I have been asked many times by guest how many years I have been doing tours and how long have I been surfing and about my guides experience as well. Here is a small Blog on just that and the numbers:

• Between me and my surf guides we have over 68 years in the surf tour business
• Surfing experience 124 years combined
• Over 2700 surf trips combined
• Over 1,250,000 miles driven since 1991 in all countries
• Thousands of guest have walk through our doors
• Hundreds of Panga boat trips to surf breaks

We are very keen on keeping our guest informed about every surf break and what to watch out for and general info on making there trip stress free and enjoying it to the maximum.

Injuries over 21 years have been the following:

• 6 guest needed stitches but not serious ones in my book
• 1 Panga flip over, everyone safe though
• No accidents in vehicles
• 6 surfboards broken from varies trips
• Three breakdown’s only with vehicles over 21years
• Customer comments over this time is 98% exceed expectations for service, guides, and food
• Meet expectations with Lodging. Except the new Surf Hotel in El Salvador which exceeds All expectations 100%

This is the real scoop on my company and I believe everyone in the future who walk through our doors will say the same thing . Best trip ever, best service and our guides are the best in the industry.

All I can say is to try us out and see for yourselves, you’ll be glad you did.

Thanks

Bajabill

Posted in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Mexico, Nicaragua | No Comments

I have been traveling for a long time now and been in a lot of new places and when I find a new home , I just try to fit in the best I can, in a chilling way and never talk too much but listen to others mostly at first to get a feel of my surroundings.

As a surfer for over 55 yrs I have been and seen a lot through my eyes, and can say at one time or another I was not the best guy to be in the lineup with. Why for example being the first to surf a new spot years ago, I felt like other surfers should “respect me” for being the local of the break or as the founder. That went on for maybe three years before I finally figured out what the hell I was doing. Remember it was mostly in my head, but for sure surfers felt it, the waves are for everyone to experience and to enjoy not just for me, no single person owns a wave, the whole world does. So my thinking process changed and WOW chill / stress free sessions started to work in my life, and it can for everyone who still think like I used to. Change your thinking and enjoy your new friends you meet to the fullest.

I have for decades shown respect to others, especially the top surfers of surf breaks around the World, but they need to be the ambassador of their Break and welcome others and show the ropes, this commands respect in my eyes.
Yes there are those who travel and surf new areas that need to be told to chill and work your way into the lineup, and that’s fair, but locals need to remember fair is fair as well. Respect Locals and they will respect you. Have a great journey surfing all the breaks mother earth as given us and thank her and others by being a good example while you are surfing. This will change your life and others too, it has changed mine.

Bajabill

Posted in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Mexico, Nicaragua | 1 Comment

Baja has changed a lot over the years, This blog covers what you should do to prepare for your trip and what to do if you get pulled over.

My tips do work and doing everything that is written below and if followed you should never really be pulled over or have any issues. Let me know how your trip goes, remember good karma is the only way to travel, I know.

Before leaving and crossing the border check the following:

• all brake lights work.
• Turn signals work.
• You have all three mirrors, not cracked and the centre one it is possible for you to see cars from the back if possible. This is a big one for not being stopped by a cop.
• You have all your info on your car registration / tags are up to date and insurance papers, best to have a folder for these doc.
• You have had your car / truck checked for this trip, hoses and fuel filter for sure.
• Clean windshield and have extra bug removal in a bottle you’ll need it.
• Toilet paper a must, and always nice to have a small shovel has well. to bury stuff right and other things you might think of to have a happy weekend vacation.
• check tires, have spare checked for air pressure
• Have flash lights and game plan if your car / truck breaks down
• Extra warm clothes never hurts to have
• Have most of your cash in your sock or a designed location

entering the border:

• Make sure you buy Mexican insurance, it is cheap, and if something happens to you, you are in the clear, if you don’t have insurance, then watch out, your day may become a nightmare.
• don’t bring your own fire wood they will hound you about it
• if they stop you and check your food and you have eggs, they may send you back!
• make sure you buy your booze in Mexico.
• If you are bringing anything over the border in large quantities or if it looks like it could be sold make sure you have a receipt for it otherwise they will be hassling and hassling you for a receipt.
• Be nice to the border agents, and they will do the same back! Treat others as to how you want to be treated!

If you get pulled over, but you are following all the rules of the road, pull over and have your papers in hand and ask why you were pulled over? The cop will then tell you why, and if its bullshit, explain why he is wrong ( nicely) if it goes further and he demands money or to give a ticket. Ask to go to the police station to talk with his captain over this matter.. Now he will either go on and on or say follow me and he will disappear. If you actually get to a police station, and talk with the person above this officer, tell them about why the cop was wrong and either you will win or lose, but the price is cheap for a moving violation there.
Now if you feel you just want out of this conversation and want it over with, either take the ticket or pay him off, it could cost you between $20-60 dollars. If you were in the right take down his badge number and his licence number too, and report it when you return home.

On the exit to get to the USA there is a number to call if you have problems or suggestions. It will be above your head on a large sign, call that number and report it. Most will receive their money back, but if you were wrong and deserved the ticket , just take care of it and go on your merry way.

To the Toll road , its quick and easy and SAFE, it takes 8 minutes or so. And the cost is about $2.35 at each one and the last toll booth if you actually go that far is about $2.50 or so now.

That’s it for this blog, follow my rules and have a safe trip to Baja. Till my next blog. Bajabill bajasurfadventures.com

Posted in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Mexico, Nicaragua | 1 Comment

My arrival in El Salvador came with mixed feelings… who am I getting picked up by? And are they going to be carrying a gun or protection of some sort? Will I be seeing a lot of gnarly stuff here?!

This was drilled into my head from many people who I spoke to when I said I was going to be going to El Salvador for 3 months to stay at the AST, La Libertad, El Salvador Surf Camp. The general consensus was “ohhh dear, you had better look after yourself! It’s pretty dangerous there, why have you chosen this country to go to?!!!”

However as soon as I landed I began to realize it’s no worse than the cockney grime that many people face in London or anywhere else in the world.

After a half an hour journey I had finally arrived at the surf camp. This was by far one of the most luxurious accommodations available in the area, especially at the price it costs to stay there. The biggest bonus of them all though was the view! If you were to have this accommodation in America in front of a world class break it would be costing you an arm in leg. Instead, it was a reasonable price, spectacular views, warm water, and the best surprise was absolutely no-one was in the water considering the wave in front was 4ft and firing on all cylinders.

No more than 10 minutes I had laid my bags down in the AST surf camp, I was frantically unpacking my surfboard and getting the fins in my board so I could go have my first surf in El Salvador on one of the best waves in the world, Punta Roca.

3 hours had past, and I was shattered. I had surfed myself to death, got back to the camp and just passed out until the next day. a well deserved rest.

Posted in El Salvador | 1 Comment

I will talk about how things have changed over the last 20 years here in Baja with the cops
and Feds and etc. You may have even come across them and They may have even stopped
you while driving down the Peninsula of Baja .

Years ago , it was a hot bed going through border towns to get somewhere of interest
and to a final destination, and wondering when you were going to get pulled over. Like
clockwork it would happen , especially if you had surfboards on top of the car or not being
cautious enough. Anyone out there have this happen to you? Hmm… I am guessing a lot for
sure, including me too. they would be waiting in some crack between houses and come out
of nowhere, Remember?

In the last three years things began to change, it was very slow , but I could see a change
while going through Tijuana to the toll road. Not so many motorcycle cops and UN marked
sedans every half a km that would be there to stop you before getting to the toll road. No
need to go over what they said to get there point across to us , just give me $40 and then
usually we only have $20 routine. But still we figured to have a kitty that each surfer would
put into it $5-10 dollars each, for the pull over that was going to happen .

In 2010 big changes happened. Street lights were installed all the way to the toll road, new
signs up for how fast you could go in section of the highway to the toll of each area. That
gave us the sign then that things were about to change here in Tijuana and they also told
the local Cops to back down as well. This was a welcome sign for me , and for travellers
from California or other states that the local government, local businesses here in Tijuana
and other border towns that have had enough of the policing and the “under the table”
things were going on here in Baja

For tourist visiting, this was the start to an easy and nicer experience to enter Baja through
the biggest gateway in the world.

On another subject. Crime in and around Tijuana, I haven’t come across or seen any at all
driving into Tijuana and while driving to the toll. All I can say is, its just very easy to do it now
with roads being redone and the flow of traffic is a bit quicker.

I generally have a lot of surfers past by my camp or see them on the road either going South
or North and I always ask how things are with their trip in general. 95% say all has gone well
so far and no troubles. This is a good sign and you all should pickup what they are saying.
The other cities like Ensenada, San Quentin are very easy and no hassle from the cops or
feds, unless you do something out of the ordinary. The army patrols are good for us and
their weapon and drug stops are very good for tourist s, From what I see and hear they have
been very nice to all when stopped.

In general now with feds they stop locals, for no plates and moving vans for a little pinch,
and will not stop tourist unless your breaking the law. The Marina’s and Army guys are there
to protect us and with their stops along the roadsides, they are very nice, they check and
send you on your way. However, when they see you in a remote place they will stop you
and search your car, and let you pass, if nothing of interest is found, In my opinion, it has
always been a good experience always.

There may be still a few bent cops in Tijuana or other cities that may stop you, just take
their name and report what the problem was and if they stopped you wrongly then tell the
Mexican tourist office about it and how much it cost you to get out of the jam. In most cases
you will get a refund.

Always report problems you have in Baja, it is the only way the government and tourist
offices will know what is going on out there. They want to weed out these problems, believe
me! to increase tourist traffic to Baja and beyond.

There will be people out there that say, there is still a lot of problems with surfers in general
getting into a lot of jams down there, 90% are trying to protect their surf spots and will say
anything to keep the average person from making the trip south of the border for some
fun and good surf. Just have a plan in mind and stick to it, and always be aware of your
surroundings while travelling along anywhere in a third world country. Good Carma is the
key!

To wrap this blog up, let me say, the government wants us to have a good time while in Baja
and make sure you leave with a good taste in your mouth . but remember this, try to buy
most items needed while here in Baja to help the local and national economy, they need
our support. Most travellers bring in all their stuff needed if travelling on a 2-3 day trip and
only buy beer and tortillas when needed. This isn’t good enough, so spend a Little and buy
there.

That’s it for this blog, hope it was helpful and see you in Baja soon I hope.

Baja Bill | Bajasurfadventures.com your travel company and keeping surfers stoked for 20
years now.

Up- coming in the next blog:
Planning a trip to Baja and how to be safe and not sorry.

Posted in Mexico | 1 Comment

Hi to everyone that reads this blog about Baja and my experience here for over 45 years and over a million miles driven here as well.

Over the course of 45 years I have made over 1700 trips if not more, since my first ever trip to Baja in 1963. During this time here in Baja I haven’t had one moment that I thought I was going to die , except a few times with 40 footers barrelling down the road coming at me on my side of the road, I have hit two cows since coming though , but besides my vehicles getting hammered , all went well

.So this is my first blog, I’ll talk about how easy it is to get to my surf camp in northern Baja which is about 260km south of the US border. An easy task and beautiful surroundings get you there .

I have come across the border now for over 45 years and with my business 21 years as of March this year and its always been smooth.

When its busy in the camp, we drive through the border 7 times a month and that means coming back through the San Ysidro border the same times as well.

I have never had a problem with Mexican customs or the US, and travelling to the toll road each time has been a snap. It takes a total of 8-12 mins to get from the border to the toll road bound to Ensenada . From there, it takes about one hour to get to El Sauzal, which is the third and last toll booth. Then you get through Ensanada in about 30mins or so, just follow the signs and you are bound to San Quintin.

Your travelling on winding roads , but roads are very good to travel by car. so it is about 4 hours from the border to my doorstep.

baja bill laying into a bottom turn

My experience getting to my place is an easy task and if you come by our shuttle we provide, all you have to think about is getting good surf, great food and great time with my crew and enjoy my place that you will love forever. So it is a no brainier in my opinion.
Our shuttle drives down in the early evening and gets to the camp around 11pm or so, traffic isn’t an issue, our guest get to sleep and wake up to go surfing with 6-7 hours of sleep under their belt, its worked very well for us and guest and offers More time to be here.

Our weekend trip leaves Friday evening and returns on Monday, leaving the camp around noon or so and getting back to San Diego by 6PM or so. A very chilled drive home after a great weekend with us.

The camp has 24 hour security and is totally fenced. We have two guards and all is good and you feel safe, so you can sit back relax and just have fun here.

There is a selection of breaks around the camp and to them takes a total of 20 minutes if we go to the furthest break. Surfing these waves are safe and there is never any issues with the locals. Everyone knows me and my vehicles and its very safe for us to roam around in the day or night here.

Our evenings are spent at the surf camp where our clients can enjoy relaxing around the bar or kicking back and reflect around the campfire. If you wish for other entertainment you could play pool, darts or ping pong.
The main question I always get asked is about the crime in the area and what has been publicised in the press. I’m not going to lie Yes there was a lot when I first started this camp up, and worked hard to clean it up and its better, a lot better.

Is there still problems here? yes, but I believe it is anywhere you go when travelling to a remote place in the World, but for us there are no problems and haven’t been for over 18 yrs.
We have had 1000?s of clients pass through my doors here and their comments and testimonials prove to all, that your safe and will enjoy your experience with us.

Come and enjoy Baja with us and feel our stoke of living the Baja experience, it will rub off on you for sure and open your eyes as well.

Thanks Bajabill OUT

My next blog will focus on the following:
the cop scene, military stops and how things have changed here with their presence and if you get stopped by them what happens and just to open your eyes through my eyes.

how to drive here without being stopped, just some proven ways to enjoy your trip here in Baja.

Posted in Mexico | No Comments

let me start by saying I have been living here in Baja for 6 years along with my family.

A wife a son 8 years and a baby girl of 17 months and not once have we ever come across or have seen any trouble here in Baja. I personally, have been coming down to baja since the 70?s on surf trips. I have driven down to Cabo 2 times, and still I did not find an ounce of trouble.

Gang members found throughout central america. No reason to worry?

As for travelling safely down to Baja, it is always a safe trip with bajabill and his staff. They do all the driving, all you as the client have to do is sit back an enjoy the trip. I have been coming down with bajabill now for over a year about 8 trips. and not once did i find myself in a bad situation or have any worries.

It is a first class adventure. great food, an awesome cook, she always makes great meals, with a Mexican taste and a well done BBQ at night. There are constantly awesome waves, and in addition to that, there is about 13 surf spots around the camp and no crowds.

The camp is very safe, which is full gated camp withe a guard day and night .

I advise anyone who wishes to go down to Central America and all of its countries to go and take a leap because as per usual, the press likes to hype things up and make a big meal out of things.

Hook up with bajabill and enjoy your time in Central America.

From me and my Family here in Baja

Keith Phillips

Posted in Mexico | 2 Comments

Welcome to WordPress. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start blogging!

Posted in Uncategorized | 4 Comments