Well, I haven't visited - Yet.
But I have family that lives in Mexicali and San Luis Rio Colorado.
They visit often, and living near by, they've never heard of any horror stories.
I personally like Rocky Point (Puerto Peñasco), but then I've never been to San Felipe and Rocky Point is closer to us.
Fortunately these areas don't have drug lords trying to claim it. Therefore, they don't have the crime that you see on tv.
We've owned property in San Felipe since 2003... So, we're down there a lot. San Felipe is a neat area, You get it all there. Sea, Desert, Mountains... Cheap RV parks to a Golf Resort... "They" say San Felipe is kind of a Gated community, there is a military check point to the North and South of town (checking for guns/drugs) on the only highway in. Travel during the day, there is about 100 miles of NOTHING... a break down/flat tire would be a little sketchy at night (narrow roads). There is a AAA type of service to help stranded motorist. We have some friends that broke down, after leaving S.F. after dark, they were there waiting 4 hours, before help got to 'em. There is more urban myth/I heard from my friends sisters boyfriend about this guy that something awful happened...
There's a prominent member here, Racorman, who had a bunch of toys stolen from his camp (his or his in-laws?). He'll probably chime in with a first-hand account for you.
Not sure if this passes for "urban legneds", but...
According to experts, the war being waged in Mexico against narcotraffic resembles what Colombia went through some years back. The growing wave of violence, especially in Sinaloa, Chihuahua, Tamaulipas and Baja California brings back memories of cities like Medellin or Cali in the 80’s. Another similarity is the growing number of criminals extradited to the U.S., which last year reached 86.
And as if to confirm this opinion four car bombs were found yesterday in Sinaloa, similar to the ones used by terrorist organizations. The cars were fitted with butane gas tanks and a detonator; two of them had cellular phones to be used as detonators, one with a remote control and one was splashed with gasoline.
Unofficial figures show that more than 2,160 persons have died due to organized crime, while 2,700 died in all of last year, which shows the increase of violence this year.
thebudman wrote: Not sure if this passes for "urban legneds", but...
According to experts, the war being waged in Mexico against narcotraffic resembles what Colombia went through some years back. The growing wave of violence, especially in Sinaloa, Chihuahua, Tamaulipas and Baja California brings back memories of cities like Medellin or Cali in the 80’s. Another similarity is the growing number of criminals extradited to the U.S., which last year reached 86.
And as if to confirm this opinion four car bombs were found yesterday in Sinaloa, similar to the ones used by terrorist organizations. The cars were fitted with butane gas tanks and a detonator; two of them had cellular phones to be used as detonators, one with a remote control and one was splashed with gasoline.
Unofficial figures show that more than 2,160 persons have died due to organized crime, while 2,700 died in all of last year, which shows the increase of violence this year.
Do you have any idea how far Sinaloa is from San Felipe??
Sinaloa has always been drug-lord country. Only difference is, now there is more violence there, in Sinaloa and Chihuahua, because they're fighting over turf at those states and who will take over.
We have been going down to San Felipe for nearly 20 years and I guess we've been lucky because we have always hauled our rigs and toys there once or twice a year with no problems. however last October we (three rigs) got stopped stopped by the policia in Mexicali for bogus traffic infractions. I missed going our usual trip in May, some in our group got freaked over getting stopped so they aren't sure about going back which is fine, if you don't feel comfortable about going then you shouldn't.
First timers usually get freaked out at the Military check points because the soldiers have rifles.
I miss riding my quad into town for a fish taco at the Malacon
oh! and the $2 Diesel
Wow... didn't expect a Flame war over a little town in Mexico...
San Felipe has a small population of working class folk and retirees... I'd say 99.9% of the population are law abiding folks, no different than any small town in the world. We have spent a lot of time down there. We know quite a few locals and retirees. Because of it's remote location, far from any direct path (drug runners) to the U.S. so IMHO its a safe little town.
Now the West Coast of Baja... thats a different story...
Like I've told other folks, you don't come to California to hang out on Skid Row, same with Mexico.
Race Face wrote: "They" say San Felipe is kind of a Gated community, there is a military check point to the North and South of town (checking for guns/drugs) on the only highway in. ..
That checkpoint is to check you and I for guns and drugs not the cartels.
There was an article awhile back about fake cops stopping cars (traveling in the middle of the night) outside of Tijuana ont he way to Rosarito and then stealing the car/truck and all the toys at gunpoint. Fellas thought they were going to die.
They got a ride from a dude in a van back to town (thought dude was involved)and located a lady Federale. Lady Federale gave them a ride to an ATM, and told them to find a way back across the border.
Have fun.
"Honey, are the brakes suppose to touch the floor"
Offline
.jpg)
