Warning about Baja Travel

[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!!!

[tptrench]

Screw Mexico, It just isn't worth it anymore! Ya couldn't pay me to cross the border! TP

[Nic D]

Originally Posted by tptrench

Screw Mexico, It just isn't worth it anymore! Ya couldn't pay me to cross the border! TP

awesome!! more fish and beer for me.

I love it down there.. would move in a heart beat if I could A) convince the wife and B) find work.

Im just shocked that the lack of knowledge produces so much fear.

[tunaseeker]

- 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.

I was LMAO!!! Good advice!

[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.

[greenscales]

The only difference between our government and theirs stealing our money, they do it in plain daylight while in uniform ours does it behind closed doors while wearing suits in some committee room (or faking science to take our fishing rights away.)

I've posted a few times on my solo trips to Northern Baja waters. The only times I have had problems w/the federales at the checkpoints I have been an obvious mark. Once was cash that I thought I hid well enough and the other was a flashlight that I would have given them anyways. Each time I was coming back to the states late on quiet Sunday nights, visibly wiped out after a long day of kayaking, breaking camp, and cleaning fish. Let my guard down and stepped aside as 1 or 2 would distract me as 2 others raided the vehicle looking for something I would not miss for at least a few miles down the road.

However my 4 trips in the last year I was heading back on busier days where they only had one or two guards checking me out and they were really just concerned I wasn't hauling drugs or guns. I can't speak for the San Felipe route or below Colonett, but the federales I have dealt with been very professional the last few years.

For anyone interested in a first trip down, I am contemplating a quick run to either LaBuf or PST Labor Day weekend, leave Friday and return early Monday. I also would like to do my annual Thanksgiving run down there. PM me if interested - you'll need to bring the magazines and I'll get the beer to gift the Federales.

[BOOGIE]

Its really not my first post, probably my third or forth a tecnical thing i gess, but ebery time i have post its on the same matter, i guess i dont like people critizising the place a live and love, do i own a kayak?, all my life, do i like fishing? more or the same as the next guy i just don like it wen some one shares his experience some people just jump right away to say that your crazy to take your fammily there, i so some assholes driving a caravan with white flags on ther antenas like if there where crossing a war zone, things like ïts no wonder it hapened over there, you would never see that here,my respons wasnt to the guy that get robed i am realy sorry that that hapaned, my response was for those that allways complain about Mexico but cant get unogh of it, and as far as choosing my words i stand behind them,all of them, y para ti cabron que dices que eres Mexicano chinga tu madre verguenza te deveria de dar andar defendiendo estas pendejadas, vente a vivir aqui a mexico y paga tus impuestos aqui y chingate como todos y luego vienes adefender tu causa, and as far as earning mi credibility?,i didnt know you have to insult some one to earn it, full of b.s?, pendejo?, trets like choose your words?, nice credibility, nice way to treat a first post, butt i am sorry, i guess i got mixup with another country, and as far as mi spelling it didnt seem like a problem i gess every one understand wat i say

[cowboybill]

I had to respond again after seeing the comment from the guy trying to turn this around to seem like Mexico bashing... The big thing to remember is you do not have the same rights, or access to legal protection, period.

On a positive note; I must say that while travelling near Laguna Hanson (roughly 50-75 miles south of Tecate), My 4x4 broke down. Battery lost 2 cells...I was on flat ground so I could not bump it....
I hiked about 3-5 miles north, and met 2 brothers farming....Long story short, these 2 brothers took about 3-4 hours to get me back and running. They had to get out an old ford bronco, get it started, get gas, etc, etc...
They saved my ass, and asked for nothing. In fact the family offered me dinner and a nights stay! I gave them $50 or so for their troubles (they would not take more) and took off. It has been over 15 years, and I still remember their names...Martin and Mario of Rancho Day....

The locals tend to be just good down home folk... I wish the legal system was as ethical.

Cowboybill

[Jimmyz123]

Originally Posted by Dean Machine

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.

Both of these links are great and good information to know.

[eddier68]

I actually know Boogie, he a pretty cool dude and damn good fisherman., I definately see both sides of the issue. The way i look at if you go down just use common sense. Drive in the day , watch where you park, dont leave valubales in plain sight, etc. Like Jimmy said, i've met some of the friendliest people in baja. Strangers who actually acknowledge you when you walk by ( "Buenas tardes/ Dia" ) and strangers who pull over to help you out with an overheating radiator or flat then dont take your cash when you offer them some. It 's sad to see the good people of baja suffer because of a corrupt cop or thief has fu*** it all up for them/ us. As for me i'll still be going down to baja, i'll actually be fishng my favorite kelpbed tomorrow morning in the Rosarito area with a buddy of mine. I fished a kayak tournament last weekend in Ensenada with zero problems on the drive down or back. Took second place too!!! Be safe WHEREVER you go!!! Cheers!!!!

EDDIE


Reppin a BWE hat!!!

[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