Traveling in Baja California Mexico

[Tapatio]

Report: Drug traffickers staging gladiatorlike fights with captives

http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2011/06/15...with-captives/


Given the violence and corruption in Mexico what is the group's consensus about traveling in Baja? As a child we would go almost every summer and stay in places like Bahia De Los Angeles, Mulege, Point Concepcion. When I was 25 I took my Toyota 4-Runner to Mission San Francisco Borja and then all the way down to La Paz. The deserts in Baja are beautiful and most of the roads are a perfect fit for a 4X4 SMB. Even if I ignore the possible dangers the other side of me says screw Mexico, I don't to spend any money in a country that is so corrupt.

[macmcintire]

I always say when a person asks a question that sounds like a statement, the answer is in the statement. When one wonders whether they should do something, and has a good reason not to, it seems not to is the answer. Most people who become victims bemoan afterward saying they never thought it would happen to them. If it happens to people just like you, it can happen to you. I say visit the good ol' US of A. Maybe even Canada.

[twogone]

I'm purty sure mac is right on... if the headline reads be a captive gladiator vs. not go, well, Ima say "not go". Theyz headlines for a reason... be reasonable!

That said, if you just lookin' for something to do in a beautiful setting, ride down to the park and write Jage a check for a T-shirt and support this improbable forum!

[webbmac]

Having worked in media, I am highly skeptical of blogs with stories based on unnamed sources who quote 3rd parties. It's the modern version of yellow journalism. While nothing seems incredible in mainland Mexico anymore, this story strikes me of sensationalism. Recruiting assasins through gladiator fights? Ignoring the contradictions in that concept, it sounds like a terrible waste of time in any event. It could be correct, but printing something like that based on unnamed 3rd party info is irresponsible, best case.

If you're not comfortable traveling in Baja right now (and the SMB is about having a good time), then don't do it. I would not use this pathetic excuse for journalism as your rationale, though. For me, you're more likely finding me in Baja this summer than the US, but that's just me.

[jstanley]

While the border areas are bad, once you get down into Baja the crime rate is much lower than most of the US.

The border problem has been there for years, It is the media reporting of it that has changed.

We go down 2-3 times a year, have been for 15 years, and will be heading down again next fall, (its just too hot during the summer for us).

Hey Steve, what you think about heading down together to San Basilio or Agua Verde over next x-mass break?

[Tapatio]

Originally Posted by macmcintire

I always say when a person asks a question that sounds like a statement, the answer is in the statement.

You're right, I should have asked the forum "how many of you are still traveling to Baja and have you seen any changes that would prevent you from going again". Since I can remember people have been warry of traveling to Mexico because of crime and corruption but my experience has been the opposite.

I guess I've been paying too much attention to the headlines or I'm getting old and paranoid.

[macmcintire]

Under the Senior Class pictures of my High School year book the students were able to list their favorite quote. Mine was: "One nice thing about being a coward is that you seldom get hurt." So I tend to lean to the cautious side. Although the media certainly makes awareness of crime more prevalent, still, someone is dying in those crimes. I'd prefer that someone not be me or a member of my family.

[Jeffrey]

Me? I will never go there. When I travel, I have valuable gear. Yes, the media is a bunch of sensationalistic ********, but many stories are still true. My friend got seriously injured and his passenger crippled for life on a m/c trip there from a mexican passing on a 2 lane road without looking. Is that worth a dozen margaritas? I don't think so. Plenty of equal and greater beauty in the USA and Canada.