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

Good news – if you have XM satellite radio, almost all of the channels work throughout all of Baja.

I just got back from a road trip from Tijuana to Cabo and back, and I never lost signal.  I like the Grateful Dead Channel – you can listen to entire live concerts, so it helps make the long drives float by.  The music blends well with the Baja landscape too!

But there are also more than 100 channels to choose from.

It was nice getting solid reception – fresh music – not your old cds – and no mariachi music!  I enjoy mariachi music, but after an hour of driving, I need a break (they also have Spanish satellite radio stations so you can listen to mariachi 24/7 if that is your thing!)

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

Baby wipes are one of the most useful products I take with me when camping in Baja.

Washing your hands can use up nearly a pint or more of your camping water supply, but a nice fresh baby wipe can get your hands just as clean using no water at all!

If you hate using campsite sinks or the dreaded Baja gas station bathroom sink – don’t stress – use a baby wipe instead.

There are hundreds of things that can quickly and easily be cleaned with a baby wipe (no need to describe everything).  So make sure to bring a pack with you on your next trip to Baja – they will soon become your friend.

NOTE:  Get the fragrance free baby wipes, because some of the perfumed ones smell worse than Mexican gas station bathroom hand soap.

I prefer the Earth’s Best brand of baby wipes that can be found at Whole Foods or other natural grocery stores.  They have no smell, and they do not irritate your skin even when used a lot.

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