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Frequently Asked Questions:
Q. Who are these people & how does it work? Q. Why are they different from other caravans??
1. Lowest cost ($400-700) - 5 to 9 day runs to deliver you safely down there. Ideal if you just want company and escort to Baja & stay on your own for 1-3 months.
2. Medium cost (just us @ $1495 or $1855) - 27-36 day fully escorted 24/7 down and return. Stressing variety of optional activities, camaraderie and preplanning. Expenses additional, but you choose what you participate in, and pay for. For the "independent" joiner.
3. Higher cost ($3300-4500) - 25-45 day escorted 24/7 down and return. Everything completely prepaid and preplanned. No decisions to make. For those who don't want a single thing to think about.
So, you can see that there is a caravan tour style for all types - if ours doesn't suit your needs, go high or low. It's your vacation - do it your way!
Also, for most major caravan tour companies, Baja is just one more of dozens of profitable destinations to sell. Baja is our only destination because we care about and want to share the "Magnificent Penninsula" with other folks. Sure, we do make money, but in a place we love to be - and guests say it shows!
Q. Why waste my money on a caravan when I can go on my own? Q. Why Baja instead of somewhere else in Mexico? Q. Don't you go to Copper Canyon? Q. What's The Weather Like? Q. Is It Safe In Mexico?
Q. What about these horrific "bandito" stories we always hear? And what about the thousands of drug killings reported on CNN?
Yes, due to demand in America for cocaine & illegal drugs, there is an ongoing battle between drug cartels and Mexican police/army - in localized areas of the country. NO TOURISTS HAVE BEEN HARMED IN THIS DRUG WAR. Cartels have been strongly warned not to touch tourists, a large source of national revenue. We do not hang around with drug cartels, so these kind of incidents don't affect us. Except for East Tijuana, Baja is probably much safer than your own hometown!
Q. What About The Food in Mexico?
Q. What Are The Mexican People Like?
Q. Do you do anything for the Mexicans?
Also, we encourage you to take a few pens and pencils, or small toys, to give to children we meet along the route.
Q. What About The Roads And Toll Fees?
Q. Should we take our new motor coach?
Q. Do You Have Break Stops?
Q. What About Bad Fuel?
Q. What About RV Parks And Hookups?
IF YOU EXPECT SERVICES LIKE NEWPORT DUNES, YOU WILL BE DISAPPOINTED. We encounter voltages ranging from 95 to 130 volts. Some places, water pressure is low, or even off for periods. Some places get muddy or sandy. Internet may be sporadic.The most important requirement, while traveling in Mexico, is to be flexible and prepared for the unexpected. The happiest RVers are those who are down to earth, congenial, easy to get along with, can roll with the punches and don't expect Mexico to have all of the nice conveniences of the U.S. & Canada. In some ways Mexico is years behind the U.S. This is part of its mystique and charm, but can be a source of frustration for some folks. Check your personality to see if you are suited to this kind of travel.
If you are, you should have unforgettable memories and the best time of your life.
Q. Can We Take Our Pets?
Q. What About The Water?
Q. Are Any Inoculations or Health Precautions Required?
Q. What About Biting Insects?
Q. How Much Money Should I Bring?
Q. What About The Language?
Q. How Can My Family Contact Us In An Emergency?
Q. Can I Break Off From The Group And Travel On My Own?
Q. Who Takes Care Of The Border Paperwork And Permits?
Q. What Preparations Must I Make Before Our Tour?
Q. Where do I get Mexican auto insurance?
Q. Should we take our "toad"?
Q. Why does Baja and Back! charge so much less than the $3300 - $4400 "big-name" tours do?
Q. Why Should I Trust Baja & Back?
Q. What's the cancellation policy? What does the country look like?
Want To Talk To Someone?? Barry or Vanda answer the phone live most of the time, 9 AM to 10 PM Pacific, & we'd be happy just to chat with you - no obligation, of course!
A.The operators of Baja and Back! RV Caravans, Vanda & Barry Monkman, are the wagonmasters for your trip. Barry has travelled Baja since 1969, and first drove "the highway" in 1976. We do not leave 3 hours ahead of you to make last minute arrangements, nor do we drop you at Cabo & tear back to the U.S. to bring another group down. We travel and camp with the group for the entire 28 days, hence the name - Baja and Back. 
Barry & Vanda MonkmanAssociate Wagonmasters 
Jim & Polly OldbergAssociate Wagonmasters 
Jim & Rita GenglerAssociate Wagonmasters 
Dave & Diane Reddell
A.Overall, there are 3 styles of caravans to Baja:-
A. We are always meeting solo travellers on the road in Baja asking us for free advice on where to stay, where to eat, is water safe here, where's gas, what's to do in this town, and more. These are usually the ones who brag that they hate caravans.
We know the answers to all these questions: the best places to visit, to eat, to get supplies, the best museums, activities and campgrounds. We select activities to immerse you in the local culture, natural surroundings and history. If you were traveling alone, you might get lucky and stop to see some of these places - or you might pass right by. In the process, you would waste a lot of time at inferior campgrounds and disappointing restaurants. Most people have a limited time and budget for their vacation and want to make the most efficient use of it. 
Besides, we have 30 friends to share campfires & good times with!
A. All of Mexico is a wonderful, vibrant, exotic destination, but Baja is different than the mainland. Being a penninsula is like being an island - the people are nicer, more laid back & respectful. Crime rate is much lower. A frontier spirit of the Old West still prevails in Baja. It is a land of contrasts, where the earthtone deserts and green cactus reach right down to turquoise seas and white surf.
However, with the recent influx of foreign development companies snapping up miles of beachfront, you need to visit Baja now, before the spirit of the Magnificient Peninsula is lost!
A.We used to run Baja-Copper Canyon tours via the ferry and Chepe train, but the demand was quite low. For groups of 10 or more, we might be persuaded to run a custom tour to the mainland in the fall. January & February are just too cold at 8000 feet, with possibilities of snow. Not a pleasant Mexican vacation.
Phone us on behalf of your group.
A. Our Baja tours are scheduled to provide you a balmy, subtropical alternative to harsh northern winters. The tropics can promise you warm days and comfortable nights, with little or no rain. Temperatures average in the 60's during the evening hours to the 80's in the afternoons. Of course, the farther south we travel, the warmer the weather. You can expect to swim comfortably in the ocean south of Mulege. La Paz & Cabo are at the same latitude as Hawaii & Florida! 
Weather page
A. According to the World Tourism Organization, tourism is Mexico's second leading industry and Mexico is one of the top ten tourist destinations in the world. In the last several years, Mexico has taken giant steps in public safety, to the point where it has very little crime compared to the USA. Look in any US newspaper and you will find a much higher crime rate in most any large American city than what exists in the entire country of Mexico. It is reported that 75% of US cities have higher murder rates than Tijuana! Besides, Baja is much less populated and much quieter than mainland Mexico, with a higher standard of living.
Nowadays, Mexico's GDP stands at 11th in the world, at par with Canada's. Mexico is no longer a "third world banana republic".
Sound judgment should always prevail. The same behaviors you would use at home to maintain personal safety should also apply on vacation. Remember, Mexico is the most popular foreign country in the world for US citizens to live in and they will tell you that they feel safer in Mexico than back home in the USA. We do.
A.Ever notice that you always hear them from people who haven't been to Mexico? They are just "urban myths". The only banditos we've encountered are those selling Timeshares on the street in Cabo! We, personally, have only ever had one thing stolen - a kite taken by an American kid on the beach!
A.The food is GREAT! Dining is one of the best parts of any Mexico visit. They have a variety of menus at prices less than those in the United States or Canada. We are very pleased with the food, service and restaurants in Mexico. Drinking water & ice cubes are purified water - by law! Many of our stops have good reataurants nearby. Grocery stores are all over the peninsula so you can travel light and purchase food stocks along the way. You can shop at Costco or a Mexican Safeway. Much of the winter vegetables on your dinner table at home come from Baja.
There is somewhere to dine out available every second night of the trip, if you want!
A. We are likely to encounter impeccable politeness and gracious manners from the local Mexican population. It does not take long to create a special place in our hearts for these warm and grateful people. After your first visit you will want to return again. It is considered proper to shake hands with people when you meet and when you depart.
A. One of the big reasons we do these tours is because we love Baja and it's people. While trying to introduce you to Baja, we encourage you to support Mexican enterprises and people with your business, to spend your money on a neighborhood level, rather than stocking up everything at Costco before you leave.
A. Over the last five or six years the government of Mexico has repaved nearly the entire length of Highway 1. However, to be honest, portions of the two-lane, paved Highway 1 can be narrow in places with shoulders that are small or non-existent. The Baja has some bad stretches of highway requiring reduced speeds and very close attention. The Baja highway is definitely not for inexperienced or brand new RVers.
Just as anywhere else in the world, road construction and potholes can crop up almost anywhere. However, repairs are always underway to recondition the roads. We will travel a very few miles on gravel or dirt roads to access prime camping areas.
The toll freeways we take will provide the best views with the lowest tolls ($30US return).
A.
I guess the answer is "it depends". Have you had other larger sized RVs in the past? Any previous experience driving truck? How many miles will you put on the rig before doing the Baja highway? If Baja is going to be your first outing in a 108" wide body rig, maybe it shouldn't be. I can't say this road is a piece of cake. It does require constant attention, and, with 9 1/2 foot lane width in many places and no shoulder, is unforgiving of mistakes.
There are no elevations over 2000 feet, but several grades of up to 16% for very short periods.
About 1/4 of our guests run large coaches. We have had 42' tag axle coaches with toads. Never lost anyone. Mirror damage maybe 5 times in 5 years.
So, as I say, it mostly depends on the driver's abilities.
A. There is usually a 10-20 minute "Bubba" break every 2 hours
of travel, or less. If you need to stop sooner, stop in a safe, wide spot off the roadway. The best turnouts are listed in our Road Log. Lunch break is around midday and we are normally in camp by mid-afternoon. Our average travel distance is under 100 miles each day. The longest day is 222 miles, the shortest is 15 miles.
A. No worries. Since 1990 Mexico has developed two high quality
unleaded gasolines under the name "Magna Sin". The regular unleaded has
an octane rating of 89 and the premium unleaded has an octane rating of
95. The Mexican diesel fuel is generally better, cleaner and of higher quality than
U.S. diesel fuel. Most of their stations are large modern facilities similar
to our truck stops, with many pumps, but they are somewhat far apart in some areas. You should have a range of at least 200 miles (320 kilometers).
Special note:- IF YOU HAVE A 2007 or NEWER DIESEL-POWERED VEHICLE, SOME PEOPLE ARE CONCERNED WITH POTENTIAL WARRANTEE ISSUES. PLEASE CONTACT US.
A. We endeavor to stay at the best RV Parks available in all areas that our caravans travel. Some RV Parks have top notch facilities while most are not up to the standards found in the USA. Park selection is based on points of interest, convenience and availability of services. Electric hookups in Mexico usually do not have sufficient capacity to permit the use of air conditioners and sometimes, the amperage is only sufficient to permit minimal use. In some of the best locations of Baja there are no RV Parks and we dry camp for up to 3 days at a time. Any inconvenience is offset by the fact that you are parked on a world-class beach 10 feet from the water! Pure drinking water is available throughout the caravan routes. Sewer hookups and dump stations are available throughout Baja. Propane gas is readily available.
A. Yes. There is no problem going into Mexico. Coming home, dogs and cats are welcome, but require a health certificate from a veterinarian dated at least 30 days before departure. Dogs require a Rabies Certificate #77043, or equivalent, dated within six months. Birds, however, are quarantined for months by US Customs when returning from Mexico.
We normally have 6 or more pets on tour with us, with few problems. Pets are solely the responsibility of their owners.
A. The water is drinkable in many places, particularly the south, where water supplies come from deep wells. In most places, we fill our tanks with tap water for washing use. Bottled drinking water that is processed by reverse osmosis & UV can easily be purchased throughout Baja for 25 cents / gallon. Most Mexicans buy bottled water - so should we. Water and ice cubes provided in restaurants must be purified - by law!
We now provide UV triple - filtered water free to anyone on our caravans who wants it!
A. No, there are no requirements for Mexico. We do however advise
that your tetanus shot be current in case of injury - just like at home.
A. Biting bugs (sand fleas, mosquitoes, etc.), are very rare in most of the places we visit, particularly during the season we go. In some of the beach areas you will find a few mosquitoes at dusk, but that's it. One of the most pleasant things we find about RVing in Baja!
A.Just bring your bank card. There are ATM's in many locations we will visit so money is not a problem. Traveller's Checks are much less accepted than they used to be. U.S. dollars are accepted everywhere; Canadian dollars are not. We do a Peso exchange for you in San Diego.
A. Some Spanish would come in handy, but it is not a requirement.
Many people in Mexico speak English because it is a required subject in school. That's
another reason to travel with a caravan tour (at least the first time)
into Mexico. You will learn how to get around and communicate with the
local people. Any attempt to try out your Spanish will be met with smiles & encouragement!
A. All they have to do is call our office, toll free and the message will be delivered to our group wherever we are. You also get a complimentary, personalized email address @bajaandback.com. No need for your loved-ones to communicate in a foreign language, in a foreign country.
A. Of course! The whole idea behind Baja & Back is that you are free to pursue your own dreams. Unlike some regimented groups, our tours are designed for you to explore on your own. We understand that different individuals want to see different things.
We encourage individual exploration and will suggest points of interest for you to see along the way. There are things you may be interested in, that are not going to interest the rest of the group. You may be interested in churches, or waterfalls, or bird-watching, and we will personally point out these things for you.
A. Our staff will gather documentation during the trip, and obtain Tourist Cards for you at the "Migracion" office. A Passport or picture identification and a certified copy of a birth certificate is required. For mainland travel, we help you with the Temporary Vehicle Import Permits. As of July 1, 2009, passports are required for ANYONE entering the USA.
A. We will provide you with a 45 page pre-trip Welcome Package & checklist that outlines what you need to do before leaving home, last minute items to buy, supplies that are hard to find, equipment for your vehicle and so on. Also unlimited online or toll-free phone support before the trip.
A. Each year, we shop the Mexican coverage market, comparing policies, exclusions and prices. At this time, we are still recommending San Xavier Mexico Insurance http://www.mexican-autoinsurance.com/ or 1-888-377-1570. They can quote immediately and issue policies by fax or email. We suggest you phone and say you're with Baja and Back Caravans, to get our group discount.
Progressive Insurance & a few others will extend your Physical Damage coverage to Mexico - saving you $100s. Check with your local agent!
A. That depends whether you generally use your towed vehicle a lot when RVing, or not. Do you use it to explore a lot? There's also the extra insurance cost to consider. You will have to unhook almost every night to park. A towed car with very low ground clearance or towed on a dolly can be a negative. We always seem to have enough toads and pickup trucks to get everyone where we are going. However, despite all the above, most of our guests who leave the toad at home end up regretting it.
If you decide to leave the toad in San Diego, the KOA will store it right there, for a fee.
A.Frankly, we don't understand why they charge so much more. They don't go anywhere or do anything not on our itinerary. If we included every single item covered in their fees, our price would be about $2400. Asking our guests at trip's end if they would have wanted these items included, the answer is almost always a resounding "NO"! They like the flexibility of choosing what they want or don't want.
A.We have travelled in Mexico since 1969, know the places, know the people and know the way it should be done right. You want a quality experience for your money at a leisurely pace so that you will not miss anything. That's the only way you are going to be a happy return customer or reccomend us to your friends.
We assure you of a well planned and proven RV vacation without unpleasant surprises. We know and understand the RV lifestyle and what RVers look for and expect on their RV vacations. We are RVers, too!
(By The Way: We don't solicit kickbacks from stores, restaurants & attractions. So - our itineraries and recommendations aren't biased.)
You should be aware that, with tour operators who include meals & attractions, every dollar they get discounted or kicked back is multiplied by the number of rigs - each trip. So, their incentive to shop cheap is very compelling.
A. Up to 60 days ahead of the trip, a full refund - no questions asked!!
After that, see our full Terms and Conditions.
If you have the time, we have a slideshow of photos to look at.
Also, a few spectacular 360 degree panoramic shots!
(May take a while to load on slower internet connections)
Well, you've come this far and been on our website for a few minutes. You must be a bit interested by now. Care to pick up the phone and
1-866-RV2-BAJA (1-866-782-2252)
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