[Scottstafford]

Searched the forums a little bit, but a lot of the posts are pretty outdated now. Looking for some newer/fresher information on the area. So here's a few questions I have in regards to camping...

I'm looking at heading down in mid-April, so I assume the weather should be pretty nice? I'll of course bring jackets and a pair of jeans, but from what I've read it should be pretty mild along the coast line.

Camping wise, I'm trying to avoid places that are listed in guide books and what not, because I don't feel like camping with a ton of people. Where are some of the quieter spots along the coast? My research has shown that most of the coastline is open game, and a good 4x4 should get you just about anywhere your heart desires.

Aside from the following basics of paper work, will I need anything else?

- Passports
- Paperwork for the dogs
- Mexico car insurance
- ???

How are the borders in both directions? Pretty straight forward to pass through? I've been told US > Mexico is a non issue, but Mexico > US can be a headache. I'll be coming in/out through the Chula Vista area.

 

[whistler]

April is not the best time of the year for Baja. Cold and windy. North winds.
You are about 30 years late as far as as little known areas to camp.
As far as your dogs, to be legal you need an international health certificate and stamped at the Mexican Embassy. I did it once but rarely do people do it.Just have a certificate of Rabies vaccination.

 

[Scottstafford]

April is not the best time of the year for Baja. Cold and windy. North winds.
You are about 30 years late as far as as little known areas to camp.
As far as your dogs, to be legal you need an international health certificate and stamped at the Mexican Embassy. I did it once but rarely do people do it.Just have a certificate of Rabies vaccination.

Thanks for the reply, I appreciate it!

Are both sides windy and cold in April? I'm not dead set on April, the wife just has her spring break, so I'm looking around for travel ideas.

Are the dogs worth bringing then? I can always leave them behind if traveling with them is more of a paperwork hassle. They're both vaccinated.

 

[whistler]

Spring break is the worst time to go.Most all the nationals go on break for "Semana Santa". Schools are closed and families go on vacation.All the beaches will be packed!
Weather on the Cortez side is a lot milder.
I don't know how safe it is to camp on the northern beaches now days.I was a hardcore surf fisherman and fished almost all the northern beaches. From Colonet to Guerrero *****(Jesus Maria). Don't think I would do it today.
I have a home in Abreojos, Baja Sur and there is miles and miles of beach to camp on.
I would not hesitate to camp there but not in April for reasons I mentioned.

 

[whistler]

I loved taking my Lab. Just be sure they are obedient since the place can be dangerous. Some places poison dogs when they become a problem.So keep an eye on them.Take them with you.
My dog now is a Baja dog. Funny looking but a good dog.

 

[whistler]

You might want to check out the "bajanomad" website. Hardly ever go there anymore but good place for information.

 

[Scottstafford]

Thanks again for chiming in! It's either been my search words on Google, or some thing, but I have been hard pressed to find any info on the Baja area as it relates to camping and small details.

 

[nealinnevada]

I know a few places to go (mostly in Sonora, but a few in Baja). If you take the road down to San Felipe and then Puertecitos you will find a number of safe places along the beach to camp. Then continue down the road to where it turns to dirt and head over to Hiway 1 South to Bahia Asuncion area. Nice folks and plenty of places all the way north to Bahia Tortugas. Plenty of whale watching too! Also a trip over to Mulege is fun (an oasis at the mouth of a river where it runs into the Sea of Cortez).

If you are going down for awhile or planning on returning to Mexico withing the next year, you might want to look at insuring your drivers license rather than buying liability insurance on your vehicle. It is inexpensive and you are covered driving any vehicle you drive while in Mexico.

 

[whistler]

I have never heard of insuring your license. I normally got an annual policy. Maybe there is a provision for mainland Mexico.Maybe for Sonora? One of my co- drivers is from San LuisRio Colorado.
Who do you contact if you have an accident?
I would double check. Remember, if you can not prove liability, you go to jail till you can.
Like I said,I never heard of this and have been traveling in Baja for over 30 years.
You mentioned Bahia Asunción. I have friends there including one on the police force.known her since she was a little girl. Her aunt is visiting with us now.

 

[nealinnevada]

I have never heard of insuring your license. I normally got an annual policy. Maybe there is a provision for mainland Mexico.Maybe for Sonora? One of my co- drivers is from San LuisRio Colorado.
Who do you contact if you have an accident?
I would double check. Remember, if you can not prove liability, you go to jail till you can.
Like I said,I never heard of this and have been traveling in Baja for over 30 years.
You mentioned Bahia Asunción. I have friends there including one on the police force.known her since she was a little girl. Her aunt is visiting with us now.

Here is a link to obtaining Drivers License Insurance for Mexico. Perhaps there are restrictions now on where you can travel with this type of liabilty insurance. I have used this type of insurance for over 40 years (before that I would wrap my license with a $100 bill :surprise: for "insurance").

 

[whistler]

Interesting if you only need liability insurance.
Does not cover commercial vehicles. Not sure about Nevada but her in California,all trucks are considered "commercial".
My Dodge is 13 years old and I still get full coverage.

 

[nealinnevada]

Interesting if you only need liability insurance.
Does not cover commercial vehicles. Not sure about Nevada but her in California,all trucks are considered "commercial".
My Dodge is 13 years old and I still get full coverage.

That is all I need in Mexico, liability. My insurance here covers comprehensive no matter where I drive my vehicles. California used to issue auto tags for pickups IF it had a camper shell on it and it was NOT being used for business purposes...no more? My vehicles are all licensed in South Dakota, so I don't have any idea on Nevada...Nevada is becoming California as quick as it can, so I wouldn't doubt if pickup trucks are now considered commercial vehicles too.

 

[Scottstafford]

I know a few places to go (mostly in Sonora, but a few in Baja). If you take the road down to San Felipe and then Puertecitos you will find a number of safe places along the beach to camp. Then continue down the road to where it turns to dirt and head over to Hiway 1 South to Bahia Asuncion area. Nice folks and plenty of places all the way north to Bahia Tortugas. Plenty of whale watching too! Also a trip over to Mulege is fun (an oasis at the mouth of a river where it runs into the Sea of Cortez).

If you are going down for awhile or planning on returning to Mexico withing the next year, you might want to look at insuring your drivers license rather than buying liability insurance on your vehicle. It is inexpensive and you are covered driving any vehicle you drive while in Mexico.

Thanks for the info, I appreciate it.

Are the beach areas you mentioned along the way easily accessible? I'm just curious how to discover these various beaches. Are they right off a road, or will they need to be accessed via a harder to find dirt road?

 

[nealinnevada]

Thanks for the info, I appreciate it.

Are the beach areas you mentioned along the way easily accessible? I'm just curious how to discover these various beaches. Are they right off a road, or will they need to be accessed via a harder to find dirt road?

Absolutely, they are mostly very easily accessible. Plenty of spots...look for places where other folks are camping to give you peace of mind. You might want to look for a book called Magnificent Peninsula: The Comprehensive Guidebook to Mexico's Baja...has been around for 30-40 years.

 

[Scottstafford]

Absolutely, they are mostly very easily accessible. Plenty of spots...look for places where other folks are camping to give you peace of mind. You might want to look for a book called Magnificent Peninsula: The Comprehensive Guidebook to Mexico's Baja...has been around for 30-40 years.

Cool, thanks for the heads up. I just didn't want to cruise down a 5 mile long dirt road or some thing just to find a quiet spot. haha