Caravanning to Baja -- a few general questions

[profdant139]

There are quite a few reputable outfits that caravan to the mainland and to Baja; I'm not looking for a specific recommendation. But I have a few general questions. It intuitively seems safer to travel in a caravan -- even though I am fluent in Spanish, I have rarely driven long distances in Mexico, so it seems to make sense to travel with a leader who knows more than I do, at least for my first time taking an RV to Mexico.

And now, the questions:

First, how does the leader cope with the occasional problem with law enforcement? (I know that those problems will crop up -- we had a policeman demand a bribe in San Quintin about ten years ago, and we managed to buy him off with several Tootsie Pops for his children!) The problem of minor hassles with the police and the federales is emphatically not enough to keep me from going -- but it would be nice if there were someone else to deal with this.

Second, is it true that traveling in a group discourages criminals? Or, realistically, is the problem of carjacking/robbery so rare (during the daylight, of course) that this is just not an issue? By comparison, almost no one in the US travels in groups to deter criminals, but (at the same time) we avoid the really bad areas of town (assuming that we know the town).

Third, is there a way to hop off the caravan once you get to where you want to go and then pick up a caravan for the return trip? So for example, we are thinking about going to southern Baja in late October and returning in early December of next year. There may not be a caravan outfit with that itinerary and destination. So that is why I am hoping to patch together a custom arrangement.

Fourth (and last) question, for now: how do folks in the back of the caravan communicate with the leader, in case of (say) a flat tire? Does everyone have a CB, or are there walkie talkies, or what?

Thanks in advance for your replies. The goal here is to put DW's mind at ease, so that we can return to Mexico. I miss it a lot.

(And please, if you are going to post something that says "don't go to Mexico, stay in the US," please don't bother. We have traveled extensively in the US and Canada for the last ten years, and we will continue to do so. But como Mexico, no hay dos. Which means there is nothing like Mexico -- the warm people, the warm surf, the hot spicy food. Are there risks? Yes. But if I wanted to avoid all risk, I would stay home and watch television, instead of camping in exotic and interesting places.)

[4X4Dodger]

profdant139 wrote:
Thanks, Dodger! I can't believe someone is using the air conditioning in January -- as far as I can tell, it looks to be in the mid-70s during the day and about 60 at night in Todos Santos.

Well actually most days here in Todos Santos Last week were in the 80's This week it's a bit cooler. but still very nice.

[Almot]

profdant139 wrote:

First, how does the leader cope with the occasional problem with law enforcement? (I know that those problems will crop up -- we had a policeman demand a bribe in San Quintin about ten years ago

Like you said, it is "occasional". Doesn't happen in Baja - not without at least "some" reason.

profdant139 wrote:
almost no one in the US travels in groups to deter criminals, but (at the same time) we avoid the really bad areas of town (assuming that we know the town)

Believe it or not, but in Baja majority of people don't travel in caravans either. There is no need. As to the bad areas of towns - the only town big enough to distinguish between bad and good areas is Tijuana, and you won't see it because toll road bypasses it.

If you ask about carjacking and highway robberies at Baja Nomads forum, there will be a lot of happy laughter and possibly names calling. They will tell you to crawl back under the rock or something, and I would understand such a reaction. Theft, cheating at gas stations, poor food, poor road quality, limited water supply in many places, high cost and limited choice of groceries - yes. Highwaymen - no.

[briansue]

In Mexico using the A/C unless absolutely necessary is a no no (we will run our generator if it comes to that). Many parks have inadequate wiring with too small of wire size to carry all the amps required if very many RVs tried running an A/C. Maybe there is a 20amp or even 30amp breaker and even the correct outlet. But we have often seen that the wiring in the main and the wire running to sites could be undersize. For those with any electrical knowledge - we have seen #6 wire running from the main breaker to about 20 spaces with 30amp outlets. Can't work. Even the wire from the transformer was undersize and the transformer was not large enough to provide for that many spaces - or even a few running A/C. We have personal seen main breaker wire burn and melt as too many try running too much stuff. I suppose it depends on where you are but in many cases in Mexico using an A/C is depriving others in the campground or RV park of having adequate power. And electricity in Mexico is very expensive so either the park owner has meters to charge users for what they use or the park owner has to pay for the excessive use and then he has to raise space fees for all. Only those inexperienced with Mexico use A/C unless absolutely necessary. Some parks just have low amp breakers so A/C cannot be used.

[profdant139]

Thanks, Dodger! I can't believe someone is using the air conditioning in January -- as far as I can tell, it looks to be in the mid-70s during the day and about 60 at night in Todos Santos.

[4X4Dodger]

profdant139 wrote:
Dodger, where did you stay in Todos Santos? That is the place I really want to go to -- the beaches look great!

I tried to answer your post yesterday but the website went down on me.

But yes I really like Todos Santos and am staying in the El Litro. The pics that are posted above are still accurate. The Mike and Terri Church book "Camping Mexico's Baja says about El Litro, it "has the atmosphere of a small Mexican village" which I take to be her code words for scruffy and unkept. However everything works the power is just fine, a Canadian is running his aircon nearly 24/7 as I write this so the power has got to be better than 10 amps. The park so far has been pretty quiet. And it is a short walk from the center of town.

If you are driving a trailer stop outside and walk in first. I had to back my 31 foot TT down the entrance road and into my site as I was given the last site at the end of the complex. There is very little room to turn around. But my truck and trailer are over 50 feet together.

The place is friendly and cheap at $750 pesos PER WEEK (about $42 dollars at current exchange rates) NO ONE should complain about anything.

Todos Santos is lovely with tons of really good places to eat from fine dining to small taco stands and most are excellent. The beaches around here are dramatic, nearly empty and beautiful. there is lots to do around town and the area. Lots of wildlife. /the town itself is historic and compact enough to walk all over.

Definitely come here I am sure you will enjoy it.

[John___Angela]

profdant139 wrote:
Dodger, where did you stay in Todos Santos? That is the place I really want to go to -- the beaches look great!

We stayed here. It is very basic with max 10 amp power which was fine for us as we just run a separate low current charger that charges the batteries and the inverter actually provides the 110 to the coach. It is walking distance to everything and is quiet except for the gallos.



Narrow going in







Kinda cosy.



Great little town. Lots of flaky artist types. We fit right in, although I suck at being an artist. 🙂

[profdant139]

Dodger, where did you stay in Todos Santos? That is the place I really want to go to -- the beaches look great!

[4X4Dodger]

profdant139 wrote:
There are quite a few reputable outfits that caravan to the mainland and to Baja; I'm not looking for a specific recommendation. But I have a few general questions. It intuitively seems safer to travel in a caravan -- even though I am fluent in Spanish, I have rarely driven long distances in Mexico, so it seems to make sense to travel with a leader who knows more than I do, at least for my first time taking an RV to Mexico.

And now, the questions:

First, how does the leader cope with the occasional problem with law enforcement? (I know that those problems will crop up -- we had a policeman demand a bribe in San Quintin about ten years ago, and we managed to buy him off with several Tootsie Pops for his children!) The problem of minor hassles with the police and the federales is emphatically not enough to keep me from going -- but it would be nice if there were someone else to deal with this.

Second, is it true that traveling in a group discourages criminals? Or, realistically, is the problem of carjacking/robbery so rare (during the daylight, of course) that this is just not an issue? By comparison, almost no one in the US travels in groups to deter criminals, but (at the same time) we avoid the really bad areas of town (assuming that we know the town).

Third, is there a way to hop off the caravan once you get to where you want to go and then pick up a caravan for the return trip? So for example, we are thinking about going to southern Baja in late October and returning in early December of next year. There may not be a caravan outfit with that itinerary and destination. So that is why I am hoping to patch together a custom arrangement.

Fourth (and last) question, for now: how do folks in the back of the caravan communicate with the leader, in case of (say) a flat tire? Does everyone have a CB, or are there walkie talkies, or what?

Thanks in advance for your replies. The goal here is to put DW's mind at ease, so that we can return to Mexico. I miss it a lot.

(And please, if you are going to post something that says "don't go to Mexico, stay in the US," please don't bother. We have traveled extensively in the US and Canada for the last ten years, and we will continue to do so. But como Mexico, no hay dos. Which means there is nothing like Mexico -- the warm people, the warm surf, the hot spicy food. Are there risks? Yes. But if I wanted to avoid all risk, I would stay home and watch television, instead of camping in exotic and interesting places.)

First of all I would say there is absolutely NO NEED for a caravan at all.

After almost 2000 miles and more than two months here in the Baja we have had nothing but positive experiences on all fronts. We are now in Todos Santos and the truck is faced North again. We expect to exit in March.

If you do indeed speak Spanish as I do, you will be challenged to find a lot of practice. Most staffs and many just regular folks speak varying levels of English.

The Baja is easy to travel in. It has everything you need including auto parts (There is a new Autozone store in almost every town.)

The Pemex stations have all been upgraded to automatic computerized pumps that will not allow a new purchase until they zero out. So dont fret over all the hype about being ripped off by gas station attendants. They even take credit and debit cards contrary to what is printed in all the so called expert books, which are all sadly out of date.

Crime, it is everywhere, but I have rarely felt as safe in any of the over 40 countries I have traveled in as I do in the Baja.

Stop worrying and go. It's easy, safe and very beautiful.

[John___Angela]

I should have mentioned in my last post. We have travelled in convoys in Canada. Mexico and the US. Had a blast all three times. Caravanning can be a LOT of fun. We went with Baja Winters to the Baja about 7 years ago. What a hoot. We were in the Baja for about three months but only with the group for about 3 weeks. Some of our best memories are with that bunch. Great time.

[moisheh]

Baja is Mexico light????????


Moisheh

[rocmoc]

No reason to travel in a caravan unless you need companions. Best leader is a good GPS with updated database. All the info you need can be found on this site, http://forums.bajanomad.com/ and a few others on the net. Just ask questions.

rocmoc n AZ/Baja

[Less_Stuff]

From a previous post:

Would never advise anyone to do something they feel is dangerous yet boondocking in Baja can be great.


A car came near during the night never heard them, but they were just to the right in the morning when I departed.


Neibours were some distance away.


Far shot


Closer shot. Site was like this every night. Others visited and used this beach on weekends. They always departed by shortly after dark.



Camped at this spot away form others and near La Paz. A knock on the door awakened me about 3:00 AM. It was two guys waving out side I pointed to my watch and went back to bed.
Next morning I found they had gotten their car stuck in the sand. I rounded up a beach walker and a nearby camper we helped them get the car unstuck.
Saw them latter in town they seemed most grateful.


This was posted 5-01-2015. Made this 2014 round trip to Cabo in my Truck camper alone, Loved it!!!! I can not speak more than a few words of Spanish.

Met a lady caravanning she said it's the only way to go. Did not tell her I was doing it alone.

[John___Angela]

Well, unless things have drastically changed in the last few years we have traveled tens of thousands of miles in Mexico and never had a bad cop experience. We have had more than a few really good ones though. Leading us out of the middle of town after being hopelessly lost, helping us find campgrounds, getting ours neighbours laptop back from a couple kids that took it off their picnic table when it was unattended on a beach (all except the power cord). Really, I think the Baja is pretty calm compared to most places in the US. Really, just go and enjoy yourself, use your head for more than a hat rack and make good decisions...just like you should always do when travelling.

[profdant139]

Tequila, do the Green Angels actually travel with the caravan?? That sounds great.

I am not worried about getting lost -- I am mostly interested in passing safely through Northern Baja. Once past Guerrero Negro, I felt much more comfortable last time (which was in 2006). And I was not towing anything at that time -- we drove down in our Pathfinder to San Ignacio to see the whales. A wonderful trip!