Bajafun777
Super Nomad
Posts: 1103
Registered: 9-13-2006
Location: Rosarito & California
Member Is Offline
Mood: Enjoying Life with Wife In Mexico, Easy on The Easy
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Number of Baja travelers going to Mainland Mexico
Drove down to Los Mochis and Maztalan on the toll road two weeks ago. Entered through Nogales, it took me about 5 hours to get there from Brawley,
which is down by the California/Mexican border (Mexicali). Left at 6pm on a Friday as work day for my wife. We left around 8am on Saturday from
Nogales and used the map of the toll road, which we got last year by going to a site called ontheroad.com which is just great. If you want a stress
free no arguing with the navagator get the map and avoid getting lost going through the big towns which the toll road does. My wife keeps updating it
as we travel down each year to add the new Premexs, hotels, places to eat, things of interest etc. It was a good drive all the way down and traveled
about 70mph most of the way except when toll road entered any townships.
Hard to miss seeing any federal police in their black and double stripes from the front hood over the top and down their car trucks. Most of the
areas are flat driving through Sonora and in Sinalo a lot of greenry and you need to be watching but don't get me wrong about the speed as the limit
was 110 kilometers most of the time. My truck uses desiel so sweet savings all the way down and back.
Made it to Los Mochis by 5:30 pm. Stayed at the new Best Western Hotel by the downtown square where the big church and resturants were. The hotel
is very modern and cost me $100 dollars a night but free computer use, pool, jacuzzi,resturant inside, great location to everything, big beds but my
wife said too hard and large bathrooms. Got a room over looking the town square and church and they had bands playing and food carts with everyone
having a good time. People and cops in town of Los Mochis no problem and good attitude towards tourists. Went to the beach and port area which was
only about 20 minutes from Los Mochis and roads were good. Topobama is a place tourist go but really aged with time and living conditions not too
good so night visiting would really be out of the question. The other beach stop just up the road going back into Los Mochis had a number of
resturants and good places to eat and no problems even cops driving through to keep things safe with smiles and no problems. Stayed in Los Mochis for
two days and then off to Maztalan. My wife has a cousin that lives in Los Mochis and we were going down to bring her back to get her outdated
passport renewed and new California I.D.
Drove to Maztalan from Los Mochis and it took us 4 hours driving 70-75 miles per hour. Now after your last toll before you get to Maztalan (cost
total to here from Nogales of about $74 dollars) need to be very watchful of federal police as they are trolling for tickets on this last 15 to 20
miles before getting into Maztalan so drop down to 65 and no worry. Stayed at Pueblo Bonito a timeshare I use and met a number of people that usually
go into Baja,however, because of recent problems choose Mainland. Now a few drove but most arrived in an airplane. Buses going around the city cost
6 pesos or if you want aircondition, which you do not need in February, you pay 8 pesos. You pay this no matter where you get on or off at. So, if
you are at the end of the line going back into town what a deal. The taxi cost about $30 and will deal down to $20 but cry like you just got a free
ride as does the golf carts call pullmonias (I know I did not spell this word right in spanish).
Building is still going great guns down there. I found a the little fishing village which had a new trailer park running about $650 to $800 per month
depending where you park on dirt next to the beach with security. I also found at this fishing villege that you can buy lobster for $10 for three
which were not small. Best time to get them though for more choices is 6am when boats have come back in, however, on the day I went one boat came in
about 10 am and that is how I saw the lobster and got the price quoted. One of the workers from the hotel was there and since we had talked several
times at the hotel he gave me the skinny and told me of a great resturant just up the street going back by the side of the trailer park, It was with
great views and good food but best of all----ready----yea cold cold beer, is life sweet or what.
The drive back to Los Mochis had no problems and still took me 4 hours. Yes, the first 10 miles going back out to first toll the federal police were
trolling, so I drove 65 as I learn fast in Mexico what is going on. Picked up wife's cousin and she was actually ready believe it or not. She did
not like leaving her house but it is in a good old neighborhood about four block away from the main drag that goes by a hotel called El Dorado. I
know a lot of hunters use this hotel or use to when I went hunting in Los Mochis 20 years ago. Bach then it only cost $100 dollars to get your weapon
into Mexico with hunting license attached and $30 dollars for the state hunting guide you had to have with you along with buying your shotgun ammo at
the state store, which was very expensive back then. I had a buddy tell me that you can expect to pay $500 or more now to get the shotgun and license
to hunt in Mexico. The hotel still looked ok but aged and looked full, even the bar/resturant was full. We made it to Hermosillo by 7pm. I had to
drive in the dark for about 45 minutes and had no problem but did not like getting caught in the night driving thing as I avoid driving at night like
drinking hot beer. Stayed at the San Sebastain hotel and it cost about $65 dollars but the beds were big as the the rooms and bathroom along with the
beds being softer according to my wife. I can sleep on the floor and be ok but she wants comfort-----Comfort----ok I got it she likes the beds to let
her get rested. From Hermosillo we made it to Nogales in a little over 4 hours and I filled up with desiel before crossing over. I got sent to
Secondary as I knew would happen when I gave my wife's cousin's expired passport from 1996 to the customs officer. Did the talk, let the search
happen, and in about 35 minutes I was on my way. I was joking with the three customs agents after they figured out I also have a job of trust and
away we went. I was back in Brawley by 5 hours from the point of leaving Nogales.
I could have made better time going but the dang freeways going through Tuscon on 10 is a mess with all of the construction and 35 mile an hour
nonesense to 50 miles and hour until you get about 20 miles out of Tuscon . Now,
Arizona highway patrol officers are really hungry for the ticket book use so you better follow the speed limit without any nonesense of just a tad
over for it will not fly and fines are double, repeat doubled, in construction areas. This nonesense of construction has been going on for 3 years
that I have personally experienced and if they would finish one project before starting another one they could have at least finish two of these.
The trip was very good but hard driving to do the time things like I did. We only used the bathrooms at the toll booths as they are clean or the new
Premexs that are also very clean. My wife, mind you, insists on clean restrooms even more than her desire for a good bed and I mean clean.
Some of the people I met that did Baja for years said they were finding the mainland by the beach areas calm and cheaper than Baja. They also felt
that the services for those that were older were better for them in these areas. Los Mochis is getting more retired Americans and has more trailer
parks and they just built a big Social Security Free Hospital there. This hospital looks like it can handle any health care problem. I also found
out when talking with the retirees at the local community center which the locals called a cantina, that many were just being buried in Mexico if they
are called to "the better beach in the sky". Now this is something that I can deal with as I plan to just have my ashes taken out to the ocean and
dumped. I love the ocean and my wife promises she will do so on the cruise ship she will be on to fulfill my wishes. I did say she likes to be
comfortable and he choice to fulfill my wishes definate brings a smile to my face .
If you do go mainland use the toll road, get a map from ontheroad.com, get Mexico Insurance, and stay in the bigger cities for better choices and
prices. You will also see a lot of trailers and motorhomes from the States on this toll road. I still like Baja but Mainland is not bad, however, I
still think I will be in Baja more and just visit Mainland once a year or so .
Later----Bajafun777
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Cypress
Elite Nomad
Posts: 7641
Registered: 3-12-2006
Location: on the bayou
Member Is Offline
Mood: undecided
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Bajafun777, Thanks for the information.
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PabloS
Nomad
Posts: 187
Registered: 4-8-2003
Location: North central AZ
Member Is Offline
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Great report, thanks!
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Humboldt Chris and Robin
Junior Nomad
Posts: 75
Registered: 11-13-2004
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by PabloS
Great report, thanks! |
We did our first mainland trip in our Northstar pop up - and it was fun, lots of beautiful tropical places, went as far as Playa Azul. I still love
Baja and can't wait to get back. A couple observations we had about the mainland
- camping is more expensive in campgrounds - 20-25 bucks. Virtually all had electricity and most had wi-fi
- There are more Canadians in the mainland than in Baja - Most stay he whole winter. Of course, we loved meeting most of them, but it is definitely
more crowded.
- There were a couple army checkpoints that had some real blue ribbon buttcracks. Never met anyone like them in Baja (but the some army checkpoints
were wonderful young people, too)
- My new retirement plan is to camp in every Mexican state - but so far, Baja is my all-time favorite and I'm sorry I wasn't there this winter! Viva
Baja!!!!!
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Iflyfish
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3747
Registered: 10-17-2006
Member Is Offline
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Thanks for the great report Bajafun! Really appreciate the details.
Iflyfish
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BornFisher
Super Nomad
Posts: 2106
Registered: 1-11-2005
Location: K-38 Santa Martha/Encinitas
Member Is Offline
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Great read. Felt like you were just sitting here, telling me about your trip!!
Gracias, I DO miss the tropical landscapes, the smell of wood fire smoke in the AM, the fresh fruit, and social centers!!
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Mango
Senior Nomad
Posts: 685
Registered: 4-11-2006
Location: Alta California &/or Mexicali
Member Is Offline
Mood: Bajatastic
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Nice report.
A nice little side trip/detour you can take next time is Los Alamos. It is about 30 minutes inland from Navajoa which is an hour or two north of
Mochis. Neat little town with some great old buildings.
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Hook
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9006
Registered: 3-13-2004
Location: Sonora
Member Is Offline
Mood: Inquisitive
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Really consider leaving Mexico 15 in Santa Ana and taking the route through Caborca and crossing at Sonoita if you are heading back to Brawley. The
route is quite quick, you save 2-3 tolls, you avoid the Nogales crossing and the route through Tucson..............and it is shorter and more scenic.
It's rare if the Sonoita crossing is 5-15 minutes.
As mentioned the last time I went to Mazatlan, I returned by all-of-Mexico sticker about 5 months late and suffered no penalty BUT BE SURE TO KEEP ALL
YOUR PAPERWORK REGARDING THIS STICKER AND THE STICKER.
Bottom line, you dont have to return via K21 and Nogales.
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Martyman
Super Nomad
Posts: 1904
Registered: 9-10-2004
Member Is Offline
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Great report. I have to complain about the slow down/double fine for construction zones though. As someone who works in the street occasionally, it
is important that people slow down. Alot of dummies speed up to "get through it".
Enjoy!
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DianaT
Select Nomad
Posts: 10020
Registered: 12-17-2004
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Bajafun777
If you do go mainland use the toll road, get a map from ontheroad.com, get Mexico Insurance, and stay in the bigger cities for better choices and
prices. You will also see a lot of trailers and motorhomes from the States on this toll road. I still like Baja but Mainland is not bad, however, I
still think I will be in Baja more and just visit Mainland once a year or so.
Later----Bajafun777 |
We have driven all over the mainland and really enjoy the free roads. We only take the toll roads when we absolutely have to do so---that is seldom.
The free roads take one into some very interesting places not seem from the toll roads. Now, if we were towing a big trailer or driving a motorhome,
it would be different.
We have founds things to love in all the states, but the inland colonial cities are our favorite.
Enjoyed your report. One thing about traveling the mainland that is so very special is that every area is so different.
Getting the itch to head for Oaxaca and beyond.
Diane
[Edited on 3-4-2008 by jdtrotter]
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lingililingili
Nomad
Posts: 449
Registered: 2-24-2008
Location: La Paz, Bahia Asuncion
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Mango
Nice report.
A nice little side trip/detour you can take next time is Los Alamos. It is about 30 minutes inland from Navajoa which is an hour or two north of
Mochis. Neat little town with some great old buildings. |
Mango: Have you been to a little fishing village called Las Bocas also outside of Navojoa? No phones, no hassles. There is beer as well as a plaza
for Sunday evenings!
And by the way, Los Alamos has always been a favorite of mine!
•Life is just one damned thing after another
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