Topic: BAJA CALIFORNIA

[Oz]

thanks for the input John.I hear the stories too but I went to tour a friends winery and had no problems. There are some places to avoid however but with a group and proper precautions I believe it to be a great trip. Could you possibly make room in october, i enjoyed your leadership style. Still in the air as far as date but im picking up intrest in CF with 8 total so far. let me know.

Travel Warning U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Mexico

February 08, 2012

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_5665.html

Clipping: Carjacking and highway robbery are serious problems in many parts of the border region and U.S. citizens have been murdered in such incidents.  Most victims who complied with carjackers at these checkpoints have reported that they were not physically harmed.  Incidents have occurred during the day and at night, and carjackers have used a variety of techniques, including bumping/moving vehicles to force them to stop and running vehicles off the road at high speeds.  There are some indications that criminals have particularly targeted newer and larger vehicles, especially dark-colored SUVs.  However, victims driving a variety of vehicles, from late model SUVs to old sedans have also been targeted.  While violent incidents have occurred at all hours of the day and night on both modern toll ("cuotas") highways and on secondary roads, they have occurred most frequently at night and on isolated roads.  To reduce risk, we strongly urge you to travel between cities throughout Mexico only during daylight hours, to avoid isolated roads, and to use toll roads whenever possible.  The Mexican government has deployed federal police and military personnel throughout the country as part of its efforts to combat the TCOs.  U.S. citizens traveling on Mexican roads and highways may encounter government checkpoints, which are often staffed by military personnel or law enforcement personnel.  TCOs have erected their own unauthorized checkpoints, and killed or abducted motorists who have failed to stop at them.  You should cooperate at all checkpoints.

- - -

As John did, I used to frequent Baja a lot and used to take my son down there for surf, lobsters and fireworks. I  even have a friend who has a beach house in Bahia Santa Maria (30 miles south of San Felipe).

I won't go down there ever again. You may want to read this book if you decide to go down:

http://www.austinchronicle.com/books/2010-04-02/987874/  I have a copy if anyone want to borrow it

Vaya Con Dios boys, be careful and have a safe trip.

[Blackx]

I certainly understand being wary of going down there. 

Keep in mind the travel warning doesn't include Baja California Sur.  And as far as Baja California itself, according to Baja Insider in 2010 more than TWO THIRDS of US cities were more deadly than Tijuana in murders per 100K.  Tijuana, the most dangerous place in Baja if you will, had a murder rate of 7.2 per 100K. New Orleans, Baltimore, Detroit and Washington DC was all in excess of 15 murders per 100K.  I do a lot of work in Baltimore and D.C. and have witnessed more incidents of crime there than anywhere else.

All that said, mind your P's and Q's, don't go looking for trouble or bring attention to yourself and you'll have a great time.

[henrypro11]

Most of the discussions have been about how safe or not Baja is. People, please try and stay on topic, my original plan was to have a Baja trip this year. I'm trying to get a date in mind that majority would agree on. How many would be willing for an early next year trip? Please comment or pm me. Also in terms of Baja safety, it's really basic, don't flash expensive stuff out in public, be in by night fall, stay with group. It's exactly the same as living in south central LA and other bad neighborhoods here in the US. One must always walk with caution. That being said, enough with safety posts, but let's try and stay on trac here. Baja is a beautiful place and is probably unknown to the vast majority of us.

[Ghost65]

thanks for the input John.I hear the stories too but I went to tour a friends winery and had no problems. There are some places to avoid however but with a group and proper precautions I believe it to be a great trip. Could you possibly make room in october, i enjoyed your leadership style. Still in the air as far as date but im picking up intrest in CF with 8 total so far. let me know.

Thanks Enrique, lets see how my calendar looks for me after GoneMoab.  I am more than likely out in October, as I have committed to planning/attending the annual CANVAZ event, being held this year in Big Bear.  Would love to have you attend that if this date/group/run falls through, but more on that later.

There is still a lot of time between now and then, so let's just see.

[henrypro11]

Thanks Enrique, lets see how my calendar looks for me after GoneMoab.  I am more than likely out in October, as I have committed to planning/attending the annual CANVAZ event, being held this year in Big Bear.  Would love to have you attend that if this date/group/run falls through, but more on that later.

There is still a lot of time between now and then, so let's just see.

could you pm me some info on this? Yes, still a long time till then