Family headed to Baja

Nickjill · Since 25 Oct 2011 1 Posts New Member

Hi all! We are currently on our way south, within days of crossing the border to Baja, Mexico, and are looking for some insight. This is our first time going to Baja. Has anyone recently crossed the border there? Any problems, suggestions or thoughts? Is anyone heading down right now who would be up for making a bit of a convoy through to Ensenada?

Sella · Tue Oct 25, 11 10:19 pm

So while driving down you join a kite forum looking for insight on crossing a border of known chaos? Mis amigos al sur de la frontera van a darle la bienvenida con los brazos y con sus armas y estoy seguro de que les dará a Jill algo especial también.

Here's one of the best threads for baja bound info/resources. Good luck.

http://www.nwkite.com/forums/t-20264.html

blowhard · Since 26 Dec 2005 2027 Posts Windward

my friends dentist is in Tijuana
the U.S. navy has made TJ off limits

she said it;s deserted and she never felt safer in 30 years

other friends are back and forth to LV all the time

pay for your security Wink

Pete · Since 29 Oct 2007 843 Posts Opinionated

I just drove through TJ and Ensenada on Thursday. No different than any other trip I have had down there for the last 28 years. The only word of caution I would have for you, is if you get pulled over, make sure you continue to a populated area prior to stopping. There have been quite a few reported incidents of banditos pulling over cars impersonating police officers, so make sure it is actually a cop prior to pulling over, and pull over where there are other folks around. This is one of the main reasons I don't drive at night there any more, as it is nearly impossible to tell who is pulling you over at night.

ldhr · Since 21 Jul 2009 1489 Posts Hood River XTreme Poster

Cross the border first thing in the morning - like 6:30 or 7:00 am.
Head south on the highway and don't stop anywhere in TJ.
Make sure you have good map/directions for staying on the highway and avoid getting lost and ending up in downtown TJ.
After crossing the border it's easy to mss the correct turnoffs or take the wrong one. Pay attention.
You'll be fine. Enjoy the adventure.

DrewB · Since 16 Aug 2006 384 Posts PDX Obsessed

You can also cross at Tecate.
It is a lot less hectic than TJ.

LVDWD · Since 04 May 2009 104 Posts Stoked

Recommend crossing at Tecate. Especially on the way back from a time perspective and on the way down from a safety perspective. School of thought says it better to travel the first leg down the Baja on a Sunday morning. Less traffic since they are either all at church or in bed after a heavy Saturday night. If you leave early Guerro Negro is easily doable and the Malarimo beckons for a nice halibut dinner.

On a couple of occasions we have actually stayed in Tecate overnight on the way down so that we could set off really early just after first light. Nice motel just west of town, with all night security guard to safeguard you car and gear. Never had a problem.

wylieflyote · Fri Oct 28, 11 1:01 pm

It is super easy and safe to cross at Tijuana, and continue south, if you just follow very simple rules:
Start early in the morning with a full tank
Use the "Cuata" toll freeway to fly out of TJ quickly
Here is a very cool blow by blow windshield shot of which lane to stay in, and what roads to stay on to get you out of TJ, and past Ensenada.
http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=49336#pid571371

I drove all the way to Guerrero Negro the first day, but that means a couple hours driving at night which is not advisable because of both free range cattle in the road, and potential banditos. Next full day was to La Paz, which also required an hour or so of night driving.