Baja or Bust

leehere · Posted: Sun Aug 31, 2008 2:19 pm Post subject: Baja or Bust

Any good stories/advice out there for a trip from Vancouver, BC to somewhere in Baja in January? Sure is a loo--oong way, and I wonder if any of you have suggestions re routes in winter.
Also, I understand you have to get insurance to travel in Mexico. Any recommendations?
Thank you all so much.
Leehere
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Lee and Ira and Niki the Dirty Three always ready to hit the road!

Motor31 · Posted: Mon Sep 01, 2008 7:53 am Post subject:

It would help if you stated where you intend to enter and go in Mexico for routing. Baja is limited in highways and they will be narrow from what you are used to.

You can Google Mexican insurance. Sanborn has been in the business for many years and may be a good place to start asking.
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Mike, Nancy and the Fuzzies
2005 MS 38 RL3
2001 Volvo MH (HDT)
2004 R1150RT (piggyback)
1996 Jeep Cherokee (toad)

leehere · Posted: Mon Sep 01, 2008 9:23 am Post subject: Point of Entry

Hi and thanks for the note; that's just it. Can you suggest a good point of entry? I heard that Tijuana is not a good one. Any experience? I drive a Pleasureway van, so width is not a problem for me.
Again, thanks!
L
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Lee and Ira and Niki the Dirty Three always ready to hit the road!

Cornbread Red · Joined: 09 Feb 2008 Posts: 60 Location: Eastern Arizona

Any POI besides TJ is good. San Felipe on the Sea of Cortez side is a nice place for Baja bound snowbirds too.

Chip

Stanbnv · Joined: 27 Mar 2006 Posts: 25

I suggest Traveler's Guide to Mexican Camping by Mike and Terri Church, which should be available at most book stores. There are updates to it at www.rollinghomes.com. Also check out www.ontheroadin.com. They have a lot of information. You might try www.bajanomad.com too. We travel the mainland, not Baja, but I hear that they have good info.
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Stan & Linda
Loki & Hobo, our furry kids
06 Dodge 3500 CTD, 04 Laredo 29GS
When you come to a fork in the road, take it

biglar · Joined: 08 Jul 2008 Posts: 6 Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico

For years, I've gone to Tecate for entry, then down the back way to Ensenada. Much more relaxed, more scenic, less crowded, etc. On the Baja you can go to the Baja Sur border at the 28th parallel without visas. You'll go through several military checkpoints as you head south. Just relax and be polite and they're fine. The only road I'd suggest for an RV is the main highway and it's very scenic. DO NOT go off into isolated areas, especially at night. Don't travel at night at all in Mexico. When you get to Ensenada, the drive across to San Felipe is very nice. The road south, too. I especially like the coast south of San Quintin.

Lar.

rvlovers10100 · Posted: Sat Sep 20, 2008 10:06 am Post subject: Baja

Having lived on the west coast for numerous years in WA, OR, and CA, I am envious of your planned trip. However, doing Baja in an RV has turned especially dangerous. There are numerous reports of robbers and militants attacking single RVs, including the shooting of one Class C. If I was to do Baja, I would join a group and go as a bunch instead of alone.

svbagabundo · Joined: 13 Apr 2006 Posts: 5

My husband and I have traveled in a 40' motorhome and 36' 5th wheel many times up and down the Baja. We always enter in Tecate as mentioned before. Much easier entrance. Immigration is right there for visas. Always travel during the day only because of animals that graze alongside the road. Most important, take your time! The road is narrow with no shoulders and in some areas, a dropoff of up to 6 inches! We have seen many damaged RVs that have dropped off the edge of road and in some cases rolled over! We just slow down when approaching other large vehicles from the other direction. There are plenty of gas stations all the way down the Baja now, but advise you always fill up when half empty to insure no problems. RV parks are available in San Quentin, Guerrero Negro (great whale watching trips available there!), Catavina (a little rancho off the road for dry camping, always found to be very safe), El Rosario, San Ignacio, Mulege, Loreto, Constitution, La Paz, Cabo San Lucas. So that is not a problem. As to bandits, most of the trouble is around the border near Tijuana, another reason to use Tecate. But common sense is important! Most Mexicans are helpful! Military checkpoints are not a problem. Be polite, show respect. Don't adopt an "attitude." They are just doing their job. And you will probably be waved through going south anyway! Coming back up north you will be randomly searched because of US terrorist threats!