Info for extended time in Ventana/Los Barriles

knotwindy · Since 25 Sep 2011 598 Posts Addicted

yes, Constitution is a piece of work and it is just luck whether you get tagged or not. We just drove down and had no problems anywhere. Road is is really good shape and the only "detour" worth mentioning is right in Tecate. As you go through the border the road is closed in front of you with no signs anywhere, of course, as you are now in Mexico. Bienviendos! If you go left it will get ugly fast. Go right about 2 blocks and look to the left for the street that goes thru the construction. Easy after that.
Warm, sunny and windy yesterday. 10M and small waves to play on, nice.
come on down, it will only get better for a few months....

TCKiter · Since 28 Oct 2015 2 Posts Tri-Cities, WA New Member

We were driving a van with a Thule box on top, so yeah we looked like Gringos.

unbob · Since 31 Aug 2008 260 Posts 'da Gorge/LaV Obsessed

jblum · Since 13 Jul 2008 305 Posts The Gorge Obsessed

There's a lot of discussion on here that makes me think that a) things have gotten way worse down there in the past two years, or b) luck has a lot to do with how thing go.

I have driven Tijuana to Cabo four times. I have never been stopped, pulled over, hassled, or needed to bribe anyone. Additionally, I have spent a few months each year in Los Barilles with side trips to La Ventana, La Paz, Cabo and all over the southern part of BCS from Muleje south and have never had any problems. We pay off the local police force once per year in Los Barilles for their annual "Christmas Party", which is usually a once yearly 100-500 peso donation. The rest of the time they are super friendly in my experience, and let gringos get away with open containers, driving intoxicated, driving recklessly and being irresponsible on ATVs and other motorized vehicles.

A few things that I think really help in a tight situation:

1) Speak spanish, or don't. If you do, lead with that and show them you're totally local, that you've done it lots, that you "know" the game. If you don't, don't try. Play the gringo card and show them you mean business by being friendly, playful, and maybe offer them a Coke. Keep in mind that these guys make very little, so you being nice is the best incentive they have to not stealing your money from you. I haven't heard/ seen of the "take their photo" technique, but I think that leading with that is a bad idea as it will likely escalate rather than deescalate the situation.

2) Put all your valuables away. Don't roll around with an iphone, ipad, nav system and camera on the front seat, or even visible. These things say, "I've got money" and these guys know it. Put them away any time you're going through a checkpoint or think you might encounter the local policia before you do. Put them out of view, under the seat or in the glove box.

3) Expect to be stopped every 100km or so by the Mexican army checkpoints, more up north than down south. They are large military looking establishments that have a system of gates and young soldiers who will stop you randomly and ask you questions (again, speak Spanish or nothing at all), sometimes search your vehicle (valuables out of sight) and mostly do nothing. This can feel sketchy and weird, but I've never had a problem, and it seems like many problems that are caused are generally misunderstanding. The most common is "Dude, we stopped by the military and they made us give them money to get through." The soldiers would say, "Can you believe we asked to see what was in their trunk to look for drug trafficking and they gave us $500 pesos?! Stupid tourists." Go with the flow, don't get defensive and don't start with the bribe.

4) I've never actually done the caravaning thing, but there is safety in numbers. There is ALSO safety in not getting noticed. Going with three huge vehicles piled up with tons of surfboards, masts, rocket boxes, gear, 5th wheels and expensive looking things will get you noticed, guaranteed. Being with a bunch of other people is safer for violent crime I suppose, but also makes things escalate quickly in a bad situation. You'll see a lot of people headed south with huge fifth wheel trailers (mostly Texas license plates and 50+ drivers) and I always wonder if they are the folks who are always being held up or extorted in Baja...

5) Know when to fold. Sometimes I guess you gotta fold, so give them $20US and cut your losses. I've never had to, but maybe sometimes you do. Have a folded up $20 hidden deep somewhere other than your wallet so they can't see you are only giving them $20 of the huge stack of bills you're bringing down to avoid the ATM fees.

Best of luck. Wishing you a safe and happy drive. Baja is a wonderful place and hopefully you'll have smooth sailing.

unbob · Since 31 Aug 2008 260 Posts 'da Gorge/LaV Obsessed

wylieflyote · Sat Dec 19, 15 5:59 am

Been reading on Bajanomad where folks have found sticking this on your car is foolproof:

knotwindy · Since 25 Sep 2011 598 Posts Addicted

and where does one get these "get out of jail free" cards?

unbob · Since 31 Aug 2008 260 Posts 'da Gorge/LaV Obsessed

No idea where to obtain the sticker- but I suppose you could print the image and tape it on your rear window ...

http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=78099#pid969895