Baja Camping Trip

[BrianG]

Hi Everyone,

I can't find any topics on this subject. We are thinking about a late March trip to San Felipe on the east side or something on the Pacific side. There will be friends with us in a Lance truck camper, a Roadtrek and our Hawk. For now San Felipe is our initial thought.

The US State Department says to "Reconsider Trips to Baja". None of us have ever done a road trip to Mexico and we are looking for any kind of info or advise, good or bad.

We're aware of the visa, insurance, health and dog info required. I have seen the Four Wheel Camper Group trip in Feb and July. Those dates aren't working for us and they only accept FWC's, which I understand.

So, I'm open to any info any of you can give us. Don't hold back!!

Thanks for any help,
Brian

 

[Wango]

Hi,
I will see if i can help.
First thing i recommend grabbing the Baja California Atlas.
And then decide where you want to stay. We stayed at Pete's Camp
Great easy way to ease into things, food is good, camping is reasonable and all of the rigs in your party should be fine.
Lots of other choices. In that area.
Learn some basic phrases, be POLITE, smile, don't speed, don't drive at night.
We spent a little over a month in Baja in 2017/2018.
Things are a little different now, but from what i have read, people i have spoken with. Baja is still pretty safe.
I treat foreign countries like i treat cities in the US, no where to go, and NOT to go. If you go down there looking for any kind of trouble
you will most likely find it.
Otherwise, it's awesome down there. We are planning on going feb of next year.
Let me know if i can help.
Was one of my favorite trips.
w

 

[DavidGraves]

Don't go as a group

 

[BrianG]

Hi David,

Why not as a group? We thought this would be safer?

Wango,

Pete’s looks pretty good, as you said, to ease into the area. We’re a pretty easy going group, a Doctor, a Minister and a pilot

I'm wondering how long the border crossings can take going and coming at Mexicali if all your paperwork is done.

Thanks

 

[Wango]

Brian,
As far as groups go, different strokes i guess. We went with another couple, they were pulling a bumper tow camper. Very limiting at times as far as where they could go.
Hard to direct you to more dispersed areas, not knowing the vehicle capabilities. Again, just do some research on the area and be conservative when leaving established areas.
We entered at Mexicali, and exited at tecacate. Entering was fairly easy, had to stop to get our FMM, and find an ATM. Getting back into the US took much longer, which was expected.
Do you home work, take it slow while down there. It will work out, we are going back next year.
w

 

[buckland]

And dive deep into this website... all of the above is very good advice.

http://forums.bajanomad.com

 

[Occidental]

We just returned from a trip to Baja the first two weeks of January. Knowing what I know now, I would not be nervous about a trip to Baja, other than using common sense and some of the general advice you see out there. As far as COVID, as I assume that is part of the State Department advisory, way more people (pretty much everyone) in Baja wear masks, even outside. The guy washing trucks in the grocery parking lot for cash is wearing a mask. I'd guess the vaccination rate is lower. I'd be more worried about the condition of the bathrooms myself.

As far as safety goes, our experience was good. We camped in a few remote places with nobody around, and felt safe. We stayed in places with a few people around but that weren't developed and felt safe. We stayed in a few developed places with a fee and felt safe. We moved south fast to get out of the populated places and away from people. That's where we generally feel safe and Mexico was no exception. There's lots of friendly locals and travelers there, much more welcoming than most places I've been in the US.

Kind of funny I just saw this post as I just started our report(s) and posted our experience in crossing the border at Tecate in the video embedded in the post here: https://www.occidentalist.org/baja-2022-part-1-the-border-crossing/ Tecate seemed way less busy than Mexicali where we re-entered the US.

In the words of my favorite philosopher: "If you don't do it now, you'll only be one year older when you do."

 

[Wango]

Great timing Occidental!
Just confirmed with the wife, we are heading down next Feb, Just can't this year. Too much to plan with getting away for a month to 6 weeks.

Brian G, i hope all of this helps. Baja was one of my all time favorite trips.
w

 

[BrianG]

This has all helped a lot. We were looking for some confirmation that it was safe and doable at this point in time. We’ll be headed down the last week in March and will keep this thread open at that time.

We are looking at the Baja Nomads site also, thanks buckland! Many thanks to Occidental, I’ll be watching for further postings.

Brian

 

[Marc]

I just got back on Tuesday the 1st of Feb. Sound advice given in previous posts. I went as far as Loreto Bay. Lots of good beach camping just N. of Loreto. As mentioned, common sense and and a good attitude as well as learning some basic Spanish goes a long way in Baja. The locals I have met have always been friendly and welcoming . Take it slow and enjoy the ride. Baja is awesome !

 

[cowboyjack]

Take the time to learn a few basic phrases in Spanish: hello, thank you, where is…, I don’t understand, please, etc.

Get the Baja Atlas and iOverlander. The Moon guide to Baja is useful, especially if you haven’t been to Mexico.

Get pesos before you cross, especially smaller bills, and plan on paying cash in pesos for almost everything.

Good advice above. San Felipe is close and easy because they are used to gringos and Highway 5 is better than many US roads. Travel in daylight and use common sense and you’ll be fine and probably discover that the people are largely amazingly generous and kind.

 

[Taku]

there is a Facebook group "Talk Baja" and others with lot's of information on traveling around Baja

 

[BrianG]

I really appreciate all the comments. We (two truck campers, both with trailers) are heading down to San Felipe on April 8, only for a week on this trip. I’ve decided to take my Polaris sxs sounds like it may have a use. As I said earlier this is the first Mexico trip for both of us and we are quite excited.

Thanks to everyone, on return, I’ll add a write up on this forum page.

 

[Wango]

Have a great trip.

 

[BrianG]

We have all our paperwork prep done for an April 8th departure to San Felipe, we’ll cross at Mexicali 1 on the 10th. We our thinking of stopping at the Mexicali Costco, not sure it’s a great idea? Any opinions or experiences?

We’ll be staying at Pete’s Camp, very short trip, this is our initiation trip to Baja. Apparently I’ll be able to use my sxs every where.

So, Costco any ideas?

Brian

 

[kmcintyre]

We have all our paperwork prep done for an April 8th departure to San Felipe, we’ll cross at Mexicali 1 on the 10th. We our thinking of stopping at the Mexicali Costco, not sure it’s a great idea? Any opinions or experiences?

We’ll be staying at Pete’s Camp, very short trip, this is our initiation trip to Baja. Apparently I’ll be able to use my sxs every where.

So, Costco any ideas?

Brian

We've stopped in there before. Just like (about) any other costco you've ever been in.... no issues, no hassles, etc.