Best of 2000: Best Place To Meet Mexican Policemen

Road from border crossing to Playas

Many Baja-goers say Americans are most likely to get pulled over on the road that runs along the border from the San Ysidro crossing to Playas. The speed limit marked on the pavement is 60 kilometers per hour, but all the locals do twice that. Do you keep up with them or do you obey the traffic laws and stick out even more with your clean car and California plates? There's no right answer. Either way you're a target to be pulled over and hear "Three violations, amigo: $150." But don't be alarmed, that's just the opening of negotiations. After all, the barter system is alive and well in Mexico. Thirty dollars is usually enough to effect a happy parting.