Driving to La Ventana

sun seeker · Since 09 Dec 2007 24 Posts

Thinking about driving down to La Ventana next Winter. Haven't been there in 3 years and wondering if anyone has encountered any dangers recently such as on mainland Mexico or is it still relatively safe. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Ben

wylieflyote · Sun Feb 26, 12 6:20 am

Drove it last December, and I drove the mainland this winter to another spot in Mainland Mexico. The dangers are way over-hyped in north of the border media. If you dig down deeper into the data, the gringo fatality numbers are not that frightening, and most of them are folks just being stupid. COMMON SENSE. I never drive at night, and I get south of the borderlands as quick as you can. The security forces along your route have been ramped up considerably over the past 2 years in response to so much bad press. You will go through several federal police check-points on your route, manned by very friendly guys in full metal jackets. Don't worry. I have nothing but good things to say about this drive, and the Mexican people in general. No where in the would have a known a people so willing to drop everything, and help you out at the slightest hint of a need. I could go on forever with my stories of chance meetings with dear, newly made, life-long friends. My wife and I were lost one night in the mountains of central Mexico, a total stranger invited us into his home where his wife made us a wonderful dinner, and we talked about his brother hanging sheet-rock in Fife, Washington. The man was born in the house we were visiting in.
Follow a plan whereby your sitting at the San Ysidro (San Diego/TJ) crossing at sunrise with a full tank.
Drive non-stop to your first fill-up, repeat. You will be at El Rosario for your first night, which is a sweet peaceful little place with nice clean motels. You could push on to Guerrero Negro on the first day, but it might break the no night driving rule.
Here is a great site someone created. I printed these pages and followed his drive explicitly on my first drive in Mexico last winter. I was nervous, but this route puts you directly onto a first class toll road, and you are on you way without a care:
http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=49336#pid571371
You will absolutely love the drive. Highlights:
Catavinia... Incredible, other worldly desert national park with the strangest most beautiful landscape and flora. 1 Hour south of El Rosario.
Your first sighting of the Sea of Cortez.... After you leave Guerrero Negro and drive forever through the desert, you catch a glimpse of the blue warm water of the sea (and if your lucky it will be full of whitecaps for you first session).
Bahia de Conception.... Stunning views of empty white sand beaches and crystal blue waters.
You can find a surfeit of information, road reports, travel buddies, etc at BajaNomad.com
http://forums.bajanomad.com/index.php
Depending on your timing, I will join you, but I drive down on 11/18/2012 and I will be staying at the campgrounds for a few months.
It's great having a car there for down-winders:

The Hot Springs launch, up wind of La Ventana:

HAVE FUN!
Kip

unbob · Since 31 Aug 2008 260 Posts 'da Gorge/LaV Obsessed

Right on Kip! This is my sixth winter here in LV and I'd say this is the most peaceful place I've ever been - actually that goes for all Baja! I drive here and have never had one single problem. I spend a lot of time on the BajaNomad forum and the typical story of highway breakdowns usually mentions how almost every passing Mexican will stop to assist while most gringos pass on by (just like in the US). I believe it.

Once I got past the normal culture-shock thing on my first trip, I've learned to love the country and the people and always dread my return to the US. ¡Viva México!

Come on down - you'll love it too!

wylieflyote · Sun Feb 26, 12 2:13 pm

UnBob, Where do I find the upside down exclamation point (and question mark) on a Windows US keyboard?
Kip

unbob · Since 31 Aug 2008 260 Posts 'da Gorge/LaV Obsessed

Kip, I didn't enter directly via the keyboard. Instead just entered into Google translate and then copy/paste from output. Easy as pie.

Last visited BdN in '88 - nice spot!

See 'ya down here in LV next Nov! Rob

sun seeker · Since 09 Dec 2007 24 Posts

Thank you for responding to our question concerning the safety of driving the Baja peninsula. A few years back we did a 7 week road trip thru Baja and felt exactly the same way that you have described it. After traveling to other faraway destinations over the last several years we feel that Baja offers the best of everything that we are looking for and more. The best part of our trip was from the border south and actually the worst part was from home to the border. We too felt a genuine respect for the Mexican people. We love the simplicity and ruggedness of the countryside. A few days ago we just returned from a 7 week road trip thru California and Arizona and back. We saw some beautiful countryside but we missed the warm sand between our toes and beautiful beaches that are so abundant in Baja. It is too bad the violence has gotten to a point that people are skeptical about exploring such a beautiful country, but really the same thing happens here in this country all the time. Can't wait till we can make this trip again. Ben and Vickie

unbob · Since 31 Aug 2008 260 Posts 'da Gorge/LaV Obsessed

Ben and Vickie, well said - couldn't agree more!

The truth is the media hypes violence and the so-called "drug-wars" to the max to maintain an audience and sell advertising, etc.

Meantime, life goes on to enjoy for those of us who seek and find. Baja is such a place. Actually, in a selfish way, I'm glad the media scares away so many - otherwise the quality of life and the real essence of Baja would rapidly degrade.

It's obvious you guys have a clue - so remember it's all waiting for you - come and get it!

Saludos, Rob

Justsmile · Since 20 Jul 2009 1530 Posts Not Portland XTreme Poster

more people have been killed in Portland oregon and british columbia than the yukatan. Media is awesome in getting us to think it is so dangerous out there. there are neighborhoods on portlands east side that would worry me more than baja.

Anthony · Since 07 Oct 2008 362 Posts Salem Obsessed **CGKA Member**

I have spent 2 weeks in La Ventana this season with a rental car. As far as driving, obey the law and never drive at night. The animals come up to the roadway to keep warm at night. I did feel quite welcome and safe down there! It a beautiful desert drive from La Ventana to Los Barrilies.

marina · Since 16 Jan 2006 150 Posts California coast Stoked

I drove down for the first time this winter with one other woman and drove back alone (with my dog:-)). I felt very safe and even blew a tire out in Guerrero Negro and was still out of there within an hour. I think anybody that has the time should definitely drive down if they can. Besides being a great experience, its so nice having your car down there, something I haven't had the last four years!

We mistimed one of our stops and didn't stop in Catavina but had to drive a couple of hours at night to Guerrero Negro. It was stressful and wouldn't want to do it again but being behind a big semi truck that would hit anything before us gave us a bit of peace of mind:-)

shred_da_gorge · Mon Feb 27, 12 12:28 pm

I'll be driving from Cabo to La Ventana at night in a rental car next week. Anything I need to worry about? Just be careful for critters on the road, yes? A friend is a travel agent who's all freaked out with State Department warnings and has handled Mexico for years and heard stories of cops pulling tourists over for money (happened to me in Costa Rica - no big deal). This is my first trip to this part of Mexico (and in years) but I tend to believe the hype is overblown. (Ironically this friend lives in Oakland, CA... not particularly a great rep as a safe city itself!). Any travel tips on that route itself?

And of course the more important question... will there still be wind? Smile

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

some of those black cows are stealthy at night - does motivate the backseat crew to sound the early warning alarm...

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

wylieflyote · Mon Feb 27, 12 4:24 pm

knotwindy · Since 25 Sep 2011 615 Posts Addicted

repeat, do get and follow the directions carefully.
at night if it is a weekend remember the "locals" drive at 15mph in 30 year old Datsuns with 3 cylinders working or 80mph in brand spanking new pick-ups about to repossessed and sometimes just to make it more interesting without lights, so it is not just the livestock to look out for. but it is a great trip and there will probably still be wind... ojala

Rollo Tomasi · Since 17 Mar 2005 983 Posts Attractive

forrest · Tue Feb 28, 12 9:10 am