RV Parks
You’ll find some nice full-service RV parks near the border, but after that the quality varies from one place to the next. Prices can range from $5 for no facilities to $35 for the best full-service parks. Make sure you test the electricity at each site before you plug in. Many have only 15-amp house-type sockets, so don’t use your air conditioner. Some also have water and sewer hookups. The sewer connections are usually far back in the campsite, so make sure you have enough hose.
The Trailer Life Directory is a good source for knowing where the parks and campgrounds are and what you should expect to find at each one.
For a great book on Baja camping go to www.rollinghomes.com
Driving Tips
Most of the highway is in surprisingly good condition. Plan on at least a three-week trip down and back. Anything shorter than that and you’re pushing it.
The highway is 1,060 miles long from Tijuana to Cabo, and it’s no interstate. Once you pass Ensenada, the road becomes a narrow 18-foot-wide two-lane road. There must not be a Spanish word for “shoulders” because there aren’t any. I would suggest a maximum speed of 55 mph. Relax and enjoy the scenery; that’s why you’re here. And never drive at night. Not only are many vehicles poorly lit, but that’s when the cows come out to dance on the road.
There is a highway tradition of putting on your left blinker so the vehicle behind you will know it’s safe to pass when it is difficult to see the road ahead. It’s a nice idea but be very careful. Don’t bet your life on it.
All road signs are in Spanish, of course. The most important are:
Precaucion zona de ganado: Caution: livestock zone
Disminuya su velocidad: Reduce your speed
Curva peligrosa: Dangerous curve
Despacio: Slow
Topes a 100m: Speed bumps the size of polo ponies next 100 meters
The most unnerving part of the drive are the military checkpoints. You’ll be driving out in the middle of nowhere, round a curve and be face to face with a roadblock and teenagers with automatic weapons. Do not panic. These are drug checkpoints. They will ask you where you have been and where you are going. They might also ask to check inside the RV. It’s a little scary having very young soldiers with weapons in your rig, but after a short search you will be on your way. Do not offer them money, or next time I’ll have to!
To be continued next Thursday ….
John Holod – RV Adventure Videos
John’s personal appearance schedule and videos can be found on his website where he can be reached via email at www.rvadventurevideos.com
February Show Schedule: 1st Merced CA – 4th Voyager RV Resort – 7th – 10th (Jodie) Minneapolis MN RV Show – 7th – 10th Seattle RV Show – 14th – 17th (Jodie) Milwaukee RV Show – 19th (Jodie) Yuma AZ – 20th Poughkeepsie NY – 22nd – 24th Fredericksburg VA RV Show – 25th Torrance CA – 26th Alhambra CA – 26th – 27th FMCA Rally Pomona CA – 28th – 2nd Phoenix AZ RV Show