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griff
Newbie
Posts: 7
Registered: 9-1-2011
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Safety on solo trip
Hi everyone,
I posted a number of months back about making my first trip to Baja in February. Sadly my partner in crime has had to bail on me, and my schedule has
been abbreviated by a wilderness first responder course I need to take in Santa Barbara that ends on the 12th. I don't have to be back at work until
the 28th.
I'm a 23 year old gringo with a red heeler and a late model pickup truck. Will I be safe on my own? Where is the best (read:safest) place to cross the
border? I've read a lot of the articles on the forums about recent violence or police scams, and am trying to decide the best way of going about this.
I am pretty attached to making the trip.
Also any last minute recommendations for things to door places to go to surf/fish/kick it on the beach/drink tequila are always appreciated.
Thanks!
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Ateo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5918
Registered: 7-18-2011
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I wouldn't worry about a solo trip. Just cross wherever is closest, and follow the signs southbound. Drive slow going thru any city, and don't do
anything stupid. You'll be fine. How far down do you want to go? Go pick up "surfers guide to Baja".
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sanquintinsince73
Super Nomad
Posts: 1495
Registered: 6-8-2010
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Member Is Offline
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Griff.....I envy you.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65308
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Have a great time... drive during the daytime only... camp in groups with others or out of sight and sound of the highway. The local ranchers and
fishermen are great and if possible camp near them. Try to be a good guest in their country and you will have a blast!
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Mengano
Banned
Posts: 1238
Registered: 9-26-2011
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| Quote: | Originally posted by ateo
Drive slow going thru any city, and don't do anything stupid. You'll be fine. |
WTF? There is a thread running right now about some poor soul who entered at Tecate, drove slow, didn't do anything stupid and it cost him $400.
What kind of advice are you giving? What is your motivation?
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65308
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Going through a Mexican city like Tijuana you would be less of a target than a smaller town like Tecate. Southbound we usually go through Tijuana or
Mexicali and use Tecate northbound for the shorter (usually) border line wait.
In either case, been going through those cities to get to the outback of Baja since 1965... and while I have been pulled over a few times (in
Tijuana, Tecate and Ensenada) none have been a big deal and I usually talk may way out of the ticket (when I didn't deserve it). Hey, it is Mexico, it
happens... If you can't take the heat... 
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captkw
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3850
Registered: 10-19-2010
Location: el charro b.c.s.
Member Is Offline
Mood: new dog/missing the old 1
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frist timer
Hola,if you dont get stupid (drunk) your have a great time,,my self,,drove down here solo in 79 and the only problem I seem to find,,is a drunk
gringo..that said;; chit can happen anywhere in the world ,but,, It dosnt seem to happen here in baja sur very often,,no bad day's K&T
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sancho
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2524
Registered: 10-6-2004
Location: OC So Cal
Member Is Offline
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Back in the day, I used to think it FUN to drink
with local Mex's, ON OCCASION things can go
south, whether lack of communication or some
preceived slight, as pointed out, maybe pick
a camping spot with someone else in the
vicinity, unless you are remote
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PCbaja
Junior Nomad
Posts: 79
Registered: 11-26-2009
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I drive to Punta chivato and la Paz about every other week, at least once a month for the past 3 yrs alone most of the time. I Drive at night (not
recommended till you have some experience on the road), storms construction you name it. NO big deal. Stay slow your first time and relax. Great food
and people along the way. I live and drive Baja constantly and enjoy it.
Have fun!
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TMW
Select Nomad
Posts: 10659
Registered: 9-1-2003
Location: Bakersfield, CA
Member Is Offline
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I suggest taking a AAA Baja map and the Almanac. Watch your speed on the highway and be carefull driving at night, don't want to hurt a cow. As others
have said if camping alone move far away from the highway. If camping with another group around it's best if the wifes and children are there as
drinking is somewhat controlled so things don't get out of hand. I suggest down the pacific side and up the Cortez side. Make this a trip about
getting to know Baja. Speaking spanish helps even if it's only a few words put together. Take pesos for gas.
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paranewbi
Senior Nomad
Posts: 913
Registered: 4-15-2011
Location: San diego
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I drive through Tecate all the time...drive back also. No problems
But I guess Mengano knows better from his chair
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Bajatripper
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3151
Registered: 3-20-2010
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Mengano
WTF? There is a thread running right now about some poor soul who entered at Tecate, drove slow, didn't do anything stupid and it cost him $400.
What kind of advice are you giving? What is your motivation? |
Aahh, Mengano, you are nothing if not consistent and tenacious. So, because something bad happened to a person heading through Tecate (again), now we
should all avoid Mexico (again)? How many times are you going to trot out this tired, old argument of yours? How many converts do you see here?
While your input is valuable for a more complete picture of what a newbie might expect to find, perhaps you could have phrased it differently than
starting with "WTF?". That gets into that whole "my-opinion-is-the-only-correct-one,-and-if-anyone-disagrees,-f***um'!" thing I was talking about on
the other thread.
Do bad things happen sometimes to Americans in Mexico? Yes, just as bad things sometimes happen to Americans back home. Then you bring out your stats,
charts, and graphs showing our chances of meeting with violence are much greater at any time, anywhere south of the border. Thanks, (yawn), next.
Do you ever even go to Mexico? If so, where? If not, why not--I'd really love to hear an honest answer to that one. Perhaps if you crossed the border
more often, you'd see some of the beauty so many of us have found, both in the country AND its people (but, that's not to say that there aren't any
bad Mexicans, just like every American isn't inherently good [gawd, why do I feel like I'm on an episode of Seinfeld?]).
I'm wondering, in all seriousness, what is it that powers your agenda, Mengano (best guess, you were--or someone in your immediate family
was--traumatized by a Mexican)? Your constant negative views of Mexico and all things Mexican have to have an explanation. They aren't the "normal"
views held by someone not blinded by a severe bias against something. What generated that bias, Mengano? Why do you feel the urge to come onto a site
that is dedicated to people who, in general, want to go to Baja as much as they can, and pee in their Wheaties? Is it, perhaps, a need to be abused?
Are you masochistic,...is that your problem? Do you have a constant, irresistible need to be spanked?
There's just gotta be an explanation, I know there is...
[Edited on 1-31-2012 by BajaNomad]
There most certainly is but one side to every story: the TRUTH. Variations of it are nothing but lies.
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bigzaggin
Nomad
Posts: 441
Registered: 5-27-2004
Member Is Offline
Mood: way too ites
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I would get myself to San Ysidro crossing at FIRST light and make sure you understand your first few turns (trickiest stretch of road in Baja).
Assuming you're going S of Ensenada (you should...way South) and you'll wanna get thru that city early. DO NOT SPEED in any city/town/ejido.
Have a firm destination for Day One - maybe you can only make it to El Rosario. It's not a bad idea to crash at Baja Cactus night one then make your
way S bright & early next day. Whatever...know where you'll be staying night one.
Drive during daylight hours - which means thinking ahead (and every stretch is longer than you think).
Top off your tank before you head offroad (and bring 5 gal extra if you can)
Make sure you understand the exchange rate. Gas is cheap...but not if you're getting ripped off.
Get The Almanac.
Buy insurance. Don't go w/o it. I'd suggest BajaBound.
For the love of god bring fishing gear - Krocs, etc.
There are military checkpoints everywhere now - even mid-desert - so don't trip on those. Just smile and let those guys do their job.
Not sure how much solitude you want, but "The Wall" (Punta Rosarito) might be a good place to start. Easy to find, you won't be alone (but that time
of year it should be a light crowd) and it picks up a ton of swell. It's windy, but nothing biblical. If you get motivated, you can always work your
way N...
Also, bring some firewood if you can...there's not much on offer.
Your biggest foe going solo (beyond the cities) will be getting stuck. So if something on the road ahead looks suspect, stop and walk it.
Have fun!
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Ateo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5918
Registered: 7-18-2011
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Mengano
| Quote: | Originally posted by ateo
Drive slow going thru any city, and don't do anything stupid. You'll be fine. |
WTF? There is a thread running right now about some poor soul who entered at Tecate, drove slow, didn't do anything stupid and it cost him $400.
What kind of advice are you giving? What is your motivation? |
I'm giving sound advice. I have no hidden motivation -- unlike you. I read the other thread, and I would've never gone to the station. I would've
offered a bribe and continued on my trip.
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
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Multiple choice question:
Should the occurance in Tecate, the 400 dollar fine for having a pocket knife in the car, be accepted as reasonable...unreasonable....outrageous...an
abberation from the norm, or downright extortion?
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captkw
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3850
Registered: 10-19-2010
Location: el charro b.c.s.
Member Is Offline
Mood: new dog/missing the old 1
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baja tripper
Hola,,thank's for the great post and question,,I wanted to say and ask M myself,but decided to wait and have somebody more skilled, than I....A good
call, on my behalf !! K & T "dodgeing bandito's & narco's in baja sur"
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Bajatripper
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3151
Registered: 3-20-2010
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by captkw
Hola,,thank's for the great post and question,,I wanted to say and ask M myself,but decided to wait and have somebody more skilled, than I....A good
call, on my behalf !! K & T "dodgeing bandito's & narco's in baja sur" |
Why, thank you Cap'n. What a nice thing to say.
There most certainly is but one side to every story: the TRUTH. Variations of it are nothing but lies.
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Mengano
Banned
Posts: 1238
Registered: 9-26-2011
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by paranewbi
I drive through Tecate all the time...drive back also. No problems
But I guess Mengano knows better from his chair |
Yes, yes, of course, paranewbi. And you too, Stevie. This whole business of getting ripped off by a cop in Tecate is just an isolated incident. It
really doesn't happen often enough to be of concern.
Here's another Tecate isolated incident.
Oh, here's another one of them isolated incidents.
Hmmm. Another ripoff in Tecate.
Other than the guy who got ripped for $400 and these other three incidents from Nomads over the past few months, you have the personal guarantee of
paranewbi and the anthropologist, and the other enablers here, that nothing, I repeat, nothing will happen to you in Tecate. And if by some odd chance
something does happen to you in Tecate, they will have that time-honored fallback position which states that THEY have gone there and NOTHING ever
happened to THEM. So YOU must be some kind of a phu**up. That should make you feel much, much better.
These isolated incidents reported here on BajaNomad are probably only a small fraction of the ripoffs. Most people do not post here and many more
would not report the ripoff anyway. There are probably a few of these "isolated incidents" everyday in Tecate.
So when somebody suggests that things are not quite kosher in Tecate, you just do like any good BajaNomad would do: challenge that person and suggest
he does not know anything and never goes to Mexico anyway.
[Edited on 1-31-2012 by BajaNomad]
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Mengano
Banned
Posts: 1238
Registered: 9-26-2011
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by ateo
I'm giving sound advice. I have no hidden motivation -- unlike you. I read the other thread, and I would've never gone to the station. I would've
offered a bribe and continued on my trip. |
Sound advice: Bribe a cop in Tecate to not give you a fine for something you did not do.
I think you just won this week's prize for Rationalizing Mexico.
It will be hard to beat that one.
Second place was for the guy who said "I killed him to save him."
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nbacc
Senior Nomad
Posts: 770
Registered: 12-27-2008
Location: Northern California
Member Is Offline
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The heeler will help! We take ours everywhere when we are in Mexico. He is not "unfriendly" but not real friendly either. Just his appearance makes
a difference. Have fun!!!
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