BajaNomad - First timer welcomes any advice

First timer welcomes any advice

walterbyrd - 4-3-2014 at 11:25 AM

I am planning a trip from 4/13 to 4/18. Already booked flight and hotel, took time off work.

I am thinking about moving to Baja. Have been to Mexico: Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta; but never to Baja. I do not speak Spanish.

The reasons I am thinking about moving: affordable housing, affordable health care, near the USA, near the ocean, nice weather, and cultural experience.

What I want to do is not the touristy stuff, but to investigate the area. I am interested in everyday stuff, like shopping. For example, I would like to see:

Los Globos: Best Open Air Markets and Second Hand Stores in Ensenada
http://landfallvoyages.com/1878/los-globos-best-open-air-mar...

I might also be interested in everyday places to eat. I am looking for casual, inexpensive, places that other Americans frequent.

I would especially like to visit places where there are a lot of other Americans. If there is any way to do that.

If possible, I would like to take a quick look at Rosarito, and Ensenada, since those are the areas that I am most interested in living.

I like the beach. If you know of any nice non-secluded beaches.

Or any advice you can think of.

BTW:
I screwed up on my flight booking, and I will be getting there at night. This scares me a little. My plane lands in San Diego, Saturday 4/12 at 10:15 PM. I plan to take the 992 to the SD trolley (I should just barely be able to make it) then walk across the border.

Getting back is going to be even worse. My flight leaves on Saturday 4/19 at 06:15 AM. I am thinking I will just spend the night at the SD airport. Supposedly, Mexicoach will take me from Avenida Revolucion to San Diego Airport, but I have read awful stuff about Mexicoach.

apple - 4-3-2014 at 11:40 AM

To clarify, you are just going to be in Ensenada/Tijuana?

Baja is a big place, and each part can be pretty different.

Udo - 4-3-2014 at 11:48 AM

To the best of my knowledge, Mexicoach does not travel much past the immediate border area. The airport is a half hour drive from the border.
How are you planning on getting around in Baja?

Playas Tijuana is a pretty nice place and is about a ten minute drive by taxi from the border zone.

walterbyrd - 4-3-2014 at 11:50 AM

At this point, I am checking out north-west Baja. I am most interested in Rosarito, and Ensenada, fairly near the Ocean.

I will be staying in TJ. Just to the west of a place called "Real Del Mar Golf & Resort" right off Hwy 1D.

I don't have a lot of time, I would be most interested in the places that I should not miss.

woody with a view - 4-3-2014 at 12:21 PM

stay in the airport until sunup. I wouldn't chance TJ at 1am...

walterbyrd - 4-3-2014 at 12:48 PM

Quote:

To the best of my knowledge, Mexicoach does not travel much past the immediate border area. The airport is a half hour drive from the border.

Mexicoach claims they travel there, but they do not give an exact schedule, and they seem to be impossible to contact (have tried email from their website, and their phone number). Anyway, Mexicoach is very poorly rated on yelp.com - horror stories everywhere.

Quote:

How are you planning on getting around in Baja?

Cabs, I guess. I wonder if my cell phone will work in Baja? Probably not.

Quote:

Playas Tijuana is a pretty nice place and is about a ten minute drive by taxi from the border zone.

Thanks, I will try to go there.

chuckie - 4-3-2014 at 01:25 PM

Walter ,not to be rude, but havnt you asked all these questions before?
Perhaps you should revisit your past Q&A's.....

dasubergeek - 4-3-2014 at 02:41 PM

I think you don't appreciate the distances involved here... and now I see where the other Nomads' statements about Ensenada came from.

Rosarito is 20 minutes by car south of Tijuana. Ensenada is another hour south of that. For the price of taking taxis everywhere—because Real del Mar is not convenient to anything at all, and you will have to call a radio taxi every time you want to leave—you could just rent a car. Then you can drive up and down the toll road (1D) all you like.

Tijuana is an enormous city. There are 2 1/2 million people living there, and the housing runs the gamut from unimaginable slums in the ravines between the main city and the beach to enormous, walled-off estates in Fracc. Chapultepec near the golf course. You aren't going to get a 'sense' for the city in a week, and certainly not by staying in the middle of nowhere.

willardguy - 4-3-2014 at 03:04 PM

I think real del mar will serve you well with its proximity to both the playa's and rosarito, it sounds like these are the areas you would be interested in. you'll have a couple nice bars and restaurants close by to choose from, and you can hit a few golfballs!

SlyOnce - 4-3-2014 at 03:09 PM

come visit us in Playas de Tijuana

Hey, Walter

bajaguy - 4-3-2014 at 03:41 PM

Look at your u2u inbox......upper right corner where you log in

walterbyrd - 4-3-2014 at 04:27 PM

Quote:

you could just rent a car. Then you can drive up and down the toll road (1D) all you like.

You may be right. But, from what I have seen: renting the car is cheap, insurance is crazy expensive.

Even at that, it might be cheaper than using public transportation.

BajaBlanca - 4-3-2014 at 07:22 PM

trust me, you really want to rent a car to be able to really appreciate Baja. If you rely on public transportation, you may end up hating the experience.

Best of luck,

churro - 4-3-2014 at 08:52 PM

If you are in the Ensenada / Tijuana area stop for a lobster lunch/dinner at Puerto Nuevo... Have a walk around the village for the touristy shopping stuff.... Good for a first time visit to the area...

walterbyrd - 4-4-2014 at 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by BajaBlanca
trust me, you really want to rent a car to be able to really appreciate Baja. If you rely on public transportation, you may end up hating the experience.

Best of luck,

Thanks. Problem with renting a car at the SD airport is: long lines getting in, and out, of TJ. It's cheaper to rent in TJ anyway, but I don't know if there is place for me to rent a car at that hour.

I will look into it again. Last time I looked: it was about $30 a day for insurance - which seemed a bit much.

dasubergeek - 4-4-2014 at 08:56 AM

I would stay in San Ysidro overnight. You don't want to be going around a new city at 1 a.m., and you'll have trouble in all but the largest hotels finding someone to let you in. Then cross over in the morning and rent a car. $30 is about the going rate for insurance (a little expensive, but not stupidly so).

Remember that insurance in Mexico is your first call in an accident, not the cops—they send an adjuster right away and keep you out of jail.

mcfez - 4-4-2014 at 09:07 AM

Quote:

EnsenadaDr - 4-4-2014 at 12:02 PM

Where are you staying to the West of Real Del Mar?

Quote:

Originally posted by walterbyrd
At this point, I am checking out north-west Baja. I am most interested in Rosarito, and Ensenada, fairly near the Ocean.

I will be staying in TJ. Just to the west of a place called "Real Del Mar Golf & Resort" right off Hwy 1D.

I don't have a lot of time, I would be most interested in the places that I should not miss.

walterbyrd - 4-4-2014 at 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by EnsenadaDr
Where are you staying to the West of Real Del Mar?

Here:
http://www.playasdebaja.com/Tijuana/Baja_California/Cabins_a...

willardguy - 4-4-2014 at 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by walterbyrd

Quote:

Originally posted by EnsenadaDr
Where are you staying to the West of Real Del Mar?

Here:
http://www.playasdebaja.com/Tijuana/Baja_California/Cabins_a...

that should suit you well, you're just steps from gusto, a nice bar and restaurant and a short walk over the bridge is planB, very friendly bar and there's an oxxo next door, always taxi's around. between SADM, baja malibu, down to santa monica(close to the mall) who knows, might be a fit? :light:

[Edited on 4-5-2014 by willardguy]

wilderone - 4-5-2014 at 08:21 AM

You could spend the night at the Padre Trail Inn in Old Town, or the Pensione in Little Italy - both on the trolley line after you get in from your flight. Take the 992 to the America Plaza trolley stop. The Pensione is $109/nt and just 3 stops away; the Padre Trail is $79 and is within walking distance from the Old Town trolley stop. Then, early, take the trolley to the border. Determine if you'll take the ABC bus or Mexicoach or rent a car (there's a Budget office at the Mexicoach bus station on Revolution.) Mexicoach is a decent enough bus for a short run - it doesn't have cushy seats or air conditioning, but again it's cheap and convenient and a short ride. For your return flight (ya know you have to check in about 5:00 am), there are hotels on Harbor Island (across the street from the airport) with shuttle buses to the airport (rooms probably expensive, but put it on a credit card and enjoy your vacation). Just an option. Spending the night at the airport doesn't sound like fun. For the places you want to go, I'd suggest a rental car as well. If you do, drive Mex. 3 from El Sauzal - go north as far as the LA Cetto winery on the Ruta de Vino. Lots of tasting rooms, vinyards, restaurants, hotels and a nice drive. Old mission ruins at Francisco Zarco.

walterbyrd - 4-5-2014 at 04:24 PM

Quote:

Mexicoach is a decent enough bus for a short run - it doesn't have cushy seats or air conditioning, but again it's cheap and convenient and a short ride.

After the horror stories I read on yelp about Mexicoach, I think I avoid them. It not exactly confidence inspiring that you cannot reach them by their phone number, or their website. Then again, ABC never answers my emails either.

phoenix2121 - 4-10-2014 at 12:18 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by walterbyrd

Quote:

you could just rent a car. Then you can drive up and down the toll road (1D) all you like.

You may be right. But, from what I have seen: renting the car is cheap, insurance is crazy expensive.

Even at that, it might be cheaper than using public transportation.

We paid around $35 a few months ago for insurance from our rental for a 7 day visit. Don't get it from the rental place (outrageous how much they charge), but contact a company like Baja Bound and they'll take care of you.

phoenix2121 - 4-10-2014 at 12:30 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by walterbyrd
I might also be interested in everyday places to eat. I am looking for casual, inexpensive, places that other Americans frequent.

Tacos Yacqui, The Mongolian Grill and Ollie's Brick Oven Pizza are great choices for good eats in Rosarito.

In Ensenada, try Mariscos El Prima Nava, and if you're looking for great street tacos, try Puesto Fenix (most definitely not a gringo spot though)

Quote:

I would especially like to visit places where there are a lot of other Americans. If there is any way to do that.

Try La Fonda in La Mision (about halfway between Ensenada and Rosarito). It's about half Americano almost every time I'm there.

If you're looking to hang out in areas where it's mostly white, then expect to pay more, and you should also plan your visit during the high season (June thru August) as that's when most people visit the area.

Personally, I'd avoid gringo traps (like you're looking for) at all costs, but that's just me.

Quote:

If possible, I would like to take a quick look at Rosarito, and Ensenada, since those are the areas that I am most interested in living.

I like the beach. If you know of any nice non-secluded beaches.

If you're looking for beaches, Ensenada isn't the place for you. Rosarito has great, but VERY crowded (at times) beaches, but Ensenada only has two public beaches and neither are all that memorable. Ensenada is a port town, so if it's not the port, it's rocky shoreline w/ large cliffs and very little public beach area. Estero beach is quite dirty... your mileage may vary.

BajaNomad - 4-10-2014 at 02:04 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by walterbyrd

Quote:

Mexicoach is a decent enough bus for a short run - it doesn't have cushy seats or air conditioning, but again it's cheap and convenient and a short ride.

Mexicoach is pretty reliable. I too have been frustrated in trying to reach them by phone... but the bottom line is it's a great, convenient, and unique service.