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Fishfreek
Newbie
Posts: 4
Registered: 4-30-2014
Location: Central Florida
Member Is Offline
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Been lerking now a couple questions
The job I am working is about to end and before I start looking for another I would like to tour Baja for the first time. I am gathering books and
maps and reading every post I can to gather info.
I plan to camp to keep expenses as low as possible. I have a 99 Astro van that I plan to drive because I love the extra room it has compared to a
truck. My schedule will be VERY open I have no idea right now how long I will stay.
With camping every night at a payed site how much $ should I allow to live on for a month? (food, gas, fishing, NO ALCOHOL )
Is my van suitable for the trip or should I consider buying a truck (4x4) for the trip?
How long can I stay without any special paperwork? Just by crossing the border.
I am soooo sure I will have other questions as things get closer. And I know most of them have been asked before so I will do my best not repeat.
Thank you
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mulegemichael
Super Nomad
Posts: 2310
Registered: 12-24-2007
Location: sequim,wa. and mulege
Member Is Offline
Mood: up on step
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hey amigo, go back through all the "camping, traveling baja, first time" stuff that's on this site....it's all there for ya...all your questions will
be answered...good luck!
dyslexia is never having to say you\'re yrros.
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Ateo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5912
Registered: 7-18-2011
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Vehicle question: All depends on where you wanna go.
Do you wanna stay in one place?
I'd plan on spending $500 - $1000 for a month, although it can be done on a whole lot less if you're not buying gas and staying put.
You can stay 72 hours within the border area without getting a tourist card.
Just get a tourist card.
You will probably spend more $$$ driving from Florida to Baja than the whole Baja trip.
I like those Astro Vans. My buddy Donald Takayama had one. They are common in Baja too, so getting it worked on will be easy.
What are you interested in? Fishing?
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monoloco
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6667
Registered: 7-13-2009
Location: Pescadero BCS
Member Is Offline
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Plan on being self contained, the best spots are free.
"The future ain't what it used to be"
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mannings
Junior Nomad
Posts: 54
Registered: 5-22-2014
Location: St. George, UT / San Felipe
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Mood: chill
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OT: what part of central FLORIDA u in?
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Fishfreek
Newbie
Posts: 4
Registered: 4-30-2014
Location: Central Florida
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Ateo
What are you interested in? Fishing? |
Yes primarily fishing but really looking to get away for awhile.
[Edited on 5-29-2014 by Fishfreek]
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Fishfreek
Newbie
Posts: 4
Registered: 4-30-2014
Location: Central Florida
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by mannings
OT: what part of central FLORIDA u in? |
I live on the east coast near Kennedy Space Center
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Fishfreek
Newbie
Posts: 4
Registered: 4-30-2014
Location: Central Florida
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by monoloco
Plan on being self contained, the best spots are free. |
I am pretty much self contained if I bring the van. Where can I find a list of the FREE spots?
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Ateo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5912
Registered: 7-18-2011
Member Is Offline
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Well then either side of Baja will work for you, depending on the weather you like.
Plenty of spots to get away for a while, and usually no camping fee.
Have fun.
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monoloco
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6667
Registered: 7-13-2009
Location: Pescadero BCS
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Fishfreek
| Quote: | Originally posted by monoloco
Plan on being self contained, the best spots are free. |
I am pretty much self contained if I bring the van. Where can I find a list of the FREE spots? |
The great
thing about the peninsula is that there are miles of deserted beaches where you can camp. Way too many great spots to list, but some of my favorite
places are the Viscaino Peninsula, Agua Verde, San Evaristo, Punta Abreojos, El Tomatal, El Conejo, the beaches east of La Paz, El Sargento, Los
Frailes, and Boca del Alamo.
"The future ain't what it used to be"
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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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stay out of cabo and if you get squeezed for $5/day you are golden.....
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Alan
Super Nomad
Posts: 1628
Registered: 4-6-2005
Location: Yucaipa, CA/La Paz
Member Is Offline
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First trip to Baja? Then see Baja! Plan on running to the tip. Driving an Astrovan? No problem, there are enough paved roads to give you an idea of
what's available and where you might like to go on future trips. This peninsula is too varied to simply say ... go here. See it all then decide what
most interests you. See something you like? Stay there for a day or two but keep pushing south or you'll never know what is around the next corner.
In Memory of E-57
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redhilltown
Super Nomad
Posts: 1130
Registered: 1-24-2009
Location: Long Beach, CA
Member Is Offline
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When I think of all the places I have gotten to (and gotten out of) I would not even think of NOT having a 4X4...easy to get to places have easy to
see trash and easy not to catch fish...not all and I don't want to sound pessimistic but humans bring with them...um...well...you know...stuff. I
prefer more Baja and less stuff. If fishing and isolated beaches is important (and money is ok) then for me it is an easy answer to bring a 4x4 truck
with a shell. I can see regretting bringing the van but I can't see regretting the access to the most wonderful places on the peninsula.
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bajajudy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6886
Registered: 10-4-2004
Location: San Jose del Cabo,BCS
Member Is Offline
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Buy a shovel
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BajaBlanca
Select Nomad
Posts: 13212
Registered: 10-28-2008
Location: La Bocana, BCS
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WELCOME
4x4 will be an asset.
There are tons of free places to camp but to get your feet wet, and since you live in .florida heat is not an issue:
Bahia de Los Angeles would be a first get to destination. Shortened to Bay of LA or BoLA, there are people who can give you their take on where to go.
I believe you REALLY should head to Bahia Asuncion and pay for camping there. You will get to know an amazing community that has a little of
everything.
On your way south, if you have a 4x4, plenty of beaches to hang out on as you head to our community (LA BOCANA) (free camping) to say hi to us (Blanca
and Les) as you go to Punta Abreojos (free camping). From here we can give you lots of ideas.....Campo Rene, Bahia Concepcion .....and so on.
Somewhere there is a list of what all to bring ( about 10 pages long) but realistically, use common sense. You are in a desert, you need to always
have water. There is sand, you need to learn how to get unstuck: letting air out of tires and shovel. Sunscreen. Hat. Mosquito repellant.
Just to mention a few.
[Edited on 5-29-2014 by BajaBlanca]
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motoged
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6481
Registered: 7-31-2006
Location: Kamloops, BC
Member Is Offline
Mood: Gettin' Better
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The vast majority of Baja locals manage all the roads with 2-wheel drive vehicles.....4X4 upgrade for your trip is unnecessary.....unless you have
lotsa $$$ burning a hole in your pocket
Have a good time exploring Baja....make it your own trip and consider some of our collective brilliance in your planning..... 
Don't believe everything you think....
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apple
Nomad
Posts: 284
Registered: 11-4-2013
Location: SD
Member Is Offline
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I've said this a dozen times before but:
I found this book to be an amazing resource for our camping/road trip into the Baja: www.amzn.com/0974947180
Has lots of great info about roads, attractions, gas, food, campsites and more.
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redhilltown
Super Nomad
Posts: 1130
Registered: 1-24-2009
Location: Long Beach, CA
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by motoged
The vast majority of Baja locals manage all the roads with 2-wheel drive vehicles.....4X4 upgrade for your trip is unnecessary.....unless you have
lotsa $$$ burning a hole in your pocket
Have a good time exploring Baja....make it your own trip and consider some of our collective brilliance in your planning.....
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That's because they are locals and know what they are doing!!!!!!!! The hole burning would be extra gas money and possibly repairs...vs the cost of
getting stuck and the cost of getting out of the middle of nowhere. Just depends on where you want to go and what isolation means to you. Not a
chance in hell a two wheel drive would get me to the most memorable places I've been to in Baja. If proven resorts and known campgrounds are fine,
then the van is the right call. But...
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65100
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Sure a 2WD can go many places... but our new Nomad wants to camp, and see Baja... To camp away from the crowds ("good roads bring all kinds of
people") that means 4WD... ("bad roads bring good people") and not just 4WD, but a good air pump for the tires, because even 4WD can get stuck in
sand, and lowering the air pressure is how we all get over sand or unstuck. It is over those sand dunes or up that sand wash were you can camp were
there are no people! 4WD is security or insurance so you don't get stuck in the desert or going beyond the crowded tourist spots.
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wilderone
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3854
Registered: 2-9-2004
Member Is Offline
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You can camp free almost the entire time, unless you particularly want to stay in the place that has a fee. Camping fees run $5-$7.50 or so. You can
stay 6 months on your tourist visa.
Free places: San Fernando mission (a mile past the mission); El Marmol; to the left of Mex. 1, 2 mi. before Punta Prieta; en route to Mission San
Borja; El Tomatal; Los Pinos at Bahia de Los Angeles; the stretch of beach outside of Bahia Asuncion (turn right on Curvina St., see a track to the
beach in 4.1 mi); en route to la Bocana from Bahia Asuncion; across the street from Campo Rene on the beach near Punta Abreojos; in Sierra Gigante -
turn right at Palo Chino - all open there and for miles around.
$7.00 at Los Olivos, San Quintin; $7 I think now at Rancho Sta. Inez; $8.00 with a palapa at El Requeson, Bahia Conception. You'll get the hang of
it.
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