Cabo Via Tijuana – Jan 2021
We have driven down from California to Cabo three times now; the first time we took the ‘long’ way through the Tijuana checkpoint and the other times have been via the Mexicali checkpoint.
We definitely prefer going via the Mexicali route as it has a less rugged terrain and we saved about 2 hours travel time to the classic ‘mid-point’ which is Guerrero Negro. We also found it to be more scenic than via Tijuana which has miles and miles of desert, boulders and not much in-between.
All three trips will be outlined and located under the ‘Travel’ tab.
Like most people, we were a little apprehensive about driving to Cabo, even more so during a pandemic which saw the border shut from Mexico in to the US. We also fielded many questions from concerned loved ones who were frightened for our general safety thinking we were going to get kidnapped or killed by members of a Mexican cartel.
So with a series of warnings ringing through our ears, we made extra special care to; drive only during daylight hours, book accommodation in advance, and have all our necessary visas, passports, auto insurance, Taco’s vaccination papers etc within close reach.
In hindsight, we needn’t have been so worried!
So on January 22nd (same day mandatory covid tests on Mexico/US flights came in) we crossed the Tijuana checkpoint, a little anxious, with our car literally filled to the brim, but prepared!
We needn’t have worried. Our first surprise was the lack of queue. Given it was mid-morning, we had expected a bit of a wait, but we drove straight through to the guard. After reviewing our passports and answering a few questions about our purpose for the visit, what was in the boot, suitcases etc, we were waved through. Luckily, however, we realised that we had not received a stamped visa in our passports.
Pulling over to the side, we asked a guard where the immigration office was and he pointed to a building off to the side. Had we not asked, we would have continued on our way, none the wiser but no evidence to prove we were legally in the country.
Once we had all our paperwork in order, off we set with the following stops planned in our itinerary;
DAY 1 – San Diego to Ensenada | 135 km’s (84 miles)
Whilst it took us less than an hour to arrive at Ensenada and not a necessary stop on the drive to Cabo, we’re glad we did. A vibrant tourist town we stayed at Hotel Posada El Rey Sol which was walking distance to marina, restaurants bars etc
DAY 2 – Ensenada to Guerrero Negro | 609 km’s (379 miles)
This was a long day of driving and has the greatest stretch without fuel stops so recommend you top up just past El Rosarito (west coast as there is also an El Rosarito on east coast as you head towards Mulege.
We spent the night at Hotel TerraSal which you need to book via Facebook or WhatsApp as they don’t have an online booking system. I left several messages and they took about 1 week to get back to me.
As Guerrero Negro is located near the salt mines, quite a few workers stay here and they do provide hot meals on-site which is hard to find when staying middle of no-where. Basic accommodation but it was all we needed and we felt safe given it was quite busy.
Day 3 – Guerrero Negro to Loreto | 416km’s (259 miles)
We probably could have kept driving past Loreto but glad we didn’t.
Loreto is such a lovely, sleepy beach-side town with some amazing traditional Mexican architecture. We stayed in a lovely boutique hotel, Posada Del Cortes, which was walking distance to beach and town center where there were many dining options to choose from.
We would really like to come back for a longer stay at Loreto some time in the future.
Day 4 – Loreto to La Paz | 356km’s (221 miles)
Another relatively short journey to our next destination and, in hindsight, we would probably go straight through from Guerrero Negro to Cabo but, given this is our first time driving Baja, we didn’t mind the opportunity to further explore the area.
Being a lager town we had more options for accommodation and decided to stay at Hyatt Place, a new and modern hotel situated right on the marina.
Day 5 – La Paz to Cabo San Lucas | 158km’s (98 miles)
A relatively short journey the next day to our final destination. As we needed a couple of weeks to search for a long-term rental, we booked a villa with a full kitchen, separate living space, pet-friendly and walking distance to the Cabo marina. Marina View Villas was incredibly well-priced, serviced daily and situated in the heart of downtown Cabo. It was great to be able to have the time to relax whilst viewing rentals and whilst the villa was a little older than we prefer, it was comfortable, clean and felt like home.
Spectacular Baja Coastline
Boulders galore near Catavina, Baja Jan 2021
Tijuana to Cabo in Summary:
- So we learnt that a trip that took us 5 days/4 nights could easily be done in 2-3 days.
- The longest stretch was between El Rosarito and Guerrero Negro where you saw nothing but miles and miles of boulders across a sparse desert.
- There is a stop-off mid-point at Catavina which does have a diner (good burgers) and a hotel, but then there’s nothing really till you get to Guerrero Negro.
- Make sure you park and head to the immigration office once you are through the border – and also ensure you ask for the FMM Tourist Visa Form – our next trip was flying out of Cabo and we didn’t have this form so had to spend an extra 30 minutes obtaining one from the Immigration Office
At no stage did we feel vulnerable or concerned for our safety although you do have to watch the road at times which can get quite precarious – especially when crossing through the mountains from west to east and back again – the road is quite narrow at times with no shoulder and a pretty steep drop to the valley below. This was even more frightening given we had a ‘dually’ GMC we call ‘fat-ass girl Georgie’ but she got us there safely in the end!