Warning about Baja Travel

[wavster]

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.