Warning about Baja Travel

[Jimmyz123]

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.

[jorluivil]

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.

[Jimmyz123]

Originally Posted by jorluivil

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.

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.

[Dean Machine]

Originally Posted by Jimmyz123

Will we get our money back? Probably not. Will this really do any good? No.

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.

[Jimmyz123]

Originally Posted by Dean Machine

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.

[-scallywag-]

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.

[dorado50]

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).

[BOOGIE]

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.

[WahooUSMA]

Originally Posted by BOOGIE

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,

You should choose your words very carefully!

[Jimmyz123]

Originally Posted by BOOGIE

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.

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.

[IntrntFshrman]

Originally Posted by BOOGIE

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.

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

[jorluivil]

Originally Posted by BOOGIE

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.

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?

[driftwood]

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!!!

[Dean Machine]

Originally Posted by jorluivil

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?

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.

[Gino]

Originally Posted by BOOGIE

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.

You just came on here and trashed American Servicemen?
Bad Taste Senior... Polk shoulda taken Baja while he was at it.

[Jimmyz123]

I think one thing can be said and that is you don't trash the American Servicemen. They are laying their lives on the line for all of us even those on the other side of the border. Our servicemen deserve respect. Yes there have been some bad apples here and there, but that does not make the entire group bad.

Point to the topic again is be safe while traveling South of the Border.

[THE DARKHORSE]

Originally Posted by -scallywag-

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.

Fanfreakintastic' advice Scallywag!
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!