BIKEPACKING BAJA CALIFORNIA – BAJA DIVIDE – BIKEPACKING GEAR

We are firm believers in the art of camouflage and low profile traveling. Sometimes though, the bikepacker stands out, and there’s nothing you can do about it. Almost fluorescent windbreakers, neon helmets, sand dune tires reminiscent of the Paris-Dakar rally, and often a style and volume of voice akin to an unlicensed street vendor.

That said, they certainly draw less attention than someone parking the latest model of a lifted 4×4 Mercedes Sprinter Expedition Edition in a historic village in the mountains of Baja!

Of course, we’ve also come across some bike travelers with a refined ability to blend in, displaying a discreet and understated style and attitude.

Regardless of how one chooses to travel, we believe it’s essential to complement any style (whatever it may be) with a basic knowledge—not just of Spanish (though it’s definitely useful to have a grasp of it)—but of specific terms used exclusively in Mexico or even just in Baja California.

Why? Because traveling by bike means moving at the rhythm of the local people. Unless you’re racing in full AirPods mode, you’ll inevitably have countless encounters where these terms will come up again and again.

What does one gain from learning them? A much clearer understanding of the context and a significantly more relaxed experience, with less risk of misunderstandings—especially for those who tend to be a bit prejudiced or tense when faced with locals who, whether intentionally or in good faith, speak quickly or use many of these native words. Using these words yourself can eventually earn you some respect and confidence, and may even make the conversation more lively and engaging. HOWEVER, incorrect usage—or even the wrong intonation—can create tension and potentially escalate the conversation quickly.

We present here a list of local words divided by categories with few details about them. You can also download the PDF sheet and save it in your phone to have this mini-vocabulary available in one page offline for easy access.

Keep in mind these basic Spanish pronunciation rules: “CH” is pronounced like in English “Cheese”. “Qu…” is pronounced like K in English. “J” is like the H sound in English. “LL” is similar to Y in English.

Disclaimer: This post includes native words and expressions commonly used in Baja and Mexico, some of which may be considered informal or even rude in certain contexts. Language evolves with culture, so we encourage travelers to use these words with awareness and respect for local customs and under their own reponsibility.

COLLOQUIALISM

• “No manches!” / “Neta!“, both words meaning “really?!” or “what da hell!” with a sense of surprise. The “no manches” being probably the one that you can try to say without too many worries.
• “Cuate” / “Compa” / “Camarada” / “Carnal” , all meaning “brother” or “mate” and used as ” Bro“.
• “Morro – Morra” / “Chavo – Chava“, are the equivalents to “young man or young woman” mostly referred to teenagers.
• “Bato“, is used the same way as “Dude” mostly when talking indirectly about someone like “that dude…” or “there was a dude sitting there …“
• “Chamaco” means “boy“
• “Plebes” / “Chamacos“, are used like “Kids“
• “Vieja” is used to refer to someone’s wife.
• “Jefe“, literally “the boss” is often used to refer to someone’s dad.
• “Palomilla” / “Raza“, meaning “Guys” / “Folk” / “People“
• “Simòn“, you’ll hear this from someone answering “Yes!” to a question as if he was saying “Yes….terday!” to make a funny “Si…..mòn!” with turns out to be a name.
• “Guero“, person with blondish hairs.
• “Onda“, is the “Vibe” of a person or place ( “Buena onda” / ” Mala onda” – “Good vibe” / “Bad vibe” ). Also used in the very common “Hey, que onda?” meaning “Hey, what’s up!“
• “Pareja“, literally “Couple” is used to refer to someone’s partner.
• “Chisme” / “Chismoso“, meaning “Rumor / Gossip” and of a person “Gossipy / Tattletale“
• “Chiste” / “Chistoso“, respectively “Joke” and “Funny“
• “Metiche“, means of a person”Busybody / Nosy“
• “Chido” / “Curado” / “Suave” / “Chèvere“, all four used for saying “Cool!”, the first one probably one of the most popular words in all Mexico.
• “Arre” / “Arre puès” / “Sobres” used as a quick “Right-on!” or “Sounds good!“
• “Chamba” / “Jale“, they both mean someone’s “Job“.
• “Machìn“, very colloquial way for saying “A lot“.
• “Pistiar“, means “Drinking alchool“.
• “Choyero“, person born in South Baja.
• “la Chota” a word used to refer in a unpleasant way to the Police.
• “Un montòn“, another way to say “A lot“.
• “Wacha…”, used the same way as when you start speaking with someone saying “Look…”.
• “Canico“, when something is “Tough“.
• “Cochino” a person, animal or space “Dirty“.
• “Chale” a versatile interjection used to express disappointment or disapproval when something doesn’t go as expected, similar to saying “Dang it“.

MECHANICAL

• “Herramienta“, practice your pronunciation with this one because you will need to use this word meaning “Tool” a lot.
• “Baica“, colloquial for “Bicycle“.
• “Bomba“, meaning “Bomb” but also “Pump“.
• “Ule“, means “Rubber“.
• “Chicote“, the “Metal cable” like the one for brakes or cars accelerator.
• “Cuadro“, means “Frame“.
• “Horquilla“, the bike “Fork“.
• “Rayo“, it’s a “Spoke“.
• “Rin“, one “Rim“.
• “Maza“, bike’s wheel “Hub“.
• “Eje“, means “Axle“.
• “Mecate“, used all over Mexico for “Rope“.
• “Cinta“, whatever type of “Tape“.
• “Soldar“, means “Welding“.
• “Tornillo” meaning “Screw” or “Bolt“.
• “Tuerca“, a “Nut” for a screw or bolt.
• “Remache“, means “Rivet“.
• “Fuga“, it’s a “Leak“.
• “Manguera“, means “Hose” and works for brakes “Tube“.
• “Apretar“, meaning “to squeeze“.
• “Pinzas“, the “Pliers“.
• “Destornillador“, is the “Screwdriver“
• “Taladro“, means a “Drill“
• “Llave“, literally “Key” is used for “Spanner” and “Wrench“.
• “Llave exagonal” is used for “Allen key“.

FOOD

• “Hambre“… means “Hunger” and is not to be confused with “Hombre” meaning “Man” or “Hombro” meaning “Shoulder“.
• “Enchiloso” is when some food is ” Spicy hot”.
• “Hervir” means “Boiling” ( ex. water ).
• “Olla” is a “Pot“.
• “Sartèn” means “Frying pan“.
• “Puesto“, it’s a food “Stand” of any kind.
• “Hate” it’s a “Hot-dog” in Baja.
• “Jarra” means “Jar“.

ON TRAIL

• “Arena“, means “Sand” and is not to confused with “Harina” that means “Flour“.
• “Esquina“, is a “Corner“.
• “Cuadra“, means “Block” ( between two streets ) of a town or village.
• “Gota“, literally “Drop” is used very colloquially for “Gasoline”.
• “Raite“, hopefully you not going to need it but….it means “Lift / Ride” that you ask for or hitchhike.
• “Ejido“, is a form of social property, meaning is not privately owned but rather belong to the community.
• “Lote” / “Lote baldìo” they mean “Lot” and “Empty lot”.
• “Brecha” used similar to “Camino” meaning a “Trail” or “Ranch road“.
• “Cuesta” used as a noun means “Slope / Hill / Climb“.
• “Empinado“, means “Steep“.
• “Atascoso“, referring to a sandy road it means “Sticky / Boggy“.
• “Lodo” is the “Mud“.
• “Arroyo“, means “River” or “Creek“.
• “Ojo de agua” is a “Water spring” that pops out from the ground.
• “Liòn“, is used to refer to wild “Pumas” or “Cougars“.
• “Chiva” the ever present “Goat“.
• “Alacràn” means “Scorpion“.
• “Cachorro” is an animal “Puppy“.
• “Camiòn” / “Colectivo“, are different kind of “Bus“. First one the bigger size that circulate in towns and cities and the second one the smaller ones that fit up to 12 people. For long distance bus the word is “Autobus“.
• “Troca” is used all over Mexico for “Pickup truck“.
• “Ponchada” / “Ponchadura” they mean “Punctured” and “Puncture” and can be used to refer to a flat tire.
• “Ollo” / “Hueco” both meaning pretty much “Hole“.

AT THE SHOP

• “Bote“, is used for “Jar / Container” but can also mean colloquially “Jail” or “Boat“.
• “Cobrar” is “to charge money“.
• “Feria“refers to the “Change” or the money returned after paying for something with more money than it costs. Aso refers to coins, small bills or to ask if you have the exact amount.
• “Chamarra“means “Jacket“.
• “Navaja” meaning “Knife” / “Pocket knife” / “Razor blade“.

FIRST AID

• “Golpe de calor” means “Heatstroke“.
• “Infarto” is “Heart attack“.
• “Emorragia” meaning “hemorrhage“.
• “Herida” means “Wound“.
• “Sangre” is “Blood“.
• “Deshidratado” meaning “Dehydrated“.

BAD WORDS
(*Disclaimer: This section is for informational purposes only, helping travelers understand local language and expressions. Many of these words can be offensive or cause conflict if used improperly. We do not encourage or take responsibility for their use—proceed with caution and respect.*)

• “No mames“, same as the colloquial “No manches” but more rude. Easily translatable in one of the many ways the word “F…ck” is used in English.
• “Mamòn” meaning “Sucker / Di…khead“
• “Lana“, not really a bad word but considered a more rude and aggressive way to refer to “Money“.
• “Baros” used like “Bucks” for Pesos.
• “Wey“a soft bad word referring to someone a bit dumb but that can be said between close friends without an offensive meaning.
• “Pinchi“, Another very popular word all over Mexico placed before any “Dang / Fu…king” thing.
• “A huevo” a soft bad word used to say “Of course!” or “Hell yeah!“.
• ” Chingar” / “Un chingo” the first pretty much used like the English verb “Fu…king” in its aggressive way and also with a “Bothering” meaning. The second one is a soft bad word used to say “A lot“.
• “Chingòn” or “Perro“, a more rude version of “Chido” meaning “Cool / Good“.
• “Vete a la chingada / verga” means “Fu…k you“.
• “Que la chingada” a rude way to exclamate “Oh well!“.
• “Chorro” a very rude way to call “Diarrhea“.
• “Un chorro” another rude way to say “A lot“.
• “Bavoso” probably the worst bad word used in Mexico, if you hear this one it may be a good time to get away because people may start engaging a fight.
• “Maña” a colloquial way to call the “Cartel“.
• “Chingadazo” / “Putazo“, both a rude way to say “Punch / Blow“
• “Al Chingazo!“, used when something fits just right ( in time or space ) like when saying “Right there!” or “Perfect!” with no exact translation.
• “Culero” used when someTHING is “bad” ( like food, a situation, music, etc. ).