How do I get to Baja?
Baja travel and adventure guide.

It is "muy" easy to get to Baja!  The question is; which means of travel is best for you?
 
The very best way to experience Baja is by driving, it is usually a truly incredible experience!

If you are driving to Baja, from California, we recommend that you use our Tijuana border crossing map!

FMM Tourist Permit:

You will need to obtain a tourist permit (FMM) if you are planning on driving south of Ensenada or San Felipe on the eastern coast.  You also need to get a permit if you plan to stay near the border for more than 7 days.  For the best information about the FMM call the Mexican Consulate (Visa Section) in San Diego at (619) 308-9953.  The Consulate can also advise you as to what you need if you intend to travel with a pet.  No special auto permit or bond is necessary as long as you intend to stay on the Baja peninsula.  

The very best place to get a FMM is right after you pass through the customs lanes in Tijuana.  The immigration office is on the right, just past the divided lanes.  If you are staying seven days or less the visa is free, if you are staying more than 7 days the cost is $20.00 U.S.  You can request a multiple entry visa that will be good for 180 days.  If you wait until Ensenada or Guerrero Negro to get your permit you will probably be subject to a fine (it's not the good old days any longer) of up to $75.00 U.S.  Airlines and cruise ships will provide the FMM for you.

Walking:
This is the poorest choice of any!  Walking across the border, into México, is just not something we can recommend to anyone.  It does not matter how many times you have done it in the past, walking across the border is just not a good idea.  If you are thinking about taking a bus down the peninsula, think about using a U.S. based tour company to get you to the bus station inside of México.  Check the Internet yellow pages, you should be able to find a transportation company near the border that has the proper permits to take you across the border.

Airlines: 
We do not hesitate to recommend flying into México, except for the border cities.  The border cities are what you want to stay away from, for now.  Flying to any location in southern Baja is the safest option.  If you are planning to fly into Southern Baja, there should be no cause for any changes to your travel plans.  Los Cabos, La Paz and Loreto each have international airports, and these areas are some of the safest in all of México.  Major U.S. and Mexican airlines have many flights scheduled into these airports, on a daily basis (except for Loreto).

Private aircraft:  
Private aircraft make flights into Baja on a daily basis.  There are several remote resorts and beach camps in Baja where this actually has become one of the preferred means of travel to get to these particular locations.  Private pilots must clear out of the U.S., with customs officials, and then check in with Mexican customs and immigration officials.  You just reverse the situation when leaving México. 

Cruise Ships:
Cruise ships serve Ensenada, Cabo San Lucas, La Paz and Loreto.  Even though we do not currently recommend visiting Ensenada there must not have been many problems reported by their passengers.  If there were any problems, the cruise lines would halt service to that destination.  There are several smaller cruise lines, with much smaller boats, that offer whale watching trips and ecological cruises out of Cabo San Lucas and La Paz. 

Driving: 
Driving is my favorite way to travel in Baja.  It is a relatively easy option and this is the very best way to enjoy all of the incredible scenery that the wonderful Baja peninsula has to offer it's visitors. This option offers travelers a free choice of how much time you choose to spend in each special location. 

If you are driving it is impossible to avoid the border area cities in northern Baja.  With that in mind there are some extra precautions you should be prepared to take.

If you are going to drive to Baja from anywhere east of California, we suggest you drive, at least, to Yuma, AZ on Interstate 8, before crossing the border.  You can also cross the border just west of Yuma, at Andrade, CA (not recommended) or, better yet drive farther west to Calexico  (recommended) where there are two places to cross the border.  Crossing into Mexicali from the easternmost border crossing is you best bet.  Many Baja aficionados who travel from all over the eastern U.S. prefer to cross at Tijuana. This route just seems to get you into the heart of Baja much quicker.   Remember that recent U.S. laws require you to have a passport to return to the U.S.

DRIVING PRECAUTIONS:  Purchase your Mexican auto insurance (this is a must) before you enter México, either on-line or from one of the many outlets on the U.S. side of the border.  Cross the border as early in the morning as possible and do it with a full tank of gas and some pesos in your pocket (get these on the U.S. side of the border also.  When possible try to travel in groups or small caravans. Keep an eye out for others on the road, or when you are stopped, that are driving south and try to arrange some sort of an impromptu caravan.  Try to get as far south as possible before stopping for the first night. 

Try to drive to San Quintín, El Rosario, Cataviña or even Guerrero Negro for your first overnight stop.  Cataviña and Guerrero Negro are pretty long drives so plan for an  early departure if this is your choice. We often drive as far as south as San Ignacio, but that is not something I recommend for everyone.  For your second day you may plan a more leisurely pace.  Enjoy the drive, take in the beautiful scenery and enjoy the abundant pleasures that Baja has to offer.

***Once you arrive in México there are a few practical ways to go that extra step to assure a safe and pleasant trip.  Always use common sense and avoid any overt displays of wealth such as wearing a lot of fancy jewelry, expensive watches or flashing large wads of cash.  (If you must wear the jewelry or that Rolex, wait until your are comfortably situated in you hotel).  Remember to always be polite and respectful of the local people.  Leave the "Hurry Up" attitude at home, things happen at a much less frantic pace south of the border.  Get used to it - it is very real - go with the flow and you should have an enjoyable trip. 

Even if you know just a few words of Spanish, always try to find a chance to use them, even if your pronunciation is not correct.  If you know nothing of the Spanish language, try to learn a little before your trip.  Just trying to speak a little Spanish can mean an awful lot to many Mexicans, who will take this as an extremely friendly gesture. We have a page, "Spanish for Baja Travelers", that you can print and take with you, although I suggest you purchase a good Spanish language book.

There are also ferries that bring travelers form mainland México to Baja.  If your are using this means of transit to arrive in Baja you are probably already well versed in what it takes to use the ferries, so we will not go into any detail about this method of travel.  If you plan on going to the mainland from Baja, you will have to post a special bond.  See our Links page for ferry info.

So far, there have been no major problems in any areas of Southern Baja.  Baja Sur is considered to be the safest place in all of México.

See also:

Tijuana border crossing map!

Baja Maps

Preparing for your journey.

Driving in Baja.

Is Baja Safe?

Spanish for Baja Travelers