Travel Guide
Forget Napa! Ride California’s Exciting New Ferry Straight Into Mexico’s Wine Country
Sep
Last Updated
At final! Californians have a brand new handy method to attain Mexico with out the trouble of Customs.
As you’ve got certainly heard on the information, simply because we’re neighbors does not imply you’ll be able to cross over both aspect all willy-nilly.
Lots will be stated concerning the border, however one side is simple – wait instances are unpredictable, and after they’re dangerous, they’re actually dangerous!
It’s stated Tijuana is dwelling to the busiest border on this planet, drawing an impenetrable line within the sand between a pair of fascinating locations.
Rather than go to Napa Valley, the inarguable wine king of California, Southern Californians usually select to remain nearer to dwelling 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 Easy Route To Wine Country
Azteca Ferries would be the operator for the one ferry connecting Californians to Mexico. Cruises are a special story, clearly.
For vacationers eager to discover extra of Baja past Tijuana, you must make an vital determination: Do you wish to threat getting caught in line coming again dwelling for hours on finish?
No matter what number of TikToks you’ll be able to scroll by way of for 3 hours, it is not an excellent time.
That’s why I’m additional excited to find this new ferry, particularly as somebody who has lived in San Diego for 10 years, in all probability crossed into Tijuana a minimum of 200 instances, and by no means made it to Ensenada, certainly one of Baja’s most ignored gems.
Reaching Ensenada is sort of truthfully a ache.
It’s so shut, but so distant. Approximately 90 minutes from Tijuana, Ensenada is each a preferred cruise port and gateway into Mexico’s underrated wine nation.
Those 90 minutes again to the border can flip into 5 hours if the strains are backed up.
That’s why this ferry journey is such excellent news to flee the trouble by departing from San Diego, fairly than even stepping foot in Tijuana.
Tip: See in case 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 Expect
While Azteca Ferries’ web site continues to be fairly naked bones, native publication San Diego Red revealed some juicy perception.
For the document, there isn’t any official departure date. “Coming soon” teases us on Azteca’s web site. The good factor is that Valle de Guadalupe is nice to go to any time of 12 months.
According to San Diego Red, these would be the departure instances:
- San Diego to Ensenada shall be from 11:30am to three:30pm and from 7:00pm to 9:30pm
- Ensenada to San Diego shall 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
- Round-trip – $130
Although, kids and senior residents could also be eligible for reductions.
Despite being out on the open sea, the very best perks shall be wifi and food and drinks service, which can 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 some ways to achieve Mexico’s Valle de Guadalupe. Before this ferry, my private choice was by way of Tijuana’s next-door neighbor of Tecate.
Most usually, 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 often called a blip on cruise itineraries and an exceptional seafood vacation spot. Otherwise, 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. Just know regardless of Tijuana sketchy status, the remainder of Baja could be very secure.
You’ll discover some actually 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.
According to TripAdvisor, these are the highest 3 wineries to go to proper now:
- Xecue Vinicola
- Monte Xanic
- L.A. Cetto Boutique Valle de Guadalupe
Tip: If you are simply as into beer as you’re wine, cease on the Tecate plant the place you are given a complimentary beer on arrival.
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This article initially appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed listed here are the writer’s alone, not these of any financial institution, bank card issuer, lodge, airline, or different entity. This content material has not been reviewed, permitted or in any other case endorsed by any of the entities included throughout the submit.
