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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 also right ways of driving in Mexico that will ensure your safety while on the road. Here are 9 safety tips you should keep in mind when driving in Mexico.Tip 1...
Military checkpoints along Baja's Highway 1 occur at several permanent and temporary locations
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...

Travel Info

Swimming with Sea Lions at Los Islotes, north of La Paz
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...
One of the friendly Gray Whales of Baja close enough to touch (Ritchie)
 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...
Only a rare few tropical cyclones have threatened the peninsula after October 10
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...
Masking in Public Closed Environments Returns to Baja California Sur
 Jamuary 20, 2023 The state health security committee has continued the mandatory use of limited facial masking in the state of Baja California Sur through the last week of January. Use of masks...
Importation of your car under the Chocolate Program
  Mexico is making it easy to import your older (2016+) NAFTA manufactured car or light truck. By popular demand the program has been extended through March 31, 2023. Do no hesitate,...

Masking in Public Closed Environments Returns to Baja California Sur
 Jamuary 20, 2023 The state health security committee has continued the mandatory use of limited facial masking in the state of Baja California Sur through the last week of January. Use of masks...
Police officers in the City of La Paz will be using 139 new body cams in 2023
 For those less familiar with the Mexican language, "mordida' means "to take a bite" and is the slang term for a bribe on any level. La Paz will implement police body cams in 2023 to increase...
Carnaval La Paz 2023 Peninsula of Joy
 Updated 01/25/23 After a two-year hiatus as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and post-pandemic civic financial woes, plans are in the works for a Carnaval La Paz, 2023. In 2023 Carnaval should...
One of the friendly Gray Whales of Baja close enough to touch (Ritchie)
 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...
The port of Pichilingue
  In nineteen years of our history, we have never taken opportunity to express our opinions as strongly as we will here. The plan to build a new commercial port in San Juan de la Costa...
Importation of your car under the Chocolate Program
  Mexico is making it easy to import your older (2016+) NAFTA manufactured car or light truck. By popular demand the program has been extended through March 31, 2023. Do no hesitate,...
Performers for the Main Stage of Carnaval La Paz 2023
 [[{"fid":"5760","view_mode":"full","fields":{"format":"full","alignment":"","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Jaidy Michel has been selected as Queen of Carnaval La Paz 2023","...
Swimming with Sea Lions at Los Islotes, north of La Paz
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...
Isla Espiritu Santos from the air looking back over the Bay of La Paz
 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...
Only a rare few tropical cyclones have threatened the peninsula after October 10
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...
9 Safety Tips When Driving in Mexico
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...
Author Geary Ritchie gets his first hand up-close with a 40' gray whale.
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...
Information on the COVID-19 Virus
 One of the concerns amongst health officials has been as the COVID-19 virus moves through an increasing number of people it has the opportunity to evolve. The 1918 Spanish Flu (Kansas Flu) is...
The mission in San Ignacio, Baja California Sur
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...
Green desert north of Loreto, Baja California Sur
 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...
Homicide Rate in Baja California Sur Second Lowest in Mexico
 Amid all the bad news generated from the COVID-19 pandemic the Governor of Baja California Sur, Carlos Mendoza Davis announced the release of the 2019 crime statistics. Baja California Sur had...
The tranquil blue waters of the Sea of Cortez never seemed more inviting
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...
Beach camping still exists in a few places along the Sea of Cortez
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...
Military checkpoints along Baja's Highway 1 occur at several permanent and temporary locations
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...
Loreto is the oldest permanent settlement on the Baja peninsula.
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...
Huge Pacific wave rolls into the beach in Baja California Sur
 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...
The beaches of the Sea of Cortez attract sun worshipers from all over the world
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...
Cruise ship in Ensenada, Baja California
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...
Land's End in Cabo San Lucas and the fleet tour boats
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-...
Calling 911 in Mexico for Health Emergencies
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...
Ovidio Guzman arrested (again) January 5, 2023
 To Start: The events described below are NOT currently occurring in Baja California Sur. If you are planning a trip to Mazatlan or central mainland Mexico you should remain apprised of the...
Christmas scene
Feliz Navidad from MexicoIn Baja, Christmas reigns supreme as the Navidad holiday and Santa Claus is well know to the Niños of the region. The holiday season in Mexico begins with Dia de Guadalupe on...
Baja is the #1 destination for RV travelers outside the US.
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...
The great white shark - Carcharodon carcharias, can be found in the coastal surface waters of all the major oceans.
Isla Guadalupe, Mexico has become the internationally recognized destination for divers seeking unprecedented encounters with Great White sharks /(Carcharodon carcharias.) The 90 square...
Isla Espiritu Santos from the air looking back over the Bay of La Paz
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...
The Sea of Cortez remains deliciously warm into November
 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...
Driving Baja's Highway 1 south of Loreto
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...
Working in Mexico
  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....
There are a number of ways to ascertain the validity of Mexican Pesos
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...
Learn Spanish to enjoy more of what is really Mexico
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...
Could Los Cabos become Mexico's Tourist Pot Spot?
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,...
A Passport will be required to return to the United States after your visit to Mexico
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...
Usage and anchorage areas of Isla Espiritu Santos in the Sea of Cortez
Rules and regulations for the use of Isla Espiritu Santos in the Sea of Cortez, just 32 miles north of La Paz. The map, expanded from the official SEMARNAT National Parks of Mexico informational...
Sample Mexican tourist visa
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...
Mexican immigration temporary resident card
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...
Nude Beaches in Baja
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...
Overcoming a Challenge for the Love of Fishing
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...
Mule rain headed to supply backpackers in the Sierra Laguna mountains
 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...
 On March 31, the same day BCS registered its first COVID-19 deaths, a group of volunteers comprised of marine biologists and medical personnel began a project they call “Pro Paramedicos.” ...
Interior of the cathedral at Mission San Ignacio
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...
Green desert and adobe ranch house between La Paz and Todos Santos
 In 2019 we have received almost the annual rainfall for the southern portions of the peninsula in the last two weeks of November. These late season rains will augment the rains that greened up...
 Squid Roe, one of the most famous bars in Cabo San Lucas
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...
Travel Requirements for Visiting Mexico
  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...
Street shopping in Cabo San Lucas
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...
With more than 2000 miles of ocean coastline there is certainly a slice of beach for every visitor
 Will this summer may be a time to explore the Baja Peninsula, hopefully, the hold of the Coronavirus will be gone by late summer. But with high levels of the virus remaining as of the end of...
Never too young to surf
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 Hook at Isla San Francisco in the Sea of Cortez
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...
Tijuana Airport new Cross Border Xpress pedestrian bridge
 The Cross Border Xpress (CBX) pedestrian bridge connecting the Tijuana Airport (TIJ) with the U.S. opened December 2, 2015. This  border crossing is the creation of Ralph Nieder and is a...
The Playas de Tijuana make for a great weekend get-away from Southern California
Tijuana the largest city of Baja and SECOND 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 people...
The Theatro in the zocolo of Todos Santos
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 infractions in Mexico have become more serious
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...
A Passport will be required to return to the United States after your visit to Mexico
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...
Us Consulate in Tijuana
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...
Us Consulate in Tijuana
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...

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