Insider's guide to RVing in Baja California: Answers to all your apprehensions and questions you've been too timid to inquire about.
Exploring Baja Amigos: A Guide to RVing in Mexico's Enchanting Peninsula
The allure of Baja California, with its warm weather, stunning beaches, and abundant wildlife, has long been a draw for RV campers. Here's a comprehensive guide to help you plan your adventure with Baja Amigos, the foremost specialist in small-size RV caravan tours.
Traveling in Groups
Traveling in a group not only adds to the fun but also ensures safety in numbers. Baja Amigos caravan tours cater to groups of up to 15 people, typically in 7 RVs, making for a friendly and social atmosphere.
Border Crossing Essentials
When crossing into Baja, it's crucial to have all the required paperwork. This includes a valid passport or passport card, a temporary import permit for your vehicle, Mexican auto insurance, and the Forma Migratoria Múltiple (FMM), the Mexican visitor permit. The FMM can be obtained by presenting a passport and paying a fee of approximately US $45.
Choose between the green “Nothing to Declare” lane and the red “Declaration” lane. Use the red lane if you have items exceeding personal exemptions, restricted goods, or if you are unsure about declarations. Being transparent avoids fines, confiscation, or delays.
Remember, paperwork must cover your entire RV setup, including towed vehicles or trailers, and is essential to legally stay in Baja for up to 180 days per visit.
Camping Experiences
Baja Amigos caravan tours focus on safety, camping in reputable, established campgrounds or campsites where guests feel secure. Campestre Maranatha in La Paz offers arguably the best campground experience in Baja California Sur with level sites, full 50-amp hookup, and a refreshing pool. Clam Beach Resort near Ensenada and Pete's Camp in San Felipe are campgrounds with full hookups and amenities comparable to what one might expect north of the border.
Los Barriles, along the southern end of the peninsula, is a camper's haven with a handful of great campgrounds. Most other campgrounds in Baja offer a little of what one might expect north of the border, but are much more rustic.
Unique Experiences Await
Baja Amigos caravan tours provide unique experiences, meals, and activities that reflect the cultural and geographic diversity of the peninsula. Whale watching opportunities are the biggest attractions in the busy RV season. Travelers have the unique opportunity to swim with whale sharks in La Paz during this time.
Preparation is Key
Before crossing into Baja, it's essential to invest heavily in preventative maintenance for your vehicle(s). Tire-repair shops are numerous along the highways in Baja because tire repairs are such common issues. Travelers should inspect and replace any tires that are on their last legs and carry at least one full-size spare.
Temperature Variations
During this time, nights and mornings can be cool and in the 50-degree Fahrenheit range in Baja California, while daytime temperatures can be warm (over 80 degrees Fahrenheit) in Baja California Sur. Between April and October, temperatures are generally considered unbearably hot.
Safety First
Baja Amigos wagonmasters are helpful in assisting guests who experience issues related to terrain or climate. They amend the itineraries each year based on guest feedback and changing opportunities in Baja, ensuring a safe and enjoyable trip.
Embrace the Adventure
Baja is a desert, and there are long stretches between towns and villages where cellular service is not to be expected. The terrain in Baja consists of a main highway (Federal Highway 1) that runs nearly 1,000 miles through the length of the peninsula. The roads tend to be narrow, often without a shoulder, and in various states of repair or disrepair.
Traveling Alone or in a Group
Regardless of whether you choose to travel alone or in a group, traveling in Baja Amigos caravans will lead to sharing incredible experiences that will result in new friendships and lifelong memories.
Resources for Your Journey
Chris and Lindsay Harvey, acknowledged experts in RVing in Baja, have written a book called "RVing and Camping the Baja Peninsula" and founded the website RVing Baja, providing valuable resources for your journey.
CDC Guidelines
The CDC now requires an additional fee-free form to be completed upon returning to the U.S. Travelers must have up-to-date rabies vaccinations for their pets, good for the duration of their travels, up to 180 days.
Safety and Hospitality
Despite common misconceptions, Baja is generally safe for campers, and the Mexican people are wonderfully hospitable and welcoming. The peninsula is known for its primitive desert camping experience, particularly at any number of beaches that line both sides of the peninsula.
Embrace the adventure, prepare well, and get ready for an unforgettable journey with Baja Amigos!
- Baja Amigos caravan tours provide unique experiences, offering meals and activities that reflect the cultural and geographic diversity of the peninsula, including opportunities to swim with whale sharks in La Paz during the busy RV season.
- Traveling in a group with Baja Amigos can add to the adventure and ensure safety, with tours catering to groups of up to 15 people, typically in 7 RVs.
- Before crossing into Baja, it's essential to have all required paperwork, including a valid passport or passport card, a temporary import permit for your vehicle, Mexican auto insurance, and the Forma Migratoria Múltiple (FMM).
- Camping experiences are a crucial part of the Baja Amigos tour, with quality campgrounds offering amenities comparable to what one might expect north of the border, such as Campestre Maranatha in La Paz, Clam Beach Resort near Ensenada, and Pete's Camp in San Felipe.
- Preparing your vehicle for the trip is vital, as tire-repair shops are numerous along the highways in Baja due to tire issues. Inspect and replace any tires that are on their last legs and carry at least one full-size spare.
- Baja's temperatures can vary, with nights and mornings often cool and in the 50-degree Fahrenheit range, while daytime temperatures can be warm (over 80 degrees Fahrenheit) in Baja California Sur. Travelers should be prepared for unbearably hot temperatures between April and October.
- Embrace the adventure and be aware that there may be long stretches between towns and villages with little to no cellular service, and the roads in Baja can be narrow and in various states of repair or disrepair.
