KNOW BEFORE YOU GO - TRAVELING THE BAJA 

BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO - 1,000 miles of that special BAJA spirit. Whether you drive the entire Transpeninsular highway, fly into the tip or arrive by ferry from mainland Mexico, get ready for an adventure. This land of quiet, colorful deserts, endless beaches, unexplained rock formations, Missions, gray whales, brilliant clear skies and a unique people invites you for the unforgettable! 

THINGS TO DO
The well-kept secret of the Baja is told in the variety of things to do there.   Fly in and concentrate your time in one area, diving or fishing in the summer and whale watching December to April.   Kayak, surfing, wind surfing cycling, golfing, hiking, fishing, snorkeling and sailing are some of the activities available on the Baja.    

IMMIGRATION
US and Canadian citizens need a valid passport and a tourist card available at the border. Tourists from other countries should check with a Mexican consulate or embassy. 

MONEY

Most prices in Baja are quoted in pesos, but tourist centers use both. Peso prices are indicated by the symbol N$ before the amount.  Tourist shops may take dollars but it is better to use pesos if you can. In small towns, shops often won't have change for anything over a $20 (20 peso note). American traveler’s checks are readily exchanged.If you can, change what you think you'll need for the first day before you arrive. Small airports may not be able to change money for you and the bigger airports give a poor exchange rate.  

Most taxi drivers would be able happy to take American dollars but they may not be able to change large bills. Shop around for the best exchange rate although at this time the differences are negligible. Banks are your best bet but often have long lines and short hours.

Money exchanges (casa de cambio) have better hours and post their rates outside. They may charge a commission. Large hotels exchange money and some cities in the south have ATMs. Some tourist shops and large supermarkets will take your dollars and give you change in pesos. Credit cards are useful in large centers and are essential when renting a car.  Gas stations only take pesos.  Businesses may add a surcharge for credit card use.  Cash advances are available at banks.

 SHOPPING
Prices are fixed in stores and it is considered rude to bargain. When buying that Mexican blanket at a market or on the beach you can have fun bargaining. Vendors will speak English and will enjoy engaging you in a conversation. To get a better price insist on price negotiations in pesos. If you're simply not interested, just say so politely and they will leave you alone. If you are interested you should know your prices by having shopped in the stores.   Please remember, the vendors are not there for your entertainment—they are attempting to earn a living.

TAX
A 10% (IVA) value added tax is included in many prices, but sometimes shows up as an extra on hotel and restaurant bills.

TIPPING
Just like at home, a 15% to 20% tip is expected for good service. You don't need to tip gas station attendants, but do tip the person that washes your car windows.

MEDICAL
Travel insurance is recommended. No shots are required. Baja's standards of sanitation are higher than those of the rest of Mexico, but often a change of diet will upset the system. Some visitors take a preventative such as Pepto Bismo and most carry medication such as Imodium. Although Baja's water is from wells and has been considered safe for years, many people now drink bottled water. Watch out for the sun and drink lots of fluids when you first arrive.

Medical Assistance - Medical standards are high in Baja. North Americans often choose to have dentistry or medical treatments or elective surgeries done here because of the quality of the care and the cost. There are hospitals in Tijuana, Mexicali, Ensenada, Guerrero Negro, Santa Rosalia, Ciudad Constitucion, La Paz, Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo. These hospitals will treat you and expect you to pay cash when you leave. Get a receipt so you can collect on your medical insurance on return. Pharmacies sell more over-the-counter medications than we have in the US and Canada, so you can count on getting most everything you need in the towns.  However, if you take an important medication, bring it with you.

LANGUAGE
You'll need a Latin-American Spanish phrase book. People accustomed to tourists will speak some English but do appreciate the efforts of visitors. Out of the towns you'll need to communicate in Spanish.

CLIMATE AND WEATHER
The Pacific coast of Baja averages 60-75 degrees F (16-24 degrees C). Summer temperatures can be 85 degrees F (30 degrees C), winter nights can drop to 48 degrees F (9 degrees C). Inland summer temperatures can be 110 degrees F (43 degrees C). The Baja Cape from La Paz to Cabo is warm year round with summers as hot as inland and winters a moderate 70-80 degrees F (21-27 degrees C).  

AIR SERVICE
Flights are daily to major centers. Charter flights usually have the best prices - those prices are posted in August.

Los Cabos International Airport is 10 miles north of the town of San Jose del Cabo. Cabo San Lucas is 20 miles west of San Jose del Cabo.

BUS SERVICE
From the US: Greyhound runs from Los Angeles and San Diego to Tijuana. From Tijuana to Los Cabos: Three major bus companies, Autotransportes de Baja California (ABC), Transportes Aquila and Tres Estrelles de Oro provide efficient service on the peninsula with modern, clean, fast buses. The trip can be made in 24 hours. Call the Tijuana terminal for schedules and rates (from the US: 011-52 (664) 626-7101). From Los Cabos International Airport to La Paz: Airport shuttles run the 10 miles regularly from the airport to San Jose del Cabo. They take bicycles on top. From San Jose there are 2 bus routes north to La Paz. The eastern route is shorter but the time is longer because it is mountainous and the bus makes as many stops as needed for passengers. The western route runs through Todos Santos on the Pacific side. Ten buses a day run 7:00 am to 8:00 pm.

DRIVING
The transpeninsular highway is being maintained all the time. The heavy winter rains in the north and the increasing volume of transport trucks from the agricultural land in the north take their toll on the road surfaces. The roads are narrow but safe to drive.  If you decide to drive in, buy Mexican insurance at the border.  Purchase the full theft insurance package. Your American/Canadian insurance will not cover you in Baja.

When traveling distances in Baja equip your vehicle for overnight emergencies. Carry a flashlight, tools, water, a sleeping bag and some emergency food. The government provides a 'Green Angels' service which runs emergency vehicles back and forth between towns. They carry some tools, have some mechanical ability and can at least get help for you.

 Highway drivers, especially truckers are safe and respectful. They know the roads and may drive faster than visitors but they are courteous and helpful. When you are behind them on the highway they may put their left turn signal on indicating that it is safe to pass. Flashing headlights means use caution ahead (usually cow on the road). In towns, watch for hidden stop signs at intersections. Locals seem to slide through intersections. Speed bumps can be very high.

Throughout the length of the peninsula there are occasional fruit or drug roadblocks. They'll search quickly and send you on your way.

Driving at night is risky because of potholes, rocks on the road and in the south, black cows on black roads. The animals seem to graze near the road at night.

CAR RENTALS
Rentals are available in larger cities at competitive rates. Availability and rates are usually better if made in advance through your travel agent or directly wth the car rental. Check out your cancellation policy.