Baja California is the northernmost state of Mexico. It is sometimes unofficially referred to as Baja California Norte to distinguish it from the entire Baja California peninsula, of which it forms the northern half. Baja Norte has a population of 2,750,000 (2003 estimate), much more than sparsely populated Baja California Sur to the south. Over 75% of the population live in the cities of Mexicali and Tijuana.
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Baja Sur refers to the southern half of Baja and includes the towns of Loreto, La Paz and the well known Cabo San Lucas resort area.
Baja Norte is served by Tijuana (Abelardo L. Rodriguez) International Airport (TIJ), Ensendada Airport (ESE) and Mexicali (General Rodolfo Sánchez Taboada) International Airport (MXL).
Baja Sur is served by La Paz (Manual Marquez de Leon) International Airport (LAP), San Jose del Cabo International Airport (SJD) and Loreto International Airport (LTO).
Airlines serving Baja include Aeroméxico, Mexicana de Aviación, Aviacsa and AeroCalifornia, among others. Visit the Mexico Airport or the Mexico Air Travel sections for more information about airports and airlines serving Mexico. People who take the time to Learn Spanish are able to better enjoy the culture, the people and feel more comfortable traveling.
Mexicali is the capital of the state of Baja California (Baja Norte), Mexico as well as the capital of the municipality of Mexicali. Situated along the state's northern border with the U.S state of California, Mexicali is the northernmost city in Latin America. Mexicali has a population of approximately 900,000.
Tijuana is the largest city in the Mexican state of Baja California with an estimated population in the year 2000 of 1,210,820 inhabitants. Tijuana has various schools of superior studies, conservatory of music, dance schools, plastic arts, science and culinary arts. Tijuana is particularly famous among U.S. youth, who cross the border in order to drink alcohol prior to their twenty-first birthday (Mexico's legal drinking age is eighteen). Tijuana's most important entertainment center is the Hipódromo de Agua Caliente. It comprises a horse and dog race track, and a small zoo.
Ensenada is strategically located some 120 kilometers south of the border with the United States via a four lane toll road and a two lane free road, which makes it a natural destination for tourists on short vacations by car. Ensenada's proximity to California also makes it a destination for short cruise ship trips from the Los Angeles area, and there are four ships that make weekly trips to Ensenada as of 2005. Ensenada receives 30% of all cruise ship tourists in Mexico. Ensenada is the only deep water port in Baja California and is part of standard shipping routes that directly link it with the Mexican cities of La Paz, Manzanillo, Mazatlán, Acapulco and Lázaro Cárdenas, as well as the United States cities of San Diego, Long Beach and Los Angeles, the Guatemalan city of Puerto Quetzal, the Chilean city of Valparaiso, the Japanese city of Yokohama and the Chinese city of Hong Kong. More than 90 species are commercially fished in Ensenada, the most important of which are tuna, shrimp, lobster, abalone, sea urchin, sardine, mackerel and seaweed. A large percentage of all catches are exported to the Far East.
Rosarito beach is a popular spring break destination for college students and young people in general from the United States. In the last years this city has become one of the fastest boom of condomimiums on Mexico.
La Paz, the capital of Baja California Sur, Mexico, is a small city on the shores of the Gulf of California. As of 2000, the city had a population of some 163,000 people. La Paz is about 80 miles north of Cabo San Lucas on Highway 1 and is bursting with opportunities for exploration—outside and inside.
Loreto (or Conchó) was the first Spanish town on the Baja California Peninsula. Loreto is located on the coast of the Sea of Cortés, about 350 km (220 miles) north of the state capital, La Paz. The estimated population of Loreto is about 10,000.
Mexico Travel Tips
A minimum of two hours should be allowed for all connections at Mexico City airport - a daunting experience for the first time visitor. Heads Up: Departing gate numbers are not posted on airport monitors until 'maybe' 30 or 45 minutes before the flight is scheduled to leave. Outbound international flights from Mexico City are oftentimes loaded and gone 20 +/- minutes prior to posted departure time.
Bus transportation offers a inexpensive way to travel in Mexico. They generally run day and night. If you are able to sleep in fairly cramped surroundings, this is the way to go. Most cities in Mexico have a Primero Clase (First Class) bus station. They are comfortable and safe. Find first class Mexico bus information at Premara Plus or Christobal Colon.
Warning: It is highly recommended that you AVOID all car rentals in Mexico. You can retain a very friendly, bilingual taxi driver for less money per day than a car (10 bucks an hour is high end earnings for most taxi drivers - try 5 buck an hour offer). Ask your hotel for a taxi driver reference and you'll see more, learn more and maybe make a friend.
If you feel you must rent a car, be prepared for the 15 bucks extra that the rental agencies charge for 'theft' insurance or maybe some other explanation. Check and confirm with your credit card company on the coverage which is needed and usually included with your credit card use. Pay particular attention to the pre inspection routine for existing car damage - scratches, dents, etc.. A favorite scam is to charge an extra 50 to 100 bucks for minor scratches and dings when you turn the car back in. Also find safe evening parking as rental cars are a target for free gas - always check your gas tank before taking off in the morning.
Driving in Mexico can be an adventure in itself. It is generally advised to take the toll roads whenever possible. Make sure you have current insurance and be aware that some listed paved roads are not there at all. Avoid driving between towns in the evening, stick to main highways, take short cuts at your own peril, and enjoy the adventure. It is usually a very complicated test to find out where a main highway leaves town as road signs are very limited or non existent once you enter.
Heads Up: Travelers to and from the Mexico will be required to have a passport or other secure, accepted document to enter or re-enter the United States. Always retain and safeguard the traveler's copy of your tourist card so you may surrender it to Mexican immigration when you depart. You must leave Mexico before your tourist card expires or you are subject to a fine. A tourist card for less than 180 days may be revalidated in Mexico by the Mexican immigration service. Failure to have your tourist card on departure may cause significant delay and missing your flight and fines. Visit the Mexico Immigration section for more information.
