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Published: February 16th 2010
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I (Steve) have been doing most of the driving on our 1200-mile south Baja sojourn. The roads for the most part are better than I expected. Some of the newer sections are smooth two-laners with speed limits of 110 kph (about 70 mph); and the rest are good two lane roads with speed limits from 60 to 80 kph (35-50mph). Of course no one follows the speed limits, so sometimes we would be going 100 kph (60mph) in an 80 zone and cars would be passing us at 120-130. Things are so wide open here that you can often see a mile or two ahead of you even on curves. The dirt roads can be really rough with lots of rocks and potholes. So far our van tires and shocks have held up remarkably well.
Baja drivers are generally patient, polite and accommodating. On the hills, they put on their left turn signal to let you know it is clear to pass. This is helpful on the mountainous roads when you can’t get a clear view from behind. The roads are generally narrow with NO SHOULDERS so you do not want to run off the road, especially on the mountain
sections. Sometimes the roads were a mass of potholes. Katie kidded that when the workers go out to fix the holes, they have to triage the task and only fix the worst ones or they would use up all their material in a few yards of pavement.
The signs on the roads are interesting with things like Don’t Drive Tired and Don’t Abuse the Signs, and Curva Peligroso (Dangerous Curve). Linda does not recommend driving at night partly because it is so dark and lonely on the back roads, but also because of wildlife and cows in the road. Loose cattle are frequently grazing near the highway outside the fencing.
Driving in the towns and cities is also a challenge because of frequent not so well marked stop (Alto) signs and speed bumps. The Mexican army reserves have frequent military checkpoints on the main roads. They have automatic weapons, but are friendly and very polite in asking you to step out of your vehicle so they can check it for weapons and drugs. Usually if you are traveling south, they just waive you through.
Security is a major focus in Baja, which means lots of different kinds
of fencing options made from wooden pallets, tires and ocitillo cactus and more traditional materials (see pictures). We stayed in established campgrounds on the trip with a manager on site and other campers present. The usual cost was $8-10 per night. We lock our vehicle when we leave it just as we usually do in the US. Guns and other weapons (e.g., large knives) are illegal to carry in Mexico, so in some ways, it is safer here. Most of the crime in Mexico occurs near the border areas or larger cities and usually involves drug activity. Once you get further south, people are careful, but no one worries too much about crime. We certainly have not had any problems.
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