The Benefits and Features of the Baja Ha-Ha and Mexico — Part 2

Last month we shared a post in ‘Lectronic Latitude about the features and benefits of joining of the Baja Ha-Ha and cruising to Mexico. We closed out our previous post with snippets around how to cruise Mexico without spending a great deal of money. (That, of course, included a mention on how to spend big — it all depends on your tastes and the depth of your pockets.) Today we launch into the people, the proximity, the attractions and the seasons.

Latitude 38’s First Timer’s Guide to Mexico highlights the friendly people: friendly fellow cruisers and ultra-friendly and helpful Mexicans. “The tropical sun is warm in Mexico,” the Guide says, “but the people — particularly the poorer people — are warmer.” (This writer can attest to that.) Despite news reports about drug cartel wars, incidents involving cruisers and tourists remain uncommon in the traditional cruising areas. And there are no “pirates” in Mexico.

Many first-timers are surprised to discover the large number of gringos (that’s us) thriving in Mexico without undue concern for their personal safety. There are over 40,000 gringos in the Puerto Vallarta area, and something on the order of 1.6 million in the entire country. While you don’t want to flash your money anywhere in Mexico, or leave valuables unattended, as a tourist, you’re more likely to be mugged or attacked in certain parts of the Caribbean or the downtown areas of large cities in the United States. And nowhere in the world are cruisers more socially and group-oriented than in Mexico. Unless you’re a hermit, you’ll make more friends in Mexico than you had back in the States.

Proximity is another reason to cruise to and in Mexico. You can reach Cabo in around 10 days — including shore stops for a couple of parties and social time. This is exactly what the Baja Ha-Ha fleet does. The fleet launches from San Diego on November 2, and by November 12 you’re sailing from Bahia Santa Maria to Cabo San Lucas. If you want to leave your boat down south and come back to the US for a visit between cruising legs, you can fly home in less time and for less money than you would spend going to the South Pacific, the Eastern Caribbean, or the Med. And if you pick the right days, the Mexico-based flights are often very inexpensive.

Then there are the attractions — things to do in Mexico, other than sailing and relaxing (though for many cruisers sailing and relaxing are the sole reasons they head south). There are always those among the Ha-Ha fleet who love to surf, fish, hike, do some whale watching, swim with whale sharks, or explore jungle rivers and waterfalls. Oh, and for those who love their tunes, there’s a vibrant music scene in Mexico.

The cruising season in Mexico starts the first week in November, which is at the end of the hurricane season. Where and when the cruising season ends depends on what your game plan is and where you end up in Mexico. Many cruisers are on the “six-and-six” program. They cruise for six months — November 1 to May 1 — then do something else for six months. For the non-cruising six months, some take their boats back north, some stay with family and friends in the States, some travel the dirt in RVs, some head to Europe for more water-based adventure or relaxation. Staying on mainland Mexico from May 1 to November 1 is possible, but we don’t recommend it. It gets really humid, and the jungles are green because it rains so much. If you don’t have air conditioning, you’d be a masochist to stay on your boat on the mainland during the summer. Things are a little different in the Sea of Cortez, where the best of the best cruising weather is actually October and November, crossing fingers there are no hurricanes in October. And then again in April and early summer. By midsummer, it gets hot — really, really hot — in the Sea of Cortez.

Stay tuned for the next installment of snippets from the First Timer’s Guide to Mexico. In the meantime, if any of what we’ve shared above appeals to you, sign up for the 32nd Baja Ha-Ha and get ready for an unforgettable cruising experience.

Thanks to our sponsors for making the 2026 Baja Ha-Ha the best cruising rally ever: Baja Sur Tourism Board, Cabrales Boatyard, Commanders’ Weather, Cruiser Services, Ensenada Cruiseport Village, FlopStopper, Harbor Island West Marina, Hydrovane, Hylas Yachts, Julia Shovein (author), Keenan Filters, KTI Systems, La Paz Tourism Board, Marina de La Paz, Marina El Cid/Marina de Sábalo, Marina Puerto de la Navidad, Marina Riviera Nayarit, Mexico Marina Association, Novamar Insurance, Paradise Village Marina, Sevenstar Yacht Transport and Ullman Sails.

Note: If you want to join the Ha-Ha but don’t have a boat, check out Latitude 38’s Crew List for opportunities. Then come to the fall Baja Ha-Ha Crew List Party on September 10 at Spaulding Marine Center in Sausalito, and meet other cruisers heading south. John Schulthess and Monique Boucher from Barra de la Navidad Marina and Resort will be at the party, celebrating: “Baja Fog has been in Mexico for 10 years now … its our anniversary tour! Come say hi; this is a can’t-miss event!” They’ll have free giveaways and tons of info. “We will be at the Sausalito Boat Show also.… P.S. For those in the know, I’ll stay hydrated! inside joke.”