Driving Baja is not what it use to be. Road improvements, more services
and just plane more to see make it an experience worth exploring.
Many
people will make driving in Baja California sound as if it is braving the great wild to make the
trip down the peninsula. Then there are others that seem to make a regular
life out of traveling from Baja Norte to Baja Sur along with the seasons. I
have to admit that I was one of those “gringo gypsies” for many years,
living the nomadic life here in both states of Baja California and the US.
 The
reality of driving in Baja, is that for most, it can be more arduous than
hazardous. It is not unsafe from the standpoint of “banditos” and
corrupt “federales” of yesteryear, but from the design of Baja Highway 1. It
is very narrow with fewer turn outs and the turns can be off camber at just
the wrong place.
This really means you just drive slower and with a
little more caution and heed the warning of “Do not drive at night” at
least until you have some experience of what the roads, markings, customs
and signage are like.
Check out Current Baja
weather conditions
There are also fewer Pemex (gas) stations by the US and Canadian
standards as many have grown accustom to.But be appreciative that the trans peninsular
highway exists and I must say that in all my years down here highway one just seems to get
better and better every year.
The
Mexican government has really been hard at work trying to improve and create
new roads while keeping up with the annual damage caused by the rains in
Baja Norte in the winter or the hurricanes in Baja Sur in summer months.
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The
Mexican government also provides “Los Angels Verdes” or the “Green Angles” which is a FREE service provided by Mexico, to aid
those driving in all of Mexico along the major highways.
They are equipped to help in most breakdowns and emergencies and they will get you back on the highway or they will provide you
transportation for FREE in many cases.
Click
here for the latest Baja Road Report
I stress this, because getting a Green Angel (who was off duty and had towed me with his family car for miles) to take a tip was almost impossible until I insisted on paying for gas and offered no small change to give
him.
There are definite preparations you can make to help make
your Baja road trip safer and more enjoyable. In following articles I will discuss and give you examples of how you can have an enjoyable time really getting to know Baja and it’s people at a slower
pace.
And just remember when someone asks you about the dangers of the driving down Baja, what my old friend and Baja veteran, now in her seventies, Viviana says “
Oh I hate to break down on the highway it always takes so much time, at least one day of
fiesta (partying) to satisfy all of those that
helped”
Bien viaje! James
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Insider
Notebook: The
Sign That Can Save You Hundreds $$$
 No
this sign does not mean topless bar ahead! Topes are speed restricting obstacles
placed to slow traffic in populated areas. Along Highway 1 most of the Topes
give plenty of advanced warning, some more than 500m. The tricky ones
however, can be the second or third in a series, just when you think it's
safe to pick up the pace.
One
of the most devastating encounters I recall with a Tope was on my first drive
down Baja. Just past the long straightaway of the Santo Tomas vineyards my
co-pilot was frantically searching the Spanish/English dictionary. It was the
hope that TOPE meant some kind of specialty restaurant when our heads against
the roof of the car made the translation for us. As if that was not bad
enough, it was punctuated with the sounds of chassis and radiator against
pavement. It seemed no coincidence there was a radiator and transmission shop
within yards.
Just
as a side note, I noticed that my infamous Tope had been mellowed and rounded
on my August drive. But beware! These guys can bite!
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