Warning about Baja Travel

[Tman]

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...

[dsafety]

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

[Jimmyz123]

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

[JoeBeck]

I have not been to Baja for awhile for my own reasons. That said I got a flat tire there and every car that went by me stopped to see if I needed help, and I honestly mean every car. I have broke down on the roads here in CA and not 1 car has ever stopped to see if I need help while sitting outside vehicle. I also broke a kayak rack there. I took it to a shop and they fixed it immediately and were overly helpful, here it would have taken hours if not days. Yes there is corruption there, there are crooks, but the majority of people living in Mexico are good caring people just living their lives

[Jimmyz123]

Originally Posted by JoeBeck

I have not been to Baja for awhile for my own reasons. That said I got a flat tire there and every car that went by me stopped to see if I needed help, and I honestly mean every car. I have broke down on the roads here in CA and not 1 car has ever stopped to see if I need help while sitting outside vehicle. I also broke a kayak rack there. I took it to a shop and they fixed it immediately and were overly helpful, here it would have taken hours if not days. Yes there is corruption there, there are crooks, but the majority of people living in Mexico are good caring people just living their lives

I have to agree with this post here. With the exception to this one issue in the last 10 years going down there this has been the only issue I can complain about. Since this incident happened the inspections at the location we were stopped at have changed drastically and the travel has been greatly improved. Our family will continue to travel down there, and for no other reason than once you get where you are going, it is peaceful and fun.