San Diego to Ensenada, Mexico and points south

tplife wrote:

mexicoruss wrote:

hotpepperkid wrote:
You couldn't pay me to go to Mexico these days although I went to TJ and Ensenada many times in the 60's and 70's

Thanks for your uneducated input

I live 20 miles from the border, and yes, many times we also visited, traveled, and stayed to south of Ensenada in the '70s and '80s before the Narcotrafficante wars - I owned a home and lived in Peru in the late '80s, know the risks, and wouldn't chance my life or my family's in Mexico, outside of the security-ringed tourist enclaves like Cancun. My buddy's caravan was stripped of everything by bandits, high-end Prerunners, tools, RVs, 4X4s, and all their gear and belongings. My daughter's high-school friend...well, it's been seven years and she's never been heard from again. You go right ahead and go, just don't say you didn't know the risks. There are too many other great places to go, and hopefully for the vendors y nuestros amigos en Mexico, the time may well return in Mexico when we would return. The Zonkeys of TJ, for example, are at risk of disappearing altogether, see them while you can.

That is so weird. Most if not all of us here on the forum have traveled all over Mexico for years if not decades.

I've never met any of these people. I'm sure it happens but all my years living here, boondocking, traveling for work by car, air, and bus, well . . .

I think I know the meaning of an urban myth.

My buddy's caravan was stripped of everything by bandits, high-end Prerunners, tools, RVs, 4X4s, and all their gear and belongings. My daughter's high-school friend...well, it's been seven years and she's never been heard from again.

We have been hearing these rumors for over 40 years and yet cannot find a way to substantiate them or anyone who can. Things happen. Things happened recently. They happen in the USA every single day. Just as they do all over the world. The reality is that things like this appear in the news in the US too. So much that much of it never hits the news. And the rumors rumor and distort and gossips gossips and distorts. Facts are facts and speculation is speculation.

Mexico certainly has its share of problems. Who doesn't? Drugs? If you are not involved in the drug trade there is almost no chance you will encounter cartel killers. They are not interested in tourists. If you do not own and shiny new tricked out black SUV or pickup truck they probably aren't interested in your vehicle either. Someone else might be. But then someone in the USA might be interested in it too.

Risks exist no matter where you are or where you go. If you have an interest in going out and seeing other parts of the world just go ahead and go. There are those who have no interest - why would you listen to their opinion? Want to travel and see different things? GO!!

MexicoRuss, Beautiful job of describing what Mexico is really like, now. Keep up the good reports. We'll try to do the same!

mexicoruss wrote:

hotpepperkid wrote:
You couldn't pay me to go to Mexico these days although I went to TJ and Ensenada many times in the 60's and 70's

Thanks for your uneducated input

I live 20 miles from the border, and yes, many times we also visited, traveled, and stayed to south of Ensenada in the '70s and '80s before the Narcotrafficante wars - I owned a home and lived in Peru in the late '80s, know the risks, and wouldn't chance my life or my family's in Mexico, outside of the security-ringed tourist enclaves like Cancun. My buddy's caravan was stripped of everything by bandits, high-end Prerunners, tools, RVs, 4X4s, and all their gear and belongings. My daughter's high-school friend...well, it's been seven years and she's never been heard from again. You go right ahead and go, just don't say you didn't know the risks. There are too many other great places to go, and hopefully for the vendors y nuestros amigos en Mexico, the time may well return in Mexico when we would return. The Zonkeys of TJ, for example, are at risk of disappearing altogether, see them while you can.

Crossing at Tijuana is really no biggie these days, get a map and stay on the main highway which is a toll road to clear the city. Next up is Rosarito Beach it is a funky place but for us it is fun to visit every summer. Next stop Ensenada, this is a great place to overnight after you get through the traffic. Go all the way though Ensenada and there is a RV park on a lagoon which goes to the Pacific. Past Ensenada is the vineyards of Santo Tomas established in the late 17 hundreds by Russian Immigrants. After Santo Tomas a great lunch spot in El Rosario which is Mama Espinozas restaurant. It serves fresh lobster and fantastic soups, some with crab claws. From the heading south you will drive throught the cirio forest of boojum trees on you way to Cataviña Map books will show that there is a gas station in Cataviña but there is not, get gas in El Rosario. If you decide to travel to Guerrero Negro it will be your next place to stop, not much of a place to hang out but from January to April the whales can be visited in Ojo de Liebre lagoon and tours are available in GN. From GN heading another 90 minutes or so SSE you will be in the desert with many cool rock structures, it looks unnatural but they are natural. You will come to San Ignacio, it is one of the first mission established and is a cute little town square. From there still heading SSW you will descend into the historic minig town of Santa Rosalia, it is the Northern most place where you can Ferry across to the mainland when the Ferry is running. Further due South you will start to see awesome beaches on the sea of Cortes' side. Then a few miles later you come to charming Mulege, great place to stop and walk around an awesome little town. From there and heading south still you will see amazing coastline views and little bays, big bays, and finally to Loreto, the very first mission town of the Californias. That is how far I have had personal experience with for the last 4 years, I hope this helps. Personal experience trumps negative input all day long.

hotpepperkid wrote:
You couldn't pay me to go to Mexico these days although I went to TJ and Ensenada many times in the 60's and 70's

Thanks for your uneducated input

Border Wait Times website can give you an idea of how long it take to get through various crossings

http://bwt.cbp.gov/?com=0&pas=1&ped=1&plist=2502,5355,2503,2406,2302,2601,2303,2402,2404,l245,2305,2304,2602,2603,2604,2506,2403,2309,2307,2310,2608,2504,2408,2505

Lewis & Lewis . . . http://www.mexicanautoinsurance.com/ . . . . can give you some idea of insurance costs.

At the top of the forum for Mexico are "Stickys" telling about insurance and other paperwork required for Mexico travel. Lots of good advice.

We have been traveling in Mexico on and off for many years - since 1971 - the past 10 years or so spending our winters RVing all over Mexico - have been to almost every state in Mexico. Never once have we personally experience crime of any sort nor have we ever been hassled in any way by any type of law enforcement. We are not saying this cannot happen as we do know things do happen no matter where in the world you might travel.

We find much about Mexico that is interesting and even fascinating. Don't let the nay-sayers get to you with their myths about what things are like down here. There are people on this forum who do travel in Mexico all the time and who do know some facts about Mexico. Information is available here - just ask.

Definitely urban myths.

We are currently in Southern Mexico and have been here for 4 months.

Go to Ensenada! Better yet, do an overnighter or two and do Mexico's wine country. It starts quite near Ensenada, and heads inland. Then you can exit at Tecate, an easy, fast crossing.

Wine country can be done in one LONG day, but why push an adventure in a foreign country, because it is a foreign country, and lots of fun. Just act the way you would visiting any country.

Mexican Insurance by the day is not expensive.

Move from Roads and Routes to RVing in Mexico

This topic should be moved to RVing in Mexico Forum so you get current real world responses from RVers that travel in Mexico. Just returned from a month 800 miles deep on Mexico Mainland and entirely different than earlier posted responses AND Baja is easier to travel with an RV. Also go to the BajaNomad Forum, http://forums.bajanomad.com/ to get daily info. Good luck and you will enjoy the trip. Just cross at Tecate to make the trip easier.

rocmoc n AZ/Fld/Baja