Security Checkpoints

Throughout the peninsula, along major highways, you’ll come across (seemingly random) security checkpoints. Staffed by federal military officers that are armed with guns, this can be a scary interaction for some tourists.  We’ve been through several of these checkpoints and had a variety of experiences.  We’ve been stopped by officers that are fluent in English or speak hardly any, incredibly friendly or somewhat authoritarian, and also some are just bored out of their minds and happy for a distraction!

Before you get to a checkpoint, we recommend putting your wallets and purses either on your person, or hidden deep somewhere in your vehicle.  Not your glovebox, as they may look in there and it could easily disappear.  Do not leave expensive things (cameras, watches, etc.) sitting out on your bed or countertop.  Make sure your rig is pretty tidy and easy for officers to peak around and see the inside.

Here’s the run down:

•  As you pull up to the stop sign, one of the officers will usually ask you if you speak Spanish.  Answer in English if you don’t speak Spanish.  Most of the officers speak a little bit of English and will continue the conversation in English if necessary.
• Next, they will most likely ask you where you’ve come from and where you’re going.  They may also ask what you’re doing in Mexico (vacation, business, etc.).  We kept our answers pretty vague: “We’re coming from San Diego, headed to Cabo San Lucas!”  and “Vacation!”  Always being friendly, smiling and open.  We have nothing to hide and these guys are just doing their jobs.
• Most likely, the officer will ask you if you have drugs (drogas) or weapons (armas) in your vehicle.  The answer is, obviously: No sir, no drogas, no armas.
• At this point, if the officer has line of vehicles backed up and doesn’t want to look in your vehicle, they will wave you through the checkpoint and you’ll be on your way.
• If not, they will ask you permission to inspect the vehicle.  There will likely be more than one officer doing this, so if you’re a couple, split up so that you can each watch what the officers are doing*.  They will ask you to open the slider door and the back door in order to see what you have in your rig.  They’re looking for (you guessed it) drugs, weapons, people.
• We found that officers at less-busy checkpoints typically wanted to look inside the van, but it seemed like it was more out of curiosity than suspicion.  We only had one officer ask us to open a few cabinets, but once he had a quick look around at our pots and pans he was out of the van and waving us along.
• Most checkpoint stops will be over in a matter of minutes and you’ll get used to the process as you travel Baja.