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250xcfw
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[*] posted on 3-2-2014 at 11:23 PM
Question and more questions


First off this will be my first trip in an rv to Mexico. So I have a list of question regarding crossing the boarder and what i need to do so.

1) Vehicle Insurance, truck, 5th wheel, 4 wheelers, How, where, how much, proof of ownership?
2)Pets what is needed?
3)Fishing licence where to buy?
4)Good place to buy food after crossing in Tecate?
5)Crossing at Tecate and taking Hwy 3 in a 5th wheel toyhauler good idea?
6)Plan on making it to San Quintin or close the first night? Gas, Rv camping?
7)Do I pay for gas and food with card or cash

All advice would be helpful.

I will be in Baja for 3-4 week, going as far south as Loreto.
Anyone going down in mid March?

Thank you,
John
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[*] posted on 3-3-2014 at 12:31 AM


Howdy and welcome. A good place to start for a few of your questions might be


http://www.discoverbaja.com/

After joining you can take care of the insurance, fishing license, and tourist visas. You'll still need to stop at Tecate and get them stamped but you'll save some paperwork/time. Others will be able to better tell you if a rig your size is doable at that crossing as to parking and going in to the immigration office...parking is a bit tight there.

Gas is cash and keep an eye on things...you'll be spending quite a bit and always a good idea to know the prices and your liters...calculator can help. I am not saying they WILL cheat ya a bit but if they did, it certainly wouldn't be the first time.

San Quintin no problem for a first night as to distance. Jardines is a fantastic hotel and restaurant. Have a blast!

(There are also many threads on here on all of this...use the search option. )
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[*] posted on 3-3-2014 at 01:34 AM


Quote:
Originally posted by 250xcfw

4)Good place to buy food after crossing in Tecate?
5)Crossing at Tecate and taking Hwy 3 in a 5th wheel toyhauler good idea?
6)Plan on making it to San Quintin or close the first night? Gas, Rv camping?
7)Do I pay for gas and food with card or cash





Welcome to BajaNomad, John.
Let me take only a few of your questions:

[5] No problem on the "3" with your rig. The first section out of Tecate is a long and fairly steep incline, but not bad.

[6] I think Estero Beach, south of Ensenada, would be enough for your first day. Stay the night there and get a fresh start in the morning.
Maneadero is only a few more miles south and easy access gas stations are right there on Hwy 1.

[7] Pay with cash for everything. Know the rate of exchange and keep a calculator handy if you don't have pesos, but try to stock up on local money before you hit the road.
If dollars are all you have, just be prepared to take a small hit on the exchange when you make a purchase, but buy pesos asap.

Have a great trip and stay in touch.




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RnR
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[*] posted on 3-3-2014 at 07:11 AM


Quote:
Originally posted by redhilltown

San Quintin no problem for a first night as to distance. Jardines is a fantastic hotel and restaurant.


Welcome!

Jardines is a hotel and the restaurant is closed on Mondays.

Los Olivos RV park is next to Jardines. (One house between the two).

There are signs for both at the highway. About a 1/2 mile off the highway. Quiet and peaceful.

Both Jardines and Los Olivos have websites.

Always our first and last nights stop.
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250xcfw
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[*] posted on 3-3-2014 at 07:54 AM


Keep the good information coming. Los Olivos is the place I was planning on staying
I heard it was safe and there was good food close
What mile marker?

Thanks,
John
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Udo
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[*] posted on 3-3-2014 at 08:33 AM


There is also an RV park next to Jardines. You'll see the silarge sign as you leave San Quintin (the turn-off is just after the large power transformers, on the left).


Quote:
Originally posted by redhilltown
Howdy and welcome. A good place to start for a few of your questions might be


http://www.discoverbaja.com/

After joining you can take care of the insurance, fishing license, and tourist visas. You'll still need to stop at Tecate and get them stamped but you'll save some paperwork/time. Others will be able to better tell you if a rig your size is doable at that crossing as to parking and going in to the immigration office...parking is a bit tight there.

Gas is cash and keep an eye on things...you'll be spending quite a bit and always a good idea to know the prices and your liters...calculator can help. I am not saying they WILL cheat ya a bit but if they did, it certainly wouldn't be the first time.

San Quintin no problem for a first night as to distance. Jardines is a fantastic hotel and restaurant. Have a blast!

(There are also many threads on here on all of this...use the search option. )




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[*] posted on 3-3-2014 at 08:36 AM


The mile marker is actually "0", because San Quintin is a new KM start until the Bahia De Los Angeles torn off...then it resets to zero again.


Quote:
Originally posted by 250xcfw
Keep the good information coming. Los Olivos is the place I was planning on staying
I heard it was safe and there was good food close
What mile marker?

Thanks,
John




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[*] posted on 3-3-2014 at 08:47 AM


FYI,,, from personal experience also... when you leave San Quintin in about 40 miles you will see a pemix on the left as you enter El Rosario.. stop there and top off your fuel... It is approx 200 miles to the next Pemix and there is some mtn grade to cross in that stretch... you can buy fuel from vendors beside the road, but I don't know what you get.. Pulling a large 5th wheel as we did mpg was low... Watch the curves and shoulders on the road some tight turns meeting 18 wheelers and big drop offs on narrow highway..
We always have Pesos for fuel... the exchange is lower at Pemix and sometimes the transaction happens so fast you leave a pretty good tip that you realize when you get down the road...
Take your time and enjoy the trip,,, drive safe...
If you stop in Mulege we have cold beer...




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[*] posted on 3-3-2014 at 09:00 AM


Tell your bank you are going to Mexico so they don"t ixnay your card. Then use your ATM card for pesos. 4000 pesos is about 300 dollars. There are several banks on the long four lane road on the way out of Ensenada. Also a good area for stocking up on groceries. Big box stores etc. have large lots for your rig.

After arriving in San Quintin take a deep breath. It gets so much better from there on. For planning purposes figure on averaging about 50 mph on your trip.

One more thing. Make sure you have title or registration papers for all your motorized vehicles. May need to show at border crossing.

[Edited on 3-3-2014 by El Jefe]




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bajaguy
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[*] posted on 3-3-2014 at 09:08 AM
Ensenada Area


As you are leaving the "main" downtown area headed south, there will be a large Wal-Mart - Home Depot shopping center on your right. Plenty of RV parking and several banks with ATM's. Just avoid the Bancomer ATM's....highest user fees.

On your left as you pass the Wal-Mart center there is a COSTCO and a Commercial Mexicana shopping center. Good RV parking and a variety of bank ATM's inside the stores




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[*] posted on 3-3-2014 at 09:19 AM


Great info...

To add... The Kilometer Marker for Los Olivos RV park/Jardines Restaurant (next door) is 1... at the south side of San Quintin & Lazaro Card##as (twin towns) the highway NARROWS to 19 ft. and that is Km. 0. Just a kilometer ahead look for the Jardines sign and turn right... go 1/2 mile and turn left...Los Olivos is on your right... and Jardines is just beyond. I think Jardines is closed on Monday, however.

No fishing license needed for surf fishing, only boat fishing. (Discover Baja Travel Club is $39/ year and a good source for that and other stuff (books, maps, etc.)

Hwy. 3 is fine and recently widened... even 4 lanes in part. You will have much more twisty roads, and narrower further south on Hwy. 1. Don't be in a hurry! Last Pemex Pumped gas for 200 miles is El Rosario... about 30 miles from Los Olivos, as you come down the hill, on your left. Honest station, owned by Baja Nomad member 'BajaCactus' (Antonio).



Km. 0 San Quintin/ but looking north.



Baja Cactus Pemex in El Rosario

[Edited on 3-3-2014 by David K]




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wilderone
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[*] posted on 3-3-2014 at 09:55 AM


Get vehicle insurance online.
"Food" can be bought in the large grocery stores in Ensenada - Calimax, Gigante, Soriana
There is a big outdoor fruit/vege market as you're passing out of town - past Maneadero I think.
But for dried fruit, nuts, chips, crackers, drink mixes, canned beans, pasta - get it in San Diego. Go to the 99 cent Only Store on Market St at 27th; the Grocery Outlet on Market Street (at 10th); and the Big Lots stores. You can stock up on the basics that you won't find in Baja at a very reasonable cost. At the 99 cent store, obviously everything is 99 cents - toilet paper, napkins, cleansers, toiletries, seasonings, basic hardware, toys, plastics of all kinds.
Then, buy tortillas, fresh stuff, eggs, ice, beer in Baja. Eat at all the fish taco places.
Mex. 3 has been greatly improved - will be no problem
"Cash" should be pesos. You can exchange at the small convenience store on the US side at the Tecate Border. You can also buy insurance, coffee and gas there. If you don't get pesos there, there are exchange places in Ensenada on the main drag. Look for the flashing neon signs with their exchange rates. In the past, I have found them to be competitive to San Ysidro's rates. You can get pesos at ATMs en route as well.
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[*] posted on 3-3-2014 at 10:31 AM


If you are going down for 4 weeks in the middle of March, this means you will be returning NOB in mid April. This coincides with Semana Santa...2 weeks of major road traffic and fully occupied beaches, as mucho mucho Mexicans flock to Baja for Easter. Just a word of caution!!! Be especially cautious driving, and camp in an RV park, not on the beach. This is the Mexican time to enjoy beaches and they get very crowded.

Enjoy your trip.
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[*] posted on 3-3-2014 at 10:32 AM


Hey, I've said this before but this book has a lot of great info for the drive down, especially when it comes to advice on the roads. It has been a god send us on our travels.
http://www.amzn.com/0974947180/

That said, you can't miss a Pemex and ALWAYS pay in pesos.
"Lleno, por favor"




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DENNIS
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[*] posted on 3-3-2014 at 10:41 AM


Quote:
Originally posted by bajaguy
As you are leaving the "main" downtown area headed south, there will be a large Wal-Mart - Home Depot shopping center on your right. Plenty of RV parking and several banks with ATM's. Just avoid the Bancomer ATM's....highest user fees.

On your left as you pass the Wal-Mart center there is a COSTCO and a Commercial Mexicana shopping center. Good RV parking and a variety of bank ATM's inside the stores


Don't confuse "RV Parking" for overnighting. I don't think that would go well here.




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[*] posted on 3-3-2014 at 11:08 AM
Nope


Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Quote:
Originally posted by bajaguy
As you are leaving the "main" downtown area headed south, there will be a large Wal-Mart - Home Depot shopping center on your right. Plenty of RV parking and several banks with ATM's. Just avoid the Bancomer ATM's....highest user fees.

On your left as you pass the Wal-Mart center there is a COSTCO and a Commercial Mexicana shopping center. Good RV parking and a variety of bank ATM's inside the stores


Don't confuse "RV Parking" for overnighting. I don't think that would go well here.





Providing info on shopping and ATM's, didn't mention, nor would I suggest overnite parking at either location




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DENNIS
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[*] posted on 3-3-2014 at 11:13 AM


Quote:
Originally posted by bajaguy


Providing info on shopping and ATM's, didn't mention, nor would I suggest overnite parking at either location



Yeah...I know. Just thought the mention of RV parking and WalMart might suggest a stateside tradition of camping in the parking lot. :)




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[*] posted on 3-3-2014 at 11:29 AM


Wouldn't even suggest stopping on the US side at Tecate. parking for that rig will be a problem. Minimize your time at Tecate......however if you need to get FMM's at the Tecate INM, you may not have a choice.

1) Vehicle Insurance, truck, 5th wheel, 4 wheelers, How, where, how much, proof of ownership?..............get your insurance on-line from Bajabound, they will have the info you need for your rig and toys bring copies of your vehicle titles and registrations:

http://www.bajabound.com/

2)Pets what is needed?......officially, an International Health Certificate from your vet within the last 10 days. You can get by with vet records showing current rabies vaccination.

3)Fishing licence where to buy?....as mentioned above, no license required for shore fishing

4)Good place to buy food after crossing in Tecate?.......again, minimize your time in Tecate with your rig. Several places in Ensenada that have easy access for your rig....see above

5)Crossing at Tecate and taking Hwy 3 in a 5th wheel toyhauler good idea?.......No problem S/B. you will probably get flagged into Mexican Customs "secondary" for a quick look at your RV and load. Highway 3 is in good shape, some construction areas, not bad. the 2 lane opens up to a 4 lane at the north end of the Guadalupe Valley

6)Plan on making it to San Quintin or close the first night? Gas, Rv camping?......doable, but don't push. Don't drive at night. plenty of PEMEX stations

7)Do I pay for gas and food with card or cash....Having a card is good back up, but cash is king. Use pesos. Get 'em from ATM's....see above. Most places will take dollars, but with the new money laundering laws in Mexico it is becoming more difficult for the locals to convert dollars to pesos.....although it is good to have a "stash" of US dollars....just in case








Quote:
Originally posted by 250xcfw
First off this will be my first trip in an rv to Mexico. So I have a list of question regarding crossing the boarder and what i need to do so.

1) Vehicle Insurance, truck, 5th wheel, 4 wheelers, How, where, how much, proof of ownership?
2)Pets what is needed?
3)Fishing licence where to buy?
4)Good place to buy food after crossing in Tecate?
5)Crossing at Tecate and taking Hwy 3 in a 5th wheel toyhauler good idea?
6)Plan on making it to San Quintin or close the first night? Gas, Rv camping?
7)Do I pay for gas and food with card or cash

All advice would be helpful.

I will be in Baja for 3-4 week, going as far south as Loreto.
Anyone going down in mid March?

Thank you,
John


[Edited on 3-3-2014 by bajaguy]




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[*] posted on 3-3-2014 at 12:22 PM


Quote:
Originally posted by cocoscabana
If you are going down for 4 weeks in the middle of March, this means you will be returning NOB in mid April. This coincides with Semana Santa...2 weeks of major road traffic and fully occupied beaches, as mucho mucho Mexicans flock to Baja for Easter. Just a word of caution!!!


Uh? This is new to me. Can somebody explain? I scheduled my vacation to avoid the college spring break crowd. What is NOB? What is Semana Santa?




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[*] posted on 3-3-2014 at 12:38 PM


Uh? This is new to me. Can somebody explain? I scheduled my vacation to avoid the college spring break crowd..............
Uh, the US College Spring Break crowd has nothing (much) to do about it.

What is NOB?..............North of the Border

What is Semana Santa?........big week long holiday for Mexicans.

All campgrounds and beaches will be elbow to elbow, roads will be busy with traffic headed to the recreation spots or back home. Many US Mexicans also participate and drive down to be with family


Quote:
Originally posted by Pappy Jon
Quote:
Originally posted by cocoscabana
If you are going down for 4 weeks in the middle of March, this means you will be returning NOB in mid April. This coincides with Semana Santa...2 weeks of major road traffic and fully occupied beaches, as mucho mucho Mexicans flock to Baja for Easter. Just a word of caution!!!


Uh? This is new to me. Can somebody explain? I scheduled my vacation to avoid the college spring break crowd. What is NOB? What is Semana Santa?




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