We leave Parque Nacional Constitución de 1857 south heading to MEX 3 what is faster than yesterdays route. On the way to tourist centre Ensenada we pass our second military checkpoint after yesterday. The soldiers look for drugs and weapons. They are quite friendly and it only takes a few minutes. Ensenada is a destination for many vacationers, but we only want to stock up groceries and establish a cell phone and an internet connection. Baja Californias third-largest city has got even a Costco, but its prices cant compete with the lower Mexican level. I directly ignore Wal-Mart one of 600 in Mexico and preferably rummage in the local supermarkets Soriana Super, Calimax, or Comercial Mexicana. Telcel offers the best cell phone coverage in Mexico, and they sell air cards for our laptop in a prepaid system as well. There are also other companies like Movistar.
A tip for the night is Rancho San Carlos, to be reached south of Ensenada on an 18 km long track turning east at the Baja Country Club sign. We have to cross a creek for seven times. Just as we want to give us a slap on our own shoulder how well weve done that with our super off-road Unimog, a lowered snow-white Volkswagen Golf and a 60s Chevy thunder past us through the river without even batting an eyelid. The muchachos arent such a sissy.
On our way several ranches advertise with more or less trustworthy camping possibilities, but we want to get to the hot springs, Aguacaliente at Rancho San Carlos. Day use is 60 MXN per visitor, camping 90 MXN; this includes the stay until next evening. Camping is somewhat unpretentious at the side of the ranchs path, but there is no through traffic. Some grills, tables and benches were put up as well.