is it for me? By DAN & LISA GOY Owners/WagonMasters:
BAJA BOUND with my RV;
Baja Amigos RV Caravan Tours
www.BajaAmigos.net
US Mexican Border to Cabo San Lucas. RVers have made this magnificent peninsula a snowbird destination since the highway opened, staying on beaches, RV parks, campgrounds, and in the desert. Baja California is very different from mainland Mexico; we oſten refer to Baja as “Mexico Lite”. Similar to the northern territories in Canada or Alaska in the US, Baja has always been Mexico’s frontier. We see a real cross-section of RVers both on our tours, in other groups, and those
travelling without any formal planning whatsoever. We have had folks with little RV experience, some with previous Mexico camping experience, snowbirds that usu- ally spend the winter in places like Yuma, Anza-Borrego Springs, Palm Springs or Fountain of Youth on the Salton Sea, and still others who just head south with no particular destination in mind, only to stay warm. Many have Baja on their bucket list with interest in only visiting once (just like Alaska); others are “Yumad Out” and looking for somewhere different to spend the winter. We do our best to prepare RVers for what Baja has to offer, namely stunning beau-
We first visited Mexico in 1985 with our two children, Kirsty & Kenneth, then four and two years old. Originally we had planned to go with
friends that had kids the same age who had travelled extensively in Mexico be- fore they started a family. When it came time to depart on this journey in Oc- tober of 1985 they bailed on us and we went it alone. Our families were frantic, convinced it was profoundly unsafe, we would be murdered and our kids kid- napped, in summary they would never see us again. It was an adventure that would change our lives forever. Our ex- perience on Baja, then mainland Mex- ico, was the foundation that lead us to eventually create Baja Amigos RV Cara- van Tours in 2009 which we have oper- ated continuously since, delivering over 30 tours to date. Baja Mexico is the peninsula that sits
below the US state of California. Baja is Spanish for below. Te state of Califor- nia was formally known as Alta Cali- fornia when it was still part of Mexico. Te two Baja Territories were the last to become proclaimed in the United Mex- ican States (Mexico), Baja California in the north (1953), Baja California Sur in the south (1974). Te Baja Peninsula has twice as much coastline as their north- ern US sister with the Pacific Ocean on the west and Sea of Cortez on the east. Te Mexican Federal Highway No.
1 (Hwy 1) was completed in 1973 and runs 1,711 km (1,061 miles) from the
ty, beach camping, spectacular scenery, touching whales, swimming with whale sharks and sea lions, warmer tropical climates, terrific margaritas, great Taco stands, Mexican culture, history and immersion; something very different from what you would ever experience in Canada or the US. Dogs run free, both on the beach and in the towns, and in many places garbage (particularly plastic bags) abounds. Speed limits are posted, however they seem to be optional, as do many other road regu- lations such as when to pass or not, distracted driver rules, seat-belt laws and stop signs which mostly are just slow signs. Te roads are much better and always im- proving, a significant change from even 10 years ago. However there are still some crappy sections and improving roads also means road construction, which can be as equally challenging. Te reality is less than 1% of RVers will ever visit Baja; truth is Baja is not for ev-
eryone. We believe a positive or negative experience on Baja is all about expectations and attitude. As we tell folks from the beginning, Mexico is still a third world coun- try, the campgrounds are rustic and primitive compared to many of the high-end RV parks in Canada and the US. RVing on Baja will not be the same as cruising around on an Interstate highway in the American Southwest, dropping into Passport Ameri- ca, Tousand Trails or Good Sam-approved RV Parks with 30/50 amp services, cable TV that include a clubhouse with shuffleboard. We have assembled the following list of issues from those on our tours that were critically important to their RV lifestyle:
• SWIMMING POOLS – If you can find them they will not be heated • Wi-Fi – Usually not much capacity or far-reaching, often not working • ROADS – Hard to maintain 100 KPH (60 MPH) in a 2.89 m (9.5 ft) lane with potholes and no shoulders
• DOGS – Rarely leashed, often deceased on roadside in towns • CATTLE, HORSES, GOATS, MULES – Often wandering on or beside roads, or left to decompose on highway shoulder
• 30 Amp & 50 Amp SERVICES – Good luck operating that washer & dryer in your RV, or your two air conditioners
• RESTAURANTS – Lots of Mexican food but no good steaks • LANGUAGE – Hardly anyone speaks English • BARKING DOGS & CROWING ROOSTERS – Why are there so many near the RV Parks? The town of Loreto is the worst.
• SAND, DIRT & DUST – Baja has this in spades, especially on the beach, road construction or when the wind is up.
For those up for the adventure, we recommend a good camping book (Church’s
Mexico Baja Camping), Baja Map (AAA Baja California) and a decent Spanish Phrase Book. Make sure you pick up your Tourist Permit at the Mexican border (we recommend the Tecate crossing) and purchase your Mexican Insurance. Tis is a must. Tere is nothing stopping you from going alone, with lots of options for tours or escort services. Hope to see you on Baja! U
RVT 169 • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2016 19
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