Info for extended time in Ventana/Los Barriles

CM · Since 06 Oct 2015 60 Posts

Seeking a website or discussion with members with personal experience at Ventana and Los Barriles, I plan to drive down Baja in December. I'll be solo in my van,the low-budget,camping method.....Info like best price,kiter friendly resorts, community kitchen,does every place fill-up during high season, need a reservation? etc. No time limit,can stay long-term. Would consider a rental of some sort if affordable.....Is Ventana or LB the preferred choice.The only Mexico camping book on Amazon was 2009 with mixed reviews. Thanx for any response

Sasquatch · Since 09 Mar 2005 2058 Posts PNW Bigfoot

CM lots of info on this forum. Use the "search" function. Free camping in the North part of LB on the dry river bed next to the beach.

At the north end of town at the hard turn (90 degrees) where there is a restaurant ask for Shaggy! "ZOINKS"! He'll hook you up with some Scooby snacks!

LV: There is a camp site for trailers and RV's. Beach front view is a desired commodity and so folk head down there early to score for the season. I like both towns for different reasons. LB close to the airport, bigger town, good winds when it blows. LV is a charming Mexican hamlet town on the Sea of Cortez. Great wind, small town feel, wonderful restaurants with fresh fresh seafood. Everyone there primarily for the wind and water.

wylieflyote · Tue Oct 06, 15 5:29 pm

There is a list-serve email "forum" for all things La Ventana. You can easily join & quit, and it will send you a news letter once per week. It has lots of information on lodging, camping. services, & food.
Send a "Please Join" to ventana.viewATgeeeeeemail.calm
Address has been bastardized to save Roberta from spam.

There are several camping options available in La Ventana. Not only is there the main campground ($6 per day?) but also an arroyo where folks set up free, and two other spots. I've been there every January for four years and the skunk ratio has been about 4-5 windless days per January. Foiling might change even those numbers... it changes everything Smile

PS... The peso rate is at a crazy 17 or 18 per dollar so it just might make for some very cheap retirement budget. We'll see.

bigjohn · Since 13 Mar 2012 663 Posts Addicted

CM,

This subject has been hashed over many many times on this forum. One informative thread is http://www.nwkite.com/forums/t-20264.html

My two bits, if I had endless time I would take it slow. Many fun places I would like to explore after getting 6 hours past the border. Some are kite spots, others are just cool fish towns or what not. I have yet to hit Punta San Carlos, but it deserves serious consideration. Both LV and LB are wonderful end destinations and each one deserves considerable time enjoying, however if you have the time you might find exploring out of bounds to be some of your most memorable experiences on your vacation.

Also, consider taking a different path when returning. There are a few options.

As previously stated, use the search feature on NWKite. You will find answers (and opinions) to all your questions.

ShiverMeTimbers · Since 26 Feb 2013 381 Posts Gig Harbor Obsessed

If you're solo in your van, caravan-ing might be a good idea. When I was living in San Diego and surfing Baja often, we always said that every trip to Baja is either epic or a nightmare. Be smart. Tweakers were a big problem 4-5 years ago around places south of Ensenada.

wylieflyote · Wed Oct 07, 15 5:55 am

markamcclure · Since 20 May 2011 165 Posts Portland, OR Stoked

I have been to lb a coupe of times and PSc once. I recommend you bring your mountain bike. There are some really good trails in the hills near lb.

A.K. · Since 01 Jul 2006 190 Posts Stoked

You should not miss out on the LV experience. I would base your stay out of LV and make side trips to LB. With your own transport you can experience both locations easily.

This is your first time making the road trip. I would definitely get on the Ventana View email message board and make an immediate post searching for caravan buddies to drive down with. Teaming up with someone who has made the journey before and speaks Spanish would be best.

Kmun · Since 05 Jul 2009 250 Posts Obsessed

This is great stuff. Thanks for the advice.

wylieflyote · Thu Oct 08, 15 3:18 pm **Re: Response to corrupt Police**

knotwindy · Since 25 Sep 2011 598 Posts Addicted

if it makes you feel any better do not think of it as a bribe(mordida, actually translates as little bite), think of it as an expediting fee. Anything can be done at any time, señor. If you want it done sooner it will, of course, cost a bit more.
It is the same everywhere, we just use different language in the US. We call them licensing fee's and taxes. In Mexico they call them the cost of doing business. Same thing except in the US there is a set price per year that seems high. There it is a lower price that is negotiable but happens more often. Learn to play the game as the locals require and it will be cheaper and less painful and overall much more enjoyable.
Also remember, their laws are completely different there. A traffic violation becomes a much bigger deal and accidents are usually felonies and without insurance EVERYONE goes to jail until they can figure it out. And pleading innocence is a waste of breath. They don't care, there is no innocent until proven guilty, that is the US. If you have a problem, work it out before the policia show up because when they do, the price just starts going up. This is not to scare you off, just know the rules before you play the game. and it still one of the best places in the world to hang out.
Go and have fun, we do.

TCKiter · Since 28 Oct 2015 2 Posts Tri-Cities, WA New Member

Friday my son and I were travelling to Los Barriles. We crossed the boarder around 7:30 am and high tailed it to Geurreo Negro. Smooth sailing that day.

The next day we left at sun up and drove all day, We heard about the cops in Constitucion so went to the center lane and stopped at every intesection. About half way through town we saw a Federali truck pass us. We were extremely careful to stop at every intersection, marked or not. So we get to the end of town and there are the Federalis behind us and pull us over. The cop says you did not stop correctly. We said oh yes we did. And then he gets angry. and Shouts "You did not stop correctly". Then he demanded 1,000 pesos. So I handed over the money, and the buttcrack try's to shake my hand like we are buddy's or something.

So I am fuming all the way highway and get to La Paz. I turned the wheel over to my son to drive for a while and we get a few klicks through town and I'll be damned if another Federali pulls us over and says we were speeding. Now I know we were not speeding as there were other cars passing and I kept looking at the speedometer wondering why my son was going so slow. So this time both cops get out and come to each window. This guys says If we go to the station it will be $150 or you can pay $100 now. Now I am peeved but I don't know what else to do, as this is my first first foray in mexico, so I hand them $100 u.s. note and they thank us and leave. Well 5 Klicks down the road we come to a road block where the military are inspecting. No big deal these guys have been great all along the way. But there is a federali sitting there too. He sees it is an American vehicle and stops us and starts questioning us. Like any open beer etc. Well now I am really peeved and I said no beers just Monster Energy drinks want one? And he says yes and I handed it to him. He still wanted to see a drivers license but I know he only stopped us because he thought he could get something out of us, And I wasn't giving him any money so I tossed him a Monster. It seemed to work but I'm not sure he was entirely satisfied.

I have to say it left a really bad taste in my mouth for Baja Sur. What a disappointment.

bigjohn · Since 13 Mar 2012 663 Posts Addicted

wylieflyote · Wed Oct 28, 15 6:58 pm **Re: Bad day in Baja**

PincheBuero · Since 26 Jul 2014 3 Posts Hood River Kook

I must say it sucks what happened to you while you were driving down the Baja, and got Scammed by the local PD and federalies.

Have any of you actually denied payment and just played the wait game?

Every time this has happened to me and trust me it is quite often. All i do is talk with the officers keep calm and just play the wait game. They always use the tactic of believing you are in a rush and don't have time to be arrested or pulled over. If you simply wait there and say ok lets go to the police station and agree to do what they say you will call their bluff. They will get bored uninterested and let you go.

I have lost an hour or 2 doing this but haven't paid a peso in years.

dangler · Since 26 Feb 2006 1744 Posts WINDY SPOTS XTreme Poster

If you agree to their outrageous first demands, they paint a huge target on your vehicle and every cop in the country sees you as OPEN SEASON. Probably why you got hassled repeatedly.
You should pay about 25% of what they demand. I made the mistake of paying the full bite in La Paz (had a doob in my pocket) and they nailed me EVERY time I went to town after. Gotta figure there's some kinda target sharing going on.
RE: the waiting/calling bluff game, I did spend 48 hrs in jail in Ensenada in my youth as a result. They wanted us to get big bucks wired from the States, finally settled for all the money on our persons. Didn't return to Mex for 20 years.

wylieflyote · Thu Oct 29, 15 7:29 pm

Yes, I have had some luck (on the mainland of Mexico) with the waiting game. For me. my tactic is: "Hey Pal, I do not understand one word of your Spanish" "Talk to me in English"... follow by many many repetitions of "Si" "Boowaynose DeeYas" "Adios"
In Hermosillo two years ago the cop said in speedy Spanish "OK, you are following me to the police station, Yes?" I replied "SI, Buenos Dias, Adios" and waved to him as I re-joined the flow off traffic heading south. In my rear-view mirror I saw him waving frantically.
But, I gotta say that Ciudad Constitution is in a league all it's own. You need to be very careful and plan on getting worked in the town. This is well documented many many times over the years on the forum BajaNomad.com, and well as Facebook.
It's a go nowhere town with no resources in the middle of a desert. They gotta get revenue somehow.