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mtgoat666
Select Nomad
Posts: 18365
Registered: 9-16-2006
Location: San Diego
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Mood: Hot n spicy
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Quote: Originally posted by Benski  | | I am new to this forum. I am planning my first driving trip to Cabo at the end of September. Of course I've heard the stories of situations gone bad
in Baja. I would like suggestions on how to handle possibly bad situations |
The sun can be very bright and cause skin damage, a potentially very bad situation. I recommend sunscreen and a broad brim hat.
Hope this info helps.
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BajaUtah
Nomad
Posts: 190
Registered: 10-4-2013
Location: Salt Lake City/La Ribera
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Welcome to Nomads from a fellow Utarn (not native but my wife is). The best advice I have is use Pesos and common sense. I've never been short changed
fueling up using Pesos - full liters are a different story. I only fill up at stations where locals are. If the locals won't use a station it's a good
sign they are less than stand up.
I won't wander around Rose Park at night and I try to use the same sense when traveling. If it feels weird avoid it. If it's dark and I don't know the
area I avoid it. I like lights and people. Just a Spidey sense thing.
I do the drive from SLC to La Ribera in 3 long days. My travels down are to my house and not sight seeing along the way. I go through Las Vegas, south
to Brawley and overnight and cross at Mexicali. I go down Mex5 because I just dislike the TJ/Ensenada/San Quintin(sp?) traffic although the view is
beautiful. 23 miles of dirt road south of Gonzaga is an easy trade off for avoiding the west side. Overnight in Guerrero Negro and then on to La
Ribera. That pace is not for everyone but it works for me for the last 4 times I've done it.
Last thing - keep an eye to the sky at the end of September - Hurricane season. We weathered Odile at the house last year and while the hurricane was
in and out in a day the effects lasted weeks and months. You won't do yourself or anyone who might have to take care of you any favors by being in the
way.
Oh, and screw the naysayers. Have fun wherever you end up. It's a beautiful place from tip to TJ.
Andy
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SFandH
Elite Nomad
Posts: 7084
Registered: 8-5-2011
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Probably the most common problem gringos encounter is the traffic stop by the local police, legitimate or not. I carry an expired CA license with me
in my wallet. The good one is stashed away. You have to look very closely to see that it's expired and I doubt a Mexican cop would notice. Even though
I've never had to, if a Mexican cop asked for my license, he'd get the expired one.
If you get stopped, smile, don't argue, do as he says.
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gnukid
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4411
Registered: 7-2-2006
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Use exact change when making purchases. Plan your spending carefully.
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Cliffy
Senior Nomad
Posts: 986
Registered: 12-19-2013
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Never been stopped by the PD but then again I drive s-l-o-w and make full stops at all the proper places even with the travel trailer in back.
Seems that all the Utar er. Utah folks we see here in N AZ are in a real hurry down the road. :-) Ain't like going north on 15 south of SLC where
everyone is pushing 90. Just slow down and smell the roses. You'll enjoy the trip a whole lot more.
I would go through the new road south of Mexicali/San Felipe if I didn't have a trailer to avoid all the stuff on the west coast of Baja. No need to
go Tecate or TJ if you don't have to from Utah.
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Alm
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2729
Registered: 5-10-2011
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| Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666 | The sun can be very bright and cause skin damage, a potentially very bad situation. I recommend sunscreen and a broad brim hat.
Hope this info helps. |
This is very important, yes.
Also, driving from Utah to Cabo will cost - between the gas, hotels and food - few times the cost of plane ticket. Potentially very bad situation, I
think it could qualify as a ripoff.
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Lee
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3504
Registered: 10-2-2006
Location: High in the Colorado Rockies
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| Quote: Originally posted by SFandH | Probably the most common problem gringos encounter is the traffic stop by the local police, legitimate or not. I carry an expired CA license with me
in my wallet. The good one is stashed away. You have to look very closely to see that it's expired and I doubt a Mexican cop would notice. Even though
I've never had to, if a Mexican cop asked for my license, he'd get the expired one.
If you get stopped, smile, don't argue, do as he says. |
It's just as easy to carry a throw away license that has a valid date -- I don't assume a cop won't notice an expiration date. If the purpose of
handing over a license is to let the cop think he has leverage, and he sees an expired license, that would be real leverage for the cop.
There's another theory here where some BN's make a copy of their valid license and if asked, will hand over the copy. I've read someone claim that
not handing over a license, if asked, to a cop is a traffic violation. Don't know if that's true.
Obviously, both my license's have valid dates though only the current one is valid NOB.
And I doubt cops are the ''most common problem'' tourists have with cops. That's based on the seemingly large number of nomads here who have NEVER
been stopped by a cop -- and don't hesitate to quote the large numbers of years they've driving SOB without so much as seeing a cop. Results vary
I guess.
Here's a tip: wear a money belt, at least while traveling. Works for me.
US Marines: providing enemies of America an opportunity to die for their country since 1775.
What I say before any important decision.
F*ck it.
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gallesram
Nomad
Posts: 384
Registered: 7-6-2010
Location: Laguna Beach
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| Quote: Originally posted by Lee | | Quote: Originally posted by SFandH | Probably the most common problem gringos encounter is the traffic stop by the local police, legitimate or not. I carry an expired CA license with me
in my wallet. The good one is stashed away. You have to look very closely to see that it's expired and I doubt a Mexican cop would notice. Even though
I've never had to, if a Mexican cop asked for my license, he'd get the expired one.
If you get stopped, smile, don't argue, do as he says. |
It's just as easy to carry a throw away license that has a valid date -- I don't assume a cop won't notice an expiration date. If the purpose of
handing over a license is to let the cop think he has leverage, and he sees an expired license, that would be real leverage for the cop.
There's another theory here where some BN's make a copy of their valid license and if asked, will hand over the copy. I've read someone claim that
not handing over a license, if asked, to a cop is a traffic violation. Don't know if that's true.
Obviously, both my license's have valid dates though only the current one is valid NOB.
And I doubt cops are the ''most common problem'' tourists have with cops. That's based on the seemingly large number of nomads here who have NEVER
been stopped by a cop -- and don't hesitate to quote the large numbers of years they've driving SOB without so much as seeing a cop. Results vary
I guess.
Here's a tip: wear a money belt, at least while traveling. Works for me. |
Good idea to take the expired license. If I get pulled over and don't have either the expired license or copy of my current one, I'll just simply
hold the license in my hand and show it to the officer with the window rolled up pretty far (assuming you were pulled over for no reason and simply to
pay a mordida; if you were pulled over because you really violated a traffic law then you should hand it over).
You're in for a really great experience; most people on this board remember their first trip to Baja and would love the chance to experience it again
like that first time, so enjoy it!
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Phil S
Super Nomad
Posts: 1205
Registered: 10-28-2003
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Mood: After 34 years. Still in love w/ my wife
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Great ideas from most everyone. Several suggested taking the San Felipe route, & I agree. Though that last 23 miles IS very tough from the north
end going south to Hwy 1. I drove VERY slow with my Toyota Sienna, and still ended up slightly bashing my engine pan. Today, I'll be driving a new
GMC Yukon 4X4 & won't have to worry about that anymore. We also will be heading to Cabo through Mexicali. Cup of Tea visit. Don't get carried
away with many opportunities to want to drive 90. Too many hazards for a newbie visitor. Have a fun trip, and take your time. This will be our 26th
year of driving down. Stop at Loreto & wander around the plaza. Eat at Yuans Mita Restaruant. Will be excellent food, and marvelous experience.
Watch out for bicyclists while driving Hwy1, plus slow Mexican drivers. And also for the FAST Mexican drivers. Plus the FAST American & Canadian
drivers.
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bledito
Nomad
Posts: 420
Registered: 7-6-2013
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rip offs timeshare hawkers, police demanding payoffs. cabbies overcharging. just a few.
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Howard
Super Nomad
Posts: 2353
Registered: 11-13-2007
Location: Loreto/Manhattan Beach/Kona
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Mood: I'd rather regret the things I've done than regret the things I haven't done.
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It has been mentioned in previous input but the #1 way to avoid any potential rip offs,, accidental or otherwise is to carry and pay with pesos. Keep
them in your wallet and the majority in two other hiding places. Beside, you are in Mexico, pay in their currency.
We don't stop playing because we grow old;
we grow old because we stop playing
George Bernard Shaw
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Alm
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2729
Registered: 5-10-2011
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"Cabbies overcharging"? How could they? I mean - how would you know, when there is no counter working.
A man is going to Cabo, of all places. Is there anything there that is not overpriced, I wonder. Worrying about "ripoffs" in this situation would be
counterproductive. When rape is inevitable - relax and enjoy it. Stop worrying.
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sancho
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2524
Registered: 10-6-2004
Location: OC So Cal
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Yes indeed, I don't believe any of us were born with several
drives the length of the Peninsula under our belts
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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
Member Is Offline
Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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Dash Cam
Invest in a dash cam for your vehicle..........it may save you from a bunch of problems
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Benski
Newbie
Posts: 4
Registered: 7-1-2015
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| Quote: Originally posted by Alm | For us in order to "contribute" meaningful answers, you need to "contribute" more info in your question, so that we should know what to contribute in
response. Otherwise it looks... er.... strange.
1) What kind of "stories"?
2) What kind of "bad situations and ripoffs"?
3) Why, in the world, would anybody want to go to the most expensive place in Baja (and driving all the way down the peninsula, at that) when they are
worried about rip-offs?
Please contribute. |
Stories about bribes, rapes, and property being taken.
Ripoffs are being short changed or skammed.
I want to see Cabo. I may not stay there. I'm good with my money.
The others seemed to understand.
[Edited on 07-01-2015 by Benski]
[Edited on 07-01-2015 by Benski]
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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| Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666 |
The sun can be very bright and cause skin damage, a potentially very bad situation. I recommend sunscreen and a broad brim hat.
Hope this info helps. |
lol: How about a jock strap to avoid injury while carrying all those heavy cases
of beer outta the store?
Sunscreen? Jeeezo Creeesto...... Baja used to be a destination for real hombres. WTF happened to that?
[Edited on 8-6-2015 by BajaNomad]
"YOU CAN'T LITTER ALUMINUM"
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gnukid
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4411
Registered: 7-2-2006
Member Is Offline
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Don't prepay for services ever, pay based on delivery and quality on a periodic basis.
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Bajahowodd
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9274
Registered: 12-15-2008
Location: Disneyland Adjacent and anywhere in Baja
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I've been driving to Cabo and back, and sometimes only to Guererro Negro for almost 30 years. The ONLY interaction I ever had with a cop was a traffic
guy in Cabo just weeks after they changed the one way streets. Cost me ten pesos.
Do not be afraid of things that will not happen. My experience has been to drive the ridiculously low posted speed limits in many towns, but to hit up
to 100 on the open, flat highway. I do.
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bajabuddha
Banned
Posts: 4024
Registered: 4-12-2013
Location: Baja New Mexico
Member Is Offline
Mood: Always cranky unless medicated
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| Quote: Originally posted by Alm | "Cabbies overcharging"? How could they? I mean - how would you know, when there is no counter working.
A man is going to Cabo, of all places. Is there anything there that is not overpriced, I wonder. Worrying about "ripoffs" in this situation would be
counterproductive. When rape is inevitable - relax and enjoy it. Stop worrying. |
"Rip-off by cabbie" is quite simple, I learned this lesson in 1983 visiting Mazatlán. Always ask before you get in, "Quanto questo a _________(where
you're going)". It's amazing the difference of costs from A to B, and then B back to A, such as hotel/restaurant/back to hotel. If the price is
higher, simply wave another cabbie, and ask again. Competition is a good thing; don't encourage rip-offs, just propogates the problem.
I don't have a BUCKET LIST, but I do have a F***- IT LIST a mile long!
86 - 45*
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Alm
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2729
Registered: 5-10-2011
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Bribes - possibly, with police. Not very likely.
Rapes - I don't think so.
Property being taken - could you please be more specific? Theft can happen anywhere in Baja. They are poorer than us, you'll be sticking out like a
sore thumb.
Shortchanged - well, possibly, this is what you math skills are for. Know how much it costs, in pesos and USD, and try not to give $100 (no matter
what currency) when it costs $10. Seems like a common sense to me. They expect you to negotiate the price, in most places. Not in the store with
price tags, of course.
Here at BN? That would've been odd 
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