1. Why should we choose Baja Amigos RV Caravan Tours over others?
2. Why not just go on our own?
3. What if we want to stay somewhere longer?
4. How is the weather? Are there better months than others?
5. We are concerned about safety, is Baja safe?
6. Are the campgrounds safe?
7. We’ve heard the roads are terrible!
8. How much driving are we doing on this Tour?
9.How much is gasoline and diesel and is it always available?
10. Is Ultra Low Sulphur Diesel (ULSD) available on Baja?
11. Is (DEF) Diesel Exhaust Fluid available on Baja?
12. Where do we get Mexican Insurance?
13. What kind of permits will we need?
14. Can we tow another vehicle? Do we need to?
15. Do we need special shots or health insurance?
16. Can you drink the water?
17. How is the food?
18. What happens if my RV breaks down?
19. Is there access to the internet?
20. What are the people of Mexico like?
21. Can we bring our dog or cat?
22. What money or credit cards should we bring?
23. What things do we need to bring with us?
24. Do we need to speak Spanish?
25. Is Baja for me?
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1. Why should we choose Baja Amigos RV Caravan Tours over others?
We focus on personal service and delivering a superior experience at a competitive price. That is why our caravans include all Mexico camping fees and limit guests to 14 people maximum and much more; check out Our Tour Information. That can be 8 RVs including the WagonMasters with 2 persons each or can be more RVs with singles or less RVs with families. We utilize public, private transport and ride share, for all hosted on-tour excursions where available, which are specifically designed to let everyone in the caravan relax and enjoy what Baja has to offer once we reach our destination. These excursions ensure everyone can relax, sight see, have fun and are a big part of providing you with the tools necessary to comfortably drive, camp and explore Baja on your own in the future.
Baja Amigos Wagon-Masters lead the Caravans with an RV. The WagonMasters remain with the caravan at all times, that means while on the road and at all destination stops, we camp with you at all RV Parks, Campgrounds and Beaches! Whether you have a simple question or an urgent issue that needs to be addressed, you can always count on us to be there and respond! Please know this is not the case with all our competitors!
We have heard from many RVer’s on Baja who have complained about their experience with other RV Caravans. We are not the cheapest nor are we the most expensive; we are an exceptional value and consistently exceed expectations. We always provide our guests with an opportunity to confidentially evaluate every aspect of our tours on completion to ensure we are always delivering what people want and expect.
At the end of the day, you get what you pay for. Believe us, we are a bargain when you compare our tour to our competitors!
2. Why not just go on our own?
That is definitely an option and we have links on our website that will connect you to helpful resources.
Traveling with our caravan on your 1st driving trip into Mexico minimizes stress and anxiety, maximizes the enjoyment of your RV camping experience, ensures you visit the important sites, provides reserved and paid camping, takes you to excellent locations to shop & eat; every day we share our experience and knowledge of camping in Mexico and Baja.
The major benefits of a Baja Amigos RV Caravan include traveling with experience, security traveling with other RVers in a small group, no planning required, hosted on-tour excursions, ability to drop off and pick up again, built in camaraderie and the added benefit building the confidence to return to Baja on your own or with friends in the future. Our customers have told us we take 5 years off the learning curve of RVing in Mexico & Baja.
At the end of the day this is a question only you can answer. If you only enjoy traveling alone and have no interest in following directions you should not join a RV Caravan. We recently had a couple that would regularly “stop on the highway” without notice to take photos and break off from the group, again without notice, at anytime to “do their own thing”. They would have been better off doing Baja on their own.
3. What if we want to stay somewhere longer?
You always have the option of dropping off and returning on a later Caravan in season, just let us know, we have a couple of specific locations where this will work best, we only require reasonable notice.
4. How is the weather? Are there better months than others?
November is often very warm. December/January are the cooler months, but still balmy in the Southern Baja. February /March are warmer and the best time for whale watching. Rarely any rain, particularly in Baja Sur and then only in hurricane season in September and early October!
5. We are concerned about safety, is Baja safe?
Most trouble spots are along the US/Mex border involving drug cartels & gang members, not unlike cities across Canada and the US. The Mexicans are a very peaceful people and like anywhere common sense goes a long way. Ciudad Juarez, across the US border from El Paso Texas, is the hotspot for violence in this ongoing conflict, almost 1000 km away from Baja. It is always important to keep information in context, yes 15 Canadians have been murdered in Mexico since 2006, it is also a fact that 127 Canadians have been murdered in Metro Vancouver since 2007!
FACT: Mexico is certainly not immune to crime committed against visitors however you are statistically 20X more likely to meet a violent death as a tourist in the United States then Mexico!
STATISTICS: Mexico is Safer than the United States Date: Tue 07/20/2010 @ 02:38
International Crime Stats statistics show the United States as the country with the most crimes globally. According to Nationmaster, an International Statistics source the US is #1 in the world for crime and Mexico is #12.
6. Are the campgrounds safe?
Yes! Most of the RV parks are gated with caretakers on site. Beach camping is safe and everyone looks out for each other. Again common sense goes a long way, the number 1 rule is never camp alone on a beach, your just setting yourself up for trouble. We do not camp alone in the US or Canada either.
7. We’ve heard the roads are terrible!
Yes, some sections of the highway are narrow and in rough shape. The key to safe travel on the worst sections is slow down, keep the rubber on the road and stay in your own lane. Having said that the roads have improved dramatically since we first drove Mex 1 to Cabo San Lucas in 1985. Significant improvements have been made in the last 20 years and these continue, with the construction of many new bridges and extensive reconstruction of much of Hwy 1 to a much wider international standard. These ongoing improvements continue in 2023. There is now a 4 lane divided freeway from La Paz to Todo Santos (Hwy 19) and onto Cabo San Lucas. A new bypass opened recently around Todos Santos and another around Cabo San Lucas to San Jose del Cabo and Hwy 1. The new road from Tecate to Ensenada (Hwy 3) was complete in early 2017. Hwy 5 was completed from Mexicali to Hwy 1 south of Catavina in 2020.
8. How much driving are we doing on this Tour?
The round trip from Potrero, CA to Los Barriles, BCS and return to Mexicali, BC is 3182 km or 1980 miles.
40 Day Tour: 20 driving days-35 km/22 miles is the shortest drive-380 km/201 miles longest drive. The average driving day on the 40 day tour is 175 km/108 miles or 2 hours 20 minutes.
30 Day Tour: 19 driving days-35 km/22 miles is the shortest drive-380 km/237 miles longest drive. The average driving day on the 30 day tour is 183 km/112 miles or 2 hours 25 minutes.
9. How much is gasoline and diesel and is it always available?
Gasoline is usually always available throughout Baja. There is one stretch of highway between El Rosario and Villa Jesus Maria (just north of Guerrero Negro) where there is no operating Fuel Station on Mex 1 for almost 350km. RV’s with limited fuel capacity should either carry a spare full gas can or be prepared to pay premium prices at the Bahia de los Angeles junction pumped from barrels. In January 2023 gas was approximately $1.63 per litre CDN or $4.39 per Gallon US. Diesel & Propane are also widely available at equally reasonable prices.
10. Is Ultra Low Sulphur Diesel (ULSD) available on Baja?
Yes! PEMEX was privatized in 2015 and competition arrived in 2016. ULSD is now universally available at PEMEX, ARCO, CHEVRON, BP and other stations.
11. Is DEF (Diesel Exhaust Fluid) available on Baja?
Yes it is, although not easy to find and expensive. We suggest you top up prior to entering Baja and bring a reasonable supply with you. We are confident this will become more available as more and more ULSD vehicles that require DEF are purchased by locals.
12. Where do we get Mexican Insurance?
There are many carriers of Mexican Insurance. We purchase our insurance from Baja Bound Insurnace. We find insurance is most economical to purchase either a 90 day or 6 month policy. There are many other alternatives that you can access through our Links page on our website.
13. What kind of permits will we need?
All that is required (other than Mexican car insurance) is a Tourist Permit (FMM). If you plan to fish you will also have to purchase a fishing license. The Tourist Permit can be obtained at any Immigration Office at the border. Baja Amigos clients cross at Tecate, Mexico. We will go as a group to process your Tourist Permits, this provides you the experience first hand and you will know how it’s done for future trips. Passports are required.
14. Can we tow another vehicle? Do we need to?
Yes you can bring a tow car (towed) and it will also need insurance. If you plan on dropping off and have a Motorhome you should bring your towed. Baja Amigos schedules a number of stops for supplies and we use various means of transport for on tour excursions to sites, events out. The need for a tow car is up to you.
15. Do we need special shots or health insurance?
*You may require to be fully vaccinated to COVID 19, we strongly recommend you do. We recommend the “Twinrix” Hep A & B and Tetanus (if you haven’t had in the last 10 years). Health Insurance is always a good idea. As Canadians we use BCAA, but Medi-pac is also a good option.
Although access to good medical help in Mexico is always available for very reasonable rates, remember you will be traveling through the United States.
16. Can you drink the water?
Some Baja water comes from underground springs and potable, but for peace of mind purified bottled water is best. It is available everywhere, always used in restaurants and for ice cubes. Purified water is very inexpensive.
17. How is the food?
We have always found the food good! We have many favourite restaurants including great Chinese food in Mulege. There are many independent and chain grocery stores across the Baja, some you will even be aware of such as Walmart and COSTCO. Groceries are generally less expensive than in Canada, however some specific American products can be more expensive.
18. What happens if my RV breaks down?
There are many resourceful and talented Mexican mechanics across the Baja with access to a wide variety of parts, new and used should any unforeseen breakdown occur. The Mexican government maintains a large fleet of green trucks called Green Angels that patrol the main roads on Baja looking for motorists with mechanical problems. In Baja they patrol Mex 1 twice a day with 2 men per service vehicle speaking some English with a lot of mechanical aptitude. The service they provide is free and the normal practice is to tip them for any help they give.
When traveling in our caravan we will ensure you get to a safe & secure location with access to the necessary assistance to make repairs. Depending on time lines for repairs, will determine how you continue with the tour. You will be required to have your RV serviced and certified as mechanically sound before you join us at the rendezvous location. The vehicle insurance we purchase thru Baja Bound includes roadside assistance coverage, make sure you check the terms & conditions prior to purchase.
Important Phone #’s:Tourist Help Line: 01-800-903-9200 (This is a toll-free 24-hour service) Highway Emergency: 074 Police, Fire or Ambulance Emergency: 911
19. Is there access to the internet?
Almost all RV campgrounds have WIFI. There are internet cafes in every town, so if you don’t have a laptop, not to worry. Wagon-Masters always carry Cell phone in the event it is urgent for you to talk to someone back home in an emergency.
20. What are the people of Mexico like?
Mexicans are a very warm, friendly, happy people. They will do anything to help someone out. Your business is very much appreciated and they will always try to make your stay a pleasant one. In 1985 we met Antonio Resendiz (Campo Archelon) in Bahia De Los Angeles and were invited to his parents house in Mexico City. This was an unforgettable experience and we have remained good friends with Antonio & Betty (Sadly Antonio passed away suddenly at Easter in 2016).
21. Can we bring our dog or cat?
Yes, pets are welcome, we travel with Lulu, who we adopted in Baja in 2011. You will be required to have had the appropriate shots documented and brought with you. Be aware that Baja Mexico is a heartworm area. Check with your Vet what you should use.
If your pet is a fussy eater it can be a good idea to bring along enough food for the duration of your trip. The big supermarkets in most of Mexico’s larger cities carry dog and cat food, but they may not carry the brand you pet has a hankering for. When in doubt, bring it south. Only unopened dry food can cross into the United States. Many Mexican stores carries Pedigree brand dry dog food.
In some of Mexico’s villages and towns food laced with poison is occasionally distributed around town to thin out the growing population of stray animals. It’s only natural for pets to try to eat these treats without understanding the dire consequences. Keeping your pet on a leash is one way to prevent such an accident.
22. What money or credit cards should we bring?
American dollars are usually accepted most everywhere, but you will pay a premium when using them, so Pesos are best. ATM’s are available in most towns and our experience is they provide pesos at a reasonable exchange rate. Visa & Mastercard are accepted at most grocery chain stores. We usually pay cash for gasoline, propane and most RV Sites or camping spots. Traveller’s cheques are no longer a viable option. Bank/Credit cards are the safest way to go. Be sure to check your expiry dates on all Credit Cards including your Bank Card. Write down your account numbers in case you lose your card. Have more than one Credit /Bank Card. We recommend you purchase some Pesos prior to your departure at any local money exchange – large quantities may take a few days to come in.
23. What things do we need to bring with us?
When you sign up for one of our Caravan Tours, we will send you an itemized check list of what is required and lots of other good suggestions. If you have any questions you can always email us anytime.
24. Do we need to speak Spanish?
This is not a necessity however this will make your trip more interesting if you learn a few basics. In a Baja Amigos caravan you will be introduced to some basic words and simple phrases such as Please, Thank You, Where is the: bathroom, bank, beach etc., How much is, Beer, Wine, your favourite drink, etc. You will find that written Spanish is quite easy to figure out. Have fun with it! Mexicans really appreciate it when you try!!
25. Is Baja for me?
The RV experience on Baja is not the same as touring around the American Southwest, in and out of RV Resorts with hot tubs and pools, with 30 & 50 amp service at each perfectly manicured site.
Baja is part of Mexico, still a 3rd world country, where Spanish, not English, is spoken, even at Walmart & COSTCO. For a few people, they described Baja as bad roads, dirt, dust and crappy campgrounds. For most, Baja is simply a wondrous experience, fabulous sunrises, great beach camping, unbelievable whale watching, a spectacular Sea of Cortez and much more. Approaching Baja with a positive attitude and spirit of adventure will serve you well!
We hope that this has answered most of your questions…if not please feel free to contact us for more information.
