Any been here recently? what did you think about it, how were the spots and traveling between them, how safe did you feel?
I am headed there in two weeks. july 17. i will let you know how things are unless you plan to go soon. just got back from costa rica, in the tamarindo and playa grande area. there are some shady cats there too. i have never been to baja, but i have traveled to many "shady" areas of the world, including where i work in philly. get a good "gated" place to stay (75-100 a night) keep your head on a swivel, do not buy anything from the "party guy" and dont stay out too late around people you don't know. something tells me you have a better chance of being run over drunk driver surfer in san diego, then being held a gun point in baja. have fun. be safe. As an added note, all but one of the surfers i met in cr smoked cigarettes. just suprised me. what a great habit. two things that really go together, beautiful, glassy waves and smokes.
Yeah, I just sent a long PM to him, but basically, only drive on the roads during the day... I haven't had any trouble there recently, but I went from travelling down there at least twice a month to about twice per year now.... The local media in SD doesn't help, but every single day I read about a group of 30 dead bodies that are found here or there... Its all drug cartel related... but sh**, a few months ago, a group of teenage cartel kids walked into the "Animale" on Revloution in TJ, popped off a whole round into the ceiling and dumped a duffle bags full of human heads on the floor and told every gringo in the place that this is a war zone and to get out..... I had tourists come into my restaurant last week who said they went on a tour bus down to Tecate and had to turn the bus around and leave the plant because they entered the warehouse area and there were scatter bodies everywhere.... Its just one of those things.... It "safe" as it always was... its just never been that safe... in reality... And it was different years ago when people loved seeing surfers down there. it meant money in their small local economies... Now that people down there are poorer than ever, and have nothing, it makes you look over your shoulder a bit more... People are generally good, but the Norte Baja economy tanked 5000000 times over compared to what happned in the USA. People in northern Baja are dying of starvation in record numbers.... People have no food, no money... and worse of all.... No law.... bustamonte supposedly got voted in down there today... It usually takes about 2 months for the cartels to gun down the newest leader... I hope not... But, just read some Baja media before you go to.... The violence doesn't affect the gringos down there, but if you get caught in the wrong place wrong time... you got a problem... And don't go big whilly style down there in a hummer. You will get your sh** run through quicker than a stop light in East Baltimore... Dont floss in Baja... Look innocent and look poor.... And stay in the places I Pmed you... They are all gated. All safe... Until nightfall... then stay inside.... I would even avoid shady cats on the strip in Ensenada... Those cartels roll through occasionally.... You'll know em when you see em... They dont hide whoe they are... And the cops sure as hell dont stop em.
The Tijuana cartel is present in at least 15 Mexican states with important areas of operation in Tijuana, Mexicali, Tecate, and Ensenada in Baja California, in parts of Sinaloa and Zacatecas. Fourteen Mexican drug gang members were killed and eight others were injured in a gun battle in Tijuana near the U.S. border on Saturday, April 26, 2008 that was one of the bloodiest shootouts in the narco-war between the Tijuana Cartel and the Sinaloa Cartel. HA HA HA, just a little info Every where has their problems, some places you just need to take a little more precation. Have been to TJ many times, but where all day trips and didn't venture any further down than TJ. I never had any problems, and TJ is a lot cleaned than it was years ago, but like Zach619 said.... The violence doesn't affect the gringos down there, but if you get caught in the wrong place wrong time... you got a problem...
great info. the comment about checking local media before you go is a great one. prior to traveling i set google alerts to notify me of any articles about local issues of the place i am heading. it is also a great way to start conversations with locals, it shows them that you have an interest beyond just surfing their waves and going home.
Discounting the narco gangs, kidnappings, banditos, and policia's gringo tax, the water around Ensenada is rather nasty.
It is the third-largest city in the Mexican state of Baja California. Ensenada is an important commercial and fishing port as well as a cruise ship port of call. You have to check local media like web before you go so every thing clear in your mind. __________________ top 10 hosting companies
Ensenada Don't do it. Used to go there way back in the day to party for spring break and surf. The town used to be a fun surf and party town and generally safe. Now, the moment you hit the street in broad daylight, you are instantly asked if you want yayo or 'the best *****, bro'. The pharmacies are full of fake meds, all the chicks are hookers, and yes, beware the young cartel connected kids. Your life isn't worth that 10 dollar bucket of Coronas at Papa's. Save your money, go to Hawaii or out here to the westside of Puerto Rico. Way safer, way friendlier, way better surf. Don't be a sad story in the California section of the LA times. They got drug money down there, they don't need our tourist money anymore.
I agree with you on every point, expect for the "better surf" thing. That 40-50 miles stretch of coast in Northern Baja is world class. It has swell everyday, all year, unlike anywhere in HI or Rico for sure... Its not safe down there, but there are more waves in Baja Norte than anywhere on the North American Continent.... Points, Reefs.... Hollow beach breaks.... Baja is still a surfing Jem, unlike anywhere else.... The surf is still as good as it always was, but yes, the pharmacy meds are fake and you may get shot.
im with zach. been going there for years, used to go 1-2 times a month for about 3-4 years. Now i have only been there once in the last 6 months and it was suuuper sketchy. there is such a different vibe and really sketchy characters all over. ive been to costa a few times, hawaii plenty of times, and its just a completely different level of "sketch" in baja norte. of course some of the best waves ive ever caught in the continental 48 were here. gotta pay to play! just dont bring the girlfriend
Thanks for the info guys. Really appreciate it from the people that went. Well I applied for an english teaching job there but haven't heard anything yet so thats why I was asking about it. If I did get the job I would be working there for 6 months. Double edge sword or what...?
Well, look at it like this. There are tons of really nice gated coastal communities. If you mind your ps and qs, you will end up surfing world class points and reefs for six months, with little to no one around. It would basically be a 6 month endless summer, with endless possibilities for surf. The waves around there can get as good as anywhere on earth. The water never gets too warm, but never too cold. A 4 mil and no booties will get you through the winter. Good luck...
