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| | Mexico
Traveler Review |
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| | Destination:
Baja Road Trip to Loreto Write
your own review |
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| | Written
By : Lyss Murphey |
| | A
little info about yourself (where are you from / retired / line of work):
Encinitas,
CA
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| | Date
of your trip: Nov. 22, 2003 |
| | How
many days were you in Mexico? 7 Days |
| | What
was your destination / what part of Mexico were you traveling in?
We intended
to get as far as Loreto, Baja. |
| | What
was the purpose of your trip (recreation / work related / other)?
Vacation
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| | How
many people did you travel with?
My wife, 2 kids 7 & 9, and our beagle.
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| | What
kind of vehicle were you driving (Make / Model / etc.)?
Ford F-150 XL (4-door)
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| | How
did the vehicle handle the trip?
The truck handled well and with the twisting
hilly road which comprises at least 30% of the journey between Ensenada and Loreto,
I was glad to have manual transmission to let the motor do some of the braking.
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| | How
were the road conditions? Any specific areas to be aware of?
The road
was absolutely beautiful. Only a few "vados" (low spots in the road where it sometimes
gets flooded during rain) where the asphalt was patchy for a few feet. The vados
are well signed. |
| | Did
you have a good time?
We had a great time and always felt safe. |
| | Would
you drive to Mexico again?
I would not hesitate to drive to Mexico again.
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| | What
would you do differently next time?
I would go down to the Tijuana border
a few days before the trip and get Tourist Cards at the Mexican immigration office
(needed if you go south of La Buffadora). It's $20 per person (even children),
good for 6 months, you will need birth certificates or passports for every person,
the office opens at around 8:30AM, and it takes about an hour at the office (you
can walk across to do this). The officer was very friendly, spoke fluent English,
and was not looking for a bribe. |
| | What
words of advice do you have for others driving to Mexico / or others who are driving
to a particular destination?
Highway 1 below Ensenada is a well maintained
raised, crowned, two-lane road with no shoulder. Pay attention to the speed limit
signs and other warnings for your own safety. You would likely roll your vehicle
if you drifted off the road going 70 mph. The Mexican Highway Patrol rightfully
stops those who flout the limits. |
| | What
were some of the highlights of the trip? We would really like to hear about these!
The more descriptions and details, the better!
There were two "magical"
places on our trip: the cactus forest in the desert south of Catavina and the
Bahia Concepcion south of Mulege. The cactus forest is 20 to 30 miles south of
Catavina and is thick with boojum trees and saguaro cactus for as far as you can
see. Even driving through this land feels like you are on a different planet.
The Bahia Concepcion is a 30 mile long bay with only a 3 mile wide inlet. The
waters are completely sheltered from the rougher Sea of Cortez with very little
waves, beautiful sandy beaches and warm, clear, shallow water filled with sea
life. There are about 8 beaches within 20 minutes driving. You can rent a kayak
at Playa Santispac, get lunch at Bertha's at Playa Burro, go snorkeling at Playa
Requeson on one of the most picturesque beaches in Baja. Don't expect neon signs
and rows of restaurants and bars. There is little more than a small painted sign
and an unpaved road leading off the highway to these beaches. There is no fee
to visit/swim and minimal fees to camp. Lots of friendly Gringos living the good
life there. |
| | Where
did you sleep? Can you recommend a place to stay?
We stayed in the very
nice La Pinta chain of hotels in San Quintin, Catavina, San Ignacio, and Loreto.
The Hotel Frances in Santa Rosalia was our favorite place because it has so much
character. I would recommend the La Pinta hotels Baja Travel Pass at www.lapintahotels.com
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| | Can
you recommend any restaurants?
Sandra's in Puerto Nuevo - excellant lobster,
clean, nicely decorated, and not touristy. South of Ensenada the food is slightly
more expensive than in the US. Expect to pay about $10 per person per meal. |
| | Any
other comments...feel free to ramble!
San Ignacio is an oasis in the middle
of the desert between Catavina and Santa Rosalia. There is actually a spring fed
lake in town where you can rent kayaks and paddle peacefully accompanied by coots,
ducks, herons, and hawks gliding over the canyon walls above you. It is a simple
quiet town with an impressive old mission church in the center.
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Note:
The Mexico Reviews posted on this website are not written by Adventure Mexican
Insurance Services, Inc. These reviews are posted by Mexico travelers who wish
to share their experiences with others, but they should not be considered as professional
advice or information.
IN NO WAY DOES Adventure Mexican Insurance ENDORSE,
PROMOTE, OR VERIFY THE OPINIONS EXPRESSED HEREIN. |
