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loscabos2
Newbie
Posts: 4
Registered: 9-27-2010
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government warns against land travel in Baja north
we've driven down the Baja to San Lucas a couple of times over the last few years and never experienced any trouble and would like to drive down again
next month . Ofcourse now we hear of escalating violence and government warnings to not travel by land in Baja north . I don't see anyone on this
site talking about any trouble they have had . Has anyone heard of tourists being carjacked or illegal roadblocks south of tijuanna ?? should I not
drive this year ??
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65285
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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All you need to do is go to the Baja Nomad Baja Trip Reports forum and read of Nomad's travels...
We went well over 200 miles south of the border just over a week ago... and made it back... alive! LOL
Do what you wish, but if you read the press it will just fill you with fear. We also drove at night south of Ensenada... oh my!
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mcfez
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8678
Registered: 12-2-2009
Location: aka BN yankeeirishman
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Lions, and tigers, and bears! Oh, my! ....
A subject here that is always talked about...
We have a place on the Sea of Cortez...so we normally travel thru Mexicali to get to San Felipe. From there.....we travel up to BoLA and westward to
various places. I also used to go the the "Mexican Rivera" for years.
Never had a issue. Never. We take our kids. Our Grand kids. Taking Grandson Julian for the first time..... whom is 6
.....this coming Easter.
The kids play...go to town...free to do what they want to do. Except: No town at night. Stay off the main highway. Do not approach any one stopping in
their car to "ask you a question". Same rules that I have in California.
I feel that you are more at risk traveling parts of Los Angelos , south Sacramento... Fresno..
We dont stop in the border towns. We gas up...do the bathroom call....eat....then drive straight thru Mexicali. It's just too busy, and issues that I
rather avoid.
Go! Drive! Take the kid(s)! Take me!
Oh...and watch out for these drivers down there...no insurance!
Old people are like the old cars, made of some tough stuff. May show a little rust, but good as gold on the inside.
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sanquintinsince73
Super Nomad
Posts: 1495
Registered: 6-8-2010
Location: Los Angeles, CA
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Just got back last night from San Quintin. I always take my kids and have never had a problem. What you will find though, are people ready to help in
the event of a breakdown or whatever.
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loscabos2
Newbie
Posts: 4
Registered: 9-27-2010
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thanks MCFEZ .. " take me " hahaha thanks funny ! and thankyou Sanquintinsince 73 for the Regan quote .... sad but true .
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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| Quote: | Originally posted by loscabos2
government warns against land travel in Baja north
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These warnings, in my opinion, are refering to specific places in Norte, such as Cd. Juarez. It can't be expected that our government would seperate
and condemn city by city. That would cause an uproar from those cities.
Another thing that bothers me is, Cd. Juarez deserves all the negative press the place gets, but it's kind of compromising for our government to speak
to the reality of the "Most dangerous city in the world" since we still maintain a consular facility there.
Why....I don't know.
All that said, people shouldn't be presenting their uneventful travels here as the status quo. I see their pleasant trip as a result of many factors
including dodging a bullet.
This place is a war zone with pockets of activity and nothing to keep them from spreading.
There are many, many people who arn't directly connected to the War who, due to poverty and other reasons, will take advantage of sparse law
enforcment and have their way with the unprotected.
And, all that said, the chances that travelers and guests in Baja will have that uneventful time are good. Most likely, nothing will happen, but
the possibility exists in a strong way. We can't allow ourselves to forget this until the threat is gone, and we're a long way from that time.
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BAJA.DESERT.RAT
Senior Nomad
Posts: 980
Registered: 11-5-2009
Location: BAJA SUR
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Hola loscabos2 and welcome back to the board.
as the previous posters, i have NEVER had any problems driving in baja.
so far, going south either crossing at tijuana or tecate, i just drive until i get to san quintin and then i relax but i never let my guard down.
i do agree with mcfez that i really feel safer in baja sur than i do in los angeles where we really keep our guard up.
there is such a friendliness in baja sur and the willingness to help if you have any car problems. we do the same.
yes, tijuana has problems but after you cross the border, you should be on your way to your destination and not even stop there. however, people on
this site have promoted tijuana as a destination and say it is safe. unfortunately, the economy there has been wrecked and the people there are really
suffering.
have a great journey.
BIEN SALUD, DA RAT
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wessongroup
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 21152
Registered: 8-9-2009
Location: Mission Viejo
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Mood: Suicide Hot line ... please hold
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Dennis ....Ditto's....
[Edited on 9-28-2010 by wessongroup]
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loscabos2
Newbie
Posts: 4
Registered: 9-27-2010
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Thanks ..Dennis ..Desert Rat .. Wessongroup ... for taking the time to respond to me ... I have also called some people in Cabo and apparently this is
a case of " much ado about nothing " ... Oh, I also called the Canadian Consulate in Tijuana .... they " cannot comment further than the
recommendation on the web-site " . American and Canadian economy issues aside , not all people will take the time to ask you good people or call
friends in Cabo to ask what the real situation is .... they will just check the Government travel advisory and decide to go somewhere else .... these
irresponsible warnings really hurt the Baja economy .
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nbacc
Senior Nomad
Posts: 770
Registered: 12-27-2008
Location: Northern California
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mcfez is 100% right. That is what we do on the way to San Felipe also and have never had a problem. Go through through in El Centro and just keep
going. Nancy
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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| Quote: | Originally posted by loscabos2
these irresponsible warnings really hurt the Baja economy . |
I would think that perhaps you would do some research before you come to that decision, but I think you heard exactly what you wanted to hear and
nothing else.
Have a good trip.
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Bob and Susan
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8813
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Mulege BCS on the BAY
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Mood: Full Time Residents
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i'd warn you about the road south of ensenada
HORRIBLE!!!
lots of dirt and rocks
also
just south of tecate on mex3
HORRIBLE!!!
even worse this week
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Baja&Back
Senior Nomad
Posts: 549
Registered: 9-10-2004
Location: Vancouver, Canada / todo de Baja
Member Is Offline
Mood: Rarin' to go South!
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| Quote: | | Originally posted by loscabos2Ofcourse now we hear of escalating violence and government warnings to not travel by land in Baja north . I
don't see anyone on this site talking about any trouble they have had . |
That's because they are not having trouble. It's all CNN.
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irenemm
Senior Nomad
Posts: 623
Registered: 7-16-2009
Location: vicente guerrero, baja
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Mood: relaxed
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Oh they are just mad because we are getting new roads south of Ensenada. All the construction is making dust clouds and they think it is something
else.
the most dangerous thing is getting the dust in your eyes.
have fun and enjoy the adventure.
the Government just want people to stay home and spend the money in there Country.
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mcfez
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8678
Registered: 12-2-2009
Location: aka BN yankeeirishman
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It's okay if you repeat the same question asked before...
| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
All you need to do is go to the Baja Nomad Baja Trip Reports forum and read of Nomad's travels... |
For you newbies as I was once upon a time here....It was sort of "lost in Space" trying to discovery where everything was...
I didnt have a clue about the <search> button function that is up in the upper left corner of this web page that you are viewing currently.
Here's what you'll see:
Search for: "you the Newbie...type in the topic you are Q&A"
by (username): "never mind...u r new here"!
in (forum): "Baja question & answer" gets good results
from: "beginning"
Perhaps you can now find even greater info for your future land voyage...good travels 2 u
There are great folks here....all of us
[Edited on 9-28-2010 by mcfez]
Old people are like the old cars, made of some tough stuff. May show a little rust, but good as gold on the inside.
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k-rico
Super Nomad
Posts: 2079
Registered: 7-10-2008
Location: Playas de Tijuana
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I was curious so I checked the US Dept.of State's latest warning. It does list specific areas to avoid:
"Recent violent attacks and persistent security concerns have prompted the U.S. Embassy to urge U.S. citizens to defer unnecessary travel to
Michoacán and Tamaulipas, to parts of Chihuahua, Sinaloa, Durango, and Coahuila, (see details below) and to advise U.S. citizens residing or traveling
in those areas to exercise extreme caution.
It doesn't have any specific warnings about northern baja. Tijuana has calmed down somewhat but the bad guys are still killing each other with
regularity, usually in the slummy neighborhoods. I haven't heard of any tourists having trouble in a long time and such events usually get reported on
this message board.
I've been driving around TJ almost daily for 4 years, nice car, CA plates and my biggest concern has always been BIG potholes (low profile tires) and
overly aggressive drivers.
Here's the latest (this month) state department warning to travelers in Mexico.
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_4755.html
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24baja
Senior Nomad
Posts: 952
Registered: 2-3-2009
Location: Grants Pass Oregon/Bahia de Los Angeles
Member Is Offline
Mood: Wishing we were in BOLA
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In my opinion it is like driving through various parts of the US cities, if it feels wrong it usually is......be alert to your surroundings.
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mooose29
Nomad
Posts: 201
Registered: 10-1-2008
Location: Encinitas/Punta Chivato, Rancho Partera
Member Is Offline
Mood: All Smiles
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We had one of the top FBI agents thats works the TJ area come to our Rotary club a few months back and speak to us, he said that in TJ they have not
seen the cartels targeting tourists in that area.
We have been traveling down to our place in Punta Chivato for years many times a year and have had zero problems. We have experienced many helping
hands when broken down or in need of assistence along the road. We have also made some good family friends at restaurants and hotel along the way.
We also travel with kids, dogs, grandparents, friends, cousins, etc... and alsways seem to have a good time.
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by mooose29
We had one of the top FBI agents thats works the TJ area come to our Rotary club a few months back and speak to us, he said that in TJ they have not
seen the cartels targeting tourists in that area.
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Isn't that reassuring.
The day will come when foreigners are the target.
How can you say not? Are we imune for some reason I can't see?
Most Mexicans hate us. That's what they're taught to do. They don't like us.
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Bajahowodd
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9274
Registered: 12-15-2008
Location: Disneyland Adjacent and anywhere in Baja
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As someone who has traveled Baja for over thirty years, and who is headed to Cabo this Friday, I can unequivocally tell you that your greatest
potential threat on your journey will be the crooked cops in Cd. Constitucion. Relax and enjoy your journey. I know I will.
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