update on road conditions
I hope I am not being redundant here but wanted to give a fresh report on road conditions on the Baja Highway.
My son and I left Phoenix at 1AM Friday, arrived at GN at 6:00PM. We had no trouble crossing at Tecate. We arrived there about 6:30AM and were with no
one in front of us. We were checked. Beware, you only get $75 free per person, the rest is 16% duty. Ouch. I thought it was $300 duty free like the
airlines. We were bringing a few things down for our house that would not be airline material but still cheaper I guess. My son noticed they were only
checking every other car. We got our FMT's at the border and filled them out and stamped.
We took Highway 3 to Ensenada, no turns. There was construction for about 5 or 6 miles with dirt road and a little messy but no 4WD material. In
Ensenada, could not find one bank open to pay and stamp paid. In fact, the entire trip, I only observed 5 banks total, and only one open was a
Bancomer in San Quentin and waited about 1/2 hour in line to stamp and pay $180 pesos. Later saw one open in Laretto.
First two bridges damaged, two near San Vincente, no problem and no delays but the next two south north of San Quentin were some delays, the last one
the worst, about 20 minutes north of ElRosairo. Hope they don't get any more rain or this one is going again.
Took the pros advice and stopped at Baja Cactus restaurant for lunch and gas. That place is super and very reasonable on the price.
We stayed overnight at GN at Marmarlios. Nice place, good food. Hit the road the next day, yesterday, Saturday at 6. Little foggy but got behind a big
semi who was really moving so no danger of cattle and went great. We stopped at Mulege for breakfast at 9, Serinad Hotel, old but nice. Stopped one
more time for gas at Laretto and arrived at our house in Cabo at 5PM. So all total, about 27 hours including about 4 hours in food, gas, custom and
bank breaks.
We went as fast at 85 on the straightaways. Amazed at the amount of flat desert in the middle.
The highlights for me and I hope I am not offending any of you Baja lovers, because I did not have time to see the nooks and crannies this time but
thought the Bouder Field was really cool, the great views and scenery of Ascuncion Bay, I thought that St.Rosalia was interesting. Would like to check
that out some more. At Mulege, heard the pargo, yellowtail and cabrilla were biting.
I have to give one driving tip though that I am going to thoroughly practice down here. Whenever considering passing, always look back and see if
someone is trying to pass you since many mexicans it seems lurk out in the lane or big trucks just plan on passing before you do and could you be part
of the pavement real easy. Also, we did have a GPS on the trip which was helpful, especially leaving Tecate and going thru Ensenada.
But plenty of gas, lots and lots Pemix, even a new one opening in Catavina so the drum guy will be out of business.
Well everyone, thanks again for all of your help and I am so happy to have found this wonderful site.
Regards, Binger
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