Mexico Travel? yay or nay

[mobius012]

I have a mixed perspective ....... I personally haven't been down to mexico in a few years ...... My Father and Stepmother however visit down there damn near monthly (we're Hispanic and much of my stepmothers family still lives down there ) and have NEVER had a problem that is until late 07 .

My father has lived here in the states for over 40 years and like every other american , worked his a$$ off his whole life and though he's no where near a "wealthy" man he has his fair share of toys . He's the type of guy that buys a new truck and car almost every year . He also never flies down , his wife and him just drive down and occasionally bring down some toys (quads , sandrails, dirt bikes etc...) so to anyone down there that doesn't really know him but sees them keep coming down in new cars and trucks or whatever , they might get the impression that they're rich even though they're far from it (god bless credit lol)

Anyways back in late 07 , they get back from another trip in mexico like they always do . Later that day , my father is in the shower , my stepmother is in the family room and my 17year old step sister is in her bedroom .... My step mother has a friend of hers over and they're all expecting some friends to come over .... so when they hear a knock on the door, my stepmother tells her friend to get it , expecting it to be the rest of there friends that said they might stop by .... well it wasn't !!! It was 3 hispanic males fully armed ...... My step mother hears a crash at the door (they had thrown her friend down as they pushed their way in ) so she runs over and an armed man grabs her , my father hears screams and comes running down only to have a shotgun put in his face .......... ultimately they grabbed all 3 of them and tied them up and continually questioned them as to "where they were hiding their money" as my father continually tried to explain to them "here in america , we keep what little we have in BANKS and I'm not rich , I just have lot of things on CREDIT " (I realize this may SOUND "funny" , but please be respectful because this all really happened ) ........


Do we have anyway of proving any of this was related to them going to mexico NO .......... but WE'RE mexican and my father is adamant that "they were from mexico" and "NOT locals" .... he's VERY specific in saying they dressed , spoke , and acted like they were born , raised and still from there .... in his words , they were not at all "americanized"






In short .... they still go , just not quite as much and now they ALWAYS watch there backs ...........




So , GO, have fun , just be wary of your surroundings even as you're returning home .................

[DIZZYSPOTS]

Thanks for the responses...I also travel into Mexico, both on the mainland side and in Baja....multiple times over the last 30 years..4 times since I got the FJ...I posted the informal "poll" after reading 'Uphill's" sticky and PM'ing him on the issue. Most recently I cancelled my semi annual trip to Gonzaga Bay, because my "confirmed" travel partners cancelled at the last minute
(absolutely their right to do so), due in part, at least... to the sticky..
soooo I thought I would just throw it out there to folks that had ACTUALLY gone to Mexico and would they go again
We are planning on re-running the trip to Gonzaga in the Spring, but will extend it to cover San Ignacio and a "whale touching experience" that you will not believe!!

Have a fabulous day

Mike

PS My requirement for a 2nd vehicle is not based on 'crime" fear, but stems from my training at 11yrs old about the buddy system...it applies to remote travel here in the good ole USA as well as Mexico

also interesting is that the only bad experience reported in 3 pages (and it was awful and I hope never happens again to anyone) happened on this side of the border?

[christianmotox]

I haven't been to Gonzaga bay, but ive heard wonderful things about that place.

Good luck with you're trip, and i hope you don't stop visiting Baja.

[Swingshiftworker]

I haven't traveled to Mexico recently but have been traveled extensively throughout northern Mexico (WAY past the border towns to areas just north of Mexico City) as well as the full length of Baja. I've always had a great time, never had any problems and would love to go back soon.

A tip for those to travel in and out of Baja via California:

The best border crossing is at Tecate which is about 30 miles east of Tijuana. Unless it's changed recently, Tecate is a sleepy little town, which gets very little border traffic and crossings there are quick and easy with a direct route to Ensenda entirely by-passing the cesspool in Tijuana.

[FJCHANDLER]

I go to Mexico ofter, specifically Rocky Point. I wheel south of R.P. in my FJ and recently in El Golfo, which is a little more than an hour above R.P. I feel safer there than in many parts of PHX. STOP reacting to the hype and misinformation, and focus on the facts. THE US WANTS YOU TO STOP SPENDING MONEY ABROAD, END OF STORY! Millions and millions of dollars have just been spent by the Mexican gov. to build the new highway that start at the boarder in YUMA and takes you all the way to Rocky Point. They have also finished the infra structure on the new airport. Mexican millitary is on patrol everywhere in tourist areas, to give the Amercian's a feeling of saftey. THEY NEED OUR TOURISM AND MONEY. Stay in the tourist areas Like Rocky Point and you are fine. I was in El Golfo 3 weeks ago and the people were terrific. Camped on the beach for 3 days, there was no one around, not even Mexican's. If you think the sky is falling, our goverment will take care of you, Obama won't raise taxes, the economy is recovering and the tooth fairy exists, I don't know what to say.

Cao.

PS. I'm Irish.

[ColoradoCruiserDude]

If you have time read my trip report:

BajaNomad Forums - "Peace, Love & Fish Tacos"

I encourage you to read my trip report and then sign up with the Baja Nomad forums. You can ask and get real answers from locals who live there.

My first trip to Baja was with JP and Todd with the Expeditioneers last January and now I am hooked!

I have been back 4 times since then, 3 times with my FJ and once with a rental from San Diego. I am actually heading back for a few days later this month and am planning on living in Baja for a few months this winter.

I prefer the low key crossing in Tecate and I do not travel at night. The violence in the border towns is real but generally does not involve Americans. You are more likely to be harmed in downtown Denver tonight than in Ensenada. The further south you go the better it gets on both sides of the coast.

Just like a few of the other posters said. The experience in Baja is like no other. The people are genuine and the terrain is spectacular! Not too mention there are some places that you can catch Yellowtail from the beach.

If you have the time I recommend spending some time in Bahai Asuncion.

bajabnb.com - Home

Contact Shari and you will have an amazing time. Jan-March you can sit on your deck and watch the Grey Whales go by, not too mention the experience of touching them that will have you going back for mucho mas!

PM me if you need have any questions. I might be living down there for the winter.

[DIZZYSPOTS]

James the trip report was fabulous...lots of memories for us as well...we did the "whale watching" loop 2 yrs ago with some folks from 4wdtrips.net...thru Gonzaga, Coco's and on down to San Ignacio at Antonio's...then back the same way...we LOVE Gonzaga...really sad that we missed it 2 weeks ago...we will go back to Antonio's in the Spring...do you know where you're gonna settle for the winter....perhaps have a bucnh of AZFJ's surprise you in March??

keep in touch

Mike & Sharon

PS Shari's place at Ascuncion looks great...yellowtail from the beach???