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TheColoradoDude
Nomad
Posts: 287
Registered: 2-10-2009
Location: Colorado/San Carlos, Sonora
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Mood: Paz, Amor, y Tacos de Pescado
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Baja Safety
In advance I would like to thank most of the forum members for their sincere response to this question.
I want you to pretend for a moment that you are the Baja Secretary of Tourism.
What would you tell your best friend, your family member, or your spouse that would convince them traveling through Baja is safe?
Keep in mind that they all know to be respectful and courteous and are aware of keeping a low profile, not driving at night, obeying speed limits,
etc. They also realize that most of the violence is occuring in the border towns.
I ask this because my good friend is being talked out of going to baja by family and friends. I can't blame them for being concerned. It's all over
the local media not to go to Mexico. Lately it has been the top story on all the local news.
Keep in mind that the Secretary of Tourism is not going to respond with; " Well if your that worried, then just stay home"
I am heading down next week with or with out my good friend. 
[Edited on 2-28-2009 by TheColoradoDude]
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fishbuck
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Posts: 5318
Registered: 8-31-2006
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Mexico is certainly a tough sell right now.
I think even the Secretary will tell you to stay out of Juarez.
But even the state department didn't tell college kids not to go to Mex. Just to be cautious and alert. And aware.
If I was really worried (I'm not) I would stay at popular resort areas away from the border. Don't stay out late and avoid dark remote spots.
Many of the towns have little or no violence. Go to those places.
[Edited on 2-28-2009 by fishbuck]
"A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for." J. A. Shedd.
A clever person solves a problem. A wise person avoids it. – Albert Einstein
"Life's a Beach... and then you Fly!" Fishbuck
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BajaDove
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Posts: 194
Registered: 11-23-2008
Location: La Paz
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If you have to stop on the road for a rest Pull in where there are Big rigs (trucks) they will be in spots that have been safe.
If its not where it is, its where it isn\'t.
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Katiejay99
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Posts: 429
Registered: 9-3-2008
Location: Todos Santos
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Here is what I would say:
If you were to travel to Southern Baja (where I Live) you would find the kindest people you have ever met who will stop and help anyone in need. Many
wouldn't even consider asking for money. The weather is totally awesome - no snow, no rain, no fog, just beautifully blue, clear skies. The water is a
little cool right now, but it doesn't stop many people from enjoying it. The food is out of this world! With the peso at the rate it is right now, it
is very affordable to come down and fully enjoy yourself.
There are lots of people camping on the beaches or staying in hotels in this area (Todos Santos) and really enjoying themselves in this very low crime
rate area.
If you look for trouble, you will find it. If you don't, you won't. Come on down and have a great time!!
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TheColoradoDude
Nomad
Posts: 287
Registered: 2-10-2009
Location: Colorado/San Carlos, Sonora
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Mood: Paz, Amor, y Tacos de Pescado
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Great responses so far!
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Mulegena
Super Nomad
Posts: 2412
Registered: 11-7-2006
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Katiejay99
Here is what I would say:
If you were to travel to Southern Baja (where I Live) you would find the kindest people you have ever met who will stop and help anyone in need. Many
wouldn't even consider asking for money. The weather is totally awesome - no snow, no rain, no fog, just beautifully blue, clear skies. The water is a
little cool right now, but it doesn't stop many people from enjoying it. The food is out of this world! With the peso at the rate it is right now, it
is very affordable to come down and fully enjoy yourself.
There are lots of people camping on the beaches or staying in hotels in this area (Todos Santos) and really enjoying themselves in this very low crime
rate area.
If you look for trouble, you will find it. If you don't, you won't. Come on down and have a great time!! |
Thanks, Katie-- a breath of fresh air and a rational take on how life in Baja California really is day-to-day.
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Bajahowodd
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9274
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Location: Disneyland Adjacent and anywhere in Baja
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Dude. You have already said just about everything. I might be presumptious and add, be alert at all times, and do not camp remotely without other
campers nearby.
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fdt
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4059
Registered: 9-7-2003
Location: Tijuana, Baja California
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Mood: Yeah, what if it all goes right
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Well, I can't talk about Juarez since you asked for me, the make believe secretary of tourism in Baja California. First let me clarify that there are
two of us in the peninsula, one for each state and since you didn't specify wich one I'll also make believe I'm both. Dude; You are my best friend, my
family member, not my spouse and I know that you are respectful and courteous and are aware of keeping a low profile, not driving at night, obeying
speed limits, don't use fake plates, etc.
With this in mind I have to tell you to travel confidently in both states, you are not beeing targeted or singled out. If by any chance you were to
run into a corrupt cop, because even thou we are doing our best to clean up house, we still have a few that can't stop theire old bad habits, just do
not give in to them, insist on paying at the station or getting a writen ticket that you can send payment in the mail. If you have questions or have
problems or an emergency during your trip, remember that we have the tourist asistance hotline 078 were bilingual operators can help you.
As for crime and violence occuring only in border towns, I must be frank and tell you that it is also ocurring all over the peninsula, with kidnaping
organizations even in small towns like Todos Santos, BCS http://www.oem.com.mx/elsudcaliforniano/notas/n608222.htm
With cartel style executions of civilians and police taking place even in the peaceful city of La Paz BCS http://www.nowpublic.com/world/aero-calafia-pilot-executed-l...
http://www.elsiglodetorreon.com.mx/noticia/301250.asegura-go...
Not to mention what happened in El Rosario http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=35356#pid3701...
And I could go on and on. We can not hide this but you must be aware that crime is everywere in the world, the USA is not an exeption.
I recomend that you visit Baja California, have fun, enjoy the food and know the people you will not regret it. As make believe secretary of tourism I
can't guarrantee that nothing bad will happen to you but I can assure you that we are doing the best and the most we can to keep you informed and
safe. So go, take advantage of the 15 to 1 exchange rate, the great weather, the camping, the sailing, the fishing, etc. And don't be scared,
excersise the same precautions you do at home and you will be fine.
Sinceramente
El Pseudo Secretario
A well informed Baja California traveler is a smart Baja California traveler!
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TheColoradoDude
Nomad
Posts: 287
Registered: 2-10-2009
Location: Colorado/San Carlos, Sonora
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Mood: Paz, Amor, y Tacos de Pescado
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Excellent FDT. Honest and to the point.
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BajaDanD
Senior Nomad
Posts: 745
Registered: 8-30-2003
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Have them read my Baja trip report. Everyone of those bad things happened to us on our way down Baja
I haven't even done the final report about what happened on our way home, Yet.
A friend of ours was supposed to go with us. He bailed out on us the night before were to leave for Baja.
Thats one of the reasons why I wrote the report
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Bajahowodd
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9274
Registered: 12-15-2008
Location: Disneyland Adjacent and anywhere in Baja
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Is that in the fiction section?
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BajaDanD
Senior Nomad
Posts: 745
Registered: 8-30-2003
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Only part of it
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TheColoradoDude
Nomad
Posts: 287
Registered: 2-10-2009
Location: Colorado/San Carlos, Sonora
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Mood: Paz, Amor, y Tacos de Pescado
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Yeah I printed those out for some good road trip material! And tips!
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Osprey
Ultra Nomad
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Registered: 5-23-2004
Location: Baja Ca. Sur
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Ftd, you would make such a great secretary of tourism. We would all help you get elected (if we could) (if you ran) but I would worry that you then
might be killed or kidnapped.
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Woooosh
Banned
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Osprey
Ftd, you would make such a great secretary of tourism. We would all help you get elected (if we could) (if you ran) but I would worry that you then
might be killed or kidnapped. |
... and what would this armpit be like without our Senor Right Guard.
\"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing\"
1961- JFK to Canadian parliament (Edmund Burke)
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CaboRon
Ultra Nomad
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Location: The Valley of the Moon
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Woooosh
| Quote: | Originally posted by Osprey
Ftd, you would make such a great secretary of tourism. We would all help you get elected (if we could) (if you ran) but I would worry that you then
might be killed or kidnapped. |
... and what would this armpit be like without our Senor Right Guard. |
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XRPhlang
Nomad
Posts: 111
Registered: 10-12-2007
Location: Central Coast
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Mood: Taco me.
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Dude. You have already said just about everything. I might be presumptious and add, be alert at all times, and do not camp remotely without other
campers nearby. |
I'm curious. Have you heard of any specific attacks on remotely camped campers in recent
times. I'm interested, because this is the kind of camping I look for when in Baja. The reason I feel safe doing so is that I have not heard of that
many reported problems. Yeah, there was that couple attacked at Quatro Casas in their mobile home, but that wasn't a remote area. Anybody heard of
attacks on people camping alone?
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65296
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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XR, I'm like you in that when you camp in a remote place where there are no other people and it takes an off road vehicle to get there... You are as
safe as can be.
I mean, how many banditos have off road vehicles and drive into the unknown on a hunch to find a gringo to rob???
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Leo
Senior Nomad
Posts: 518
Registered: 9-23-2004
Location: Todos Santos
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Mood: could be better
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Not lately, XRP...
Katie says it well, except for that weather part. Cool lately? It's 5 to 10 degrees warmer then normal around this time. HOT, HOT
The grass is always greener....
and so, there is always a better spot in Baja
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XRPhlang
Nomad
Posts: 111
Registered: 10-12-2007
Location: Central Coast
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Mood: Taco me.
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I like to keep things in perspective when people ask me how I feel about the threat of being attacked in Baja. In the 15, or so trips I've made in the
past 6 years I've experienced NO bad people, or rip offs, (other than a few over-charges at restaurants and tiendas). Maybe I've been lucky and I can
only hope that my luck holds. I just try to bring down good will each time and I usually get it in return. However, I don't spend much time around
the border.
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