TalkBaja.com » Baja Mexico Forums » Driving in Baja

Good Afternoon, I'm planning a 3 week road trip to Baja early next year, and I'm wondering about the practicality of a GPS nav system for the trip. I have never used one in a car, but I use a chart plotter during my boating season in Alaska.

The only parts of the trip that worry me are TJ and to a lesser degree, Ensenada. But, I can see the value in being able to know my Lat/Long coordinates in the event of an emergency.

So, do you use a system for your trips? Which one seems to offer the best map software for Baja, and, where did you get the Baja map data?

Thank you in advance.

Off to san Quintin again?

Originally Posted by bob r

Off to san Quintin again?

Yes, and beyond. We want to go to San Ignacio for whales, see BOLA, and perhaps get as far as Todos Santos. On the way I'd like to see Abreojos and La Bocana as well. Are you in SQ now?

Know that Ron had mentioned that Tom-Tom's had data bases for TJ and south... don't know how far...

Travel Maps - TomTom


They show all of Baja... not sure this is what your looking for... have a one, Garmin nuvi, give just about as much as a handheld .. except tides, and some other stuff...

Get a Garmin

Buy this one from COSTCO: http://tinyurl.com/7zvzcjn

Then get the Mexico chip from LB Maps: GPS maps for the Baja Traveler

Used the above setup last year from Carson City, Nevada, through TJ (Otay), Ensenada and down to Guerrero Negro.......perfect, no problems. Also shows streets in detail in TJ and Ensenada.

Originally Posted by wessongroup

Know that Ron had mentioned that Tom-Tom's had data bases for TJ and south... don't know how far...

Travel Maps - TomTom


They show all of Baja... not sure this is what your looking for... have a one, give just about as much as a handheld .. except tides, and some other stuff...

I just bought a new Tom-Tom unit with the larger screen and updated maps. I cannot believe how much detail they have on Tijuana, Rosarito and Ensenada!

Originally Posted by Islander

Yes, and beyond. We want to go to San Ignacio for whales, see BOLA, and perhaps get as far as Todos Santos. On the way I'd like to see Abreojos and La Bocana as well. Are you in SQ now?

No I am not! Wish I was! But am beating up my grand children.
Will go down after the first of the year.
Are you stopping in SQ?
Are you still looking at that beach property?

Originally Posted by bob r

No I am not! Wish I was! But am beating up my grand children.
Will go down after the first of the year.
Are you stopping in SQ?
Are you still looking at that beach property?

Honestly, I don't know.....we were very stoked about the land we were looking at last year, but it wasn't something we could pull off on our own. With the economy the way it is, most of our friends no longer have any equity to borrow against, and none of us want to go further into debt. So......we camp for a year or two and see what happens.

@Ron, Teniente and Wessongroup; Thank you for your help!

@Ron, what model did you get? Are you running the bundled software, or the one Teniente suggested?

Just so you know, it's raining here, with snow in the forecast. yea

Just a note..........the GPS is great for finding streets and the highways, but when I type in an Ensenada address, it just laughs.........something about house/business address numbers!!!!

Originally Posted by Islander

@Ron, what model did you get? Are you running the bundled software, or the one Teniente suggested?

I bought the GO-LIVE 2535M model. It was on sale at Best Buy plus I had a $100 gift certificate for the store so it was a no-brainer. The unit has great built in maps of US, Canada and Mexico with lifetime free map updates. It also is great to use while driving in busy SoCal traffic as it includes free traffic reports and suggested re-routing to avoid those delays. The traffic updates are free for life as well. This unit includes bluetooth which allows me to sync my iPhone which allows for hands free dialing - keeps the CHP out of my rear view window. Another feature I like is the map corrections option - something great for offroad here in Baja. It allows you to map road corrections and then upload them to TomTom. They analyze the corrections data submitted and consider them for future map updates.

So yes, I am using the bundled software that comes with the unit...

Thanks Ron! Great info, and a good recommendation to ease marital strife!

No problem my friend. The traffic minder actually tells you how much time in minutes to expect from traffic delays and how much time can be saved by taking an alternate route. That alone in freeway traffic makes it worth the price...

Originally Posted by BajaGringo

No problem my friend. The traffic minder actually tells you how much time in minutes to expect from traffic delays and how much time can be saved by taking an alternate route. That alone in freeway traffic makes it worth the price...

Are you back in SQ?

I am Bob - down here for a few days to catch up with the abalone project and coordinate some things that I was working on before...

Originally Posted by BajaGringo

I am Bob - down here for a few days to catch up with the abalone project and coordinate some things that I was working on before...

Glad to hear it! I will be down in mid Jan, for a couple of months, if you need anything let me know!

Thanks Bob - be sure to stop by...

Take it slow BG... it ain't going anywhere... and ya got plenty of time... hope your enjoying the place...