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Terry28
Senior Nomad
Posts: 825
Registered: 8-25-2007
Location: S.Calif mtns.
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Mood: Thirsty
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While The Bay of L.A. is definetly not a spring break destination it is a very cool place. The Villa Bahia is a great funky old place to stay. We
were there last October and loved it. But funky is the key word....I strongly disagree with Lobsterman, as he states he stopped going a few years
back. That being said, I do believe that the most dangerous part it the bus ride down and back... There is NO nightlife in town...at all...but that
may be the best part!!
Mexico!! Where two can live as cheaply as one.....but it costs twice as much.....
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mtgoat666
Select Nomad
Posts: 19364
Registered: 9-16-2006
Location: San Diego
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Mood: Hot n spicy
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college kids are old enough to set off on an adventure w/o parental approval.
let your kids fly free!
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mcfez
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8678
Registered: 12-2-2009
Location: aka BN yankeeirishman
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Villa Bahia
You couldn't had picked a better place in all of the Sea of Cortez!
I preach this place here at the BN.
They have:
Wireless
Library
Hip rooms
BBQ
Free kayaks
You can cook your meals on the BBQ to save $
The host are MOST fantastic. Made for kids :-)
They can arrange for you:
Small craft fishing/ tours
Outdoor bar area
Hiking guild
House cook (rooms with kitchens..you can hire a cook from town thru Villa Bahia)
Villa Bahia offers an endless list to make it your vacation to remember. I do know that you DO NEED RESERVATIONS!
The town is safe enough to let a 12 year wonder around.
Driving down there is a scarey thing. The highway is very narrow. Make sure that the driver is experienced with this sort of road.....if you are
packing all the kids into one vehicle. Sleep and rest for the driver is a absolute must.
The REAL issue about sending the kids down there is this: they will demand not to return home :-)
https://sites.google.com/site/villabahianewsletter1/
Tell them that landscaper from www kissmygrass.com sent you.
[Edited on 1-27-2012 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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24baja
Senior Nomad
Posts: 952
Registered: 2-3-2009
Location: Grants Pass Oregon/Bahia de Los Angeles
Member Is Offline
Mood: Wishing we were in BOLA
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Dear Worried Mom,
We fell so in love with Bahia de Los Angeles that we bought a house there just up the road from the Villa Bahia. I would definately let my sons
travel there. As others have said the bus trip may be the most gruelling as the roads can be narrow in areas. As long as they don't drive at night
they should be fine. Also the persons going should remember to be respectful to the Mexican population. There are plenty of Americans who are in the
area during spring breaks and several live in the houses just north of where you sons will be staying if there is any sort of problems I am sure
anyone of the Americans would be happy to help. I know that Nancy, George or Carolina from the Museum in town are extremely helpful people as are
Larry and Lois from Rancho Pacifico. You could not ask for a more beautiful place where it is a daily occurance to see dolphins, whales and
whalesharks. The snorkling and fishing is fantastic. I hope that this helps you feel more comfortable and if you have more questions please feel free
to U2U me. Connie
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Paulina
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3810
Registered: 8-31-2002
Location: BCN
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Oh no.
Your son is going to love the place, end up leasing a spot of his own and never, ever be at home for another school holiday again.
At least that's what happened to me after my first college trip to Bahia.
>*)))>{
\"Well behaved women rarely make history.\" Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
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Cyanide41
Nomad
Posts: 303
Registered: 1-7-2009
Location: Tijuana
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He's a big boy, let him go. He'll be fine. Just be sure to remind him not to drink to much and to stay out of trouble to which he will promptly reply
"yeeees Mom" and then completely ignore anyways.
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Mengano
Banned
Posts: 1238
Registered: 9-26-2011
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I'm not too sure you can charter a bus from Los Angeles to BOLA. You can get to Ensenada, but I think the cabotage rules will prevent an American
company from going all the way to BOLA. It is a 2-day trip each way and they will need someplace to overnight going down and back up. Besides, they
will have to pay for a room for the bus driver for a week and the bus will have to sit there for a week.
I think your son's plan needs more work.
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mcfez
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8678
Registered: 12-2-2009
Location: aka BN yankeeirishman
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I think you will find all you need here .......in at this site
DON HUMPHREY'S BAJA TRANSPORTATION
http://www.bajasundog.com/bajatrans.html?x=103&y=49
[Edited on 1-29-2012 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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BajaNomad
Super Administrator
Posts: 5001
Registered: 8-1-2002
Location: San Diego, CA
Member Is Offline
Mood: INTP-A
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Saturday, March 9, 2013 6:19 PM
Doug,
Over a year ago I wrote to you and your forum asking about the safety of my son going down with his sports team to Bahia de Los Angeles. I wanted to
thank everyone who responded a year ago (very belatedly): I read all of your posts carefully, particularly Lobsterman's, and sent them to my son. He
didn't go on the trip last year, but students from his Ultimate Frisbee team(s) (male and female) did go, got there and back safely and said that they
had a great time. I think that last year was the fourth year that they've gone.
Anyway, this year he is planning to go. I'm providing more specific information this time and asking for any advice or warnings based on the specific
information. They're traveling from the L.A. area. I'm including the route (and maybe you'd be willing to modify it if you post my email, because the
people in the forum will probably just need to know the highways).
A specific question is: what if my son is injured: Is there a hospital nearby? Is it well-equipped? How would I get down there quickly from the SF
Bay area?
What if he or someone in his group is arrested (based on Lobsterman's warning) ? What would be the first thing that I would do...contact the American
Consulate.....fly down...contact you guys.....?
Anything else my son should be aware of? He's vegetarian/vegan so he won't be fishing (or hunting  ).
Thanks so much and can I remain...?
Anonymous Mom
--
Where: Bahía de los Ángeles
What resort?: Hotel Villa Bahia
What bus company?: Five Star Tours
Exact day and time we leave: March/April...probably 4AM
Exact day and time we come back:March/April....probably around 5-7PM
Is it possible to use cell phones?: Not while we stay at the villa, although they mostly work during the bus ride. There is internet though, and I
will be checking my e-mail at least once a day, so if she (your mom) e-mails me, I can get you and have you contact her.
What's the route?:
9. Merge onto I-5 S
Entering Mexico
0.3 mi
10. Continue onto Bursátil/Dist Caracol Zona del Río
0.6 mi
11. Take the exit toward Playas de Tijuana/Rosarito Cuota
433 ft
13. Continue straight onto Segunda Benito Juarez/Tijuana-Ensenada Road
3.2 mi
14. Take the ramp to Ensenada cuota/México 1
0.2 mi
15. Merge onto Segunda Benito Juarez/Tijuana-Ensenada Road
1.2 mi
16. Continue onto Mexico 1D
56.7 mi
17. Continue onto Rosarito - Ensenada/Carr Federal 1
4.7 mi
18. Slight right onto Teniente Azueta
2.2 mi
19. Continue onto Rosarito - Ensenada/Tecate - Ensenada/Carr Federal 1/México 3
Continue to follow Rosarito - Ensenada/Carr Federal 1
2.0 mi
20. Turn left onto Boulevard Estancia
0.5 mi
21. Turn right onto Ensenada - Lázaro Cárdenas/Carr Federal 1
Partial toll road
100 mi
25. Turn right toward Vicente Guerrero
0.6 mi
26. Turn right onto Vicente Guerrero
1.0 mi
27. Turn right onto Lázaro Cárdenas - Ensenada/Carr Federal 1
0.1 mi
28. Sharp left onto Ensenada - Lázaro Cárdenas/Carr Federal 1
Continue to follow Carr Federal 1
51.6 mi
29. Turn left onto Guerrero Negro - Lázaro Cárdenas/Lázaro Cárdenas - Guerrero Negro/Carr Federal 1
Continue to follow Lázaro Cárdenas - Guerrero Negro/Carr Federal 1
140 mi
30. Turn left onto México 12
33 ft
31. Take the 1st right onto Bahía de los Ángeles - Punta Prieta/Punta Prieta - Bahía de los Ángeles/México 12
Continue to follow Punta Prieta - Bahía de los Ángeles/México 12
40.6 mi
32. At the roundabout, take the 1st exit
0.6 mi
33. Turn right
95 ft
Bahía de los Ángeles, Baja California
Mexico
When I was young, I admired clever people. Now that I am old, I admire kind people.
– Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel
We know we must go back if we live, and we don`t know why.
– John Steinbeck, Log from the Sea of Cortez
https://www.regionalinternet.com
Affordable Domain Name Registration/Management & cPanel Web Hosting - since 1999 |
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woody with a view
PITA Nomad
Posts: 15939
Registered: 11-8-2004
Location: Looking at the Coronado Islands
Member Is Offline
Mood: Everchangin'
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jeez, mom, what if the sun doesn't rise in the east tomorrow? what if another comet/asteroid/meteor wakes us up in the middle of the night?
let junior have some fun before he turns 30...
[Edited on 3-10-2013 by woody with a view]
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DianaT
Select Nomad
Posts: 10020
Registered: 12-17-2004
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| Quote: | Originally posted by woody with a view
jeez, mom, what if the sun doesn't rise in the east tomorrow? what if another comet/asteroid/meteor wakes us up in the middle of the night?
let junior have some fun before he turns 30...
[Edited on 3-10-2013 by woody with a view] |
LET HIM GO --- kinda like, let my people go.
My oldest son used to lead a group of 8th graders from a private school in Los Angeles on a spring break trip down to Mulege and area. I forget the
name, but that is when the Eco place was still there, before the owner left for Thailand.
It was a WONDERFUL experience with education in flora, fauna, and culture --- it included a fiesta with local students.
But ONE of the teachers who did not like the trip, convinced the board that there was NO academic value to the trip and it was dangerous. The
students were not crazy about him and loved to do things like tie his shoes together, or put living creatures in his shoes and sleeping bag. But he
won and the annual trip was cancelled.
WHAT a shame --- Please tell mom that he will learn so much, and if their is a problem, it can be dealt with.
Everyone should carry all contact information and go from there
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Mulegena
Super Nomad
Posts: 2412
Registered: 11-7-2006
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A Vegan in Paradise
The young man is going to be eating a LOT of beans, salsa and corn tortillas.
Luckily its winter and there's more vegetables available now than in summer.
No one will be hunting 'cause no one has guns in Mexico
but the ranchers who only use them to protect their livestock.
He may be out in the water but only to scuba dive, snorkel and swim with the whaleshark... oh, and probably encounter a huge pod of dolphin-- they've
been plentiful and really friendly this year.
What he does need to be concerned about is having plenty of water to drink, sunscreen and solid shoes when he goes hiking.
He will be having a great time and making fabulous memories.
Welcome to Baja, young man.
Prepare to have a great spring break in some of the most pristine nature this old world holds.
"Raise your words, not your voice. It's rain that grows flowers, not thunder." ~Rumi
"It's the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it." ~ Aristotle
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Islandbuilder
Senior Nomad
Posts: 555
Registered: 11-9-2011
Location: nob
Member Is Offline
Mood: bewildered
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Dear Concerned mom,
I appreciate your worries for your son. The news media has done a wonderful job of terrifying us about the dangers of Mexico. And in a way, they're
right, but in others they couldn't be more wrong.
As far as I'm concerned, a bus trip to BOLA is on a par with a bus trip to Disneyland as far as risk is concerned.
I think that his greatest risk will be on the bus, and in the sun. Follow Mulegena's advice and he'll be fine. He may want to bring whatever his fall
back snack food might be, and plenty of sun screen, but otherwise, he won't be exposed to any greater risks than if he was driving to Tucson.
Hospitals: Ensenada for a fully equiped American style hospital. You might consider medical air evacuation insurance.
That's it.
It's gonna be ok.
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
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Mom wouldn't get this many responses if she said her son was going to Afghanistan.
Jeeeezo....let the young man grow up on his own.
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Alm
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2745
Registered: 5-10-2011
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Ateo
I completely, politely and respectfully disagree with Lobstermans post. |
About the only thing I would disagree in the Lobsterman's post is "innocent gullible kids". We are talking college sports team here, they probably
have more experience in certain things than their parents.
Everything else - crappy Baja road, poor healthcare and Mexican judicial system - is true. It should be noted though, that "Mexico" is a big place,
and Baja has its distinctions. Including poor healthcare, btw - it's basically non-existent in BOLA.
Personally, I would worry more about them being bored to death, coming to this town at this age. Don't get me wrong, I love BOLA. But I'm not a
college age, for a very long time.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65106
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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I am surprised nobody commented about the Villa Bahia being a 'resort hotel' as the mom thinks? Really, like in Cabo..?
How about a bed & breakfast, with what is it 5 or 6 rooms?
Last Nomad to go there and check it said here on Nomad that nobody was there, just a bunch of hungry dogs...???
EDIT:
From 'Jaybo' about 20 days ago:
"It was sad really - The dogs looked starved, injured and uncared for. It was a pretty spot on the beach but the smell and the terrible condition of
the pets that were hanging around just totally turned us off. The Princess really was nice and we enjoyed the peace and quiet. Their animals were
obviously well loved and well fed too. I heartily recommend it!
Costa Del Sol had a great breakfast this morning as well. very delicious!"
[Edited on 3-10-2013 by David K]
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Geo_Skip
Nomad
Posts: 154
Registered: 5-15-2009
Location: Alta California and......../
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Worried? Go With them. Common sense and some Spanish will help.
IF they behave with some reason, then the hardest part of the trip will be struggling for Re-Enrty in to the USA. Carry color copies of all documents
including passports, drivers licenses...you name it.
Carry EXTRA COPIES... The Homeland Security and DEA are your biggest worries (Stop an hour south of the border and clean out ALL luggage, NO
contraband or questionable imports) One idiot smuggling will turn any happy jaunt into a disaster!
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65106
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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I am not sure if it is still the case, but little Baja towns once had a big METH problem, called locally CRYSTAL (cree-stahl)... and if you look for
bad things, you just may find them, even in a quaint fishing village like Bahia de los Angeles.
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Terry28
Senior Nomad
Posts: 825
Registered: 8-25-2007
Location: S.Calif mtns.
Member Is Offline
Mood: Thirsty
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David, The Villa Bahia is a great place, and well kept.. Don't bad mouth a place you have not been to. It is not a "resort" but a nice beach front
hotel with nice owners and a perfect location. We are going back ( again) and I do recommend it to others...even you...
Mexico!! Where two can live as cheaply as one.....but it costs twice as much.....
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mtgoat666
Select Nomad
Posts: 19364
Registered: 9-16-2006
Location: San Diego
Member Is Offline
Mood: Hot n spicy
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| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
I am not sure if it is still the case, but little Baja towns once had a big METH problem, called locally CRYSTAL (cree-stahl)... and if you look for
bad things, you just may find them, even in a quaint fishing village like Bahia de los Angeles. |
Cristal is probably not available in bahia de los angeles. it's a bit pricy
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