COVID-19 Updates for Baja California
-The U.S.-Mexico temporary land border restrictions were extended until at least January 21, 2021. U.S. Citizens and Canadian Citizens have been allowed to cross back north into the U.S. and have had no problems crossing south into Mexico from the U.S.
-Mexico has instated a national “stoplight” system allowing certain regions to begin reopening. The state of Baja California (norte) currently has a “red” light designation with non-essential activities restricted. Restaurants may operate at 30% capacity and retail stores may operate at 25% capacity.
In Baja California Sur, Los Cabos and Mulegé are in the “orange (level 3)” light designation with hotels restaurants, beaches, parks, retail shops, and museums/theaters/movie theaters, operating at 50 percent capacity. The regions of Loreto, La Paz, and Comondú are rated “orange (level 4)” with businesses operating at 40% capacity. Specific rules vary from municipality to municipality. The stoplight designations are being assessed on a weekly basis. We recommend that you call ahead to any business that you plan on visiting to find out about current hours and COVID regulations.
-Some of the California/Baja land borders are operating on reduced hours. The following are the current hours for border crossings:
San Ysidro: open 24 hours
(PedWest is closed but PedEast remains open 24 hours)
Otay Mesa: open 24 hours
Tecate: 5am-2pm daily
Calexico West: open 24 hours
Calexico East: open 6am-2pm
Andrade: open 6am-2pm
-For up-to-date information about COVID-19 in the state of Baja California (norte) please visit the Baja California COVID-19 page. For up-to-date information about COVID-19 in Baja Sur, please visit the BCS COVID-19 website.
-For Emergency Assistance for U.S. citizens in Mexico, call 55-8526-2561 from Mexico or 1-844-528-6611 from the United States. The U.S. Embassy in Mexico has put together a COVID-19 webpage or you can follow them on Facebook for updates.
-You can find the latest updates on our Road Conditions Page. Call the DBTC office at 800-727-2252 for more information about U.S. travelers crossing the border.
2021 FMM Price Increase
The Mexican government raised the price of FMM tourist permits on January 1, 2021. The price of prepaid FMMs through Discover Baja has accordingly increased to $38. You can read more about FMMs and find the application on our FMM page.
New Ferry Between Santa Rosalía and Guaymas
Baja Ferries company started a ferry route in December 2020 between Santa Rosalía and Guaymas, in mainland Mexico. The new route is on a ship called “Balandra Star,” which can carry 72 passengers and cargo.
Departures from Guaymas to Santa Rosalía: Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday at 11:00pm
Departures from Santa Rosalía to Guaymas: Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 11:00pm
Travel time is approximately 8 hours.
Phone: 011-52-612-123-6600 or from Mexico, 800-337-7437
Email: reservaciones@bajaferries.com.mx
Website: bajaferries.com.mx
Virtually Experience the Cave Paintings of Baja California Sur
A new website, Senda Rupestre, offers a 360 degree virtual experience of the impressive cave paintings of Baja California Sur. Presented by Mexico’s Secretary of Culture and the Southern Californian Institute of Culture, the website allows you to virtually explore some of Baja’s best cave painting sites from the comfort of your home. The website also provides information and descriptions (in Spanish) of the various sites.
New La Paz Art Museum
A new art museum dedicated to the art of Baja California, Museo de Arte do Baja California Sur, opened its doors in La Paz. The museum aims to promote culture, foster a taste for fine arts, and serve as an attraction for the enjoyment of families and visitors in Baja California Sur. Located in the heart of the historic center of La Paz, the museum is the first of its kind, bringing the modern art of Mexico and Baja California to the region. You can learn more about the museum on their Facebook Page.
New Book Explores the History of the San Diego/Tijuana Region
A new book, “El Tercer País: San Diego & Tijuana: Two Countries, Two Cities, One Community,” explores the long and deep history between the region comprising the cities of San Diego and Tijuana. The book covers a large span of time and history for the region, beginning with the Spanish and the New World, through Mexican independence and the Mexican-American War when the two regions were separated by the new U.S./Mexico border. The book continues through the Mexican Revolution and the 1920s when U.S. citizens headed south of the border to escape the strict rules of prohibition in the U.S., beginning Tijuana’s reputation as a party city. And up through current times covering NAFTA, undocumented immigration, the rise of the drug cartels, and environmental issues with smog and water.
Todos Santos Writers Workshop
The Todos Santos Writers Workshop will be taking place from January 31 to February 6, 2021. Due to COVID, the workshop will be digital this time, but that offers the opportunity for participants to join who may not have been able to travel to Todos Santos to attend in years past. Along with the morning classes, afternoon seminars, and panel discussions, the organizers have worked to integrate some of the magical parts of Todos Santos into the workshop. Videos of local turtle hatchling releases, a hiking trip with a local guide, and tours of local artist studios will be interspersed along with the content of the workshop. To sign up or for more information, visit the Todos Santos Writers Workshop website.