Getting Around Northern Baja
Alright!!! You've made it to Mexico!!! Now, how do you want to get around? The transportation industry in Baja is very well developed, with a number of options, each of which offer distinct advantages.
Your Car
You can drive by way of the Libre (free road) or the Cuota (toll road). By far the nicest method is the toll road. This road is in better condition than most American highways. The toll is currently 24 pesos (about $2.10). The toll road receipt is your insurance receipt should you have an accident while driving on the Cuota. The Cuota also has the "Green Angel" service. They are radio-dispatched Green trucks to help distressed vehicles. There are telephones about every 2 miles. They have gasoline, battery cables, etc.
While driving in downtown Rosarito, the far right lane is not a driving lane. This is for taxi pick ups and a lane to make backing out of parking easier. Do not park where the curb is yellow. You will be towed and the fine is $70 for the towing charge and a four hour ordeal!!!
Driving is very safe in Mexico if you just use common sense, and obey posted speed limits and street signs (most of which are identical to the ones used in the USA). Oh yeah, make sure you get insurance!!
*Gasoline
There are several Pemex Stations in Rosarito. Super unleaded at the moment is $2.40 per gallon. Buy your gasoline in pesos for the best deal as the exchange rate at the gas station is usually not the greatest. and don't let your tank get really low. On some holiday weekends, the demand from tourists causes them to have long lines, especially if a Motor Home Caravan of 100 rigs appear at once, and they do!
Bus Service
If you have a large group, this is the most affordable option. The main bus service for tourists is Mexicoach, which charges $6 for a round trip ticket between its downtown Tijuana depot and the Rosarito Beach Hotel. Mexicoach can be found at Avenida Revolucion between Calle 6 and Calle 7 or just catch the bus at the parking lot in San Ysidro located on the corner as you get off on the last U.S. exit - Camino de la Plaza. The cost is only $1.00 as of this writing and you can park in the lot at the posted rates. Mexicoach runs four round trips daily, the first bus leaving Tijuana at 11 a.m. and the last bus departing Rosarito at 8 p.m.
Alternatively, you can visit the nice folks at Five Star Tours. Ask for Alfonso, and tell him that we sent ya! He'll take you wherever you want to go in Baja, and for a great price too!
Taxi Cabs
Yellow Cabs are in plentiful supply if you walk across the border to Tijuana from San Ysidro. These cabs will charge from $25 to $30 to take a carload to Rosarito. Work out the price with the driver before getting in the cab. Once in Rosarito, you can hire a cab to take you back when you are ready. In Rosarito you can take an Eco Taxi or one of many route taxis constantly going back and forth to and from Tijuana.
Route Taxis
Service from Boulevard Benito Juarez to Tijuana only cost $1 or less, but route taxis are always the slowest and least comfortable means of transportation as they really pack them in with three in the front, four in the middle and three in the back of the station wagon. Rosarito cabs are typically big 1980s Ford and Chevy station wagons.
