Baja California Camping Tips

Baja California, Mexico.  Effective January, 2016

Most people buy the book called "Baja Camping"  by Terry Church.  We didn't get around to buying it, so relied on a good map and by talking with others along the way.  This is to help others planning a trip to Baja.

Unlike camping in the US,  RV parks/campgrounds in Baja are few and far between.  We camped with a 22-foot Airstream and stayed on the main highways,  You can go off-road, but these hints are for those wanting to stay on paved highways. Some places have services;  others are dry-camping. 

PREPARING FOR THE TRIP

*Have some pesos to pay for toll roads (called cuota) near the border

*Buy Mexican  car insurance.  It is expensive, but a requirement.  We bought from Sanborns.

*Obtain a tourist card when you cross into Mexico.  About $25 pp.  Not required for short stays.

*If you go beyond Baja or Sonorra, other documents are required.

*Never drive at night.  Plan your days so that you will be somewhere with camping facilities before dark..  

* Keep gas tank full as you leave a town.  The longest stretch without gas is between El Rosario and Guerrero Negro, about 200 miles.

CAMPING AREAS/RV PARKS THAT WE KNOW

All on Highway #1, unless noted.  New ones open and some close, so this might change.  These are ones we saw.  We didn't stay in all of them.  From North to South.....

Ensenada-- one in town, and several south of town near La Bufadora

San Quentin-- 2 south of town on the beach.  Area called El Pabellon

Cavatina

Guerrero Negro --1 north of town, 1 south of town. 

San Ignacio 

South of Santa Rosalia

Mulege

Bahia de Concepcion. Beach camping. No facilities.  Several.  Most popular is Playa Santispac

Loreto --2 in town. Must get off highway

Ciudad Constitucion

La Paz-- called Maranatha.  West of town, as you enter

Los Barriles.  3 in town, one south of town

Cabo San Lucas-Villa Serena

Near Todos Santos--one in Cerritos beach area, south of town.  Highway #19

Gonzaga Bay.  Beach camping.  On new highway #5

La Palapa in San Felipe.  (Highway 5)

We spent about 5 weeks in Baja.  Here is our route with notes.  We took our time going south, but drove long days on the return. 

OUR TRIP

1.  We crossed in Tijuana.  It was surprisingly easy.  The guards recommend crossing Tuesday-Thursday when it is least busy.  Followed highway 1 south.   It is a toll road until Ensenada.  Drove through town to La Bufadora.  This is a tourist attraction, meaning Blow Spout.  Several RV parks on the road to La Bufadora. About 15 miles off highway.  We stayed in one called Campo 5.  Primitive bathroom only.  Beautiful views from cliff-side campground. One night @ $7.  100  miles from Tijuana. 

2.  160 miles to San Quentin-- El Pabellon.  South of town.  About one mile off highway on beach. Full hook- ups available. One night dry-camping @$9.   

3.  200 miles to Guerrero Negro.  Campground called  Mario's south of town on highway. Whale-watching tours available in season.  Full hook- ups. One night @ $16. 

Could have stopped in San Ignacio (nice oasis), but went on.

Could have stopped in Playa Santispac at Bahia de Concepcion.

4.  265 miles to Loreto. Stayed at  RV park "resort" called Loreto Shores.  Beautiful. Pool. Full hook-ups. On water. Our favorite place in Baja.  Great town. Many seasonal RVers.  5 nights @ $22/night. 

5.  215 miles to La Paz.  Maranatha RV park outside of town.  Safe-feeling and a good stopping place.  We unhooked and explored the city.  Both dry-camping and full hook-ups.  1 night. $22 full hook-ups, $16 dry camping.  

6.  90 miles to Los Barriles.  Popular spot for wind-surfers.  We stayed in town at Martin Verdugo's  RV park 5 nights @$21/night. On beach. Tiki hut bar. Pool.  Full hook-ups.  Many seasonal RVers.  Then moved to  Baja Sunrise south of town.  Brand new.  Right on beach. Full hook-ups.  Stayed 4 more nights@ $24/night. 

7.  We rented a house in Todos Santos for the holidays with family who flew down.  Todos Santos is about one hour from Los Cabos airport, and a world away. Recommend visiting this town. Camping nearby.  Bypass road south of Barriles to Todos Santos, bypassing Los Cabos.  150  miles.  Note....we did not camp in Cabo San Lucas, as we don't like big cities, but heard that there is one RV park there called La Serena.

Return trip.....

1.  From Todos Santos to Playa Santispac on Bahia de Concepcion.  333 miles.  No services. Restaurant/bar..  Beautiful beach.  1 night.  $7/night. 

2.  Planned to do whale-watching in Guerrero Negro, but they weren't going out that day, so drove on.  Drove on east on new highway #5.  The road is under construction.  25 miles are still dirt and rocks.  Rough and slow-going. Not recommended for big rigs. Stopped at a beach in Gonzaga Bay.  330 miles....12 hours of driving!

3.  150 miles to San Felipe.  Palapa RV park.  Several in town on the beach.  $24/night.  Full hook- ups.  Stayed 2 nights.  

4.  Then, back through Mexicali to cross into USA.  125 miles

For details on our trip, along with photos, check out our blog......reidsontheroad.blogspot.com.  Dates...December 10, 2015 to January 13, 2016. 

SPANISH WORDS TO KNOW

Tope-- speed bump.  Some are marked; others are not.  Sometimes painted yellow: some not.  Also zebra lines can be small speed bumps.  Found in towns and curvy roads, to slow drivers down.

Vada....dip in the road

Curva peligrosa--dangerous curve

Disminuye la velocidad--slow down

Cajero--ATM