Transportation

You can absolutely drive your own car. The toll roads in Mexico are well maintained. Bring small bills and expect to travel through a few toll roads. Some roads in Valle are dirt and can be in bad shape after the rain. High clearance and all-wheel are not necessary but are more convenient.

Uber works well in Tijuana and Ensenada. If you venture to Valle de Guadalupe and use Uber to get to your location, be sure you’ve previously arranged for a ride home.

If you need help arranging taxis, private drivers, or transportation to/from the border, please contact us.

Money

We don’t typically exchange dollars for pesos, as most places accept USD. Almost every place will take a credit card (except toll roads). Plan to have some cash on hand, whether that be peso or dollar,

Cell Phone Service

Call your carrier 24 hours before departure to be sure your phone works in Mexico. If you don't already have an account, download WhatsApp and sign up for one. Many locals prefer to text/call using WhatsApp, which is especially recommended if you book an Airbnb or private transportation.

Border Crossing

Border wait times are listed online here. In my experience, add about an hour to whatever is listed. If you’re driving, I suggest not going back across San Ysidro. Tecate is a bit further east but will save you a ton of time in the long run. Also, try to avoid the peak crossing times, like Sunday afternoon.

Another option is to apply for SENTRI for a quicker crossing, but it can take months to get an interview for approval (Global Entry includes SENTRI). Make sure to register your vehicle ahead of time.

NOTE: Everyone must have a valid passport to enter and exit Mexico.