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GETTING THERE The first thing you may be asked on arriving in San Juanico is, "How'd you come in?" That's because it's usually an adventure and the condition of the road is of interest to those leaving. The dirt roads around San Juanico are graded, but not regularly. Normally it takes the better part of two days to drive from Southern California to Scorpion Bay. You could drive it straight through in fourteen to sixteen hours with equipment like a Toyota 4Runner. It helps to have a vehicle with terrain clearance and heavy tires on 15 or 16 inch wheel rims. Tijuana to San Ignacio via Highway 1 is 545 road miles. Availability of fuel is uncertain. Always fill-up at every fuel stop. Overnight stops are La Pinta Hotel in Cataveña, camping at the Wall (the point south of Santa Rosaliita), nameless motels in Gurrero Negro, and in San Ignacio, Rice and Beans and Ignacio Springs Banks and ATM’s along the route are Ensenada, San Quintin, Gurerro Negro, Santa Rosalia, Ciudad Constitution, Loreto, La Paz. There are no banks or ATM’s in Ciudad Insurgentes, Muleje, or San Ignacio. Banks are closed afternoons, weekends and Mexican holidays. FERRY SCHEDULES TO AND FROM BAJA AND THE MAINLAND Tourist Visas: US citizens traveling beyond the border zones need visas. FMT's can be obtained at the immigration station just after crossing the border at Tijuana. Park in the Mexican secondary inspection area and ask for the Immigration office, open 24 hours. When you are issued a tourist card here you will have to pay for it at a bank, $20 USD. Banks are not open early afternoons, weekends and Mexican holidays, so plan ahead. You will be asked for your Tourist Card at the check station in Gurrero Negro. If you don't have one you will be sent back to the border. If you have neglected to pay the fee, you will have to find an open bank and pay the fee before you will be allowed to pass. Children under 18 need a notarized document signed by the parent(s) granting permission for the minor to enter Mexico. This document, signed by one parent, is also required when the minor is traveling with the other parent. FMT’s are issued at ports of entry. If you’re flying commercial, they’re available at the airport either prior to departure in Tijuana or upon arrival in Loreto, La Paz or San Jose del Cabo. The Mexican Consulate issues FMT Visas Monday through Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. 1549 India St. San Diego, CA 92101. (619) 231-8414 See: http://www.sre.gob.mx/sandiego/english/USCan2.htm Discover Baja Travel Club in San Diego also issues Tourist Cards. See: https://secure.discoverbajaonline.com Auto Insurance: Because it is a crime to be involved in a traffic accident in Mexico, Mexican auto insurance is a must. If you are involved in an accident, you will be detained. You will be held until you post a bond or produce a Mexican auto insurance policy. Lewis & Lewis issue annual policies that cost the equivalent of a week or two at the daily rate. See: http://www.mexonline.com/lewis&lewis.htm Mexican highway wisdom has it that, “If you can see, you can go fast. If you can not see, you must go slow.” The second half of this dicho is always true. Watch for livestock and slow down especially in the morning and evening hours, when the cattle are on the move. You can figure an average driving time of about 30 miles an hour on the graded dirt roads. From San Ignacio you have three choices: THE SOUTH ROAD via Santa Rosalia, Mulegé, Loreto, Ciudad Insurgentes and, turning north onto Highway 53, towards La Purísima and on into San Juanico is a total of 889 miles (30 miles on dirt) from Tijuana. If you're towing anything, driving a passenger car or you're not mechanically prepared, this should be the preferred route. This is the longest, but the easiest. Be extra cautious at the blind turns and rises on the last 30 miles coming in from La Purísima, as the single lane dirt road is narrow, the sides are steep and the oncoming traffic can be very fast. Watch for approaching dust trails announcing oncoming vehicles. THE EAST ROAD via Santa Rosalia, Mulege, Rosarito and San Isidro/La Purísima is a total of 684 miles (69 miles on dirt) from Tijuana. If there are thunderstorms or it has been raining recently, it may be muddy and there may be flash floods in the washes. This route is best with a four-wheel drive vehicle or a truck and extra spare tires if the road is OK. The East Road has not been graded since 2003 and is in very bad shape. The North Road is currently in better shape and is the preferred route. THE NORTH ROAD, leave the highway and cross the rio at San Ignacio. Drive through town and connect with the dirt road leading south to La Fridera Fish Camp on the shore of San Ignacio Lagoon and then go left and proceed to Cuarenta, San Jose de Gracia, Raymundo, Cadajé and on into San Juanico. This route is a total of 650 miles (105 miles on dirt) from Tijuana. But think twice before you take the turn off to San Ignacio, especially if you're not caravaning with another vehicle. Bear to the right at forks in the road and go via the mud flats. Risk breaking through brittle crust to the muck below. Maybe no one will be along for days. Maybe you've taken a turn no one will take for weeks. Bear left at forks and encounter the moon dust; obscured terrain beneath deep powder-fine dust, a swirling blizzard of choking grit that fills your windshield with a yellow haze; traverse steep washes, some with mud and flowing water. Take a shovel, some plywood, a tow chain, a good map. Take shortwave radios, extra fuel, water, and fully inflated spare tires. Take notes, it will be interesting. AIRSTRIPS San Juanico has been closed for several years with remote prospects for reopening soon. Cadajé (CDJ) is the closest private airstrip, 13 Km. north of San Juanico. N26°29©^, W112°29©^, 26/08, Elev 210', 2300 feet, fenced, soft on the ends and the middle, no tie-downs. Rwy 26 faces into the prevailing winds. Permitted through 8 Sept. 2004. Landing requires advanced permission to clear obstructions and assure attendance. This strip has been permitted and maintained for the Aeromedicos from Santa Barbara who hold a monthly free clinic. If you are staying with us at Scorpion Bay and wish to use the Cadejé airstrip please make your request by entering all the information required on the request form here. Someone will get back to you. On arrival, it is very important that you fill out the landing and departure manifest form completely and legibly. COMMERCIAL
FLIGHTS.
The
closest
airport
is
Loreto.
AeroCalifornia
(http://abstravel.com/aerocalifornia/)
flies
from
Los
Angeles
International
(LAX)
to
Loreto
and
Aeromexico
(http://www.aeromexico.com/ingles/home.html)
flies
daily
from
Tijuana
to
La
Paz.
Budget
International
Rent-a-Car
(1-800-527-0700)
(http://www.budget.com.mx)
services
both
airports.
(See
additional
rental
information
below.)
Mini-King
Cab
4x4
pickups
go
for
somewhere
around
$60
per
day
with
free
miles.
When
you
use
a Gold
Card,
insurance
is
optional,
but
you
must
ask.
There
are
many
rent-a-car
companies
in
La
Paz
with
desks
at
the
airport
: Budget,
Dollar,
National,
etc.
One
can
bargain
between
companies
for
the
best
rate.
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 Turn-off to San Juanico from South Road. |