Warning about Baja Travel
 

My family and I went on a 4 day trip to San Felipe Baja California on Sat. the 14th and got home yesterday. The trip was going well until we had to stop at the Puesta De Control about 20 minutes North of San Felipe.

We got out of the SUV as normal to be inspected and what normally is a 5 minute stop usually turned out to be a 1 1/2 hour mess. As we were pulling away my wife checks the bag that had her medications and our Passports and money, or some of our money. $300 was missing from the bag however our passports were still in place and all other items were still there. I turned around before I could even get out of the inspection place and confronted the guards. Me not being able to speak spanish was problem number 1, Finally I found someone who spoke english and spanish and explained what happened. They smiled at me and talked back and forth pulled a couple of guys to the side and had them strip down. 90 minutes had passed from the time I was able to tell them what happened to the time they had the guards strip down to find no money on them. One guard was acting like a jerk for what they had to do. 90 minutes was plenty of time for the guard to pass the money off or go hide it somewhere.

I have been traveling South of the border for 10 years now and have never had anything go wrong, and have never had any problems with the police, military, people or anything until now. I have defended traveling to San Felipe to 100s of people who tell me I'm crazy for going down there. I still like the area, I love the fishing, and my family always has a great time down there. I'll go back but I have learned that one should keep their money either on them, or at least when being inspected keep it on you. Also, learn the language so that you know how to communicate.

Be careful and always travel with insurance South of the Border.

from what I have heard I think you are crazy for driving down there, crazier for taking your family, even crazier for asking for your money back. My opinion, stay north of the border.

Jimmy,

I had heard of similar stories on my trip. A Romanian family
I met in Punta Chivato told me that their medications were
stolen as well as some expensive camping gear. The guards
commented on how nice some of their gear was and when
the inspection was over, they realized that stuff was missing.

Here's what I learned while I was there and it seems to work:
1. Be sure to have all documents and cash on your person. Do
not leave it in the vehicle.

2. Keep all doors locked and only unlock doors that they
request. Otherwise, you can easily be over run by 3 guards
rummaging through your stuff simultaneously.

3. Stand directly adjacent the soldier searching your vechicle.
If he knows you're looking over his shoulder, he may be less
inclined to swipe something. If there are multiple people in the car
each person should stay where they were seated and watch what is
going on. The Romanian family mentioned above did not stand by
their vehicle when it was searched. They stood off to the side in
the shade.

4. Keep everything in a container. Loose stuff is easily pocketed. They
will only search so many of your containers. I personally had everything
in dry bags, and they only opened 1 on average when inspected.

Now, this is just what worked while I was down there, but being vigilant
is what its all about.

Aside from that, I met some of the nicest people on this trip and to
be honest with you, the Mexicans I met were much friendlier than
most of the Americans I met.

baja story
 

Sorry to hear about your ordeal....
I used to ride dirtbikes down there years ago, and I have good friends that still do. One of them just got a Kayak, and wants me to go fish with him in Baja...

Some say, if you do no wrong, nothing happens....Bullshit! This is naive...
Nothing ever happened to me, but I know better.

Yes the odds are nothing bad happens, but what if:

True story: One of my friends went dove hunting. One month later, he is going to Baja on a ride. An unknown shotgun shell had fallen into some hidden place in his truck, and they find it at inspection....He and his passenger (who knew nothing about the shotgun shell till later) spent
2 days and nights in La Mesa Prison, and $9K later each they get home...
Yes he broke the rules, but it happened so easily....One single shotgun shell !?!?!? I would bet money I have at least a stray .22 long rifle cartridge hidden in my truck(s)!!

A family aquaintance was kayaking alone and was pirated for all he had except clothes a number of years back....

This is just two instances of many, along with the other published stuff.

Yet I know the allure; Baja is like travelling back in time. The people in the small towns are wonderful, the vast outback wilderness, etc. What sucks is you are travelling to a corrupt third world country, without the ability to protect yourself, legally, or physically. Travel in numbers, have someone who speaks the language, prep for a warzone where you are unarmed, carry cash to payoff police.....CRAZY!

I still am deciding on this one;:cheers1:

cowboybill

Mexican officials stole money from you? Sad, but not surprised. Whoever said the same things happen in the states that happen in Mex, is dead wrong. When's the last time a park ranger stole money out of your car? Commonplace in Mex, there's two incidents in this thread alone.

In all the years that I have gone down there, we had a 5th wheel once that would take down there. Still I can't believe that I did not watch this guy more closely. My wife called the tourism board this morning and she was transferred to an organization that takes care of things like this and they took the report and are going to investigate the issue. Will we get our money back? Probably not. Will this really do any good? No. Will we go down there again? Yes. Will I do things differently next time? You better believe it.

My wife said we should have gone to Vegas instead at least she could of had a chance to double her money before losing it.

I've gone to San Quintin three twice in the past year, two solo runs and one with family. I've never had an issue but always keep an eye out for anything suspicious....especially when I'm riding solo. I've been pulled out of my truck twice but have ALWAYS remained close enough to my vehicle so that I could see what was going on. I always carry all my cash in my pocket right next to my passport.

I always try to stay one step ahead of the crooks. Unforetunately, you let your guard down for a second and they took advantage of it. Its no different from forgetting to lock your car doors when you go to the store. How many fishing reports have you read about someone in LJ getting something ripped off from their vehicle while they were out fishing? It all goes back to securing your personal effects and staying one step ahead of these dirt bags.

I've had stuff stolen from my bags at the airport before. Some people have had stuff stolen from their hotel rooms. That's not to say I've decided whether or not I would travel in Mexico.

You said it perfectly. Had I stayed right with the guy the entire time this probably would not have happened.

My wife spent the trip taking fault that she put the money in that bag. I told her she is not at fault the guys just knew how to rook us.

Once we talked to the Tourism board today about what happened we were told all of our rights and obligations as far as what they are allowed to search, they really cannot tell everyone to get out of the car, and we were told to always stay with the person who is inspecting the car so that there is someone watching everything they are doing. The puesta De Control is partially funded by the U.S. government to help tourists feel safer, and that's why they are now investigating the issue.

I'm not scared to go back down there, I just know better what I'm going to do while traveling down there from now on.

Might not do as much good as we would all like but at least those inspectors were put through the motions. You may have temporarily deterred them from doing this to someone else.

You're right about that, maybe this will open the eyes of those involved, and maybe if the heat is coming down on them someone will sing like a bird and spill the bean. Either way it's nice to know there is a service that is out there to help anyone who is traveling South of the Border.

Here's the link:
http://www.discoverbajacalifornia.com/078.php

I'm glad I know about this now.

what you experienced sounds like SOP, even the "shake down search".

Wavesters tips are on the money, I would also like to add a few:

- Have all the small valubles in one place, I use a backpack and take it out with me during the inspections

- Have "gifts" available, cold sodas, cigs, fruit, snacks...and my personal favorite PORN !! Nothing will get you thru checkpoints faster than a stack of good hardcore porn mags (don't try to pawn off your old harry bush playboy crap on um) on or under your seat where they can easily be found...once they see those the search is over and you're on your way....just make sure you have more stashed somewhere else incase they want the whole stack.:D

Good advice. Like some, all my $ and valueables are on me. That way if someone wants it bad enough they will have a hard time taking it from me. Only open one door at a time,great advice right there....can't wait to road trip back down nov.(fall yt off the hook at santa rosalia).

I have a better one, dont come, if your going to be all freaki and scared you ar not going to enjoy your self, i really dont agree with the chek points but sadly we came to this point, the military is not prepared to deal with cibillian matters , i really dont know aboutt anny park ranger stole monney from anny one, butt the hole world has seen your soldiers rape and kill inocent women and children, and laugh on ther faces and film them an them post them on you tube , i guess thats a normal behabior for you and your fammily, and you dont see nothing rong wiht it,this is a more complex problem i might belong to a corrupt third world country as you say but to have a corrupt you have a gay giving the brive, we dont have enuff money to brive cos we are so poor an third world an that shit... so if you dont like it here dont come and is not baja is Baja California.

This man speaks the truth!
 

Fanfreakintastic' advice Scallywag! :cheers1:
With all this sound advice I'll add one more good one: drive a piece of $hit car and you'll blend right in. I won't even ride in my friends $40,000 trucks with toys in the back---no way in hell!

And as much as caravaning with your friends seems like a great idea, with more than one 40,000 truck packed full of goodies---you just attract bigger and badder thieves. Ya' know, organized crime, guys who really do this for a living?
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And while I've had a gun pointed in my face, witnessed horrible accidents that no one reported and payed my share of hard earned cash---to the cops.

Where else are you going to find empty pointbreaks within driving range? I know where I'll be when the next real, South swell hits. Viva Mexico!

You should choose your words very carefully! :the_finger:

My post was not meant as a slam to the entire nation of Mexico it was meant to help open the eyes to some that there is still the corruption of those who are paid to protect. There is no excuse for stealing from someone, according the the bible it is one of the 10 commandments.

Trust me I love Baja California and will return but I'm more relieved to know that not all of Mexico is corrupt.

I cry BS. 1st post, huh? Also, aneeteyem yu sea sum1 deeliburutlee misspehl soh muhhc, itt maykes u wunduhr....obvious troll.


:the_finger::icon_bs::the_finger:

Nice first post. Someone talks about their experience and you try to flip it on him. Its responses from ignorant people like you that make me lower my head in disgust because I to am Mexican. Do you even own a kayak?

Good call mikecollins86! that guy is full of BS. He is just trying to get a mob heated response from people just to bash mexico. please do not reply to this PENDEJO!!!

X2 for sure.
He needs to try gaining some credibility on this board before flaming out on the first post.

Hopefully this thread can continue to be a good discussion and it will not get too personal. I have been thinking about the Mexico travel subject for quite some time and value all the opinions posted even though it sometimes seems like we are beating a dead horse.

I found some really good links on the subject.

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_p...w/tw_4755.html

http://mexico.usembassy.gov/eng/eacs...ityUpdate.html

Seems like a good source. People may be able to form their own opinions from these and their own experience.

Staying alert is the key, just ask the residents of Bell
 

The only difference between our government and theirs stealing our money, they do it in plain daylight while in uniform ours does it behind closed doors while wearing suits in some committee room (or faking science to take our fishing rights away.)

I've posted a few times on my solo trips to Northern Baja waters. The only times I have had problems w/the federales at the checkpoints I have been an obvious mark. Once was cash that I thought I hid well enough and the other was a flashlight that I would have given them anyways. Each time I was coming back to the states late on quiet Sunday nights, visibly wiped out after a long day of kayaking, breaking camp, and cleaning fish. Let my guard down and stepped aside as 1 or 2 would distract me as 2 others raided the vehicle looking for something I would not miss for at least a few miles down the road.

However my 4 trips in the last year I was heading back on busier days where they only had one or two guards checking me out and they were really just concerned I wasn't hauling drugs or guns. I can't speak for the San Felipe route or below Colonett, but the federales I have dealt with been very professional the last few years.

For anyone interested in a first trip down, I am contemplating a quick run to either LaBuf or PST Labor Day weekend, leave Friday and return early Monday. I also would like to do my annual Thanksgiving run down there. PM me if interested - you'll need to bring the magazines and I'll get the beer to gift the Federales.

Its really not my first post, probably my third or forth a tecnical thing i gess, but ebery time i have post its on the same matter, i guess i dont like people critizising the place a live and love, do i own a kayak?, all my life, do i like fishing? more or the same as the next guy i just don like it wen some one shares his experience some people just jump right away to say that your crazy to take your fammily there, i so some assholes driving a caravan with white flags on ther antenas like if there where crossing a war zone, things like ïts no wonder it hapened over there, you would never see that here,my respons wasnt to the guy that get robed i am realy sorry that that hapaned, my response was for those that allways complain about Mexico but cant get unogh of it, and as far as choosing my words i stand behind them,all of them, y para ti cabron que dices que eres Mexicano chinga tu madre verguenza te deveria de dar andar defendiendo estas pendejadas, vente a vivir aqui a mexico y paga tus impuestos aqui y chingate como todos y luego vienes adefender tu causa, and as far as earning mi credibility?,i didnt know you have to insult some one to earn it, full of b.s?, pendejo?, trets like choose your words?, nice credibility, nice way to treat a first post, butt i am sorry, i guess i got mixup with another country, and as far as mi spelling it didnt seem like a problem i gess every one understand wat i say

Positive mexico!
 

I had to respond again after seeing the comment from the guy trying to turn this around to seem like Mexico bashing... The big thing to remember is you do not have the same rights, or access to legal protection, period.

On a positive note; I must say that while travelling near Laguna Hanson (roughly 50-75 miles south of Tecate), My 4x4 broke down. Battery lost 2 cells...I was on flat ground so I could not bump it....
I hiked about 3-5 miles north, and met 2 brothers farming....Long story short, these 2 brothers took about 3-4 hours to get me back and running. They had to get out an old ford bronco, get it started, get gas, etc, etc...
They saved my ass, and asked for nothing. In fact the family offered me dinner and a nights stay! I gave them $50 or so for their troubles (they would not take more) and took off. It has been over 15 years, and I still remember their names...Martin and Mario of Rancho Day....

The locals tend to be just good down home folk... I wish the legal system was as ethical.

Cowboybill:cheers1:

Thats what makes Baja so special! Just wonderful families there and people like those that helped you with your truck are everywhere there.

Mexico is a dangerous place for Americans to travel. That's a fact, let's not call it anything that it's not. Are there ways to minimize your risk? Sure, but that doesn't mean it's not dangerous.

Boogie, I hope you can live with yourself when you convince some family to travel through your great country and they're raped and murdered because you convinced them it was so safe and awesome. Wake up.

I like this threasher cow dude, as some people will (do) follow his words and not come to Baja. Good for me and others for two reasons 1) less traffic 2) more fish !!! See you on the otherside.:you_rock:

I started to explore B.C. in my 20's in my VW camper van. It was great until the same scenario went down with me. They took all day and went thru every nook and cranny of my bus and confiscated a bunch of stuff. I remember a really expensive pair of soccer cleats in particular.

I'm trying to keep it real. Painting a picture like Mexico is soooo safe and wonderful is a dangerous and irresponsible message to send to people reading this public forum. There are very real dangers people should be aware of, despite the downplaying and nonchalant comments from people like yourself.

Like I said ,the more people that listen to your rhetoric the better for me and others 1) less traffic 2)more fish:you_rock:

I have been seeing this type of friendliness down there for the last 10 years. Just this last weekend I needed my air conditioning charged. I went to a guy who took me to the place where they have all their work done. 60 minutes later my AC is running like magic and the guy charged me $40 for all the work he did.

I have only had 1 issue going down to Baja, and that is not enough to keep me from going down there. I will do things differently when going through the check point from now on, and I will know a lot more Spanish as well.

Sadly there are too many people up here that Pre-judge the people south of the border and it's not fair. I have no problem with anyone wanting to stay safe, but please don't assume that everyone in Baja is the same as the drug lords we keep hearing about. I have 2 fishing guides that I know down there that I would trust my life with, and I also know many people down there that I would do that same.

It's a fun place to visit just be smart, safe, and check your temper at the border.

Both of these links are great and good information to know.

I actually know Boogie, he a pretty cool dude and damn good fisherman., I definately see both sides of the issue. The way i look at if you go down just use common sense. Drive in the day , watch where you park, dont leave valubales in plain sight, etc. Like Jimmy said, i've met some of the friendliest people in baja. Strangers who actually acknowledge you when you walk by ( "Buenas tardes/ Dia" ) and strangers who pull over to help you out with an overheating radiator or flat then dont take your cash when you offer them some. It 's sad to see the good people of baja suffer because of a corrupt cop or thief has fu*** it all up for them/ us. As for me i'll still be going down to baja, i'll actually be fishng my favorite kelpbed tomorrow morning in the Rosarito area with a buddy of mine. I fished a kayak tournament last weekend in Ensenada with zero problems on the drive down or back. Took second place too!!!:) Be safe WHEREVER you go!!! Cheers!!!!

EDDIE


Reppin a BWE hat!!!

es todo Eddie!!!! Good job on that tourney!!!!:cheers1:
see you tomorrow!!!!
saludos

We're all entitled to our opinion and I honestly respect what you say....well, everything except for the part about my mother. Do I support Mexico, HELL YEAH! In the last four years I've spent well over $6k in travels to Cabo, Mazatlan, La Paz, San Quintin, Ensenada and Tijuana and if all goes well my next $6k will be for a 100' X 100' lot in San Quintin. Except for one time when me, my wife (girlfriend at the time), my sister and her husband (boyfriend at the time) were driven to a remote area somewhere in TJ and robbed of all our money by the police I've never had an issue. This happened several years ago but I remember it like it was yesterday, I've never feared for my life like I did that day.

I've driven to San Quintin and Ensenada alone and in the dark. Was I scared? Of course I was but I made to and back in one piece and without any issues. What you need to understand is that we post these comments about our experiences in Mexico so that others can learn from them, we're not bashing your country. On the contrary, we're telling people to be aware of where you are, what you do and where you go when you visit Mexico. If you were to visit the US I'd give you pointers like, stay away from Compton and South Central Los Angeles at night because it's a dangerous area but make sure your fish La Jolla before you go back home.

Eddie says you're a cool dude, I'm sure you are but you need to tone it down and as a person that lives in a country that we love to visit you should be giving us advise on what to do, where to go and what areas to stay away from. The comments about our soldiers raping and killings women and children were totally uncalled for. This is a fishing forum, not a political forum and we should keep it that way.

heading to Punta Abreojos on Oct 4th for 10 days and thankfully my truck only blue books for around 14,000:) I've travelled all over Baja for over 20 years and with some common sense and good luck I've had very few problems down there......During the 20 years that I've travelled down there I can remember how people would say I was crazy for travelling down there.......usually from people who had never been down there and who didn't have too much life experiences.....nowadays there is a bit more of a pucker factor with the drug wars and all.......but in Northern Baja there is such a huge military presence that I felt safe travelling through that area last year. Once I get past Enseneda, I fill that I'm home free and the people in that section of Baja are amazing (but of course it's Baja and anything can happen....such is life). So many people aren't heading down there due to the instability but if you are willing to take some risk the rewards are huge (ie empty lineups, fishing grounds, etc).......I surfed a couple of really good sessions on perfect points in the Seven Sisters Area with only my friends in the water and had wide open Calico bass, sand bass and halibut fishing from the kayak with now one else around.....worth some risk for me :)

Good luck Bigbarrels! post a report when you get back. Saludos.

As I have always told friends, the deeper you go into Mex, the nicer the people.
Boogie, dang dude, some of us understand what you said. If the moderators spoke espanol, your post would be deleted.

I too have found the hospitality far more gracious than the states. Just gotta use common sense and not look like a victim, by that I mean no stress. You are there to relax.

I used to go there all the time, never had any probs at checkpoints because of my demeanor and the fact that I had a 65 lb Ridgeback/Pit mix with me. I make it a point if I am traveling with a small group to bring a dog. Safety in numbers or bring a big dog.
Or, as was said, porn mags at the passenger floorboard, or better yet, cheap sunglasses...works every time.

I used to go to Capt Ray's in Puerto Nuevo every year for my bday, only stress we had was who was driving when we crossed the border...

But this I will say...I was at Erendira one time, in a 2 wheel drive, N of the town, got stuck cuz I had forgotten which path led to the cattle gates to the prime ares, and with plenty of 4 wheel drive surfer trucks in the area, no help. A local happened to come by, seeing me digging out my wheels, sweating my arse off, offered to help with his old GM truck. We tied rope, it busted. Used the cable I would leash my dog with, broke.
He said he would get some chain and come back. Came back with the chain, got me pulled out, and offered me some Tecate and it was ice cold.
I offered him some pesos, he would have none of it, I basically had to force him to take the smallest bill I had, in those days the exchange rate came to $80...I am glad he took it, trip turned out to be a blast.

And I still remember his name he told me when I asked him...Hace Tuna...

Can't wait to meet him again, I will go back...

This is a very interesting and enlightening post. I have not traveled in Northern Mexico since being thrown in jail for the crime of being Anglo and looking like I could pay the bail on Cinco DE Mayo in Encinada years ago. Many have experienced similar indignities, but do not believe that this defines the country or the people of Mexico.

While I will not visit the border regions, I have had wonderful experiences elsewhere in this country. In my travels, the further one gets away from the big cities or tourist destinations, the better the experience. The average Mexican citizen is a very good guy... better, in some ways than the average American citizen. There is a simplicity to the the lifestyle that invites hospitality and kindness.

I cannot offer recommendations as to how to avoid the problems documented earlier in this post. The only thing I would like to pass on is that it is wrong and unfair to tar the entire Mexican population with one brush. In my opinion, the corrupt and dangerous minority which currently seems to be in charge is not representative of the population as a whole.

Bob

I didn't know my wife was snapping photos while I was talking to the guards. Who looks out numbered here?

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c1...ntheguards.jpg