The Online Magazine for Traveling & Living in Baja
New Stories - Subscribe for FREE - Advertise - Contact
Baja California Road Report
The latest reports of road conditions and driving conditions along Mexico's Hwy 1 through Baja California.
February 14, 2008
La Paz Surface Streets
BajaInsider
We would like to remind those traveling though La Paz that from today through next Tuesday Carnaval La Paz is underway. Traffic during the day is restricted in both directions along the Malecon as booths for the evening's events line the shore side of the street. Trucks often stop to off load and restrict traffic flow even further. 'Rubbernecking' makes the major thoroughfare even more difficult. The road will be closed entirely after 5PM. On Monday the parade will start at the north end of the Malecon, making entering into town from CostaBaja and Palmira nearly impossible by that route. Enjoy the fiesta folks!
February 11, 2008
TJ to La Paz
Dave & Carol
Baja Veterans
As with the previous report you have posted, I must say the road was really a pleasure to drive. All the bridge construction has been finished, there is some repaving going on near the Baja California/Sur border at Guererro Negro, but there were no delays. There is also some repaving going on near Santa Rita, just short of La Paz.
Do watch your speed in Catavina and Santa Rosalia, we saw gringos get pulled over right in front of us in both locations, as the Hwy is not federal jurisdiction in those places. Speaking of Catavina, there is gas available there now. I didn't notice if they had diesel as well.
We only passed one Green Angel in the entire trip. (they may have been traveling the same direction as we were) but saw lots of dead cows (more than usual) on the side of the road, a good reason not to drive at night. We did pass a fair number of Federal Highway patrol, particularly along the Pacific coast. We only saw one between Mulege and La Paz.
There was lots of traffic along the Pacific coast from Colnet to El Rosario, lots of commercial trucks too, making passing hard. There must be 16 miles of 'San Quintin' now along the roadside.
The most noticeable change from our more than a dozen previous treks was the military checkpoints seems to be checking just as strenuously for those southbound vehicles as for those northbound folks. They went pretty thoroughly through our car on two occasions, near El Roasario and a temporary checkpoint about 1 hr south of there.
We went through late and there was no bug inspection or Immigration guy at Guerrero Negro.
All in all it was one of our smoothest and fastest trips in recent memory.
Dave and Carol
December 21, 2007
TJ to Cabo San Lucas
Frank - CaboSports.com
Baja Veteran
I have been driving Baja for nearly two decades and this trip was the smoothest ever. A significant number of new bridges have been completed, repaving has been done and even some shoulders have been improved.
The only rough spot in the trip was descending from the Biosphere reserve into Guerreo Negro. There the pavement is rough and plenty of potholes.
We were pulling two of our new Melges 24 sailboats on trailers for the sailing school in Cabo San Lucas and were able to maintain highway speeds for the entire trip.
With the holidays we found lots of northbound bus traffic and 18 wheeler traffic was up as well. This made passing on some of the long hills a test of patience.
Other than that, it was a spectacular trip with no breakdowns. We didn't drive after dark and only saw a few cattle near the road in central Baja and between La Paz and Cabo San Lucas.
The construction coming into Cabo from the Hwy 19 side was also a little rough with the trailer and a little trying on the patience as traffic slows to a crawl when home is practically in sight after 1100 miles.
Happy Holidays from CaboSports and the Cabo San Lucas Melges Sailing School
November 21, 2007
Violence in Baja California (Norte)
BajaInsider
There are well publicized reports of violence against travelers in Baja California (Norte) including robbery, assault and kidnapping. Attacks mostly occurred at night in remote locations, but at least one attack was reported to be brazen. Travelers should take precautions and not camp in isolated areas and not travel at night. Traveling in convoy with others could be helpful. North American travelers are often spoiled by the security of our State and National Parks and Forests, but US parks have security for a reason. Even with this security acts of violence occur in US parks as well.
This is not to diminish the situation. I have traveled worldwide for many years and there are few countries where I would camp in remote rural areas and not expect trouble. At this time the state of Baja California (norte) is no exception. Even experienced Baja travelers should elevate their level of awareness.
This week the Sud Californiano announced that at least one of the described attackers had been apprehended red handed with the weapon he was alleged to have used in previous attacks. There may still be others at large. Reports in North American press allege local authorities did not take this issue on promptly but now appear to be treating the situation with priority.
None of these attacks have occurred in Baja California Sur.
It is important to remember that bringing a firearm to Mexico to protect yourself IS NOT AN OPTION. Should the weapon be discovered in one of many possible military searches you are very likely to spend time in a Mexican prison. Should you be so misfortunate as to have to USE the illegal weapon to defend yourself and someone is injured you will almost certainly be looking at several YEARS in a Mexican prison.
Send a link to this page to a friend 
November 8, 2007
Traffic Infractions
BajaInsider
Traffic and Touristica Police in La Paz are enforcing a much broader scope of traffic infractions recently. If you are driving with non-Mexican license plates, you seem to be under greater scrutiny. Once again, the offence of "Driving While Gringo" seems to be on the rise.
The best way to avoid getting dinged is to be squeaky clean. Mind you speed, neither the slowest nor the fastest car be. Your speed is judged by the eye of the beholder, there is no radar to contest. The 'fee' for this seems to be around $1000 pesos while the actual infraction coast is about $250 pesos.
Seatbelts are mandatory in Baja. The legitimate fine for this infraction is $500 pesos
Cell phone use while driving is illegal in Baja. I believe the legitimate fine for this is $300 pesos, It is costing some folks as much as $80USD Gringos must be doing it more as they are certainly getting busted more often for it. (wink)
Drunk driving laws are being enforced. Again this fall we have seen the return of roadblocks for sobriety check points. This is a serious offence here now too. If you are a pale face from north of the border it is gonna cost you serious too. You can expect anything from $1000 pesos to 10,000 pesos of hurt here. (yes, $1000USD) Besides, Baja roads are challenging enough – just don't do it.
The days of expired registrations are over too. Your car must be legally registered to operate on the roadways of the state/country you are plated in. You can be fined here for expired registration and I would almost count on it in the last week of each month in La Paz. (wink)
Also for those of you with 'computer altered tags' beware. An acquaintance told me last week the moto cop near Soriana in La Paz pulled him over at night and flicked his flashlight across the 'cloned' tag, When it didn't reflect, the cop knew it was fake. The car was impounded until he produced valid registration. That took 5 weeks. Good thing it wasn't his smog inspection year or he would have been @#&%.
Driving with an expired license will cost you $500 to 1000 pesos. Don't have a license? You get hauled to jail until somebody produces valid ID for you. Bummer if you are traveling alone.
Driving down an urban street in La Paz slinging mud from the treads of your off road adventure is a $500 pesos fine. This applies to commercial vehicles as well.
Remember, on Hwy 1 local police can write infractions within locales. You will see 'End of Federal Highway" signs near El Rosario, Catavina, Santa Rosalia, Loreto, Constitucion, La Paz, Todos Santos and Cabo. Also a variety of other little pueblos along the way, too numerous to mention.
Driving without Mexican Liability Insurance is just plain silly. My full coverage policy cost me less than $400 per year. Liability only can be even less. If you have an accident you can be detained until the fault of the accident is determined. If you are determined to be at fault, you will be detained until you can provide evidence of (or ability to make) restitution. This can prevent you OR YOUR PASSENGERS from being airlifted to superior medical facilities in the US, Canada or even Guadalajara and the red tape involved even applies to life threatening situations. We would of course encourage you to purchase your insurance from our advertiser, Adventure Mexican Auto Insurance.
Baja's roadways have about 10 times as many accidents per 100 miles as US roads. This is because freeway miles are far safer and Baja doesn't have even a mile of controlled access roadway. Compared to US rural 2 lane roads, Baja Highways are only slightly more dangerous. First time drivers also have a hard time with Baja's 'rolling stops' and other unique driving etiquette. All these challenges can even add up to just a fender bender, as I had, which without insurance would have ruined a vacation. Purchase a policy from Adventure or other reputable agent, it makes sense.
Buen Viaje & Mucho Ojo!