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Eventually! Californians have a brand new handy option to attain Mexico with out the trouble of Customs.
As you have certainly heard on the information, simply because we’re neighbors does not imply you’ll be able to cross over both facet all willy-nilly.
Tons could be mentioned in regards to the border, however one side is simple – wait instances are unpredictable, and once they’re unhealthy, they’re actually unhealthy!
It is mentioned Tijuana is house to the busiest border on the planet, drawing an impenetrable line within the sand between a pair of fascinating locations.
Relatively than go to Napa Valley, the inarguable wine king of California, Southern Californians usually select to remain nearer to house by crossing into Mexico’s lovely area of Valle de Guadalupe for world-class wineries and beautiful surroundings.
A new thrilling ferry makes the method a lot simpler.
Skip the daunting strains and take a straight shot to the Northern Baja port metropolis of Ensenada.
Azteca Ferry: The New Straightforward Route To Wine Nation
Azteca Ferries would be the operator for the one ferry connecting Californians to Mexico. Cruises are a distinct story, clearly.
For vacationers eager to discover extra of Baja past Tijuana, it’s important to make an essential choice: Do you wish to threat getting caught in line coming again house for hours on finish?
Irrespective of what number of TikToks you’ll be able to scroll by way of for 3 hours, it isn’t an excellent time.
That is why I am additional excited to find this new ferry, particularly as somebody who has lived in San Diego for 10 years, most likely crossed into Tijuana at the very least 200 instances, and by no means made it to Ensenada, considered one of Baja’s most missed gems.
Reaching Ensenada is sort of actually a ache.
It is so shut, but so distant. Roughly 90 minutes from Tijuana, Ensenada is each a preferred cruise port and gateway into Mexico’s underrated wine nation.
These 90 minutes again to the border can flip into 5 hours if the strains are backed up.
That is why this ferry trip is such excellent news to flee the trouble by departing from San Diego, quite than even stepping foot in Tijuana.
Tip: See in the event you’re eligible for a SENTRI card, the kryptonite to bypass border strains. New appointment openings are launched between 10am – 11am, so refresh the web page when reserving!
What To Count on
Whereas Azteca Ferries’ web site remains to be fairly naked bones, native publication San Diego Red revealed some juicy perception.
For the file, there isn’t a official departure date. “Coming quickly” teases us on Azteca’s web site. The great factor is that Valle de Guadalupe is nice to go to any time of 12 months.
In line with San Diego Crimson, these would be the departure instances:
- San Diego to Ensenada can be from 11:30am to three:30pm and from 7:00pm to 9:30pm
- Ensenada to San Diego can be from 7:00am to 9:30am and from 3:00pm to five:30pm.
Pricing just isn’t official both, however these are the anticipated ticket costs:
- Single journey – $70
- Spherical-trip – $130
Though, kids and senior residents could also be eligible for reductions.
Regardless of being out on the open sea, the most effective perks can be wifi and food and drinks service, which is able to certainly supply native wine aboard for a pattern of what you are getting your self into.
The boat will seat 300 passengers.
Ensenada To Tecate: Mexico’s Most Underrated Journey
There are lots of methods to succeed in Mexico’s Valle de Guadalupe. Earlier than this ferry, my private choice was by way of Tijuana’s next-door neighbor of Tecate.
Most frequently, folks start their journey by way of the ‘Napa of Mexico’ from Tecate to Ensenada, passing by way of pleasant small cities and beautiful wineries alongside the way in which.
With the ferry, you may should do it in reverse order with Ensenada as your start line.
Ensenada itself is primarily referred to as a blip on cruise itineraries and an outstanding seafood vacation spot. In any other case, it is merely a gateway to Northern Baja’s famed wineries.
There are ample tour guides to rent or you’ll be able to go at it alone. Simply know regardless of Tijuana sketchy repute, the remainder of Baja may be very protected.
You may discover some really superior locations to remain right here too just like the newly opened Banyan Tree Veya Valle de Guadalupe or my private favourite Santuario Diegueño providing breathtaking views overlooking Tecate.
In line with TripAdvisor, these are the highest 3 wineries to go to proper now:
- Xecue Vinicola
- Monte Xanic
- L.A. Cetto Boutique Valle de Guadalupe
Tip: In case you’re simply as into beer as you might be wine, cease on the Tecate plant the place you are given a complimentary beer on arrival.
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