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CaliforniaMom
Newbie
Posts: 5
Registered: 10-29-2015
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2 nights in Baja
Hi Baja Nomads, what a great on line community you have! My son and 3 friends will be traveling by motorcycle/truck convoy Feb 2017 San Diego to
Panama. The 1st 2 nights will be in Baja... 3rd night sleeping on the ferry from la Paz to Mazatlan.. Would you tell me if this sounds good: 1st
night in Catavina, (yes on Desert Inn or ?)And 2nd night in Mujele (clementines? Or ?) Would love to hear feedback on accommodation and on taking the
ferry. thank you!
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EnsenadaDr
Banned
Posts: 5027
Registered: 9-12-2011
Location: Baja California
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Mood: Move on. It is just a chapter in the past, but don't close the book- just turn the page
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Might want to stop and see my son in Costa Rica, he is in Nosara Costa Rica on a yoga and surf trip for a month.
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bajagrouper
Senior Nomad
Posts: 964
Registered: 8-28-2003
Location: Rincon de Guayabitos, Nayarit, Mexico
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Mood: happy and retired
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But will he be there in Feb. 2017?????
I hear the whales song
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bajabuddha
Banned
Posts: 4024
Registered: 4-12-2013
Location: Baja New Mexico
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Mood: Always cranky unless medicated
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I'd say you're close to spot on. Cataviņa is a magical place IF cost factor is not a priority; the hotel is a leeetle expensive, but not terribly so.
I think you'd do better 2nd night in Loreto... that'll give you time to orient yourself to South Cape and find the ferry terminal with time to spare.
Much too quick a trip through Baja, period. Next time spend a little more time, you'll be glad you did, especially Mulege and the more
'out-of-the-way' spots, and unwind a little.
Expect at least 12 pages of suggestions by February, and a little in-fighting thrown in for good measure...... que la via bien!
I don't have a BUCKET LIST, but I do have a F***- IT LIST a mile long!
86 - 45*
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BigBearRider
Super Nomad
Posts: 1299
Registered: 4-30-2015
Location: Big Bear, Punta Chivato, and Cabo
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Mood: 
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I did the same ride a few years ago, and then on to South America.
I did my importation papers in Tijuana. You need to be very careful to make sure that the VIN numbers and names are correct. They screwed up the
papers twice, in different ways, for my friend. If it's not done right, you may have problems leaving Mexico.
We spent the night in Ensenada, then the second night in San Ignacio. The days are shorter in the winter, and we rode in the dark some. It's a bad
idea. There are lots of animals and other hazards that can kill you at night. (I almost rode out into oblivion on the way to Bahia de Los Angeles
when the road had washed out and I didn't see it at night)
Don't ride at night. Don't ride at night. Don't ride at night.
The third night was in La Paz. We rode at night to get there. Don't ride at night!
We had to be lined up for the ferry a couple of hours before it left, as I recall. The ferry didn't leave when we thought it would, but several hours
later. Check the schedules.
If I had to do it over again, I would probably do it a bit differently.
I would still do the papers in Tijuana. Then ride down to Ensenada. Cross over to San Felipe, and spend the night in Gonzaga Bay. The 5 is a lot
more quiet and a nicer ride than the first part of the 1. Then ride down to Coco's Corner, cross over to the 1, stop in San Ignacio and Santa
Rosalia, and ride on to Punta Chivato or Mulege for the second night. Third day I would arrive in La Paz. Of course, it all depends on when the
ferry leaves.
If I had more time, I would give the ride several additional days and visit various locations, including whale petting in Scammon's Lagoon or San
Ignacio Lagoon.
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motoged
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6481
Registered: 7-31-2006
Location: Kamloops, BC
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Mood: Gettin' Better
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Riding down to Panama?
If done correctly, don't think you can plan where you stay at night very often. They will be lucky if they get to a destination town each day, never
mind which hotel they get....
Don't ride at night....try to get a room by 4:00 pm each ride day....having a truck along can be helpful, but can also really complicate a moto
ride...
Drink lots of water, have a roll of TP with you, and don't ride at night 
Don't believe everything you think....
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BigBearRider
Super Nomad
Posts: 1299
Registered: 4-30-2015
Location: Big Bear, Punta Chivato, and Cabo
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Mood:
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When I rode south, I didn't have any reservations or plans for where I would end up for the night. It always worked out somehow...
Don't ride at night. Did someone say that already?
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BajaDanD
Senior Nomad
Posts: 745
Registered: 8-30-2003
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2017 is a long ways away things may change a whole lot by then
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BajaNomad
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Thread Moved
10-30-2015 at 08:25 PM |
micah202
Super Nomad
Posts: 1615
Registered: 1-19-2011
Location: vancouver,BC
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...going to Panama?...is it the destination that matters ,or the journey?
Baja's roads and weather and nature is not one that's conducive to making one.
why create a breakneck timeline?
...tight plans make chupacabra laugh. a lot.
DON'T DRIVE AT NIGHT!
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BigBearRider
Super Nomad
Posts: 1299
Registered: 4-30-2015
Location: Big Bear, Punta Chivato, and Cabo
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Mood:
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Wow. I had not seen that before. It looks awesome.
https://www.banjercito.com.mx/registroVehiculos/
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CaliforniaMom
Newbie
Posts: 5
Registered: 10-29-2015
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Thanks to all for helpful replies. The boy wants to do the trip to Panama in 16 days, which I think is hellishly fast, and then have the bikes and
the follow truck shipped back to San Diego. They want to camp about half the time and sleep in beds in modest hotels or hostels the other half.
February is not set in stone... They want to go when the weather is not too hot or rainy. Hours of daylight is a good point. Any suggestions for
month? I like the idea of doing the second night in Loreto, thanks BajaBuddah. If they camp the first night, where would you folks suggest for a
safe area? Anything at San Ignacio? And yes, thanks for the warning on no night riding.
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BigBearRider
Super Nomad
Posts: 1299
Registered: 4-30-2015
Location: Big Bear, Punta Chivato, and Cabo
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Quote: Originally posted by CaliforniaMom  | | Thanks to all for helpful replies. The boy wants to do the trip to Panama in 16 days, which I think is hellishly fast, and then have the bikes and
the follow truck shipped back to San Diego. |
16 days is certainly physically possible, and far from a world record. However, it sounds like a bad idea. 16 days is an oddly specific amount of
time, and suggests to me a rigid schedule. Having such a schedule may encourage very bad decisions to keep pushing to keep the schedule (like riding
at night, or when the weather is bad). Such a schedule will also not allow them to see a whole lot other than the road. And there is a lot to be
seen.
A lot of people would say that 16 days is a good amount of time to explore the Baja peninsula. A month to Panama is a more reasonable pace, allows
for some sightseeing, and less pressure from the schedule. Two months is better.
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Cliffy
Senior Nomad
Posts: 986
Registered: 12-19-2013
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Make sure they are not planning the trip with USA hiway speeds in mind.
Even on bike they ain't gonna be close to USA speeds over the long haul.
Pushing to make a schedule will only bring trouble. Slow down and enjoy the trip.
Make sure they have a good medical evac insurance just in case. Don't go without it! I use it all over the world.
Has anyone mentioned DON'T DRIVE AT NIGHT?
Just met a guy in Bishop, CA that started in Chile on a Honda 2 years ago.
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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
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Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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SPOT
Buy your son a SPOT tracking device with the evacuation package
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wilderone
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3821
Registered: 2-9-2004
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"The boy wants to do the trip to Panama in 16 days"
Why not skip the Baja part if this trip is apparently a race at top speed from Pt. A to Pt. B? The La Paz ferry crossing is slow and expensive. Why
not cross in Douglas, Az? But to respond to your inquiry, Catavina hotel would be a refreshing stop. Split the cost - not expensive for a $90 room.
Personally, I would think driving fatigue would suck the joy out of this trip. My advice is make it a 30 day trip and enjoy it a little bit. Long
time to plan. And make sure you bring all documents, and 3 copies of each. Read Tim Cahill's "Road Fever".
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mtgoat666
Select Nomad
Posts: 18365
Registered: 9-16-2006
Location: San Diego
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Mood: Hot n spicy
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| Quote: Originally posted by wilderone | "The boy wants to do the trip to Panama in 16 days"
Why not skip the Baja part if this trip is apparently a race at top speed from Pt. A to Pt. B? The La Paz ferry crossing is slow and expensive. Why
not cross in Douglas, Az? But to respond to your inquiry, Catavina hotel would be a refreshing stop. Split the cost - not expensive for a $90 room.
Personally, I would think driving fatigue would suck the joy out of this trip. My advice is make it a 30 day trip and enjoy it a little bit. Long
time to plan. And make sure you bring all documents, and 3 copies of each. Read Tim Cahill's "Road Fever". |
catavina is the best camping spot in baja, they would be better off camping in catavina.
except it may be wasted on them, their itinerary involves arriving at sundown and leaving before sunrise each day. wtf kind of road trip is that?
sounds miserable, just driving, no time for fun.
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CaliforniaMom
Newbie
Posts: 5
Registered: 10-29-2015
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Thanks everyone. The 16 day timeline was established because 2 of the guys have limited vacation days. I agree that this sort of timeline would
encourage bad riding decisions with weather or riding after dark. I also think it would be grueling physically. He loves a challenge, but this seems
flat out dangerous to try to do it so quickly.
Let me ask you guys a different question in case he is willing to consider a change of plans. What route and destinations would be an excellent 16
day odessey for these guys, camping about half the time, just in Baja?
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Bajazly
Super Nomad
Posts: 1012
Registered: 6-4-2015
Location: Goodbye Cali and Hello San Felipe
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Mood: More Relaxed Everyday
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Just staying in Baja is way to go with the time allotted. Me and some friends are headed down on the 10 of this month and won't return till after Tday
and we don't really plan to go past Loreto, if we even get that far. So many cool things to see and do down there. Stop and smell the roses, life is
short, enjoy it while you can.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64835
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Baja has EVERYTHING one could want for adventure! (maybe not Alpine show skiing) 16 days in Baja is what I would call a good introduction to a great
lifetime series of adventures!
Books upon books have been written about having adventures in Baja... it must appeal to that inner need so many of us here on Baja Nomad have?
Here's just a small sample of Baja adventure inspired books (some of these authors are Nomads):
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mtgoat666
Select Nomad
Posts: 18365
Registered: 9-16-2006
Location: San Diego
Member Is Offline
Mood: Hot n spicy
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| Quote: Originally posted by CaliforniaMom | Thanks everyone. The 16 day timeline was established because 2 of the guys have limited vacation days. I agree that this sort of timeline would
encourage bad riding decisions with weather or riding after dark. I also think it would be grueling physically. He loves a challenge, but this seems
flat out dangerous to try to do it so quickly.
Let me ask you guys a different question in case he is willing to consider a change of plans. What route and destinations would be an excellent 16
day odessey for these guys, camping about half the time, just in Baja? |
Depends on what they Like to do. Are they just looking to surf?
They should speak for themselves, why is mom doing all their talking?
P.s. The recommendations you get here will be from people middle age and older,... Younger folk may want to hear from people without grey hair, eh?
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