BajaNomad

T J Crossing from San Diego going south

1Bajalover - 3-29-2015 at 08:45 PM

How is the road for traveling right now? is it confusing - etc - is it
less hastle to cross in Tecate? (besides the time it takes to drive over
there)?

Can Anyone recommend a safe, quiet and reasonably clean hotel
on the south end of Ensenada? We used to stay at the Joker but
could not find it last year...perhaps another road but happy to find
something safe and quiet and not too many twists and turns to get
there

thanks for any suggestions

Alm - 3-29-2015 at 09:12 PM

Quote: Originally posted by 1Bajalover  
How is the road for traveling right now? is it confusing - etc - is it
less hastle to cross in Tecate? (besides the time it takes to drive over there)?

I didn't experience any confusion or "hassle" at San Ysidro in the last 2 years. Fast and easy. Can't imagine anybody driving on purpose to Tecate if they are closer to SY.
Quote: Originally posted by 1Bajalover  
Can Anyone recommend a safe, quiet and reasonably clean hotel
on the south end of Ensenada?

All hotels around Chapultepec look safe to me. Can't comment on "clean", this is subjective. Peeled-off tile and rust in bathroom was fine with me, and so was $20 price. No roaches. Wouldn't want to pay 3 times as much for a mint on my pillow. "Quiet" is more difficult, you have to go off the main drag, pay more, and then would suddenly discover that sound insulation between the rooms (or between the floors) is nonexistent. I carry ear plugs when hotel night is imminent. Though, that old motelito in 'Tepec - not on the Hwy 1 - was quiet until the morning traffic and guests warming up their cars at 6.30-7.00 am, but by then I was leaving too.

Warf - 3-29-2015 at 09:31 PM

Along the Costera is the Corona Hotel. It's just south of the "Riveria" Civic and Cultural Center. Secure parking and an upscale restaurant that is popular with locals. Further south, the hotel at Estero Beach is nice. Estero also has a really nice restaurant and a very pleasant and scenic boardwalk. Both places can be found on Google Maps. My wife and I have stayed at both several times. Always pleasant at both places.

bajaguy - 3-29-2015 at 09:40 PM

Quote: Originally posted by 1Bajalover  
Can Anyone recommend a safe, quiet and reasonably clean hotel on the south end of Ensenada? We used to stay at the Joker but could not find it last year...perhaps another road but happy to find something safe and quiet and not too many twists and turns to get there thanks for any suggestions





The Joker is gone, a Circle K/PEMEX is there now, Clean restrooms and as a bonus, Subway Subs.

Try the Ensenada Inn.....As you are headed south through town turn left at the Navy Base (Delante/Sanguines) It will be about 2 blocks up on your left

1Bajalover - 3-29-2015 at 09:45 PM

I guess I ought to have mentioned something perhaps 35-40 tops
can do without the mint but also without the roaches -
sorry about the Joker - it was an interesting place as well as a haven
right off the road

thanks for all the suggestions

Estero Beach sounds wonderful - is that a long way off of 1? have
never been there

Warf - 3-29-2015 at 09:51 PM

Estero is easy to find but it costs more than $35-$40 - if that's what you're looking for price wise. Corona is more than that too.

[Edited on 3-30-2015 by Warf]

Ensenada inn

bajaguy - 3-29-2015 at 10:02 PM

http://www.ensenadainn.com/ing.htm

As with most motels in Baja, bring your own washcloth

Hotel Hacienda

bajaguy - 3-29-2015 at 10:06 PM

Another choice

http://www.booking.com/hotel/mx/hacienda.html

Alm - 3-29-2015 at 10:55 PM

Though - probably - not "quiet" as they are on Hwy 1, but you may check those too. Between "south end of Ensenada" and Chapultepec. One is Azteca, another one - La Quinta Bonita. One is just before Cipres airbase, another one is shortly past the base. Both are on the left (East) side, so you have to make a U-turn. Both are under $40. Didn't stop there, just drove by, both have fenced and gated parking - if this is important. I don't think there is anything else that one should be concerned with, when it comes to safety. I didn't care about parking gate, as my car doesn't attract much attention, remembered that motel name now - Motel Venegas. No gate.

You won't find a truly quiet place under $40 that close to big city. Estero Beach is - I think - a bit beyond what represents the "south end of Ensenada", but let people more proficient in geography debate this. And it's over $40 anyway.

Ateo - 3-30-2015 at 08:03 AM

How about Las Palmas? I don't think it was too expensive last time...........maybe $60/night?

http://resortlaspalmas.com/hoteleng.php

durrelllrobert - 3-30-2015 at 08:20 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Alm  
Though - probably - not "quiet" as they are on Hwy 1, but you may check those too. Between "south end of Ensenada" and Chapultepec. One is Azteca, another one - La Quinta Bonita. One is just before Cipres airbase, another one is shortly past the base. Both are on the left (East) side, so you have to make a U-turn. Both are under $40. Didn't stop there, just drove by, both have fenced and gated parking - if this is important. I don't think there is anything else that one should be concerned with, when it comes to safety. I didn't care about parking gate, as my car doesn't attract much attention, remembered that motel name now - Motel Venegas. No gate.

You won't find a truly quiet place under $40 that close to big city. Estero Beach is - I think - a bit beyond what represents the "south end of Ensenada", but let people more proficient in geography debate this. And it's over $40 anyway.


Avoid Hotel Azteca. The 300 peso price on the sign out front if for 4 hours only. La Quinta Bonita. is just a block south of where Joker used to be (PEMEX/ Circle K now) and is clean and recently upgraded and even has a pool.

www.hotelquintabonita.com



[Edited on 3-30-2015 by durrelllrobert]

Mula - 3-30-2015 at 08:32 AM

I always stay at La Quinta Bonita when over nighting in that area..

Alm - 3-30-2015 at 10:29 AM

300 pesos sign on Aztecas was not why I mentioned it :) - Mexican hotels often put these misleading signs for 4 hours stay.

I mentioned Aztecas and La Quinta Bonita because both of them are popular with transient gringos, both look well kept up on the outside, and both have gated parking. If you check booking.com, Aztecas cost $US 31 for a single room.

To me, sleeping few blocks from highway for $20 is a better deal than sleeping on the highway for $31, even if there is no pool, no gate at parking and no WiFi. But this is just me.