Driving to Baja. How safe is it right now?

Not at all, we most definitely have a serious gang and drug problem right now very close to my home. Cocaine is that drug, however given the population difference of almost 10-1, if Canadiens consume a proportionate amount of cocaine, thats only 1 dollar Canadian for every 10 American. Besides, we like marijuana more then yayo.

 

You have no rights as an American citizen if you get in trouble in Mexico. I hear peeps saying "man up" WTF does that mean when you go down there and get jump by someone or put in jail on bogus charges or any of the multitude of crap that goes on down there.

 

We spent a year in western Mexico from Dec 02 til Jan 03. Even then driving in Baja was very different from the US. Don't drive at night because unlit vehicles will be out there, because the main highways wash out and are not marked, or fixed, for weeks, because the federal mexican police will stop you and expect "gifts" or bribes, because there are poor people who will take what they want from you.
Driving in daylight was better, but now the violence is apparently threatening the stability of the Mexican government.
If you go, good luck. I'd vote that you wait until times are better for our neighbor to the south.

 

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_3028.html

 

Agreed and feel drugs should be de-criminalized everywhere. If people want to get high on whatever let them. Europe doesn't have the crime problems it once did. State run clinics for clean drugs and needles for registered addicts and no profit for criminals. Addicts have to do the drugs at the clinics. This lowered the spread of disease and crime rates.

Businesses still can require drug screening for employment, welfare recipients be required random screening with consequences for positive tests. Registered addicts give up right to emergency room service for OD's. People will get tired of not eating or getting help because of their addiction and either straighten up or die. Cruel, sure but maybe needed?

The flip side of this is that law enforcement has found ways to benefit from drugs. Confiscation of private property tied to drug busts for funding the cities SWAT team. Prison construction and funding is big business in most states. The courts make big bucks off of drugs also and the list goes on.

In response to the original question. No I wouldn't go right now.

 

x2 I couldn't agree more. You make a product illegal, and make it worth more then gold and you should expect problems. Unfortunately as you said many organizations including government benefit from prohibition. Addicts should be treated as such, they are sick both mentally and physically, they are not criminals, they resort to criminal behavior to feed their addiction. I believe in Mexico you can buy any drug you want in a store, especially in tourist towns. The problem is at the border where uncle Sams policy on drugs ties the hands of Mexican officials. Enforce US policy or face the consequences.

 

I don't think that's true. The pharmacies are not responsible for selling you drugs you're not entitled to but you are still required to have a prescription to be in posession of controlled substances.
http://phoenix.about.com/cs/health/a/mexicodrugs.htm

As for travelling in Mexico, I wouldn't right now. Even if the violence is between cartels, you could still get caught in the middle of a bad situation. The bullets don't know you're not part of the problem.

 

Thank you.

Yes, it was lost amidst all the pontificating on here.

 

I'm not talking about prescription drugs, I'm talking marijuana, cocaine, heroin, ecstasy, ect. A good friend of mine goes to Mexico 3 or 4 times a year, to a resort. He's bought cocaine there from a liquor/drug store, he even said there were signs in the windows advertising marijuana. This was in december.

 

Hey guys, I am a single, white, older chic.... I have done it many times SOLO! Including this last March 2009 and have to drive it again in early May.

Really sad what the US State Dept. has done, I see you guys quivering in your boots!!!! Sad.

The length of Baja is not only beautiful but a real thrill to drive, and with a little common sense and graciousness, a pleasure to drive too.

There is an old saying here in Baja, I live here, "Don't leave your Brains at the Border." Boy, have I seen that many times from Americans coming here, assuming that common sense and being kind to your hosts isn't a rule to live by here in Baja too, the ugly American syndrome, I call it. For example, don't be ostentatious about your "things" ...don't be loud or drunk in public and then expect everything to go your way...doesn't fly in downtown LA, and it won't fly here either. And it isn't even close to being common sensical.

As far as driving, use common sense too. If you are alone, stay on well traveled roads, toll roads where they exist, don't flash wealth, follow the highway laws, don't stop for strangers, get away from the trouble zones such as TJ as fast and far as you can, and then enjoy. Pay attention, the road is narrow and has many twists and turns with livestock too. Stay in towns in hotels or populated camp grounds...there are plenty for $30/night or less.... don't stop for anyone less than a Federally on the highway even if they flash you (pull over in a town, in front of witnesses)...tip the Green Angels if they help you (sort of like Baja's AAA / and its free), fill up your tank when you hit 1/2 empty...be a courteous driver...

Done it many times and will continue to do it...think of walking through Central Park at dusk...walk with confidence and you will be fine, look scared and you are a target!