21 replies to this topic

[jdcs167]

Im thinking of heading to "Los Cabos", but Im not sure what is the best route.
1) I can fly into Cabo and enjoy OR

2) I can drive down the coast to Cabo, but Im not sure if this is safe or even worth while. Is there lots to see if I decide to drive down and in there vehicle access all the way down, I dont have a 4x4.

Any advise would be nice.

Thanks,

[Aztec Eagle]

Im thinking of heading to "Los Cabos", but Im not sure what is the best route.
1) I can fly into Cabo and enjoy OR

2) I can drive down the coast to Cabo, but Im not sure if this is safe or even worth while. Is there lots to see if I decide to drive down and in there vehicle access all the way down, I dont have a 4x4.

Any advise would be nice.

Thanks,

I use to go there often i actually use to to live for 3 years in La Paz ( B.C.S. state capital) and i have been almost every were in Baja ITS SAFE to either drive or take the bus all the way down there,people are very friendly .

If you fly in to Los Cabos you will miss the opportunity to check all the beautiful towns like Santa Rosalia and its old French copper mine and Eiffel built church( Eiffel Tower dude) or San Ignacio a natural oasis and many other towns and getting there is half the fun!

BTW you don't need a 4X4 wen we drove down there we had a Crown Victoria and it was fine the road is paved is not dirt,my Canadian friend drove down there in a little VW Diesel Rabbit all the way from British Columbia and he had a cat! in the car with him and some furniture..lol crazy hu!



If you have any questions,feel free to ask.

[TJDave]

I agree with Aztec...

I feel you should at least make the drive once... there are plenty of things to do and see on the way... the sand dunes in San Quintin, the lagoons and "monument" in Guerrero Negro, (the towns that Aztec mentions... San Ignacio ~ my fav..., Santa Rosalia)... also there's Mulege, Loreto, La Paz, San Jose del Cabo...

Mulege is another oasis-type pueblo... simply beautiful town.


There is, however, A LOT of desert driving... but, depending on the time of year, it can be beautiful as well.

I have made several trips and have felt safe during all of them... the people are extremely nice and helpful.

You don't need a 4x4, but you do need to take extra car parts with you... belts, hoses, water, cans of infate-a-flat, etc...

Get a good map and just do it... it is an adventure.

[Chiquito]

Keep full of gas as well. Some in-laws drove down and got stuck for 2 days in Guerrero Negro due to no gas being available.

[TJDave]

Keep full of gas as well. Some in-laws drove down and got stuck for 2 days in Guerrero Negro due to no gas being available.

Excellent tip...

Wherever you can fill up, always do. You never know when the gas stations for the next 200 miles will be out of gas. Happened to me one time when I went yellowtail fishing in the Bay of Los Angeles... had to wait a day till the Pemex tanker arrived...

[sdc]

It is a great drive...I would recommend it...It takes 2 days each way to drive though and that is 2 days of straight driving....If you have the extra time drive if not fly down....

Cabo is a alot of fun... I don't go that much as I usually spend my time in La Paz.


But drive a reliable car and fill up at every gas station....

[BajaGringo]

Friends of mine have a place in Los Cabos. Their rule of thumb is that they drive from late October to early May. During the hottest months they fly. He uses the same rule - fill up at any station you see...

[TJDave]

Speaking of non-existent shoulders... you also need to be careful of the drainage culverts that stick up right on the edge of the road, kind like a speed bump you don't want to hit.

There is excellent fishing midway between Santa Rosalia and Mulege... a little protected bay called San Lucas with over night camping. I caught some giant squid there... about 6 feet long... not to mention all the dorado and yellowtail.

[Chiquito]

"...they drive from late October to early May."

Another reason not to drive from May to October is hurricane season. A storm down south is what stopped the gasoline from coming when my cuñado rode his Harley down and got stuck in Guerrero Negro.

[Aztec Eagle]

Some other Baja driving tips would be....

1. DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE!

2. Don't leave valuables visible in your parked car.

3. All though its a pretty safe highway usually patrolled by the Mexican Highway Patrol in there brand new MAD MAX looking Dodge Chargers,Never sleep in lonely places or the wayside, look for the nearest town.





4. On your trip through Baja California Highways, you will find military check points.there looking for DRUGS AND GUNS and they do NOT target gringos.they are for your own safety.


5. Buy a inexpensive Mexican Cell Phone to call for help if need it ,you can find the for about $40 U.S. and it comes with air time,i recomend a TELCEL amigo prepaid phone kit.

5. Who you gonna call?? Ghostbusters<?? NO! The GREEN ANGELS! If you breakdown on the Baja highway, there is a free highway mechanics
service known as the Angeles Verdes, or Green Angels.

GREEN ANGELS emergency number is 078.








The green angels are mobile mechanics who patrol the Mexican toll roads in spiffy green trucks to offer free assistance in the case of a breakdown (labor and towing are free, but to replace a part would be at the expense of the car owner). In addition, they are equipped to give tourist information as they are connected to government offices via a network. Although their services are free, tips are appreciated.

Similar to the AAA in the U.S., these denizens of the desert patrol all
major highway routes in Baja California and are courteous, helpful and bilingual.




6. Take notice of the emergency signs along the road with phone numbers. If your vehicle breaks down, pull over to the side of the road and lift the hood to signal them. Call one of the numbers below depending upon which toll road you are on and the green angels are on their way to help.

QUICK BAJA TIPS BY AZTEC EAGLE!

[Aztec Eagle]

*** Its lots of fun driving there!! but another option is to take the trian there its just a bit crowded...lol






** Just kidding,its actually an Indian train**

[Chiquito]

Are there any toll roads south of Ensenada hence 'Green Angels'?

[Aztec Eagle]

Are there any toll roads south of Ensenada hence 'Green Angels'?

Heres a map of all the current highways serviced by GREEN ANGELS

http://www.sectur.go...utas_carreteras

[BajaGringo]

*** Its lots of fun driving there!! but another option is to take the trian there its just a bit crowded...lol
** Just kidding,its actually an Indian train**

I'll bet the bathrooms on that train run out of toilet paper a lot...

[BajaGringo]

I also wonder if the guy at the controls of that train can see anything???

[Aztec Eagle]

Judge for yourself...

[jdcs167]

All this information has been very helpful. I appreciate all the info.

Thanks,
Hank

[BajaGringo]

Take some photos on your trip and post them when you get back...

[jdcs167]

Sorry guys, but I did not end up going to CABO after all. I had a last minute change in plans and ended up going to Guatemala for the week. It was great. I will post some pictures of some of the places we went to for all to see.



Thanks,
Hank

[BajaGringo]

Cool - photos are photos and we love to watch! I have been to Guatemala a few times and it is an interesting place...