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tkroll
Newbie
Posts: 6
Registered: 1-7-2010
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Driving safety
Yo,
First post here, be gentle.
I'm planning a trip down to Costa Rica. Will be driving from San Diego, starting around March.
What's the straight dope on the driving safety in Baja? I'm a seasoned traveler but unfamiliar with the region.
Thanks!
Ty
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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Don't drive at night.
Don't pull over for unmarked police cars.
Use common sense.
Welcome to BajaNomad, tkroll.
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tkroll
Newbie
Posts: 6
Registered: 1-7-2010
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Good stuff. Any more exotic tips?
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toneart
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4901
Registered: 7-23-2006
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Mood: Skeptical
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Go straight and not on dope. 
OK, I got that out of the way. Welcome to the Bajanomad! Driving in Baja is only dangerous if you are not attentive and if you drive after dark. The
reason being, narrow (but well paved) highway with no shoulder in many places. The trucks do not give you much room and there is nowhere to go if you
are crowded.
Driving at night presents another set of problems; livestock roaming the roads which are hard to see until it is too late...SMACK! Also, if there are
bandidos lurking, nighttime presents better opportunities for them.
Staying alert is absolutely necessary. The long drive with your eyes glued to the road is mesmerizing. You get sleepy. Too many people tend to swerve
and then over-correct, thereby rolling over. If you are driving you can't take in the scenery like you would if you were the passenger. You need to be
aware at all times of road conditions.
In spite of all you have heard or read, the Cartel drug war is not affecting tourists while driving. Sure, you could be in the wrong place at the
wrong time, but not likely. We are not being targeted. Hundreds of people travel up and down HWY 1 daily, with no hint of a Cartel presence. Just be
aware of your surroundings and motor on south. Avoid deviating from the highway and getting stuck in Tijuana unless you are familiar with the city and
know where you are going (which you said you aren't).
Good Luck! Travel Well. Vie bien.
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fishbuck
Banned
Posts: 5318
Registered: 8-31-2006
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Drive as fast as you possibly can and pass on blind corners.
Hey that's how the Mexicans do it!
"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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Dave
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6005
Registered: 11-5-2002
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Costa Rica?
Dude, look at a map. You're gonna run into a big lake just south of Cabo.
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fishbuck
Banned
Posts: 5318
Registered: 8-31-2006
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Maybe he's got one of them "anphibian" cars. The kind that can swim.
"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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tripledigitken
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4848
Registered: 9-27-2006
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I don't think this is the gentle he was after?
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toneart
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4901
Registered: 7-23-2006
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Mood: Skeptical
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OOPS!
| Quote: | Originally posted by Dave
Dude, look at a map. You're gonna run into a big lake just south of Cabo. |
How did I miss that? 
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Sunman
Nomad
Posts: 400
Registered: 6-22-2007
Location: Oxnard
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First and foremost make sure whatever you are driving is in top shape, especially for a journey such as this.
Second, pay attention. There really is little room for error. You take your eyes off the road for a second and can be in trouble quick.
Third, as the others have said, don't drive at night.
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DianaT
Select Nomad
Posts: 10020
Registered: 12-17-2004
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I assume you will be taking the ferry to the mainland in order to head further south. If so, crossing from the southern border in Mexico to Guatemala
is much easier and less hassle through the mountains at La Masilla than along the coast near Tapachula.
The truck traffic goes through Tapachula and it is a zoo. Besides, the mountain towns are much nicer and prettier.
Driving in Guatemala City makes driving in Mexico City seem calm and tame---be careful.
From Guatemala to Honduras, it is much easier to cross near Copan. Even since they paved the road out there, it is much easier than Esquipules -- the
main crossing.
Be very careful in the resort areas along the north coast of Honduras and in Tegus, the capital.
It is a straight shot on down to Costa Rica. You will find that every Central American country is very different---it will be a great trip.
Only different advice for driving Baja is when you see a big truck coming toward the curve, be very careful as they often cut the curve.
Have fun
[Edited on 1-7-2010 by DianaT]
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tkroll
Newbie
Posts: 6
Registered: 1-7-2010
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You guys are classic. Bring it on!
Who put that lake on the map? Thought it was a mountain or maybe a blue desert.
chit. Guess I'll head up to La Paz and get the ferry to Mazatlan.
Thankfully you guys were here to stop me from driving into the water.
Ty
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tkroll
Newbie
Posts: 6
Registered: 1-7-2010
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@DianaT
Thanks for the great info.
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DianaT
Select Nomad
Posts: 10020
Registered: 12-17-2004
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| Quote: | Originally posted by tkroll
@DianaT
Thanks for the great info. |
You are welcome. Do you have any ideas of what you want to see along the way? Have a few suggestions is you would like, or are you on a straight
mission to get to Costa Rica ASAP?
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tkroll
Newbie
Posts: 6
Registered: 1-7-2010
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I'm surfing my way down, so the coast is priority. Want to see everythng else along the way.
Would love all suggestions.
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DianaT
Select Nomad
Posts: 10020
Registered: 12-17-2004
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| Quote: | Originally posted by tkroll
I'm surfing my way down, so the coast is priority. Want to see everythng else along the way.
Would love all suggestions. |
Surfing is something I know next to nothing about---cannot help with that. But one of our last trips from Guatemala to the US we followed the coast
and it was beautiful. Do fill up with gas OFTEN--there are some long gaps.
If you do go through the mountains to get to Guatemala, you will go through the beautiful town of San Cristobal in Mexico. It has grown a lot in the
last several years, but still beautiful.
And through the highlands of Guatemala there is the famous market at Chichicastanego----very touristy in parts, but the local part is great. Also,
Lake Atilan is considered the jewel of Central America. It is beautiful. And to see a number of gringos in a great colonial city, do visit Antigua.
The part of Honduras you will be traveling does not hold a lot of interest unless you detour along the north coast to the towns of Tela, La Ceiba,
etc.---but I don't think there is any surf there.
In Costa Rica, to see a beach less popular with tourists, go to Samara---but opps, calm water there.
One thing to be very careful of in Costa Rica are the pedestrians---they often walk way out into the street because there they know no one will run
over them. If they were in Guatemala or Honduras, they would be speed bumps. :-)
For the entire trip, grab a Moon or Lonely Planet Book and talk to the locals a lot. If there are some problem areas, they will tell you about them.
It has been a few years since we were back there---can't wait to travel there again.
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tripledigitken
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4848
Registered: 9-27-2006
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The coast from Puerto Vallarta to Ixtapa is a great place to linger. Can't speak specifically to the surf though. Others here have that expertise.
Have fun.
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Bajahowodd
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9274
Registered: 12-15-2008
Location: Disneyland Adjacent and anywhere in Baja
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| Quote: | Originally posted by tripledigitken
The coast from Puerto Vallarta to Ixtapa is a great place to linger. Can't speak specifically to the surf though. Others here have that expertise.
Have fun. |
Tons of great surfing spots along that stretch.
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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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Welcome to Nomad...!!
I didn't see you say what you are driving (this is very important to get good advice here)...???
4WD, AWD, 2WD, hitch hike?
Ever drive in Mexico before? Do you know about having Mexican Auto Insurance, Tourist card (FM-T), Car Permit (for the mainland when you cross over)?
The highway becomes very narrow about 200 miles south of the border, which is where the newest section of the Baja highway built in 1973 begins. There
are a few miles of new, wider road to the south that are a look at the future of Baja roads. Be very careful on this narrow road because it is also
used by large semi-tractor trailer rigs, motorhomes towing boats and crazy ex-hippies on bicycles... all forcing you off your lane if you are
surprised by them on a blind curve and unable to slow down fast enough! Much of the highway is on a raised levee with no shoulders to pull off easily,
as well.
Range cattle will be on the road and even like to sleep on it at night... burros too!
Have a great time, and report back to us when you make it to Costa Rica or at any Internet cafe, along the way!
Oh, and be sure to take the short side trip into San Ignacio, a mile off the highway... This oasis is surrounded by desert:
Plenty of beauty along the way, like here at Bahia Concepcion:
Lot's of history too... missions and mission visiting stations are along the way... this is San Juan Bautista Londo, and can be seen from Hwy. 1...
built 300 years ago:
Enjoy!
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mojo_norte
Senior Nomad
Posts: 725
Registered: 2-14-2006
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I would ask David K to adopt you !
Drive to Baja - Surf - Drive back San Diego - catch a cheap flight to Costa Rica - wish you were back in Baja ..
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