry
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65410
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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| Quote: | Originally posted by koolaukid
Thank you all for your input and support, what a great group! However it seems my original question has been missed.
During the Christmas Break, December 20-30, do I need to make reservations for sleeping accommodations or will I be able to pull into town(s) and find
accommodations easily without reservations?
Again, I'm looking to some experienced Baja hands to provide input on availability of lodging during this period. My goal is to enhance our
scheduling flexibility by not making reservations but of course no one likes sleeping in the car!
Scott |
That is a tough one because it used to be a good idea to reserve... but with the economy and fear of Mexico killing tourism, it is likely you won't
need reservations. There is usually always a place to stay... just ask, you may be someone's house guest?
Your first night (if you are trying to head south and then work slowly back north) will depend on when you leave San Diego... and remember, the days
are shortest in December and you don't want to be driving at night... If you are on the road by 10-11 am, then Baja Cactus Motel in El Rosario (225
miles south) is an awesome place with A+++ service and ammenities and low low price ($35). You can make a reservation there using their U.S. phone
number... 619-694-1082 the owner (Antonio) speaks English and is a Baja Nomad memeber 'BajaCactus'.
That way, you can relax the rest of the trip better... as long as you get out of the cities of Tijuana-Ensenada and into the beautiful countryside and
know you have a room for the night after the first hectic day (getting pesos, your tourist cards, renting a car, etc.).
Bahia de los Angeles is 3-4 hours drive from El Rosario (as is Guerrero Negro if you head straight south first). You could check out Bahia de los
Angeles (L.A. Bay) that afternoon... then head for San Ignacio or Mulege the next day (or day after if you stay a full day at L.A. Bay)...
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Udo
Elite Nomad
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A must see while near San Ignacio: drive out to Laguna San Ignacio to watch the whales and their calves.
There are a couple of 'yurt' concessions for you to stay in. It's a life-changing experience spending the night there and listen to the whale spouts
all night...unless you are a sound sleeper.
Udo
Youth is wasted on the young!
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Udo
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I forgot to mention...
We will be doing the same thing, but driving down in a fixed up Toyota FJ Cruiser with "BAJARDE" plates and a yellow kayak on top.
Our only difference is that we will start at Mexicali and head down Mexico 5...however long it currently is.
BTW the kayak will have a cut-proof chain on it while on the roof and the latest of alarms on the car.
[Edited on 12-2-2011 by Udo]
Udo
Youth is wasted on the young!
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koolaukid
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"619-694-1082 the owner (Antonio) speaks English and is a Baja Nomad memeber 'BajaCactus'."
Tried calling Antonio but no one that answered could speak enough English to understand what I was asking and Antonio was apparently not available.
Something tells me I need to brush up on my Spanish otherwise this may turn out to be more of an adventure than planned.
Scott
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mtgoat666
Platinum Nomad
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Location: San Diego
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| Quote: | Originally posted by desertcpl
I wouldnt make reservations at all, the Hotels are way off from years past being booked, not even close,
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the whole country takes xmas week off... perhaps some days hotels will be busy. probably safer to get a reservation if there is a specific place and
time you want to be.
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koolaukid
Newbie
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"the whole country takes xmas week off... perhaps some days hotels will be busy. probably safer to get a reservation if there is a specific place and
time you want to be."
Again, hoping to avoid being locked into a schedule. Anyone have experience traveling in Baja during Christmas Break during the last year or so?
Were the hotels/motels/B 'n Bs booked solid? Or are tourism levels such that accommodations are easily available during that period?
I thank everyone who has chimed in so far, your comments have definitely helped. Yearning for a fish taco right now!
Scott
[Edited on 12-2-2011 by koolaukid]
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sancho
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I would Wing It/No Res, except for trying the large
Cabo/Timeshare/Resort Hotels, I would think you
can stay anywhere. The idea of the County of Mex
taking off during Christams it true, but I think that
pertains to the Mainland, I don't think the Mainland
Mex vacationeers are coming th Baja in droves.
Not having an fixed plan is the way I would go, 3 days
of 7 hr. driving days will get you to La Paz,
a favorite of mine, I seem to average 45 mi per hr.
on Hwy 1, I'm sure that is slow to some
[Edited on 12-3-2011 by sancho]
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rhintransit
Super Nomad
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Registered: 9-4-2006
Location: Loreto
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you should make reservations if you are planning to stay at Baja Cactus. they fill up many nights. they were full last weekend when I came through.
don't bother with the phone. use email and realize you may or may not get a response, if you do it can take up to a week, but there should be a room
waiting if you emailed in advance.
I live in Loreto, haven't traveled during Christmas week. I don't think you will have a problem here. on the off chance one place is full, there
will be others. don't expect bargain rates, Loreto prices are high, in all quality ranges, for what you get.
reality\'s never been of much use out here...
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mtgoat666
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 20373
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Location: San Diego
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| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
Your first night (if you are trying to head south and then work slowly back north) will depend on when you leave San Diego... and remember, the days
are shortest in December and you don't want to be driving at night... If you are on the road by 10-11 am, then Baja Cactus Motel in El Rosario (225
miles south) is an awesome place with A+++ service and ammenities and low low price ($35). |
much nicer place to stay in catavina, of course costs more, but it's only money and you can't take it with you!
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65410
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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| Quote: | Originally posted by mtgoat666
| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
Your first night (if you are trying to head south and then work slowly back north) will depend on when you leave San Diego... and remember, the days
are shortest in December and you don't want to be driving at night... If you are on the road by 10-11 am, then Baja Cactus Motel in El Rosario (225
miles south) is an awesome place with A+++ service and ammenities and low low price ($35). |
much nicer place to stay in catavina, of course costs more, but it's only money and you can't take it with you! |
Cataviña is 76 miles and 1.5 hours past El Rosario... I don't recommend a newbie (or anyone) to drive south of El Rosario in the dark... ie. 4:30
then. There he will find one small nice hotel (Mision Cataviña), and a questionable quality motel (Cabanas Linda), and bunk beds a mile beyond at
Rancho Santa Ynez, if anyone is there when they arrive.
In El Rosario, besides the excellent Baja Cactus... at the far end of town (2 miles away) is the nice 'Turista Motel' and the Bed & Breakfast
'Baja's Best' (across from Turista). Also, along the highway is Mama Espinoza's motel (La Cabana), and the Sinahi Motel... both far below the quality
of the first three places, but will do in a pinch.
Try calling Baja Cactus again, usually there is an English speaker at the front desk, or ask for "ingles por favor". You can just wing it, and all
will be okay and part of the adventure.
Also, if you are running late... there are many good motels in San Quintin/ Lazaro Card##as, about 30 miles before El Rosario... most noteable is the
Jardines Motel and Restaurant near Km. 2, and a half mile west, then south from the highway on a wide dirt road.
[Edited on 12-2-2011 by David K]
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Udo
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Ey, koolaukid...
The only place we have reserved are our two days at Shari's place in Bahia Asunción. That place always rocks and is full of Nomads.
Udo
Youth is wasted on the young!
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65410
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Location: San Diego County
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Udo
Ey, koolaukid...
The only place we have reserved are our two days at Shari's place in Bahia Asunción. That place always rocks and is full of Nomads.
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http://www.bahiaasuncion.com
Now reached by paved road form Hwy. 1 at Vizcaino.
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DianaT
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If it is still light when you hit El Rosario, I would also suggest you continue to Cataviña --- a good 1 1/2 away. It is such a unique place and so
beautiful in the evenings and mornings----there is nothing quite like it.
If by some chance, the more expensive Mission Cataviña Hotel is filled, Linda's Cabañas is an option. They are not great, but we have stayed then
when we needed to do so.
And we think the more expensive Mission Cataviña is well worth the splurge and the food is quite good these days.
And I agree about San Ignacio----it is such a great town and one that reminds one of the small towns on the mainland.
Just a couple of favorites.
Oh, do have some extra food for Christmas or be sure and check around the day before. A few years back we were near San Quintin, a big town, and VERY
few places were open on that day. Just cover your bases.
We always travel day by day and keep the options open as you might find one place you want to stay a few days or more----just watch the distances on
the map because it takes longer to drive 200 miles in Baja than it does in the states.
HAVE A GREAT TIME
[Edited on 12-3-2011 by DianaT]
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