July 2010 - More gringos traveling to Baja!

2009 was a very slow year for the Mexico travel industry, but 2010 is gaining momentum as a decent year for Mexico tourism.

Perhaps this is due to the US economy seeming to stabilize.  Perhaps the panic about Mexico drug gang crimes seems to be diminishing in Baja.  Or, maybe people have delayed their Baja trips for a few years, and now they are really itching to get down to Baja, and they can’t wait any longer.

Whatever the reason, it seems that more tourists are taking the plunge and returning for road trips to Baja this year.  I personally spent three weeks in February driving around in Baja, and had a wonderful time.  I never felt unsafe or threatened.

It seems as more people head to Baja and share their positive experiences with others, their friends are then willing to return as well. 

We would love to hear about any of your recent road trips to Baja – please feel free to share!

0 comments - Posted by Jeff Nordahl at 2:40 PM - Categories: Baja Road Trips | Mexican Insurance Industry

Watch out for giant speed bumps in Baja – TOPES!

Everyone has it happen to them – you are cruising along Highway 1 at 80 kilometers per hour enjoying the view of the desert without a worry in the world, then suddenly your vehicle jolts so hard it feels like you ran over a boulder causing you to bite your tongue as you scream an obscenity.  #&$^#& Topes! 

You got hit by another stealth Baja tope – the giant Baja speed bump!  Instead of installing traffic lights or stop signs before each town along Highway 1, Baja has installed giant speed bumps to alert drivers to slow down prior to entering the town.  Usually the topes are marked with a road sign showing a car going over a bump, and the actual tope is often painted bright yellow.  Unfortunately, there are a few stealth topes out there that no longer have a sign (or never did), and the paint on the bump is so worn down that you can hardly see a fleck of yellow paint on it.

We have actually had a few insurance claims from customers who hit these topes at excessive speeds, so topes need to be taken seriously.

So every time you start to see any signs of civilization along Highway 1, go on tope radar.  There most likely will be a tope (actually two topes – one on each end of town) lurking up ahead.  Be warned.

0 comments - Posted by Jeff Nordahl at 3:39 PM - Categories: Baja Road Trips | Mexico Road Trips - Mainland Mexico

Mexican Fishing Licenses Are NOT Needed if Only Fishing From Shore

If you enjoy fishing, but you do not plan to go on a boat while in Mexico – you do NOT need to trouble yourself with getting a Mexican fishing license.  Mexican fishing licenses are only required for people who are on a boat or other floatation device.

If you will only be fishing from the beach, rocks, piers, or shoreline – then you can save yourself some time and money because you do NOT need to get a Mexican fishing license.

If there is a chance you could get on a boat and do some fishing, then you should go ahead and get your Mexican fishing license before entering Mexico.

Call CONAPESCA for details: San Diego office 8am - 2pm Pacific time Monday - Friday (619) 233-4324

0 comments - Posted by Jeff Nordahl at 11:40 AM - Categories: Baja Road Trips | Mexico Road Trips - Mainland Mexico | Mexico Travel

XM Satellite Radio Works in All of Baja

0 comments - Posted by Jeff Nordahl at 11:46 AM - Categories: Baja Road Trips | Mexico Road Trips - Mainland Mexico |

Road Trip Tip of the Day - Baby Wipes – Water Free Clean Up

0 comments - Posted by Jeff Nordahl at 1:24 PM - Categories: Baja Road Trips | Mexico Road Trips - Mainland Mexico |

Mexico Road Trip - Tip of the Day - Tune Up Your Vehicle

0 comments - Posted by Jeff Nordahl at 2:37 PM - Categories: Baja Road Trips | Mexico Road Trips - Mainland Mexico |

Mexico Road Trip Tip of the Day – Buying Gas

2 comments - Posted by Jeff Nordahl at 9:28 AM - Categories: Baja Road Trips | Mexico Road Trips - Mainland Mexico |