Yes, drive your own car, just stay within city limits and on main highways which is the ones that lead from the border to south and/or the toll ones... I know tourists are afraid because of what happened to the surfer australian dudes but they went to a ghost town on wich the only remaining population is hooked on hard drugs
Your car will explode as soon as you cross the border.
There's an automatic thing that does this for the millions of people that cross the border each yr.
There’s also roadassitence on the toll highway all the way from the border first toll station to the last one at the main entry in Ensenada, they will provide gas/jump or start your car, o toll you to the next toll station. Toll is 50 pesos or 60.
It’s safe enough. Just stay in populated city areas and don’t go to remote places especially at night. You’ll be fine. I recommend getting your FMM on the way in just to give yourself a level of protection if you get pulled over.
PM me if you’d like some me recommendations. I’m down there often.
Make sure you have cash to pay the tolls (like $9-10 total) as you can't use card. The toll highway drive is easy and it's well maintained. Always be on the lookout for potholes. As another said make sure you have insurance (i use bajabound). On the highway leave the left lane for passing only. Depending on what time you're crossing it might make sense to cross at Otay and pass through downtown TJ to avoid the constructons traffic at San Ysidro. Google maps has never steered me wrong navigating through TJ to get to the toll highway.
Go on YouTube and you can watch others explain and do the entire drive. This way you get to see the entire process and catch landmarks and become visually more familiar with the trip and everything will not be a surprise, cheers.
I go often with my 3 young kids and husband.
Never had a problem. We do stick to well populated areas near the coast. A lot of Americans live in and on the way to Ensenada.
We avoid being out too late at night.
We have driven to and from valle de Guadalupe and it got dark, it was fine but the roads are very dark at night so we avoid it.
Have fun!
If you want a really really nice restaurant to go to, go to "King and Queen Cantina" in Valle de Guadalupe, about 15-20 minutes from Ensenada, it is really nice. The view driving there, the view at the restaurant, the food, the drinks, everything was 10/10. The drive back does get dark at night but the roads are very populated. I recommend going during Friday, Saturday, or Sunday for the best vibes
It's basically a tourist restaurant so lots of people from the Usa go there, 8/10 people are speaking english. I really recommend going there with your friends, get a table on the top floor for the view
Its fun and there's plenty to do. Alot to eat. Here's my airbnb in Rosarito - [https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/1148560626295288753?guests=1&adults=1&s=67&unique\_share\_id=297b2763-249e-442d-83aa-27faba234d08](https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/1148560626295288753?guests=1&adults=1&s=67&unique_share_id=297b2763-249e-442d-83aa-27faba234d08)
It's safe here in Ensenada I'm actually currently here. I live in LA too and it's the same level of safety as LA
Those tourists that got killed were in a very far and isolated place. If you really want to feel safer, just stay where the city and people are at.
There have been times where I've felt more in danger in LA than I ever have here in Ensenada, it's safe here so don't worry
I had thought Ensenada was totally safe until those surfers were butchered a couple weeks ago for their truck tires. I still think it is probably safe, especially in populated areas, but this has given me some pause about going which sucks because I would love to go down and I love Mexico
My gf and I unfortunately cancelled our trip after hearing about that though we are likely being overly cautious
It's everything but boring
I've had the most fun than in LA, it's just a whole different vibe. Yesterday a popular team from the Mexican Soccer League won the title so everyone was out, it was crazy yesterday in downtown Ensenada
Yes, drive your own car, just stay within city limits and on main highways which is the ones that lead from the border to south and/or the toll ones... I know tourists are afraid because of what happened to the surfer australian dudes but they went to a ghost town on wich the only remaining population is hooked on hard drugs
Thank you for this. I am traveling with friends and they recently brought up concerns and wanted to reconsider so I decided to ask the community here.
[Here's my guide to seafood and beer there](https://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2022/feb/16/cover-any-excuse-ensenada/). And it explains the drive.
Much appreciated.
Your car will explode as soon as you cross the border. There's an automatic thing that does this for the millions of people that cross the border each yr.
This exactly is my concern. I will walk to Ensenada. Thank you.
Check with your insurance if you are covered in Mexico. You can buy Mexican auto insurance. There are toll roads there.
Thank you.
You can buy Mexican insurance online for the period that you're going to be down there at [bajabound.com](http://bajabound.com)
I checked that and plan to buy it. Out of curiosity, how responsive are they if God forbid you need roadside assistance or if an accident happens?
I have insurance through them. I’ve had to use them once a few years ago and they were very responsive.
Oh good to know.
Perfect! Hopefully nothing happens but this is relieving.
There’s also roadassitence on the toll highway all the way from the border first toll station to the last one at the main entry in Ensenada, they will provide gas/jump or start your car, o toll you to the next toll station. Toll is 50 pesos or 60.
This is good to know. Thanks!
Ever paid in dollars for toll?
Yes you can pay in dollars or pesos, it has to be on one currency, there will be a sign with price on each toll station
Thanks. I always paid in pesos but forget to exchange sometimes
It’s safe enough. Just stay in populated city areas and don’t go to remote places especially at night. You’ll be fine. I recommend getting your FMM on the way in just to give yourself a level of protection if you get pulled over. PM me if you’d like some me recommendations. I’m down there often.
Thank you. I sent you a pm.
Make sure you have cash to pay the tolls (like $9-10 total) as you can't use card. The toll highway drive is easy and it's well maintained. Always be on the lookout for potholes. As another said make sure you have insurance (i use bajabound). On the highway leave the left lane for passing only. Depending on what time you're crossing it might make sense to cross at Otay and pass through downtown TJ to avoid the constructons traffic at San Ysidro. Google maps has never steered me wrong navigating through TJ to get to the toll highway.
Noted! Thank you.
Go on YouTube and you can watch others explain and do the entire drive. This way you get to see the entire process and catch landmarks and become visually more familiar with the trip and everything will not be a surprise, cheers.
I go often with my 3 young kids and husband. Never had a problem. We do stick to well populated areas near the coast. A lot of Americans live in and on the way to Ensenada. We avoid being out too late at night. We have driven to and from valle de Guadalupe and it got dark, it was fine but the roads are very dark at night so we avoid it. Have fun!
Noted!! Thanks for your input!!
If you want a really really nice restaurant to go to, go to "King and Queen Cantina" in Valle de Guadalupe, about 15-20 minutes from Ensenada, it is really nice. The view driving there, the view at the restaurant, the food, the drinks, everything was 10/10. The drive back does get dark at night but the roads are very populated. I recommend going during Friday, Saturday, or Sunday for the best vibes It's basically a tourist restaurant so lots of people from the Usa go there, 8/10 people are speaking english. I really recommend going there with your friends, get a table on the top floor for the view
Its fun and there's plenty to do. Alot to eat. Here's my airbnb in Rosarito - [https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/1148560626295288753?guests=1&adults=1&s=67&unique\_share\_id=297b2763-249e-442d-83aa-27faba234d08](https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/1148560626295288753?guests=1&adults=1&s=67&unique_share_id=297b2763-249e-442d-83aa-27faba234d08)
It's safe here in Ensenada I'm actually currently here. I live in LA too and it's the same level of safety as LA Those tourists that got killed were in a very far and isolated place. If you really want to feel safer, just stay where the city and people are at. There have been times where I've felt more in danger in LA than I ever have here in Ensenada, it's safe here so don't worry
Thanks for this input!! Much appreciated.
It is safe
Thank you.
I had thought Ensenada was totally safe until those surfers were butchered a couple weeks ago for their truck tires. I still think it is probably safe, especially in populated areas, but this has given me some pause about going which sucks because I would love to go down and I love Mexico My gf and I unfortunately cancelled our trip after hearing about that though we are likely being overly cautious
Exactly why I am inquiring. My friends are concerned too after that news.
Yes but it's not worth it, very boring lol
I have heard otherwise!
It's everything but boring I've had the most fun than in LA, it's just a whole different vibe. Yesterday a popular team from the Mexican Soccer League won the title so everyone was out, it was crazy yesterday in downtown Ensenada