Editors Note: We receive much of this
information from others by mail, email, or in person. We haven't
confirmed most of it ourselves. In order to conserve space and increase the usability of the information we receive it is often necessary to rephrase or paraphrase the messages. We like to add the names of the sources of
the information we receive, if you don't want your name mentioned be sure
to tell us in any email you send.
Insurance - Page 26
January 2, 2010 Update - Discover Baja Travel Club, a good source for Mexico insurance, has a new address: 3264 Governor Dr, San Diego, CA 92122. The telephone is unchanged: (800) 727-2252 and (619) 275-4225. - Courtesy of Ortrud and Helmut Wiedemann
Safety and Security - Page 35
April 2, 2020 Update -
This season (2009-2010) there has been a steady increase in violence in Mexico. For the first time that we are aware of, on the mainland at least, even RVers have been affected and the thought in everyone's mind is: Should we come back next year?
Although we're not in a position to detail every problem as it occurs, here are the main recent occurances that we are aware of that directly affected RVers:
In early March, 2010, in Mazatlán, armed men tied up the night watchman at an RV park, and
knocked on the door of a rig in the park. When the door was opened from inside the men tried to force their way into the rig, were pushed out by the owner, and shot him in the leg. The men escaped.
Soon after that, also in Mazatlán, a police patrol near another RV park was attacked by gunmen and the police were killed.
Also in March 2010 RVers leaving parks in the early morning in Celestino Gasca, about 60 miles north of Mazatlán, spotted armed men setting up a roadblock. Soon after there was a gun battle, which could be heard by people in the Celestino Gasca RV parks. Rigs that had departed soon after the gun battle saw bodies along the highway. No RVers were stopped or targeted in this incident.
In late March 2010 two Canadian RVers in 5th wheels, travelling together, were stopped at an armed roadblock north of Ciudad Victoria. The RVers were not hurt, but their rigs were stolen. The army found the rigs the next day, much of their contents had been removed and were gone. Six of the hijackers were arrested.
It is up to each individual RVer to decide whether the level of violence in Mexico makes an RV visit too dangerous. Here are some websites that may help you make your own decision:
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_970.html - U.S. Department of State - Country Specific Information for Mexico
http://www.voyage.gc.ca/countries_pays/report_rapport-eng.asp?id=184000 - Canadian government Mexico Travel Report
Telephones - Page 36
February 26, 2010 Update - We use AT&T in the US and learned of a plan they offer called "Viva Mexico". For an additional $15/month, we were able extend our service to Mexico. Same minutes and rules except the unlimited nights and weekends is changed to 1000 minutes. The service in Mexico is supplied by Telcel and the coverage has been great. AT&T doesn't seem to advertise this plan but if you search their site it will show up. AT&T stated we could move back to the cheaper nationwide plan at any time. It's been a great addition to have constant phone service while traveling Mexico. - Courtesy of Steve & Tommie Clendening
Las Palmas RV Park, Santa Rosalia - Page 130
February 1, 2010 - The Las Palmas is now closed. - Courtesy of Marlin and Kay Piel
Campestre Maranatha, La Paz - Page 165
January 30, 2010 Update - Campestre Maranatha has added about 20 full hookup sites and has changed its email address to bajasis@hotmail.com
RV Casa Blanca , La Paz - Page 166
January 30, 2010 - The Casa Blanca is definitely closed and is being turned in to a parking area with curbs and gutters. - Information courtesy of Pam and Randall Seegers
January 2, 2010 - The Casa Blanca is reported to be open again. - Courtesy of Ron Beals
September 19, 2008 Update - The Casa Blanca has closed. - Information courtesy of Cheri and Ray Wise
Southern Loop - Roads and Fuel Availability - Page 173
May 18, 2010 Update - There is now four-lane highway virtually all the way from La Paz to Todos Santos. Here are the details:
Four lanes from La Paz to the junction, narrows to one on a tight curve (this comes up quite quickly), before the Hwy 19 turnoff, then a divided 4 lane highway to within 3 km north of Todos Santos, the paved shoulder averages about 8' as I recall. - Information courtesy Dan and Lisa Goy
Baja Serana, South of Todos Santos - Page 180
February 23, 2010 Update - We are currently camped in Baja Serena south of Todos Santos. We drive a 30' motorhome without tow. Although the actual campsites will accomodate a 40 ft rig (as outlined in your book) the entrance is a problem. The owner opened the widest gate and it still took about 15 minutes of back and forth with two people helping to direct to actually enter the campground. With the narrow entrance road and the sharp turn into the actual campground, anything over about 25 ft will have trouble entering. Once in the park, there is plenty of room. We paid $13 US dollars per night. They are down to one shower but the campground only accomodates up to 8 campers so the one is enough. The shower was spotless and the water hot. Note that the Baja Serena requires a two-day minumum stay. - Information courtesy of Ron Beals
Paraiso Del Mar RV Resort, Los Barriles - Page 186
January 3, 2010 Update - A reader reports a brand-new big RV park in Los Barriles. It's called the Paraiso Del Mar RV Resort. It has a webite: www.eastcapervresorts.com (This address sounds like it should be for the East Cape RV Resort, but apparently it's not. Is there a connection or is this a sneaky marketing ploy by the new campground?). Rates are $20 per day, $320 per month for full hookups. Location is across the road from the Playa Norte, approximate GPS is 23.699340 N, 109.707317 W. The manager's name is Jorge, you can contact him at paraiso_delmar@hotmail.com - Information courtesy Kevin Ross
Roads - Puerto Peñasco and El Golfo - Page 226
November 17, 2009 Update - The direct road between El Golfo and Puerto Peñasco that is mentioned on this page has been completed. Readers report that the road is excellent. It's a free road and there are several pull-offs along the way where signs offer information about the vicinity.
That's not all though. There's a new toll road extending south from near the border at San Luis Río Colorado much of the way to El Golfo. Rates are high. Readers report paying 94 pesos for a car or 188 pesos for a coach towing a car. The combination of these two roads will make access from California to Puerto Peñasco and El Golfo much quicker. - Information courtesy of Marlin and Kay Pihl
San Juan Trailer Park - Puerto Peñasco - Page 428
March 8, 2010 Update - A reader reports that this campground is now closed. - Courtesy of Dave Oglevie
