Here, we want to help you be as prepared as you need to be before crossing over into Baja.
I think that we have all heard the horror stories from the couch potatoes telling us not to go to Mexico because “it isn’t safe.”
While we had our fair share of hiccups, luckily we were with some other vankookz and when things were going wrong there was always some friendly local or ex-pat willing to help us along on our adventure South.
While people are friendly and willing to help, you want to make sure that you are, what we burners like to say, “Radically self-reliant.” Meaning, be prepared for every situation because this place is pretty primitive for long stretches. It really looks like “the land time never touched” which is what Gus, our “oldhead” beach neighbor called it, after he explained the highways down to Cabo weren’t even built until the 70s. The only way to reach most of this place was by boat, previous to the Transpeninsular Highway.
Below, we have a Baja guide. Since there isn’t reliable service down in Baja, we wanted you kookz to have an offline guidebook. It has GPS locations to all our favorite spots and it tells you which spots to keep moving thru.
Click the above picture to download your very own offline guide, with GPS locations, farmers Market locations, and more on this 38 page guide to Baja California. Includes itineraries, commonly used Spanish Phrases, Baja Checklists, and more!
Above is a preview of the guide that you will be able to download and use offline to navigate thru Baja California. We know that we would have found it useful if we had a guide like this before going down. So, if anything we hope you share some of the same love and respect for the places that we have shared with you in this guide.
This video will summarize most of the things you need to know going down to Baja California. If you need more information, please download our off-line guide with links to products needed, GPS locations, etc.
If you want to see where this adventure will lead you, check out some of our YouTube Videos of our last trip to Baja. Most of the items on the checklist were used within days of crossing the border!
HOW TO BE PREPARED FOR VANLIFE MEXICO | Is it safe to travel in your van in Mexico? We are heading south of the border... Watch to see how to easily cross the border correctly!
HOW TO BE PREPARED FOR VANLIFE MEXICO | Stranded Round Two | Sprinter won’t shift. More Kooky Travel Vloggs
Navigating Baja California Sur’s East Cape in a 2wd, is it possible?! Watch and find out how many times we got stuck! :)
Is Vanlife in Mexico Safe? Is there Low Sulfur Diesel in Mexico? How to shower in Baja? All these questions answered in this video!
What are the military check points like in Mexico? // As we begin our journey back to the US, we have to cross through 5 military checkpoints on our way up north. The checkpoints were easy on the way down but we heard getting back up north can come with some lengthy searches.
What to expect when crossing the Mexican Border // Well the Mexican journey has come to an end and it’s time for the kookz to head back to the US and A! We have had an amazing time south of the border and today we are crossing the border at the San Ysidro crossing near San Diego.
While down in Baja be sure to check out The Journal of Lost Time’s Escapar a la Baja Free Van Gathering
Escapar La Baja Free Van Gathering outside of La Paz Baja California Sur, Mexico
More information on this epic free van gathering in Baja, Mexico can be found here - https://www.escaparalabaja.com/