COVID and Border Update
With COVID cases growing along the peninsula, many municipalities have reinstated COVID protocol and are requiring masks and limiting capacity. Please be sure to call ahead to make reservations at all businesses and to inquire about current restrictions.
Non U.S. citizens who are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and have appropriate documentation are permitted to enter the United States via land ports of entry. Non-essential travelers who are not U.S. citizens are required to (1) provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination, as outlined on the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website; and (2) verbally attest to their reason for travel and COVID-19 vaccination status during a border inspection. More information can be found on the Department of Homeland Security website.
Anyone flying back into the U.S. from Mexico regardless of citizenship or vaccination status must show proof of a negative COVID test taken within 24 hours. US citizens driving across the border or crossing through CBX are still allowed back into the US without proof of COVID vaccinations with no COVID test required. Beginning June 13, 2022, the U.S. will no longer require proof of a negative COVID test for air travelers entering the country.
Million Dollar Insurance Policies Now Available Online
Our HDI “Million Dollar” Insurance Policies are now available online! These premium policies provide you with $1 million in liability coverage, allowing you throughout all of Mexico without worry. To get a quote, visit the Discover Baja website.
Insurance Renewal Emails from Discover Baja
If you are receiving too many insurance renewal notices from Discover Baja, please call the office at 800-727-2252. Please do NOT report the emails as spam as this prevents us from being able to email others their important documents such as insurance policies and renewal confirmations.
New Book: “A Guide to the Flora of the Sierra de San Pedro Mártir“
A new bilingual guide covers the flora of Baja’s San Pedro Mártir. The book illustrates 235 of the approximately 500 taxa known to the mountain range and includes 25 of the 27 taxa endemic to the region. The book includes six introductory chapters written by all of the co-authors on the history, flora, vegetation, and fire ecology of the Sierra with an extensive bibliography and maps of the region and the park. You can purchase the book from The Nat’s online bookstore.
Gasoline in Mexico
Gas prices in Mexico are generally about $20-21 pesos per liter for regular Magna (about US$4/gallon). The Guia Pemex app will give you prices of gasoline throughout Mexico. You are allowed to bring gasoline north across the border from Mexico into the U.S. (but you are NOT permitted to bring gasoline south across the border from the U.S. into Mexico).
New Guide on Visiting Mexico by Boat
Mexico’s Marina Association published a new reference guide with all of the requirements for private vessels, owners, and crew who are visiting Mexico by boat. You can view the guide HERE.
Restricted Visiting Hours and Smoking Ban at Playa Balandra
La Paz’s popular Balandra Beach will now be closing to visitors at 3pm each day. From June 15 to August 31 there will be extended summer hours until 7pm but they will be limiting capacity in two time blocks, 8am-1pm and 2pm-7pm. The beach also recently banned smoking. The decision was made in the hopes to eliminate the cigarette butts that litter the beach and water. Balandra is the first beach in Mexico to officially ban smoking but expect more to follow.
New Passenger Train Proposed for Baja
Mexico’s department of tourism has announced a passenger train system that would connect the entire country by rail. The “Tren del Pacifico” line would connect the entire peninsula from Cabo to Tijuana and up around to Chiapas in mainland. The passenger train has an expected completion date of the year 2050.
San Diego’s Old Globe Theater Partners with Tijuana’s CECUT
San Diego’s Old Globe theater announced a binational partnership with Centro Cultural Tjiuana (CECUT). The collaboration is part of a long-term partnership to promote and increase accessibility to the performing arts in the region. As part of the alliance, the Old Globe started a series of free theater design workshops for migrants from Jardín de las Mariposas, a shelter for LGBTQ+ asylum seekers in Tijuana. Also on June 19th, a production of “Mala,” which is currently playing at the Globe, will be performed in Spanish at Cecut.
Free COVID Rapid Tests and Vaccines Available at CBX
COVID-19 rapid tests and vaccines are available at CBX Arrivals Terminal in San Diego. The results of the rapid tests are ready in just a few minutes. Please note that for U.S. citizens, a COVID test is not required to cross into the U.S. when crossing through CBX. These services are free and available to the general public and CBX users from Monday to Saturday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, visit the CBX website.
New Baja Gallery Open at San Diego Natural History Museum
A new gallery about Baja called “Expedition Baja” opened at San Diego’s Natural History Museum. The small bilingual exhibit features dioramas, native species specimens, and information about the peninsula’s habitats. For more information, visit the museum’s website.