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TSThornton
Junior Nomad
Posts: 60
Registered: 8-25-2021
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I was impressed with how established the check points were when we drove down in February. Back in the day, they were just a spiked chain across the
road in the most remote point between towns tended by kids with big guns who would ineed extract a mordita from time to time.
Now there is a customer service sign saying if you feel you were treated unfairly at a checkpoint, you should call the listed phone number. We talked
about how funny (or, really, not) it would be if you called that number and guy who was giving you a hard time's phone rang...
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64854
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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In all my years of traveling Baja (date back well before the military ever had checkpoints), the most that was "extracted" from me was a request for a
cold drink. Which I was happy to provide.
The only negative experience I had was in 2015 at the San Ignacio checkpoint where the guy in uniform accused me of having marijuana. He even grabbed
some debris off my floormat and lit it with his cigarette lighter! He said it was marijuana. If it was, my shoes tracked it in from the last stop
(Ricardo's Rice & Beans motel).
We welcomed a complete search. After a while, they got bored and sent us on our way.
I think if we were newbies, it would have ruined the chances of returning to Mexico again.
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Lee
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3508
Registered: 10-2-2006
Location: High in the Colorado Rockies
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Quote: Originally posted by lencho  |
Seriously? Gringo travellers are soft targets like marshmallows, and just dripping with tempting wealth ripe for the plucking, yet how often do you
actually hear of highway robbery or the like?
We must have different ideas of "Wild West".  |
Right. My definition since 1960.
Prob disagree on the def ''lawless,'' too.
I've not heard of a jacking in BCS but have in BCN. Not making a distinction between the two. Consider petty theft Wild West. Consider
Pescadero Wild West. Just what I see.
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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Aside from the off-topic retorts (which you should just ignore), I think everyone presented good advice on this topic. Don't drive at night, always
top off your gas tank and have plenty of water/snacks in the car. If people in your group are nervous, reconsider the trip; there's nothing worse
than trying to convince someone to enjoy themselves. It's a vacation after all. I typically tell people who are nervous about Mexico that the worse
that's likely to happen to them is a sunburn. Of course, other things could happen, but not likely. Carjackings are indeed frightening but
extremely unusual in Baja (again, not impossible; just unlikely).
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thebajarunner
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3718
Registered: 9-8-2003
Location: Arizona....."Free at last from crumbling Cali
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Mood: muy amable
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Go for it
Couple years ago my brother in law was driving home late from his job as fiddle player for the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra. Gas gauge flickered so
he pulled into one of those New York gas stations that are on the well lit throughways.....
He went inside to pay, and away went his new Honda.....
Moral of this story I guess, if you don't want to get mugged stay home.
Life is short, and Baja is great....get on down that road.
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azucena
Nomad
Posts: 193
Registered: 8-25-2012
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In response to David K's post, I have travelled solo on both 1 and 5 for many years, with my children at times, and always with a dog. BTW I think he
meant suspicions, not suspensions.
I have never had any problem, but that is not to say one could not happen. Nothing in life is a guaranteed proposition.
As noted, I do not drive at night, and in isolated areas I keep an awareness of my surroundings I do not carry any sort of weapon, just a big heavy
flashlught.
. I would say there have been changes in Baja: It used to feel perfectly safe to turn off the highway and find a place to sleep for the night. I no
longer do that, and might not even with a group of people anymore. I agree that checkpoints especially in isolated areas is a good thing. When I drove
through 5 in April, I spoke with the guys at the Gonzaga checkpoint. They were not happy as they were not getting paid regularly, and I bought some
supplies for them at Rancho Grande.
The recent incident with the caravan is disquieting, as well as some disappearances. In reality that happens in the States.
I think the thing to remember however, is that Mexico is NOT the USA, and if something does happen, things are going to be handled differently. And,
if you don't speak Spanish , things can get pretty confusing.
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SFandH
Elite Nomad
Posts: 7084
Registered: 8-5-2011
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Good point, baja has become more sketchy in the past 5 to 10 years. I think methamphetamine use and smuggling have a lot to do with it.
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mtgoat666
Select Nomad
Posts: 18388
Registered: 9-16-2006
Location: San Diego
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Mood: Hot n spicy
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In the USA you won’t get stopped by armed banditos on rural highways. In Mexico, well, in some states it happens frequently. Not so often in baja
or bcs.
I have never heard of people being stopped by armed bandits on rural highways in western USA.
I am personally comfortable with the risk in baja. But I also admit I have no way of knowing what real risks may be.
There is poverty, drugs and crime all over Mexico, and some parts of Mexico are basically lawless. I am sure some of the chaos in other states is
bleeding over into baja, but I don’t know how much…
People on here that say traffic accidents are more common (so higher risk) than armed bandits on highway are comparing apples to oranges. Of course
traffic accidents are more frequent than armed robbery. But traffic accidents have absolutely nothing to do with armed robbery at a roadblock in
boonies. Why even compare the two?
Accidents are more often than not avoidable — drive defensively, drive smart (on average 50% of all accidents are caused by you the driver)
Armed robberies are typically unavoidable. Most recent armed robbery happened to a convoy in broad daylight, seems pretty unavoidable particularly in
light of all the advise given here.
Woke!
“...ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” “My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America
will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.”
Prefered gender pronoun: the royal we
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Barry A.
Select Nomad
Posts: 10007
Registered: 11-30-2003
Location: Redding, Northern CA
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Mood: optimistic
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On Goat's comments just above------------it's really rare, but in my opinion I do totally agree with the Goat on this one. He nailed it.
Barry
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BajaMama
Super Nomad
Posts: 1108
Registered: 10-4-2015
Location: Pleasanton/Punta Chivato
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Mood: Got Baja fever!!
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I drove Mex 5 solo south mid-May, north first week of June, before the robberies. I felt safe then. It would be more comforting with more traffic on
the road, but I would probably drive solo again if I was doing my usual routine of heading south again in October, but alas, am heading to the east
coast this year with my son.
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Marty Mateo
Nomad
Posts: 104
Registered: 12-7-2019
Location: Vanisle Sur
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Has there actually been any accurate reports on this car jacking on the 5 ? Was there a second that involved some surfers ? I’ve always felt very
safe driving on the Baja peninsula but I’ve not been down since Covid-19 started. I would hate to feel nervous about stopping to check on someone
parked on the side of the road to see if they need assistance.
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Lee
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3508
Registered: 10-2-2006
Location: High in the Colorado Rockies
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More definition for why, in my opinion, Baja is the Wild West:
Neapolitan Laws. Guilty until proven innocent.
A pervasive attitude that all gringoes are rich and worthy of fleecing.
Not all cops are bad but if you get in trouble, and need help, good luck finding a cop that'll help you. Be prepared to pay for cop services.
Two laws in Baja. Gringoes have a special set of laws that only apply to them.
If in an accident, NEVER leave your vehicle alone.
Finally, lock up or hide things of value when going through checkpoints. Loose items have been known to disappear.
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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Paco Facullo
Super Nomad
Posts: 1301
Registered: 1-21-2017
Location: Here now
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Mood: Abiding ..........
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I would MUCH prefer a "Wild West" type of environment compared to a sterilized, controlled , watched ( cameras all over ) type place.
This "Wild West" IS the draw that makes Baja such a unique and totally FUN and super interesting place !
[Edited on 9-21-2021 by Paco Facullo]
Since I've given up all hope, I feel much better
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JZ
Select Nomad
Posts: 10562
Registered: 10-3-2003
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| Quote: Originally posted by Paco Facullo | I would MUCH prefer a "Wild West" type of environment compared to a sterilized, controlled , watched ( cameras all over ) type place.
This "Wild West" IS the draw that makes Baja such a unique and totally FUN and super interesting place !
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A wiseman once told me: Mexico is Disneyland for Adults.
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motoged
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6481
Registered: 7-31-2006
Location: Kamloops, BC
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Mood: Gettin' Better
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| Quote: Originally posted by JZ | | Quote: Originally posted by Paco Facullo | I would MUCH prefer a "Wild West" type of environment compared to a sterilized, controlled , watched ( cameras all over ) type place.
This "Wild West" IS the draw that makes Baja such a unique and totally FUN and super interesting place !
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A wiseman once told me: Mexico is Disneyland for Adults.
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Do you wear your mouse ears when in Baja ? 
Don't believe everything you think....
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Paco Facullo
Super Nomad
Posts: 1301
Registered: 1-21-2017
Location: Here now
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Mood: Abiding ..........
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So true !
Another good quote is
" Real living starts at the end of your comfort zone"
Since I've given up all hope, I feel much better
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Bajaboy
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4375
Registered: 10-9-2003
Location: Bahia Asuncion, BCS, Mexico
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| Quote: Originally posted by SFandH | Good point, baja has become more sketchy in the past 5 to 10 years. I think methamphetamine use and smuggling have a lot to do with it.
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And a lot more people!
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JZ
Select Nomad
Posts: 10562
Registered: 10-3-2003
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I've loved a lot of Mexicans and they've loved me back.
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mtgoat666
Select Nomad
Posts: 18388
Registered: 9-16-2006
Location: San Diego
Member Is Offline
Mood: Hot n spicy
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I just threw up in my mouth a little bit.
Your comment is revealing. Syphilus untreated may explain your mental state.
Woke!
“...ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” “My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America
will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.”
Prefered gender pronoun: the royal we
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pacificobob
Super Nomad
Posts: 2308
Registered: 4-23-2006
Member Is Offline
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😂😂😂
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