Any seasoned traveler knows that packing is an important element of a good vacation. When preparing for a trip to Baja California, it is crucial!!! Much of Baja remains very remote and too difficult to traverse for the average vacationer. Of course, the Fam. VanGurp are not your average vacationers! We enjoy nothing more than getting into the heart of "the real Baja", living life amongst the locals, and seeing things that 99% of the population never will, because they don't make the effort. I know, "making the effort" and "vacationing" are not phrases that usually go hand in hand, but when speaking of Baja, they do.
Packing for Baja takes almost as much effort as negotiating the washed out back roads along the beautiful and untouched coastline, and is just about as rewarding too. When you pack well for your trip, you don't have to worry if you happen to get stuck in a remote area after sunset. Normally, we take a trailer loaded up with all the comforts of home, but for this trip, we are taking a different approach. We are going sans trailer, and therefore have to pack the car a little more conservatively.
This is quite a challenge, as the car itself will have to carry two adults, two children, two mutts, and enough gear for a three week trip with camping a possibility. FYI: Camping is always a possibility in Baja. It is a Baja travelers credo that it's better to be safe than sorry, and to always bring more than you think you'll need.
Maps/Atlas/Travel Guide
GPS/Garmin Nuvi
Other books about Baja, including:
Baja Legends, Seaweeds of the Pacific Coast, Baja Plant Field Guide
Other reading material
Laptop/backpack/power supply/flash drive
Camera(s)/cord/batteries/charger
Cell phone(s)/chargers
AC/DC inverter
toilet paper
notebook/pens/pencils
business cards (with phone #'s, email addresses to give to fellow travelers/locals we meet along the way)
For the kids:
leappads/games
books
coloring books/crayons
assorted toys
For Camping (para acampar):
tent
screenhouse
heavy duty tent stakes
sleeping bags
Mexican blankets
other blankets
portable potty/toilet paper
pack n' play playpen
rope
fire starters
mini lantern/lantern
mantles #51/#21
flashlights/batteries
folding chairs
folding tables
shovel
For the Kitchen (para la cocina):
coffee percolator/filters
coffee mugs
plates
bowls
cast iron skillet/griddle
mixing bowls
measuring cups/spoons
cutting board
chopping knives/fillet knife
spatula/grill fork/tongs
forks/knives/spoons
wooden spoons
corkscrew
can opener
scissors
skewers
potholders
dish towels/dish rags/scrubbies/soap
lighters/matches
egg holder(s)
screw top storage containers
paper towels
baggies
trash bags
camp stove/burner/base
small propane bottles
Medicine (medicina):
Kids:
ibuprofen
acetaminophen
Benadryl
oragel
vitamins
epi-pen
sting stop
bug balm
bug spray
Benadryl gel
nail clippers
Adults:
vitamins
ibuprofen
epinephrine
anti-diarrhea pills/syrup
Benadryl
nail clippers
tweezers
Etc:
sunscreen
aloe vera gel
band-aids
triple antibiotic cream
hydrocortisone cream
rubbing alcohol
cotton balls/swabs
For Car Repairs (Para reparaciones de coche):
extra belts
extra hoses
socket wrenches
screwdrivers
duct tape
clamps
screws/bolts/etc.
spare tire
fix a flat
fuses/fuse puller
jumper cables
battery charger
air compressor
oil/power steering fluid/brake fluid
funnel
tire pressure gauge
lug wrench
lug nut lock/key
Hi Lift Jack
tow rope
rope
bungee cords
zip ties
grease
5 gallon gas can
I will return later this afternoon to complete the list :)
(Thank you to the following for the photos: mexicomaps.com, Moon.com, Amazon.com)
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