This article was really well done and really got me thinking about the true modern day wild west of surfing: http://cartelland.surfline.com/27/ So speaking to all you who have done it in the past, just got back, or are planning a trip in the future what are your experiences? Kidrock Im sure you got a tale or two, if not from the mainland but perhaps from the peninsula. Southern Oregon might have agro sharks and huge ass sea lions charging you during mating season, but ill take that over a gunshot between the eyes or my organs sold on the trade. Is it worth it?
Dumb answer, because if you go looking for drugs chances are you find trouble there. It will at the very least increase your chances of being robbed and maybe even killed. Stay out of the states where the cartels are running the show, don't travel at night, and don't look for trouble. You will be fine.
Mexico is no joke that's for sure. Been heading there for ten plus years. Drove Pac coast Maz to Southern Oaxaca and back last summer. Driving to Zihua then back up through Baja this summer. Have had the same experiences those guys had with random guys with arms stopping us and asking questions. Always the same deal, you tell them you're surfing and where you're going and they are glad to chat for a few moments and ask how the waves are. Wife is fluent and I speak Spanish well so that helps. I'll tell you this, I think it's one of the last places around that you can have true surf discoveries. I surfed two epic right points last summer completely alone....magazine stuff. Also scored a lot of great beach break time solo or with one or two guys....nothing as heavy as the pics in this article that's out of my league. What it comes down to is 99.9% of Mexican people are unbelievably friendly you just have to be wary of the .01. I have always felt safe and of course never drive at night. We drive a 15 year old mini van that is completely under the radar so nobody has a reason to think anything of us. I don't think it is a place to go if you haven't got your traveling chops together. One random thing that happened one time.....driving down the coast ...south of Acapulco (maybe the worst place on the entire coast). In the middle of nowhere there is this African settlement where it is believed a ship sank off the coast and slaves swam to shore 300 years ago and built a community?? Anyway, come over a small hill and these three African-Mexicans are standing in the road with shovels and stop the van. They can't see me through the tinted front window...I roll down the window and they are just totally shocked....then a shpeel about I need to pay the mordida bla blah blah....gave them 20 pesos and out. .....Also there is a mezcal fest in Oaxaca city...it's like 3$ to get in and you get unlimited samples from 330 vendors! Orale guey. Mex is awesome . Your mileage may vary....
Could u please provide a map with "areas to avoid" circled? Also you can pick up a sense of humor on CG for pretty cheap.
Surfline story was pretty much spot on, except for the fact that very few of us will have the luxury of traveling with a handful of Oaxacan locals...which is a big game changer. Only did a couple of trips during the Cartel Wars, carefully avoiding the hot spots like Sinaloa, Michoacan etc. Activity in Baja Sur has picked up again, mostly around La Paz, but still relatively safe. Got a hair-raiser about trying to score mota from a Punta Mita local, back before it turned into Disneyland and everybody just fished and lived in palapas. "Friendly" local wound up trying to rape the one girl in our camp and steal her rings. My point is, the "1%" theory is dubious at best, as you never know which campesino falls under that 1% or 10% or whatever. They all come as "friendly". Be friendly back, but never let your guard down. And for God's sake, don't ever challenge or talk back or you will spit teeth in a best case scenario. But Trev, by all means...Yes, go to Mex. You are tailor made for Mex, and Mex is made for you. Don't bother with the car, go Rock Bottom and take the buses and trains. They are cheap, safe and plentiful and you will avoid the hassles of checkpoints and mordidas. Which also reminds me...be prepared and separate a bit of bribe money from your cash flow. Bring surf mags, wax, t-shirts and porno to curry favor with the locals, it will pay off in spades. In return, you will find an unbelievable amount of reefs, beachies and points. Uncrowded. I know I harp a bit on Mex, but I've experienced quite a bit. But in the end the people and the waves are the biggest reasons why I keep going back.
sick man! ill see how this fire season plays out and ill definitely get down there soon, probably be a good one to leave the lady out of tho.
BTW, when I suggested buses and trains, I was referring to Mainland. For Baja, def take the Subaru. I seriously doubt anybody will fk with you in that car, except mebbe the Municipales looking for a few easy pesos. Public transportation won't get you anywhere close to most Baja breaks. I personally recommend Baja. If you go, hit me up and I'll turn you on to a few spots.
