Ronald
Kramer, head of the U.S. Consulate in Tijuana, stated that “Baja is
safe for visitors” and he hopes tourism quickly rebounds, as reported
on the front page of El Mexicano newspaper published on Monday June
15th…
Kramer further stated that some of the US media coverage
of the Mexcian drug war against drug cartels “falsely created the
impresssion in the US that the area is unsafe for US visitors.”
While the bi-national effort against the drug cartels is a serious
ones, “visitors are not targeted” he said.
Kramer expects efforts by
Mexican leaders, including Rosarito Beach Hugo Torres, to be sucessful
in rebuilding Mexico’s image, but said the country’s economy and many
of its people currently are suffering because of the significant loss
of tourism dollars, as reported in the Baja Times.
Kramer also discounted concerns related to the H1N1 (swine flu) as
it had virtually no impact in Baja. He cited as an example some cruise
lines canceling voyages to Ensenada and diverting them to San Diego,
which actually had more confirmed cases of the flu.
After crossing the border, follow the signs (large green signs with
white letters) that read "Rosarito-Ensenada Cuota" (Toll Road). The 2
tolls are minimal (around $2 dollars each) and payable in either pesos or US
currency.
Past Rosarito Beach and the second toll booth,
continue south past Puerto Nuevo. About 9 miles south of Puerto
Nuevo, exit at La Misión and you'll see a road sign directly in front of you on the side of the road with an arrow pointing left to Poco Cielo.
Turn left onto the frontage
road (Careterra Libre or Free Road). You’ll see Poco Cielo on the ocean side (your right) almost immediately, about 200 yards south of the exit.
One of the perks for paying the toll is that as long as you are on the Toll Road, you are insured - your toll receipt acts as proof of insurance. But obviously you must eventually exit the freeway, at which time neither you or your vehicle are insured. While the comprehensive portion of your regular policy may cover your vehicle a limited number of miles into Mexico or Canada (please check with your insurance agent), the liability portion of your insurance policy is not valid across any international border.
We cannot more strongly recommend purchasing Mexican Auto Insurance before you cross the border. Here's a link to one of our favorite online insurance agents:
While we can't see any reason to delay your arrival at Poco Cielo, should you elect not to purchase Mexican insurance online, a myriad of agencies dot the freeways in the USA just before you reach the border crossing.
After crossing the border, follow the signs (large green signs with
white letters) that read "Rosarito-Ensenada Cuota" (Toll Road). The 2
tolls are minimal (around $2 dollars each) and payable in either pesos or US
currency.
