Camping Mexico's Baja

Caravans, p. 22

Another company offering caravans to the Baja is Baja and Back Caravans (http://bajaandback.com/).

Crossing the Border, p. 24

1/27/04 - Tourist cards are now being issued at the state line checkpoint just north of Guerrero Negro. This is welcome news for those folks heading quickly south, they don't have to stop at the border or in Ensenada to pick up a card. Also, now that there's a ban on American beef coming in to Mexico they're asking for it and taking it away at the same crossing. They also take most fruit, all citrus, avocados, and potatoes. Bananas and small limes are OK.

12/15/03 Update - We visited the Migración office ourselves and were told it is open to pick up tourist cards from 8:30 to 8:30 daily. We had no problems getting our prepaid tourist card validated at 9:00 on a Sunday.

11/6/03 Update - Editor's Note: In our book we recommend picking up your tourist card in Ensenada. This is not as easy as it once was because there is now a charge that must be paid immediately at a nearby bank.

Yesterday we hired a taxi and went to get the tourist papers. Now that they charge for the papers , the entire procedure has changed. Also, according to a sign on the door, they only issue tourist papers from 1 pm to 3 pm, Monday through Friday. Your book said 9 to 5 daily. Fortunately, we were there about 1:30 on Monday. Let your readers know that there is no place near the Migración office to park a large vehicle. The taxi had to park down the block. No one seems to speak English in the Migración office which was not a problem for us as we speak Spanish to some degree. To get your tourist papers here, after you fill them out at the Migración office you have to go to the bank, 5 or 6 blocks away, again no parking for large vehicles, and pay for them. The Migración office collects your passport and holds it while you go pay the fee of 205 pesos for each tourist paper. You return with them stamped, Migracion stamps them again and returns your passports - Jayne and Daniel Freeman

Crossing the Border, p. 26

The Sonoyta border crossing is open from 6 a.m. to midnight. The Banjercito doesn't open until 8 a.m.

Rosarito Cora RV Park, San Felipe, p. 51

3/17/02 - Readers report that this campground has been closed.

Oasis Resort, Rosarito, p 52

8/28/02 - Reader report - I just returned from a week's vacation at the Oasis Resort north of Rosarito Beach. Had it not been for your reference book, I wouldn't have known to exit at "Rancho del Mar" when returning to the resort after a trip to Rosarito Beach. You also gave a good description of the resort itself, which encouraged me to spend some time there. I thought I'd share some updated information with you about them. Their rates currently are $49 per night on weekends, and $39 per night on weeknights, plus some sort of local tax; for six nights beginning Saturday and ending Thursday, it cost $263.00. I believe this may be a little less than what was mentioned in your book, but still pricey for Mexico. Especially considering that the showers for campers had no hot water, and the bathroom in the camping area by the children's pool was only cleaned once during the week we were there. My friend spoke to another camper who was there long term, and he said there was a change of management just a month ago. They may be still trying to get their act together. Part of our group stayed in the hotel, and they loved the place. I will definitely go back, but I intend to keep bugging them to fix the problems before I commit to them about returning. The location is great, the view is wonderful, and many of the amenities are really nice, as you said in your book. Thanks again for all the great info. - Mary Ann Crysler

Popotla Mobile Home Park, Rosarito, p. 56

3/17/02 - Readers report that this park now allows dogs.

Hussong's RV Resort, Ensenada, p. 61

This is a brand new campground located just north of Ensenada. It's a great addition to Baja campgrounds since it's close to Ensenada and on the beach. There are 70 sites, two restaurants, a bar, and even a mini-super. It's at Km 108 on the Carretera Tijuana-Ensenada, call 011-52-646-1744980 (Mexico) or 949 474-0404 in the US. See also http://www.hussongscantina.com/.

Estero Beach Hotel/Resort, p. 64

11/5/03 Reader Update - Your book describes the lovely new pool at Estero Beach Hotel, and it is a lovely pool. Be aware that they do not let RV park customers use the pool. you have to have a bracelet, issued to people staying at the hotel, in order to use the pool. Our granddaughter was very disappointed. Of course they do let us use the restaurant and shop at the shop. We would like to see them at least let us pay a fee for pool use, but we've had to do without. - Jayne and Daniel Freeman

Editor's Note: Last time we visited the pool was open to RV customers so this appears to be an unfortunate new policy.

Rivera del Mar RV Park, Loreto, p. 132

9/12/02 - We received a note from Doug and Cheryl Hayden and Jim and Dorothy Lear about a new campground in Loreto:

 A new RV park is opening in Loreto Nov. 1st. The name is Rivera Del Mar and here are the numbers:

25 back in spaces some shade
15 amp household type plug
water and sewer hookup
new tile showers with hot water
new tile bathrooms with hot water
Laundromat with hot water
rest area with barbecue facilities
snack
security 24 hrs. ( owner lives on property )
2 blocks to beach
5 blocks to historical center of town

Ribera Del Mar RV Park
Francisco I. Madero #100 North
Loreto B.C.S. 23880
Mexico
Telephone 011-52 613-13-50718
e-mail lanyvall@yahoo.com.mx

Manfred's Trailer Park, Ciudad Constitucion, p. 143

12/14/03 Update - Manfred is back! He had sold this park and we received many reports that it had become very run down. He's back now and is hard at work spiffing it up again. Stop by and see him, don't forget to tell him how much you appreciate his hard work.

San Pedrito RV Park, Todos Santos, p. 163

12/24/03 Update - The watchman here says that the campground will be open for dry camping  in two weeks. However, he's been telling people that for about a month. The road in is rough and very difficult to travel in a big rig, in fact there's a sign on the entrance road saying "NO RVS". There's no one staying here yet, we'll keep you posted since we're in La Paz this winter.

11/14/03 - John and Becky Smith, owners of Baja Winters Travel Club, report that the campground received heavy storm damage this summer. It is being restored but will not be ready to provide full services until later in the winter season.

Los Cerritos Campground, Todos Santos, p. 164

12/24/03 Update - There is a new access road to this beach, the old one is closed. The new one starts very near the Km 67 maker, about 1.8 km south of where the old road left the highway. This new road is much rougher than the old one and also crosses a mudflat area before climbing up to the campground. Heavy rigs have become badly stuck crossing this flat so we suggest that if you have a heavy rig you should drive the road with a tow car and talk to residents in the camping area before making a decision about trying it yourself.

East Cape RV Resort, Los Barriles, p. 166

12/20/03 - There's a popular new RV resort in Los Barriles. East Cape RV resort has 51 sites, mostly back-ins. Parking is on sand but with full hookups (they say some 50-amp, we saw 40-amp with 30-amp sockets). There's a restroom building that was clean and in good repair and clothes washers and dryer. Daily rate is $18, monthly $325. Find it by entering Los Barriles as you would for the other campgrounds there, it's on the left side past Martin Verdugo's and Juanito's Garden. Not on the beach, but that's OK considering the wind in Los Barriles. Website: www.eastcaperv.com, E-mail: res@eastcaperv.com, GPS: N 23˚ 41’ 11.8”, W 109˚ 41’ 56.7”.

North Beach RV, Los Barriles, p. 166

7/24/02 - The new owners of Baja Winters Travel Club, John and Becky Smith, report that there is a new RV park in Los Barriles. It's just north of El Jardin de Buenos Aires and costs 70 pesos for a site with a water view, less without one. So far it's a fairly undeveloped place without electricity but with water, a dump station, primitive showers and toilets.

Bajamar RV Park, San Felipe, p. 194

10/10/02 Update - A reader reports:

We stayed in the park for a month as we liked the location but found their facilities were extremely run down.  We used the shower in our fifth wheel as either there was no water, the shower head was broken or it was dirty.  It's too bad they let this park get so run down.

RV Park Mar del Sol, San Felipe, p. 196

3/17/02 - Readers report that this campground has been closed.

Copyright ©  2004  Mike and Terri Church