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Author: Subject: First timers - Bahia De Concepcion / Mulege
Nikson
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[*] posted on 5-13-2013 at 04:48 PM
First timers - Bahia De Concepcion / Mulege


Destination of our choice is the Concepcion Bay.

Food/Water: availability at the markets/stores?
Fuel (Petrol): Mulege?
Temperatures: December to cold?
Mid-point stop: El Rosario - refill gas, spend the first night, or just push forward all the way to Mulege (since I dont see that being too big of a problem w/crossing border early AM).
Cellphone/4G service - local Mexican provider available?
Campfires - purchase local firewood if need be/gather around in the hills?
Propane refills - same as in US, just come by a gas station that has propane (same type hookup setup)?

Hopefully I'm not to confusing with my questions.

It said to ask away all them questions..... :)

Our current plan (as per my research on forums):

Bahia de Concepcion (camp at all/most of the beach sites)
2 families (4 adults & 5 kids (1yr - 10yrs age), no pets
I will be pulling a tent trailer, and my buddy using his "built" work Sprinter van (as an RV).
2 weeks length of stay (in Baja)

Very self sustaining, as in trailer built to work well for dry camping, we do summer/winter/snow camps in Cascades.

We can leave as early as October and as late as mid-December.

Would like to get into the best weather, dont want the high heat of summer or cold nights of the winter seasons, have kids enjoy the warm "cool" water, kayak in the bay, hopefully snorkel and mountain bike.
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elgatoloco
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[*] posted on 5-13-2013 at 05:05 PM


October is better. Fuel in lots of places, including Mulege. With kids and pulling a trailer I would not try to get there in one day, shoot for Cataviña the first night and camp at Santa Ines then launch early the next day and see how far you get.



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BajaBlanca
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[*] posted on 5-13-2013 at 05:25 PM


I agree that it is really not viable to trek it all in one day

San Quintin is a nice point to stop at and i think we would all recommend a hotel called JARDINES, with a great restaurant next to it, which is closed on Mondays

Definitely fill up on gas in El Rosario. Next station is FAR.

Food and any supplies are readily available in Mulege. Not too sure about the temps....someone else will have to pipe in.

Welcome to the wonderful (and sometimes controversial) land of Baja Nomads!

Have a safe trip....don't cross the border too early. At sunrise you will be fine.





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[*] posted on 5-13-2013 at 05:50 PM


Hey Nikson! Welcome to BN, see the answers are flowing already. (Frank from Expedition Portal) The one thing we all have in common on this board is the love of Baja and it's people.
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[*] posted on 5-13-2013 at 06:01 PM


Last winter was exceptionally cold here. I didn't wear my shorts between November and February. There are vendors who come by the beaches with firewood, water, veggies, etc. for sale, so many people don't need to come into town.

I'm told ATT cell works here in Mulege, not Verizon, but a cheap phone can be had at the Telcel store. No cell service down along the beaches. Free WiFi at some of the businesses here in town.

Travel time from the border varies depending upon time of year (hours of daylight) and construction- you don't want to travel at night. Camalu through San Quintin can be very slow if you hit the valley during commute hours (early morning or late afternoon). El Rosario is a good stop, good motels there, maybe RV camp? Others may know. Fidel's El Pabellon RV camp is on the beach just south of Santa Maria and Los Pinos, cheap, secure, showers.

It's a long haul from El Rosario to Mulege. It can be done, but it'll be (nearly) dark by the time you arrive, and the beaches are another 1/2 hour south. A better plan may be an overnight in San Ignacio.

Propane tanks can be filled at the water store under the bridge in Mulege.

I would recommend mid October to Mid November for weather.
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David K
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[*] posted on 5-13-2013 at 06:02 PM


Good Advice... October best month after May, weather-wise.

South of the twin towns of San Quintin and Lazaro Card##as, between Km. 1 and Km. 2, off to the right a ways, and a bit south on a parallel dirt street is an excellent RV Park (Los Olivos) and just beyond a good restaurant/ motel (Baja Jardines/ Gardens)

El Rosario, 25 more miles south, is an important top off the tanks petrol station (on the left as you enter town 'Pemex') The motel next door is excellent, but only if you get one of the many new rooms, a small RV park is behind the Sinahi Motel and restaurant, a mile down the road, in town... and at the far end of town (2 miles from Pemex gas station) is the Turista Motel, or Baja's Best Bed & Breakfast and restaurant (across the highway from Turista).

Rancho Santa Ynez is 77 miles from El Rosario, a mile south of Cataviña, for a camping area 3/4 mile off the highway... meals may be available there.

At Mulege there is a Pemex station to the south of town as you drive away from the river. At Bahia Concepcion, there are many places, but Playa El Requeson and Playa La Perla (just south) have no highway noise like many of the other places get... Just north of El Requeson is Playa Buenaventura which is the site of a run down motel, but next door is an excellent bar and food (cheeseburgers and XX Beer, yum)!

If you need photos, I have many!

[Edited on 5-14-2013 by David K]




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[*] posted on 5-13-2013 at 10:09 PM


Great info. I'm taking notes.:D
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[*] posted on 5-14-2013 at 02:05 AM


There's alot of cattle on the road from Santa Rosellia (sp?) to Mulege at night.
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[*] posted on 5-14-2013 at 06:37 AM


there's lots of cattle, goats, burros, etc on the road during the day also...keep your eyes open and yer hands on the wheel.



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durrelllrobert
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[*] posted on 5-14-2013 at 08:41 AM


Quote:
Originally posted by BajaBlanca
I agree that it is really not viable to trek it all in one day



Did Loreto to Punta Banda in 10.5 hours towing a 23 ft boat. Deduct 1.5 hours for Loreto to Mulege = 9 hrs, then add 2 hrs for Punta Banda to San Ysidro = 11 hours. Not to long for me and worse part was the uphill grade out of El Rosario.




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[*] posted on 5-14-2013 at 09:31 AM


Quote:
Originally posted by durrelllrobert
Quote:
Originally posted by BajaBlanca
I agree that it is really not viable to trek it all in one day



Did Loreto to Punta Banda in 10.5 hours towing a 23 ft boat. Deduct 1.5 hours for Loreto to Mulege = 9 hrs, then add 2 hrs for Punta Banda to San Ysidro = 11 hours. Not to long for me and worse part was the uphill grade out of El Rosario.


Way too fast, why take the risk involved in high speed driving? What's your top speed?

Mulege to the border takes me 15-16 hours driving time which I break into two days, spending a night at Santa Inez just south of Catavina, just about half way. I've been driving it for years.

I was at Santa Inez two nights ago. Warm night, absolutely beautiful.




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[*] posted on 5-14-2013 at 10:11 AM
POINT BY POINT answers


Quote:
Originally posted by Nikson
Destination of our choice is the Concepcion Bay.

Food/Water: availability at the markets/stores?
Shop in Mulege. Little food available at the bay. Service utility water is Scarce. I use those collapsible 5 gallon camping jugs. Fill them at the town triangle park in Mulege, free.


Fuel (Petrol): Mulege?
5 miles south of Mulege, towards concepcion. Regular, premium and diesel.

Temperatures: December to cold?
Year by year it can vary. But I would say a normal December day will be in the low 70's, and nights in the 50's, sometimes the 40's. It's the WIND that can make life less than paradise.

Mid-point stop: El Rosario - refill gas, spend the first night, or just push forward all the way to Mulege (since I dont see that being too big of a problem w/crossing border early AM).
Very short daylight hours in December. Figure 40 mph average. 620 miles. It don't fit. El Rosario would make a good stop. You need to stop and get your tourist permits right at the border. This eats time as does passing through Ensenada and San Quintín. Several police checkpoints.

Cellphone/4G service - local Mexican provider available?
No personal info

Campfires - purchase local firewood if need be/gather around in the hills?
Mesquite can be purchased in Mulege. Ask for leňa. LAY-nyah.

Propane refills - same as in US, just come by a gas station that has propane (same type hookup setup)?
NO! Five miles BEFORE Santa Rosalia is a propane plant out in the middle of nowhere on your left. No one else can fill fixed tanks, and getting portable tanks filled in Mulege at Casa Yee can be a hassle.

Hopefully I'm not to confusing with my questions.
Mexico is confusing. join the crowd.

It said to ask away all them questions..... :)

Our current plan (as per my research on forums):

Bahia de Concepcion (camp at all/most of the beach sites)
2 families (4 adults & 5 kids (1yr - 10yrs age), no pets
I will be pulling a tent trailer, and my buddy using his "built" work Sprinter van (as an RV).
2 weeks length of stay (in Baja)

Very self sustaining, as in trailer built to work well for dry camping, we do summer/winter/snow camps in Cascades.
Domestic water biggest challenge. Minimum 22 miles round trip to refill.I bring LOTS of gallon storage. Several purified water plants in Mulege. Service water is free.

We can leave as early as October and as late as mid-December.
Earlier is warmer and less wind. Less tourists. More open campsites. Less wait in restaurants.

Would like to get into the best weather, dont want the high heat of summer or cold nights of the winter seasons, have kids enjoy the warm "cool" water, kayak in the bay, hopefully snorkel and mountain bike.

When I dove concepcion I found 67 degree water eight feet in depth December. October is definitely less chilly all the way around.

Hope This Helps




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durrelllrobert
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[*] posted on 5-14-2013 at 10:30 AM


Quote:
Originally posted by SFandH
Quote:
Originally posted by durrelllrobert
Quote:
Originally posted by BajaBlanca
I agree that it is really not viable to trek it all in one day



Did Loreto to Punta Banda in 10.5 hours towing a 23 ft boat. Deduct 1.5 hours for Loreto to Mulege = 9 hrs, then add 2 hrs for Punta Banda to San Ysidro = 11 hours. Not to long for me and worse part was the uphill grade out of El Rosario.


Way too fast, why take the risk involved in high speed driving? What's your top speed?

Mulege to the border takes me 15-16 hours driving time which I break into two days, spending a night at Santa Inez just south of Catavina, just about half way. I've been driving it for years.

I was at Santa Inez two nights ago. Warm night, absolutely beautiful.

I'd say that top speed pulling boat was 55 mph. Left Loreto at 0400 BCS time and arrived Punta Banda at 1730 BCN time. Oh, your right, that's 12.5 hours; not 10.5. Here's what Google maps says it takes in a car:


Driving directions to Delegación Maneadero from Loreto, BCS

Suggested routes

1,022 km, 11 hours 41 mins

Carr Federal 1




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Nikson
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[*] posted on 5-14-2013 at 12:33 PM


Great answers (honestly didnt expect anything less from you guys)...

Seems like a great bunch of folks here, who's like us - just enjoy life at its best, and not necessarily in a 5star accommodations...

So to clear up the smoke - this is what I gathered from the most answers:

Cross the border, and stop somewhere half point to Mulege and rest/eat/sleep and be there next day.

Better time of the year - October (vs December)

Fill gas in El Rosario (a MUST)

Food/most of necessities can be found in Mulege

no cell service of any kind at the beachspots, so will have to make a run to mulege for the wifi spots.

be careful driving (I guess Mexico is similar someway to Russia (my birthcountry) - thus I'll keep my russian savvy driving skills)
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Nikson
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[*] posted on 5-14-2013 at 12:35 PM


Quote:
Originally posted by Frank
Hey Nikson! Welcome to BN, see the answers are flowing already. (Frank from Expedition Portal) The one thing we all have in common on this board is the love of Baja and it's people.


Frank,

its awesome where people find each other together in the same interest, isnt it?

Definitely hope that this trip will put us on the same page with lots of other Nomads, and have this become an annual thing, since I would love that...
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Nikson
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[*] posted on 5-14-2013 at 01:28 PM


is there a closer (and may be better) area to explore than Conception bay?
is it worth the drive?

Just like to kick back at the beach, minor activity, mostly water play for kids and such.
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BajaBlanca
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[*] posted on 5-14-2013 at 01:44 PM


Oh you will LOVE the bay of Conception

There are tons of great places between the border and the bay but the bay is like the bahamas or hawaii or the greek islands or tahiti in its beauty. That is my opinion.





Come visit La Bocana


https://sites.google.com/view/bajabocanahotel/home

And always remember, life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by those moments that take our breath away.
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[*] posted on 5-14-2013 at 02:12 PM


Quote:
Originally posted by Nikson
is there a closer (and may be better) area to explore than Conception bay?
is it worth the drive?

Just like to kick back at the beach, minor activity, mostly water play for kids and such.


lots of nice beaches at bahia de los angeles. lots of good beaches on south side of vizcaino penninsula.
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Nikson
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[*] posted on 5-14-2013 at 02:27 PM
Papers / Permits / Visas


something I missed at the start...

as far as border crossing itself, whats needed to be done, other than have a US Passport.

Vehicle papers of certain kind?
Long stay permits (personal)?
Trailer insurance?
Medical insurance?
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[*] posted on 5-14-2013 at 02:47 PM


above all else indulge yourself in some of mulege's finest eateries; scotties el candil and dany's carnita's on saturday morning....you'll thank me.



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