Mexico planning

Howdy folks,

First post here! Got myself a 2015 Tacoma (access cab, long bed) last summer after my 3rd Gen 4Runner was retired.

Planning a trip down to Ensenada, Mexico in March. Just got my 150,000 mile service done early, and had the truck all checked out for the journey. We're gonna be camping and surfing and want to make sure everything is good to go. Trying to organize a list of tools and such to bring down there and wanted some input.

Current thoughts are:
- Tool kit (per this post https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...ckets-and-wrenches-for-2nd-gen-tacoma.158302/)
- portable jump starter
- Air compressor
- duct tape and zip ties
- Recovery gear?
- Oil, coolant, etc?

Anything else I should plan on bringing? Anyone else done a similar trip and have recs?

Cheers!

Pete

 

Have you ever driven to Mexico?

You’ll need Mexican liability insurance.

If you own guns make damn sure there’s no ammo or gun related shit in there.

 

I'd add Imodium to the list.

 

lots of good info has been shared by another TW member @David K
might be worth the read if you have not yet
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/baja-california-trip-resource.749685/
https://vivabaja.com

 

Have the US embassy numbers stored in you phone.

 

Not sure what exactly you'll need, but maybe bring the necessary documents to apply for citizenship.

 

Camping water filters (Katadyn, etc.) would be better.. prevention before reaction.


Also OP - Get a translator app on your phone and pre-download Spanish. This way you can use it to communicate if you aren't fluent.

 

I've traveled to Mexico and other South American countries 30+ times for work over the years. Drank only bottled water, never had any ice , juice, or ate anything washed in the water like fruit or salad. And I still got the trots. Filters or not, still take some Imodium.

 

Have it somewhere else than your phone as well, IMHO. Phone can get stolen or dunked in seawater.

Have a couple laminated color copies of your passport and DL, with the embassy numbers written on back of passport copies.

Don’t hand local cops your actual DL. Hand them the color copy and show them you have the actual one on hand if asked (but don’t hand it over).

For Federales, just do whatever they ask. They are typically very professional.

 

You don’t need a water filter. Filters won’t remove norovirus anyway.

Just buy bottled water at Oxxo. You can buy 20L jugs if you want, and return the empty jug for a credit.

You DO need traction boards, a shovel, and a kinetic recovery strap. And don’t wait to air down your tires to <15 psi until after you’ve dug yourself a hole.

 

Don’t miss the ceviche and mezcal, and sleeping on all the beaches. But don’t be that guy who drives on beaches where sea turtles are nesting.

FWIW, I ate and drank “local” every day for six weeks in Baja. No Imodium needed. But if you do get sick, Imodium is not going to cut it anyway. Fill a script for “travel meds” from your doctor before you go, for cipro or azithromycin.

Also, the pharmacies there can hook you up with stronger stuff than pharmacies here (but they don’t always have seemingly basic things. Like antibiotic ointment.)

 

Add a tire repair kit to the list.

Spare air filter. Also occasionally take out your current air filter and knock off the dust (and blow out with compressed if your compressor/inflator will do that).

If you are doing 4x4 things: depending how hard you plan to wheel consider spare tie rod ends, CV axle, driveshaft/U joints. Harder you play, the more you should prepare.

CASH MONEY. Some situations may require cash only, be prepared. Don't keep it all in one place.

 

Parts of Baja are EXTREMELY rural. The drivers are generally competent and courteous.

If someone faster than you approaches you from behind, pull partly onto the shoulder, put your LEFT blinker on, and let them pass. It’s counterintuitive but you will get it when you see other drivers doing it.

The biggest risk there is a car crash. Livestock are on the road and are hard to see at night. And long haul truckers drive through the night there and can be aggressive. Limit your driving after dark as much as possible.

 

On that note of the possible car crash in rural areas, know how and when to stop bleeding with direct pressure, packing, or a tourniquet. (Google “Stop The Bleed course near me.” It’s a free 90 minute course.)

“911” is also 911 in Baja, but help may be a long way away — if you have cell service at all.

Carry a satellite SOS transponder with a medevac insurance plan. (E.g. Garmin Inreach Mini 2.)

Someone mentioned tire repair kits. Get the Glue Tread sidewall repair kit. A piece of metal impaled my sidewall in Baja and tires there ain’t cheap.

Definitely carry a *full size* spare. If you’ve upsized your tires and still running an OEM spare, you may find out that different sized tires on the rear don’t play very well with the differential locker.

 

For phone service, you can probably get an e-sim, depending on your phone, or buy a Telcel SIM card in Tijuana. Just make sure your phone is unlocked before you go.

T-Mobile works reasonably well there too.

 

Lol… yep… plan to carry cash to pay off crooked cops who will stop you when they see USA plates…

 

The iOverlander app is not bad for reference, but cannot be trusted. I used a combination of downloaded Google maps, MAPS.ME, and a paper atlas of Baja (the paper atlas was the best when things got confusing). I would probably also try Garmin or Gaia maps next time.

That’s about it. Have fun! They didn’t even check my passport last time I drove across the border.

 

The below is longer than I thought it would be. Not sure where you are crossing the border, but overall Ensenada is easy. Standard traction boards/compressor and do air down for going on the beach.

As others noted be sure there are absolutely zero shells/spent shells or guns in your truck. If you have even a spent casing you can expect to stay a while with the local LEO if you are inspected.

Double check and be absolutely sure you have your passport. You can get into MX easily, coming home will be profoundly difficult if you forget it. Basically, Mexico welcomes you to drive on in and spend some money, the US coming back not so much.

Get Mexican auto insurance (via baja.com is good and easy to do online) before you go. If you get into an accident and don’t have MX insurance they can confiscate your car right there or you will have to pay the other driver in full and in cash.

Have your cell phone provider enable international roaming before you go.

Bring a photo copy of your truck’s title to prove it is yours if needed. Likewise have a copy of your registration and a hard copy of your MX insurance.

When/if you encounter a military checkpoint do not be alarmed. Simply wait, be patient and follow instructions, open glovebox/center console if asked and then be on your way. Generally if they see a gringo (not a negative term) in the line they want you to get on your way quickly and easily.

Have some Pesos with you including coins. You will need coins to leave as a tip for those that maintain the gas station restrooms.

If you cross in Tijuana take the toll road (MX 1) to Ensenada. The toll road takes either Peso’s or Dollars. There is also MX 1 ‘free’ road that goes through the wine/horse country. Merge lane on MX 1 is super short so pay attention. Don’t speed, don’t drive at night, watch out for big speed bumps at the entry/exit of smaller towns.

Be sure to eat @ Puerto Nuevo (aka Lobster town) on your way down or your way back. It’s just south of Rosarito Our go-to is Las Brisas (Anzuelo 14, 22710 Puerto Nuevo, B.C., Mexico).

As others noted, drink bottled water/beer/soda including bottled water to brush teeth. Gas is easy to get at BP stations or PEMEX. They pump the gas so be ready for that. If they wash your windshield while you fill up then a modest tip in Peso’s is customary. Given the number of visitors (and the cruise ships) most places around Ensenada take Dollars or Pesos. If a cruise ship is there we avoid the tourist crowds in Ensenada and go into town when the ship is gone.

Coming back north the Tecate border crossing is generally easier than the long lines in Tijuana. But, the Tecate crossing closes at night (closes at 10PM reopen @ 6AM) so be sure you get there early enough to make it through before closure. If you have SENTRI or Global Entry and have your truck registered for SENTRI/Global Entry under your name you can use the unique SENTRI line in Tijuana. We do and the wait is typically 30 minutes or less. Be advised, getting to the SENTRI lane for the Tijuana crossing is not simple or well marked.

Lastly, in multiple trips we have never had any significant problems or felt uncomfortable on our trips. The locals are friendly, the food and ocean are fantastic and your Dollars go far. You are not very far into Mexico so the $$$ don’t go as far as they would if you go further into Mexico or go more remote, but it is still a great value and have a great time.

 

Do NOT pay off crooked cops! Their typical game is 1.) they take your DL and don’t give it back until you pay them (so don’t give them your actual DL, give them a laminated copy and show them your actual DL, IN YOUR HAND), and 2.) they ask you to pay a “fine” on the spot, or you must accompany them to the police station to pay it there. ALWAYS insist you want to go to the police station if that is an option. They don’t want the paperwork, and after a bit of back and forth, they will give up.

 

I guess times have changed. For me… i wouldnt step foot there … but thats me.