There are a few things you should understand about the military checkpoints in Baja before you begin a road trip on Mex 1.The first is: Their purpose is to capture the bad guys involved in drug trafficking and other illegal activities, not to harass unsuspecting tourists traveling the highway.As you travel along Mex 1, it won’t be long before you will...
Driving in Mexico can be an enriching experience if you know the rules of the road. These are slightly different from the US in that there are cultural disparities in the way drivers act. There are...
I have had a lengthy love affair with Mexico and my most recent fabulous fling being with the Baja Peninsula. The thought of this wonderful long stretch of varied and much surprising land makes my...
Travel Medical Insurance is becoming more and more popular and necessary for good reason these days. I had been hearing enough stories of people having severe medical issues only to...
Anna Banana Bicycle Rentals and California Bikes have joined forces in a new location in downtown La Paz, just steps from the Municipal Pier and the Malecon. Now offering a selection of well...
There are a few things you should understand about the military checkpoints in Baja before you begin a road trip on Mex 1.The first is: Their purpose is to capture the bad guys involved in drug...
Several expedition ships sail into the Sea of Cortez each year to spend their winters hosting Baja small ship cruises. Starting in December, with routes running through April, these vessels...
Several times over the 15 years of the BajaInsider's history I have looked at what has changed since I arrived in Baja to live, now 18 years ago. Here is part one of my reflections on the changes...
It’s only fitting that when you visit the Sea of Cortez—the body of water that Jacques Cousteau dubbed the aquarium of the world—that you travel by water. There is just so very much to see over a...
Steinbeck and Rickets had six weeks in the Sea of Cortez and spent much of their time exploring, cataloging specimens and taking measurements. Other Baja sailors may have the luxury of spending...
Puerto Escondido is the gateway for boaters to the central Sea of Cortez. With dramatic mountain backdrops, great fishing, islands to explore and an abundance of anchorages to discover, the region has...
Just in time to host the 2018-2019 Sea of Cortez Cruising season, Marina Puerto Escondido will hold a Grand Opening Ceremony on November 3, 2018. The event will showcase the new 100+ slips,...
In 2018-2019 the Bank of Mexico will be introducing into circulation of the new family of banknotes, the first of which was the denomination of 500 pesos, and will be available through the...
So you're think of traveling to Mexico but aren't quite sure about your security in the country. The US State Department regularly issues travel information on most countries and on August 22,...
The Sierra de La Laguna is the mountain range located in Baja Sur south of La Paz and on southward towards Cabo San Lucas. It has been referred to as an island due to its isolation from the rest of...
If you wan to see a classic little Baja pueblo oasis in the Vizcaino desert, get off Baja Highway One at San Ignacio and be sure to take the time to visit the main plaza in town. San Ignacio is a...
The late season rains have brought the green back to the deserts of Baja Sur. Within days, the thirsty flora of our desert peninsula has began to take on shades of green. Soon the entire desert...
AdventureSmith Explorations small ship tours in Baja California provide a style of excursion the larger cruise ships can't. A small ship expedition in Baja provides a more intimate interaction...
For 15 years the BajaInsider has respected your right to privacy.We do not sell or trade our subscriber list. All you will receive by subscribing are Insider Updates similar to the one below, emailed...
The Sea Lion Encounters in the Bay of La Paz are on again. Closed to all visitors from June 1 - Sept 1, this most popular of all La Paz activities cam again be visited. This includes snorkeling and...
Los Islotes, The Sea Lion Colony at Espiritu Santo receives more visitors than almost any other island in the Sea of Cortez. The Sea Lions appear to have become accustom to human interaction...
Updated October 8, 2019 The mosquito season is winding down now across Mexico and the rains of the monsoon season have only brough a little moisture to the lower peninsula this season. Programs...
Information for the Gulf of California Islands Flora and Fauna Protected Area Marine Zone of Espiritu Santo Archipelago National Park.The Gulf of California Islands Flora and Fauna Protected...
October 17 marks the statistical end of the Baja Tropical Cyclone Season, but we can never count on Mother Nature to be aware of the statistics. No named level system has made landfall on the...
She had never seen me before. I had, however been observing her for some time. She moved closer bringing the child with her. No fear. No reluctance. She urged the child...
If you have an interest in Baja, get ready to come visit us as the summer heat is fading and the Sea of Cortez in beautiful for all kinds of recreation. From mid-October through the early part...
Springtime is one of the most popular times for North Americans to travel to Baja California Sur. The weather is a welcome respite from the snow and cold of their home towns. Our sunny skies and...
My long time friend Joe who owns a place in La Paz called me to announce his plans to bring another boat down the peninsula. His bigger boat, and mine were already over at Palmira, but Joe wanted his...
This road report is for driving Mex 2 from Tijuana to Mexicali and then south on Mex 5 from Mexicali to Laguna Chapala where the highway meets Baja Transpeninsular Highway Mex 1. The drive was...
Leaving on October 14th, 2018 the route I planned was from Mexicali south to San Felipe on Mex 5 to Laguna Chapala to join with Transpenisular Highway 1 south to Los Cabos. I had driven north on this...
Baja is a beautiful place of variety! The desert, mountain and ocean terrain, along with wonderful beaches, opportunities for adventure, and different styles of hotels can provide the perfect...
Baja California Sur has a great number of outstanding beaches with a variety of reasons to make a list of the best beaches in Mexico or even the world. A recent poll in USA Today had local...
Baja California Sur has a great number of outstanding beaches with a variety of reasons to make a list of the best beaches in Mexico or even the world. A recent poll in USA Today had local experts...
The northern state of the peninsula, Baja California can be divided into three weather regions, the Pacific coastal region, the Inland region and the Sea of Cortez region. With the Pacific Ocean much...
When is the best time of year to visit Baja California Sur?The southern state of the peninsula, Baja California Sur can be divided into three weather regions, the Pacific coastal region, the inland...
To see Cabo San Lucas today, a resort bustling with tourists, Cruise Ships, World class Golf Courses, a large Marina filled with Yachts of every description, and fine accommodations, it’s mind-...
The first weeks of January 2017 saw all of Mexico switch to the 911 system for all emergencies. These services include, police, fire, ambulance and naval services, given the proper information 911...
Any vehicle operating in Baja California Sur may not have window tinting in the front passenger compartment (front, left or right) greater than 35%.Strict enforcement begins tomorrow. This is...
If all goes according to the usual scheduling around Fat Tuesday Carnaval La Paz will run from February 28 to March 5, 2019. The theme for the 2019 Carnaval La Paz will be "Grandes Navegantes"...
The year 2016 saw a dramatic drop in the number of US citizens murdered in Mexico nationwide, despite the growing number of Americans living and vacationing here. According to the US Department of...
The infamous Transpeninsular, Baja highway, Mex 1, has come a long way from its much heralded beginnings in 1973, a narrow thousand-mile long ribbon of asphalt with no shoulders, few pullouts, a...
Isla Guadalupe, Mexico has become the internationally recognized destination for divers seeking unprecedented encounters with Great White sharks /(Carcharodon carcharias.) The 90 square...
Once upon a time, long, long before the first footprint appeared on a beach on the Baja California peninsula, in fact, long before there was a beach upon which a footprint could appear, a cataclysm...
As a year-round resident of Baja Sur, fall is my favorite time of year, so I'm getting ready for a little vacation.Usually by the second week of October the heat and humidity that limit the...
FAQ's About Driving in Baja
Questions from Readers
BajaInsider.com Veteran Baja Driver
Recently a reader posed us this question it is certainly a legitimate question, considering what I too...
As of Monday, October 30, 2017 the third phase of gradual flexibilization of fuels in the country was completed, which on this occasion includes the states of Baja California Sur, Sinaloa and Durango...
Gray whale watching season begins in early December and moves along the Pacific coast of the Baja peninsula and ends in early April as the whale return north. In the weeks in the...
You would like to work in Mexico as a foreigner. Many people think it is really hard to get permission to work here in Mexico as a foreigner but it has become much easier over the years....
Just like most other countries, you don't want to get stuck holding the bag on a bad currency note. Knowing how to quickly identify the security features of the Mexican peso can protect you from...
West Coast Global Insurance Services provides protection & service you can Rely on in Baja, Mexico and they have been providing asset & health protection to their clients in México since 2004...
Every week, about 750 new people come to the Los Cabos area to settle. These may be workers arriving from the Mainland or Central America, or the increasingly large number of North Americans seeking...
The discussion began with an off the cuff remark by the Federal Secretario de Turismo, Enrique de la Madrid Cordero and now has been put forward by the governor of the state of Baja California Sur,...
What you should do if your passport is lost or stolen while abroad:Losing or having a passport stolen can be a very unsettling thing. However, it doesn’t have to ruin your trip! Here are some...
When traveling to Mexico as a tourist for less than 180 days you need a FMM (Forma Migratoria Multiple) commonly referred to as a “Tourist Card”. When flying in commercially this “Visitor’s...
Temporay Resident Cards (Residente Temporal)If you are planning on living or staying in Mexico for extended periods of more than 6 months and less than 4 years the Permananet Resident Card is what...
Since June of 2014, the pesos has been falling against the dollar, from a long time 12.5:1 exchange rate to crest a 21:1 exchange rate following the US elections in the second week of November...
Are there really any nude beach on the Baja California peninsula, and where are they if they exist? First off it is not really legal to be nude in public in Mexico. In fact the Mexican people don’t...
A family’s recovery after a devastating life changing accident on Mex 1 is the tale of Larry Cooper. His Baja story began with the common denominator of many…a love of fishing. It would be many years...
So you are planning a vacation to Mexico? There is more to Los Cabos than many people realize and you will want to consider and there are plenty of reasons why Los Cabos is now the #1 tourist...
The Immigration Service of Mexico has announced that it will be required to present a valid passport of your home nation for pedestrians entering Mexico at San Ysidro. We have also had...
San Felipe to Ensenada and on to Tijuana (Mex 5 to Mex 3 to Mex 1) May 2017I decided to try a road new to me when leaving San Felipe the other day while headed north to Tijuana. Just north of the San...
Shopping in Cabo or Mexico in general can really be an experience. Many of you who have already traveled deep into Mexico or just over the border have experienced the small trinket shops that sell...
This summer may be an excellent time to explore the Baja Peninsula. With spectacular vistas and a history dating back more than 475 years it can be both fun and educational.One of the big rush season...
Surfing which many people know started in Hawaii many, many years ago and was the sport of Kings. Since the 60's it had become very popular in California and worldwide. While in it's early years...
The Bisbee Black and Blue Marlin Tournament is just around the corner beginning October 22, 2018 in Cabo San Lucas. Prior to what is billed as the Richest Fishing Tournament, the Black and Blue, will...
There is so much talk, debate and misinformation these days, about this infamous Wal” proposed by President Trump's administration. I wanted to look for more facts and see is building this wall...
The Islands and Protected Areas of the Gulf of California in northwestern Mexico were inscribed as a World Heritage Site during the Twenty-ninth Session of the World Heritage Committee of UNESCO in...
Update January 12, 2017 It has been a scary week for the Mexican economy, protests across the nation and the peso setting record lows falling to 22:1 against the dollar. As of the time of authoring,...
The new Cross Border Xpress (CBX) pedestrian bridge connecting the Tijuana Airport (TIJ) with the U.S. opened December 2, 2015. This new border crossing is the creation of Ralph Nieder and is a...
Tijuana the largest city of Baja and 5th largest in Mexico, borders the U.S. at the cities of San Ysidro and Otay Mesa, suburbs of San Diego, California. A border where more than 50 million...
Todos Santos is located on the Pacific Coast of Baja California Sur, and the name means the city of “All Saints”
Todos Santos is an eclectic little town situated on the Pacific Coast of The...
Driving in the Baja peninsula of Mexico has changed a lot over the last two decades I've been here. Baja's Highway 1 has improved dramatically, with smoother pavement, nearly every arroyo now bridged...
The Pet Peeves of mine while traveling by Air.
I understand if you don't travel much by air that you would not know better. I'm amazed at how I see those that are obviously frequent flyers...
Uber has been operating in Mexico for five years and has extended its presence to La Paz, Baja California Sur in 2017/ Uber's arrival in the state, as always, had legal challenges limiting services,...
The Consular Agency in San Jose del Cabo offers routine and emergency services for American Citizens visiting or residing in Baja California Sur. The Consular Agency performs notarial services...
In 2012 both the Cabo San Lucas consular agent office and the US Consulate in Tijuana changed locations. Here is the latest information on both offices and maps on how to find them. Both offices have...
In 2012 both the Cabo San Lucas consular agent office and the US Consulate in Tijuana changed locations. Here is the latest information on both offices and maps on how to find them. Both offices have...
This was my first visit to Puerto Adolfo Lopez Mateos in Baja California Sur. Puerto Lopez Mateo is one of the major winter calving sites of the California Grey whales and a part of a larger...
On November 15, 2016, the state legislature of Baja California Sur approved a plan of implementation of a $350 peso per person tax on tourists spending more than 24hrs in the state. The...
