What's the best time of year to visit?
Answer: Anytime!  The weather is similar to San Diego's coastal areas, but with constant ocean breezes keeping us cool in summer. Year round, we enjoy an almost perfect climate with mild winters and balmy summers.

I don't speak Spanish.  Will I be able to communicate?
Answer: English is spoken almost everywhere in the main tourist areas.

Do I need special insurance for my car?
Answer: If you're driving, Mexican auto insurance is recommended since your U.S. auto insurance is not valid anywhere in Mexico. Inexpensive Mexican insurance can be purchased by the day, week or month at numerous highly visible locations near the border on both sides.  Getting Mexican insurance is so quick and easy that many of these places have drive-through windows. A number of San Diego rental car agencies also rent vehicles to Rosarito and provide the Mexican insurance.

Can I bring in merchandise into Mexico?
Answer: You can bring in your car, personal clothing, camera, and other personal items without a problem. For general merchandise such as food or medicines there is a limit of up to the added value of $400.00 US Dollars duty free, anything over that amount has to go through customs and pay import duty.
Firearms are usually illegal in Mexico and a heavy jail sentence can be applied for their possesion; special permits can be obtained for hunting, but the legal entanglements are way beyond the scope of this page .

How can I exchange currency?
Answer: The official currency in Mexico is the Peso, but U.S. Dollars are readily accepted by most merchants in Baja California. If you still need to exchange currency there are several banks and money exchange houses within a short distance most hotels that will make the exchange (in either Pesos or U.S. Dollars) for you.

Are there ATM machines in Baja?
Answer: There are several banks in all the main cities (mostly downtown) that have ATM machines: Notably Banamex and Bancomer. They accept Visa and Mastercard only and dispense bills in Pesos.

Can I drink the water?
Answer: As opposed to mainland Mexico, Baja's water is from wells and has been considered safe for years. In addition, there is a Mexican federal law stating that restaurants must serve purified, "drinkable" water, tested free of contaminants, both for drinking and for ice. Most hotels in Rosarito also provide bottled or purified water in guest rooms, and popular international brands of bottled water are available for purchase virtually everywhere.

What are the alcoholic beverage laws in Mexico?
Answer: Legal drinking age is 18, most bars and night clubs request an ID before admittance when they doubt the customer's age. Drinking on the streets is against city ordinance, fines are applied when caught. Drinking and driving is definitely against the law, offenders will land in jail and will have to pay a big fine.

What about mind altering drugs?
Answer: It is a criminal offense to use, posses or traffic illegal mind altering drugs (Cocaine, marijuana, heroin, etc.). Even the possession of a few grams can bring a jail sentence of 8 years or more. Legal medicinal mind altering drugs (Valium, etc.) require a medical prescription for purchase and use.

What if I get ill while vacationing in Baja?
Answer: There are many excellent hospitals and doctors in all of Baja's main cities. If needed ambulance and even helicopter transportation to the US is available. Most prescription drugs are available over the counter at approximately 1/2 to 3/4 of US prices.