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JimH
Newbie
Posts: 3
Registered: 9-23-2020
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Should We Reconsider Our Roadtrip??????
We're bummed. We read the report of the 3-car caravan that got hijacked, vehicles and all property stolen at gun-point, outside of Puertecitos a few
weeks ago and now we're having second thoughts about our road trip from Phoenix to La Paz. That event happened right on our proposed route on Hwy 5,
just south of San Felipe (MM148). Should we cancel the road trip? Should we re-route our drive to go by way of Hwy 1??? Should we go somewhere
entirely different (Maine?). We've been looking forward to this for months. Any advice would be helpful. Thanks all.
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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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It happened once...
Will you also avoid American cities where that is a daily event?
We still don't have all the details of that report. Americans are using Hwy. 5 through there daily and there are no other such reports.
Naturally, it is your call... You have to be comfortable. Travel to Mexico is still for essential purposes only, per our government bozos.
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willardguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6451
Registered: 9-19-2009
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Quote: Originally posted by David K  | It happened once...
Will you also avoid American cities where that is a daily event?
We still don't have all the details of that report. Americans are using Hwy. 5 through there daily and there are no other such reports.
Naturally, it is your call... You have to be comfortable. Travel to Mexico is still for essential purposes only, per our government bozos.
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couldn't help yourself could you? jackazz
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willardguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6451
Registered: 9-19-2009
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Jim if you're really concerned I say bag it......but personally I would go
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SFandH
Elite Nomad
Posts: 7084
Registered: 8-5-2011
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Those folks certainly got jacked. If/when it happens again, who knows? I'd say the risk of a car accident is much higher, so if you're OK with that,
go for it.
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MrBillM
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 21656
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Out and About
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Mood: It's a Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah Day
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Know Where You GO ?
One consideration that never seems to be mentioned when drawing a comparison between travel in U.S. cities and those foreign locales is that one
generally has greater knowledge of the more dangerous areas in the U.S.
I've more than a few times found myself driving through areas in Mexico where I'd never have considered the equivalent in L.A. Never a problem but
............ Quien Sabe ?
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Lee
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3508
Registered: 10-2-2006
Location: High in the Colorado Rockies
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Gather what you can from the jacking and have a plan in mind. I know what I would do. A number of people here know what they would do, too.
If you're really nervous, take 1 down. Don't cancel unless your gut says don't go.
Not encouraging a trip as gov't says essential travel only.
US Marines: providing enemies of America an opportunity to die for their country since 1775.
What I say before any important decision.
F*ck it.
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mtgoat666
Select Nomad
Posts: 18388
Registered: 9-16-2006
Location: San Diego
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Mood: Hot n spicy
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| Quote: Originally posted by David K | It happened once...
Will you also avoid American cities where that is a daily event?
We still don't have all the details of that report. Americans are using Hwy. 5 through there daily and there are no other such reports.
Naturally, it is your call... You have to be comfortable. Travel to Mexico is still for essential purposes only, per our government bozos.
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Dk,
For a supposed travel writer specializing in Mexico, you seem to be pretty glib and dismissive of highway robberies going on in Mexico…. not sure
you really know much about crime that goes on in Mexico.
Woke!
“...ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” “My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America
will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.”
Prefered gender pronoun: the royal we
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azucena
Nomad
Posts: 193
Registered: 8-25-2012
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I have driven that stretch of road for years, before it was paved. ( the fact that is now paved could make it more desirable for personas malas.) And
now it seems that the Military Checkpoint appears to be unmanned, that could make it feel a bit more sketchy.
Have you travelled to Baja before? Who are you travelling with: Are they nervous to begin with? How is your Spanish? My thought is to assess your
comfort zone and those who will be travelling with you. The reality is that both highway 1 and 5 have very isolated stretches, but people travel on
them daily. No matter what: be prepared, do not drive at night, and be alert to your surroundings.
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JZ
Select Nomad
Posts: 10562
Registered: 10-3-2003
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You have a much bigger risk of having a car accident than getting car jacked.
Don't sweat it.
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JC43
Nomad
Posts: 498
Registered: 6-21-2014
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My recommnadation: If you feel Hwy 5 should be not your choice, just take Hwy 1. Never heard of anything on 1. BUT: What other users did say already.
It can happen already 20 mls away from home still inside the US. I am traveling frequently from Cabo San Lucas to Mulege and Tijuana. Never been
molested on Hwy 1. I wish you to be confident and having a nice trip.
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JZ
Select Nomad
Posts: 10562
Registered: 10-3-2003
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The ppl suggesting Hwy 1 didn't read the op. He's coming from Phoenix.
It would be very dumb to drive an extra 3-4 hours to go down Hwy 1. The chance of a traffic accident is significantly higher on the 1 going through
all the little towns and then going through the curvy section South of El Rosario.
Go down the 5. You will be fine and have a great time.
[Edited on 9-19-2021 by JZ]
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Mulege Canuck
Nomad
Posts: 387
Registered: 11-27-2016
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I can’t advise you to go or stay but I can tell you what we do to reduce our risk of a problem when we drive through Mexicali. We always cross the
border very early in the morning on Sunday. Less traffic, less cops, etc.
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BajaBlanca
Select Nomad
Posts: 13197
Registered: 10-28-2008
Location: La Bocana, BCS
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We just drove the 5 two days ago. There was one manned check point.
If I were a lone woman, there is NO way I would drive this route by myself. No matter what, make sure your car is in tip top shape - tires correctly
inflated, all liquids full, bring water and snacks.
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BajaParrothead
Nomad
Posts: 460
Registered: 12-4-2012
Location: Portola, CA / Los Barriles
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| Quote: Originally posted by BajaBlanca | We just drove the 5 two days ago. There was one manned check point.
If I were a lone woman, there is NO way I would drive this route by myself. No matter what, make sure your car is in tip top shape - tires correctly
inflated, all liquids full, bring water and snacks. |
Welcome home Blanca
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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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I think Nomads like Paulina, Baja Bucko, M, jeans, etc., would disagree... They didn't or don't fear traveling solo. I hope solo woman Baja drivers
speak up to confirm my suspension.
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JZ
Select Nomad
Posts: 10562
Registered: 10-3-2003
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| Quote: Originally posted by lencho | | I appreciate the military presence along the peninsula; without them things could easily turn into the Wild West out there...
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Agreed.
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amigobaja
Nomad
Posts: 151
Registered: 6-3-2009
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Its dangerous,don'tcome down!
In my opinion theres to many of us gringos on the baja.
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Lee
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3508
Registered: 10-2-2006
Location: High in the Colorado Rockies
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Disagree. Baja is already a Wild West show. Military presence thwarting Wild West nonsense? Think again.
Travelers would know this. Tourists not so much.
US Marines: providing enemies of America an opportunity to die for their country since 1775.
What I say before any important decision.
F*ck it.
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shari
Select Nomad
Posts: 13048
Registered: 3-10-2006
Location: bahia asuncion, baja sur
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Mood: there is no reality except the one contained within us "Herman Hesse"
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I just read on Facebook somewhere that there is now increased military patrols on that stretch of highway to lessen the risk of carjacking...most
likely a result of loss of traffic and tourism.
I happen to agree that is it more likely getting in an accident than getting carjacked by far.
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