My knowledge of tequila is very basic. I know that the kitchen staff at the pizza shop where I worked in San Diego loves Cazadores–you know, the one with the deer on the bottle. I also know that within seconds of ingesting the free shots of tequila handed out in Tijuana nightclubs my stomach seizes up into a void of emptiness.

Sure, I have had good tequila, well, I guess okay tequila before (nothing over $7 a shot). And like most hard alcohol, the better the quality, the smoother it seems to go down. But I’d like to know more about it, especially since I can import it myself directly from Mexico. (U.S. Customs allows one litre of tequila to be brought through the border crossing.) Unfortunately, the road to tequila connoisseurship is not a cheap one. Or is it?

For one weekend out of the year, you can become a connoisseur of tequila for as much as a bottle of the award winning El Agave Reposado Tequila ($32) costs at BevMo. Yes, you’ve heard me right. Each October, San Diego’s sultry sister to the south plays host to the Tijuana Tequila Festival and Expo, and for $30 you can grab a day tour from downtown San Diego to the expo on Avenida Revolucion. The price of the tour includes round trip transportation to the festival, two shots of free tequila on the ride down and expo admission, which equates to the free, unlimited sampling of more than 100 tequilas. And I’m willing to put money on the table that if you sample that much tequila, you will be–at least for the rest of the evening–one confident connoisseur.

But wait, didn’t you just say it was $32?

Good, you’re paying attention. Yes, I’ve budgeted in the extra $2 for the three for $1 street tacos that fill Tijuana’s corridors. Cut fresh from a rotating beef slab, these tacos are ideal for soaking up mediocre and cheap tequila, as for expensive tequila, well after spending an all-nighter enjoying the Tijuana nightlife, you’ll just have to let me know about that.

For more information about the Tequila Tour, you can check out the Tijuana Tequila Expo.

Editors note: We have not been on this tour, nor have we had any contact with this company. Beth and I just thought this sounded like a great deal, so we decided to share the information with our readers.

*Please remember all photos on this website, unless otherwise noted, are copyrighted and property of BeersandBeans.com, NarikosNest.com & Bethany Salvon. Please do not use them without my permission. If you want to use one of them please contact me first because I do love to share and I would be flattered. Thanks!

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Only a 25 minute drive from the border, La Fonda is a popular surf break in Baja, Mexico. It’s a sleepy little area that has a fantastic restaurant overlooking the water. They serve up a great breakfast buffet and amazing Bloody Marys. If you’re driving through Baja, it’s worth a stop.

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*Please remember all photos on this website are copyrighted and property of BeersandBeans.com, NarikosNest.com & Bethany Salvon. Please do not use them without my permission. If you want to use one of them please contact me to ask first because I do love to share and I would be flattered. Thanks!

In our previous posts, we talked about the dangers of traveling in Baja, Mexico. We also talked about how beautiful the country is and how it should not be overlooked just because of the current media hype. Baja is a budget travelers wonderland with a variety of activities to partake in that are all easy on the wallet.

This is the fifth and final post in our series and focuses on different places to visit in Baja.

Here are some places you might want to visit in Tijuana:

Tijuana arch on Avenida Revolution.

Avenida Revolution – This is the main tourist area and there are a lot of restaurants, bars & shops here. This is an easy area to reach by foot if you are crossing over without a car. The large Tijuana Arch built on this road should guide you easily.

Red Light District – Just a short walk off Revolution this is also an interesting area but a bit more seedy as the name might imply. There are some cool places to hang out here without as many tourists.

Tijuana Brewery – This looks like a cool place! I haven’t been here yet but it is on our list for the next visit
down. Visit the site you can get their address and any other info you might need.

Tijuana also has a bustling arts movement and they have great museums, dance troupes, art shows and live music.  We went there once for a dance performance and it was really cool. We finished the night up with a lot of dancing at a local club. Planning a visit to see the more artistic side of this city will definitely change your opinion of the place.

Alternately you can wine taste, visit an orphanage, have a day of luxury at a spa or even go south for dental & medical care. I have quite a few friends here in San Diego that will only go to Tijuana for their dental care because it is so much cheaper and also because the dentists are very good.

Insider Tip: Check out the San Diego Reader online for things happening in Tijuana. You can also visit the Tijuana Visitors Bureau for more information.

Surrounding Areas:

These spots are all within driving distance from the border and are a lot of fun!

Rosarito – This is without a doubt the biggest party spot south of T.J. Just a short cab right from the border makes this a happening spot for spring breakers. There is a huge beach here and lots of bars and shops to distract yourself with. To be honest I do not love Rosarito the way a lot of other people do, I prefer the smaller beach side towns. However a lot of people like it here and one thing I do love is their market. It’s kind of hidden, it’s basically tucked away behind a lot of restaruants and shops. While walking around the main drag, peek your head into the alleys. One of the them will most likely bring you right into the market. It’s really cool discovering it because it is so hidden from view.  You can also go horseback riding on the beach here.

Lovely Sam shopping in the Rosarito Markets.

Calafia – This is a really beautiful spot along the coast. In actuality there isn’t much here but a small, quaint hotel and it’s adjoining restaurant but it has a claim to fame. Rumor has it that part of the Titanic movie was filmed here and inside the restaurant you’ll find memorabilia from the movie and the actual original ship.  The restaurant is gorgeous. A lot of people get married here because it is right on the cliffs overlooking the Pacific. You can dine inside or outside on their large balcony over the water. This place is highly recommended for food, drinks and relaxation. The grounds aren’t large but they are just amazing. When the bougenvilla is in bloom this place is a photographer’s dream come true.Visit the Calafia website to see what I am talking about. This place is pretty romantic and is only about 30 mins from the border. The Fox Baja Studios are right down the street and I know for a fact that  Titanic and Master & Commander were filmed there. You can also take tours.

Calafia, Mexico (courtesy of trip advisor)

Puerto Nuevo – Located right on the water, this is a great little spot known for lobster and fresh seafood. This is a must stop on your way toEnsenada . Plan to spend a couple hours eating, drinking, shopping and buying some candied nuts. They have a great market here and tons ofresturants . I really like this little spot a lot and it’s easy to get to. You’ll see signs right off the highway and you can park wherever there is a spot or in a lot for a couple bucks.

Puerto Nuevo Lobsters

Insider’s Tip: Take the local (not the toll) road between Calafia and Puerto Nuevo. This is where you will find the streets lined with tons of vendors. When you leave Calafia take the local Rt 1 to Puerto Nuevo and pull off when you see shops that catch your eye. Make sure to bargain, you can get some awesome deals on handmade items.

Paco at the La Salina bar.

La Salina – Another tiny hole in the wall, this area is growing with the development that is being built at the harbor. However things seem to have stalled there with the recent housing decline in the U.S. There is a bar here with a small hotel on top (about 5 rooms). However the bar is located right on a huge, beautiful, vacant beach. There are a lot of expats that hang out in the bar and a lot of little expat homes right near by. Occasionally there are huge karoake parties here as well. You can also camp on the beach if you want. The light is absolutely beautiful in this place around 4pm. This is also where the header picture for the first post was taken (in front of the wall that says Viva Mexico). The guys that work here are really nice and if you become a regular like we did they will treat you very well. Once they even floated us the money to stay overnight when we ran out. They told us just to pay them the next time we were down which was just really, really nice & very trusting of them. Even though this is a big ex-pat place, I truly love La Salina and you can forge a lot of great friendships here with the local owner and bar workers. They are really great guys. There isn’t much to do here but drink some cervezas, order food, watch the waves, play pool or read a book from their collection. If it’s hot bring your bathing suit and jump in you will most likely have the enormous entire beach to yourself.  It’s $40 – $60 if you are considering a stay. Tell Gustavo Beth & Randy said hi!

Insider Tip: If you present them a receipt from the last tooth booth within 60 minutes of it being stamped you get a free drink! Also this is a big 4-wheel area which can be a lot of fun. However if an older American man (I think he must be pushing 80) offers you a ride on his 4 wheel stay FAR, FAR away. Just trust me on that one.

Mike & Randy relaxing in La Salina.

Camping at the beach at La Salina.

Ensenada – This is usually the destination for most people driving into Baja and for good reason. It’s fun, easy to navigate and cleaner than most parts of Tijuana. The main streets are very walkable and cute. There are a ton of hotels, bars & interesting places to check out. I like Ensenada a lot, although this is where my license plates were stolen. We’ve had a lot of fun here and there is a famous cantina here that shouldn’t be missed. Hussongs Cantina is over 100 years old and hasn’t changed much. It also claims to be the place where the margarita was invented. And their margaritas are yummy! You also get the pleasure of constant Mariachi bands as you are encouraged to throw your peanut shells all over the floor. There is also a cool fish market by the Ensenada harbor on Sunday mornings where you can get your fix of fresh cerviche & fish tacos.

Insider Tip: Make a day out of it! Start your trip in TJ and then drive through the above mentioned hot spots, drinking and eating along the way. Spend that night getting crazy in Ensenada then head home the next morning. This is a popular route I have done many times and honestly it never gets old. It’s always an adventure in Mexico!

Street in Ensenada - Hussongs in the background.

Beyond the Tijuana/Ensenada Corridor:

San Felipe -  This town has a motto – “No Bad Days”. Can a town with a motto like this be anything but fun? Located on the beautiful, blue Sea of Cortez, this seaside fishing town is about a 4 hour ride from the border crossing at Mexicali. It’s a great place, has a really fun vibe with tons of food and restaurants. It also has a huge beach and a large ex-pat community.

Breakfast in San Felipe.

Tecate -  Tecate is an easily accessible border town that makes for a great day trip. The perks are that it is smaller & cleaner than Tijuana and is a lot more relaxed. It has a cute city square where locals sell their handmade goods at great prices.  It is also the home to the Tecate Brewery which should not be missed. You get a free drink and a great tour through their entire facilities. They have tour guides in Spanish and English. It’s easy to spot – just look for the large, white building in town or follow the signs to the beer garden.

Randy getting ready for the Tecate tour.

La Bufadora – This is awell publicized blow hole about 15 mins. south of Ensenada. I’ve been a couple times and the blow hole is really not that exciting. It’s also not a true blow hole but is created instead by water splashing high above the seashore. In any case it’s kind of a fun stop because of all the vendors that line the streets. There are also tons of  bars and restaurants to entertain yourself with. In fact after a few margaritas the blow hole may seem a whole lot more interesting.

San Ignacio – If you are considering a road trip into Mexico this is the place to go. Go, Go, Go! Just make sure you go between January & March so you can see the baby whales in the San Ignacio Lagoon. For the first three months of every year the California Grey whales head to San Ignacio to have their babies. For $10 you can camp at the Kuyima Ecological Reserve (complete with solar powered showers) which is right on the water. For $40 you can take a small boat out to the whales with a group of other people. The boat is so small it will out do any other whale watching you have ever done in your life. Here you can actually pet the whales when they come up to the boats. If you get lucky like Randy did you might get to actually kiss one! San Ignacio is a 14 hour ride from San Diego but worth every minute. It is an experience that you will never forget. We will have a post coming up soon with more info about this excursion.

Yes, the whales really get this close and this is only a portion of his head. They are huge!

Cabo San Lucas - Land’s End or so it’s called. You will never be disappointed with a trip to Cabo. Breathtakingly beautiful and full of adventure this is Baja at it’s finest. It is the epitome of Baja and a huge destination for travelers and . cruise ships alike. The trip will take you at least 24 hours by car through some of Mexico’s most scenic landscapes. Alternately you can fly – there are plenty of flights out of San Diego, L.A. or Tijuana.

There are plenty of other places to visit as well so grab a map, get your car insurance and head off on your very own Baja adventure!

To read the rest of the series click below:

Blood, Drugs & Sangria – How To Vacation In A War Zone.

Part 1 of a 5 part series.

Part 2 of a 5 part series.

Part 3 of a 5 part series.

Part 4 of a 5 part series.

Did you like this article? If so, consider retweeting below or stumbling it. Better yet sign up for our RSS feed and get the goodies delivered directly to your inbox! Consider yourself hugged.

*Please remember all photos on this website are copyrighted and property of BeersandBeans.com, NarikosNest.com & Bethany Salvon. Please do not use them without my permission. If you want to use one of them please contact me to ask first because I love to share. Thanks!

Beautiful Mexican Landscape

In our previous posts, we talked about the dangers of traveling in Baja, Mexico. We also talked about how beautiful the country is and how it should not be overlooked just because of  the current media hype. It also happens to be a budget travelers wonderland with a variety of activities to partake in that are all easy on the wallet.

To Read Part 2 click here: Blood, Drugs & Sangria – How To Vacation In A War Zone – Part 2 of a 5 part series.

To Read Part 3 click here: Blood, Drugs & Sangria – How to Vacation In A War Zone – Part 3 of a 5 part series.

To Read Part 5 click here: Blood, Drugs & Sangria – How to Vacation In a War Zone – Part 5 of a 5 part series.

This is the fourth post in our series of 5 and highlights our third tip for hanging out in one of the busiest & dangerous  border cities in the world – Tijuana, Mexico.

We want to encourage you to head south of the border so while our tips may start with a “Don’t”, they are followed up by several “Do’s”. It can be scary to drive or visit any foreign country so we invite you to comment or contact us by email if you have any other specific questions before embarking on your own adventure. We would love the opportunity to answer your questions and give you the confidence you need to begin your journey.

Driving through Mexico

Tip # 3 – Don’t drive without insurance, extra gas or at night.

The last place you want to run out of gas or blow a tire is in the middle of the desert. Keep yourself safe by planning ahead and having extra supplies. The roads in Mexico have been known to have bandits on them. Never drive at night in Mexico.

Do:

1. Get Mexican auto insurance before your journey. You can get it online or you can buy it on your way down. The highway exits leading up to the border will have signs telling you where to exit to purchase it.  As an added perk most places are open 24 hours. It’s pretty cheap – anywhere from $10 – $20/day and it’s technically illegal to drive in Mexico without it. If you rent a car you will be forced to purchase it through the rental agency. I know some people who go without insurance but I just don’t think it’s worth it. The Mexican justice system is not the same as the U.S.  In Mexico you are guilty until proven innocent and you will remain in jail during that time. Driving in Mexico is typically safe but Tijuana is a very congested city. You don’t want to get into a small fender bender and end up in jail just because you were too cheap to buy the insurance. It’s just not worth it.

2. Carry small, extra spare parts and gas. You can get pretty much anything you need in TJ or Ensenada but travel further and you could be stuck with limited resources. Make sure you have a spare tire and any other small odds/ends that you might need. It’s always good to have an extra jug of water and a flashlight  just in case. Also make sure you bring extra gas if you are planning a multi-day road trip thru Baja. Baja California Sur (the southern half of the state) is mainly a beautiful national park that makes for fantastic scenery but there is little in the way of gas or snacks so make sure you have some with you.

Gassing up on the way down to San Ignacio.

3. As a rule of thumb you want to make sure you Do Not Drive At Night. Make sure to plan your days so that you arrive at your destination before sundown. Due to the drug lords and bandits there have been many issues on the locals roads and the toll road between Ensenada and Tijuana. Some tourists have even been shot at and others have been robbed. Don’t take this risk and leave your driving for the daylight hours. Additionally, the side roads are not marked well, you could get lost easily. We always drive during daylight hours and we have never had any problems. Also try to keep on the toll roads for any long hauls. Generally, the toll roads are a lot safer and it will be much easier to get help if you need it. As for the tolls, after Tijuana there are 2 or 3 tolls to pass through on the way to Ensenada. Ensenada is about 1 hr 20 minutes from the border. Based on the exchange rate each toll will be roughly $1.30. This fluctuates a bit but U.S. dollars are accepted on the tolls so you don’t need to change into Pesos to pay the tolls.

4. Wear your seatbelt. In Mexico it is illegal to drive without your seatbelt and in Tijuana you stand a good chance of being pulled over. This is especially common on the way back to the border because some cops will stand in the street to direct traffic. Because the cars are moving so slowly they have a birds eye view to see if you are buckled in or not.  I learned this the hard way when I brought my mom down to a little town called La Salina. On the way back we were pulled over in Tijuana because my mother did not have her seatbelt on.  We were told we had 2 choices: 1. Pay a $65 bribe or 2. Follow him to the police station. My mother started making things worse by telling a lie that she just took her seatbelt off momentarily because she was getting something out of her purse which was in the back seat. Fortunately there was a huge language gap which kept the fine from getting bigger. Wear your seatbelt, keep your money in your pocket and don‘t offer up any additional information. Just keep your mouth shut, pay the fine and be on your way.

5. This leads me to another point which is you should always carry extra cash with you in while traveling in Mexico. This money should be set aside specifically to pay bribes with. Hopefully you will not have to dip into this reserve but if you do you will be extremely thankful that you have it. Personally I have only had to do this twice but I know most of my friends have been bribed at one point or another. Many people refuse to pay the bribe and you can do that if you want. Typically if you really did nothing wrong then they will eventually let you go. However if you did do something illegal (like not having your seatbelt on) it’s a lot easier to pay the bribe instead of getting an actual ticket and ending up with a trip to the police station.

6. Another driving tip  – About an 1.5 hours into Mexico (after Ensenada) you will be pass through a car inspection station. There will be young men with machine guns standing on the side of the road and it will undoubtedly look very intimidating. For the most part they are scanning the bottom of your car for certain insects so that they can’t be brought into southern Baja. Occasionally they will ask you to pop the trunk so they can inspect the things that you are carrying. Do not and I repeat do not carry guns into Mexico. This is highly illegal (even if your gun is licensed in the U.S.) and will land you in jail fast. However the HUGE tip I want to impart here is about talking to the soldiers at the checkpoint. The less Spanish you speak the better off you will be. I know this sounds strange because you think rationally that if you try to speak their language they will be more lenient with you. In my experience this has not been the case. The only thing this does is open you up to more questioning. Every time I have engaged in a Spanish speaking conversation with them I get searched for longer than anyone else and asked extra questions which can be nerve wracking. However when I speak English and act like I only know a little Spanish I get waived through pretty quickly. If they can’t communicate with you then there isn’t much point in trying to ask you about your luggage, etc. Trust me on this. I realize it sounds 100% backward but besides the Hola & Adios keep your Spanish language skills to an absolute minimum when speaking to an official at the inspection station. Work on your conversational skills with the locals who will be more than happy to talk to you without a machine gun in their hands. To corroborate on this fact I have other friends that are fluent in Spanish and do the exact same thing. This tip also applies to cops if you get pulled over.

7. Make sure your license plate is screwed on tightly. I had my plates stolen once in Mexico (they were my old, obvious Massachusetts plates). I can only wonder what kind of errands those plates are running now.  If you are parking on the street take a look to see if any other cars on the street are missing one or both plates. If you notice a lack of plates keep driving and find a new spot.

Lonely cactus

8. Do drive a crappy or dirty car. Do NOT take a flashy SUV or car. You will get attention you don’t want – either from     the cops or theives. The drug lords typically drive  large, black, flashy SUV’s and it’s been reported on many occasions that they roll together into town before a  shoot out. One of my best friends has a black shiny SUV with  bright, sparkling rims. That vehicle will never see the dirt of a Mexican road because it is just too flashy. We don’t want anyone to think twice when they see her car and you don’t want that either. My crappy, consistently dirty Hyundai is a perfect Mexico car and since I lost the MA plates, it attracts zero attention. If you don’t have access to an ugly car then rent one, most car rental companies in San Diego will let you bring their cars into Mexico just make sure to tell them you are going to cross the border.

There you have it – my most important tips for driving in Mexico. Keep in mind that the roads in Tijuana are well marked but after that most roads aren’t marked very well. Also if you are planning on shopping during your trip one of my favorite spots is off the toll road. Between a little town called Calafia and Tijuana on the local road (it runs parallel to the ocean) there are a ton of small shops. You can park your car and spend a couple hours walking through them all and finding some really unique items. You can find excellent paintings, home furniture, odds & ends and even home improvement goods like Spanish tiles and Spanish sinks at a great price.

Mike talking with the vendors in the Tijuana border line.

Also I should point out that you will not need to stop for any inspection as you enter Mexico. Unless you are carrying an RV full of stuff they will just waive you right through and there won’t even be any traffic. However on the way back be prepared for at least a 2 hour wait to get back into the U.S. Don’t worry you won’t be bored – the entire wait will be lined with  peddlers selling everything from ice cream to the ugliest Aztec calender statue that you can imagine. As you get closer to the border the crowd intensifies and to me, it’s one of the most exciting parts of the trip. I love the border wait because you can get anything, you can practice your Spanish with people selling things in the street and overall it’s just fun to take it all in. If you happen to miss the Tijuana crossing and cross back through Otay Mesa the crowd will be thinner but you will be treated to a different show. Many times you will see people blowing fire for tips. However last time I saw this the fire blowers were children under the age of 10. That was very disturbing.

Our last post in the series will have a few more tips of the trade and I will also point out some great areas to visit that most people miss. Along with those little gems I will point out a couple long road trip excursions. Baja is an exciting and inexpensive place to visit and it can provide you with amazing memories unlike any of your other trips.

Did you like this article? If so, consider retweeting below or stumbling it. Better yet sign up for our RSS feed and get the goodies delivered directly to your inbox! Consider yourself hugged.

*Please remember all photos on this website are copyrighted and property of BeersandBeans.com, NarikosNest.com & Bethany Salvon. Please do not use them without my permission. If you want to use one of them please contact me to ask first because I love to share. Thanks!

vv

In our previous posts, we talked about the dangers of traveling in Baja, Mexico and also about how beautiful the country is and how it should not be overlooked just because of  the current media hype. It also happens to be a budget travelers wonderland with a variety of activities to partake in that are all easy on the wallet.

To Read Part 2 click here: Blood, Drugs & Sangria – How To Vacation In A War Zone – Part 2 of a 5 part series.

To Read Part 4 click here: Blood, Drugs & Sangria – How to Vacation In A War Zone – Part 4 of a 5 part series.

To Read Part 5 click here: Blood, Drugs & Sangria – How to Vacation In a War Zone – Part 5 of a 5 part series.

This is the third post in our series of 5 and highlights our second tip for hanging out in one of the busiest & dangerous  border cities in the world – Tijuana, Mexico.

Randy & Mike wait for a street taco.

We want to encourage you to head south of the border so while our tips may start with a “Don’t”, they are followed up by several “Do’s”. It can be scary to drive or visit any foreign country so we invite you to comment or contact us by email if you have any other specific questions before embarking on your own adventure. We would love the opportunity to answer your questions and give you the confidence you need to begin your journey.

Tip #2 – Don’t drink the water

I know you’ve probably heard this before but it’s true. You don’t want to end up with Montezuma’s Revenge because you had a mixed drink that wasn’t made with purified water. When we traveled to Oaxaca recently we learned that there is a state law there that mandates all ice must be made with purified water. We have never heard of a law like that for Tijuana so it’s always best to be on the safe side.

Do:

1. When you order a water check to be sure that the restaurant or bar is opening a brand new bottle and not just re-opening one that is half empty. You may be told that it is half empty because they gave the other half to the person before you. Don’t fall for this. Request a new bottle be opened. It will be a non issue and you’ll be glad later on. It is always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to drinking water. 

2. The same rule goes for salads. Eat salad only if it has been made with purified water. Don’t be shy about asking, this is a common question and some restaurants (the more touristy ones) will even advertise that fact on their menus so you don’t have to ask. You definitely don’t want a salad that has been rinsed with tap water because the bacteria can make you very ill and ruin your trip. If there is any doubt skip the salad and order well cooked veggies instead.

3. A trip to Mexico wouldn’t be the same without a couple margaritas right? Just make sure the ice is also made with purified water (de hielo purificado). Again if there is any doubt order a beer instead and save the mixed drink with ice for a time when you can be sure that it is safe. You can’t be 100% sure all the time but it’s best to hedge your bets the best you can.

4. When it comes to brushing your teeth, I guess it is personal preference. Some people use tap water, other people use bottled water. Randy and I usually start out our trips with bottled water then we get lazy and switch to tap water. That being said Randy never gets sick and I usually end up with some sort of stomach bug. I have no idea if that is from brushing my teeth with tap water but now that I think of it I should probably stop and use bottled water the entire time.

5. Definitely eat the street food! Not only is it good but it’s cheap and we’ve eaten it many times without any repercussions. You can get everything from corn on the cob (Mexican style with lime & chile sauce – yum!) to spicy hot dogs and cotton candy on the streets of Tijuana. Don’t be afraid of eating the street food – it’s usually fantastic and has never made us ill.

Stay tuned for tip #3 coming up in the next post which will give you all the tips you need for safe car travel through Baja!

Did you like this article? If so, consider retweeting below or stumbling it. Better yet sign up for our RSS feed and get the goodies delivered directly to your inbox! Consider yourself hugged.

*Please remember all photos on this website are copyrighted and property of BeersandBeans.com, NarikosNest.com & Bethany Salvon. Please do not use them without my permission. If you want to use one of them please contact me to ask first because I love to share. Thanks!

In our previous post, we talked about the dangers of traveling in Baja, Mexico and also about how beautiful the country is and how it should not be overlooked just because of  the current media hype. It also happens to be a budget travelers wonderland with a variety of activities to partake in that are all easy on the wallet.

To Read Part 3 click here: Blood, Drugs & Sangria – How to Vacation In A War Zone – Part 3 of a 5 part series.

To Read Part 4 click here: Blood, Drugs & Sangria – How to Vacation In A War Zone – Part 4 of a 5 part series.

To Read Part 5 click here: Blood, Drugs & Sangria – How to Vacation In a War Zone – Part 5 of a 5 part series.

This is the second post in our series of 5 and highlights our first tip for hanging out in one of the busiest & dangerous  border cities in the world – Tijuana, Mexico.

We want to encourage you to head south of the border so while our tips may start with a “Don’t”, they are followed up by several “Do’s”. It can be scary to drive or visit any foreign country so we invite you to comment or contact us by email if you have any other specific questions before embarking on your own adventure. We would love the opportunity to answer your questions and give you the confidence you need to begin your journey.

Tip #1 – Don’t look flashy

This may seem obvious yet I still see people looking like they just stepped off the tourist boat wearing their big jewelry, carrying their big cameras around their necks or driving their decked out BMW’s all around Tijuana (TJ). This is just plain dumb so please don‘t be this person. Wear your everyday clothes, keep your jewelry to a minimum and keep the camera in your bag until you need it. Take the crappy car or at the very least let your car get nice and dirty before you head in. The goal is simply to blend in. Remember that Tijuana is a border city. Border cities are generally less safe than other areas and require a little more caution. Many people are far away from their families, living off very little and in desperate situations. Your sweet, little car stereo could go a long way here. Do yourself a favor and leave the big, black SUV’s and fancy rims to the drug lords.

Do:

1. Park in well lit areas or in lots with a security guard and tip him/her. This is typical in Mexico and not something you want to skimp on. A simple dollar or two can go a long way.

2. Lock your car up and keep all belongings out of view even if there is a guard – trust no one. This also applies to the        lots on the U.S. side of the border. One night we came back to the U.S. from TJ only to find our friends car was stolen     from the lot and we’re pretty sure the guard was in on it. The car was never found.

3. Consider picking up a local language newspaper and putting it in the dashboard to look more “local“. A lot of local    people cross daily and it isn’t unusual to see California license plates all around the city. Likewise  it is very common to see Baja plates here in San Diego. A Spanish language newspaper can make your car even more local looking and less appealing to a thief with a conscience for the people of his/her homeland.

4. Wear comfortable clothes that are mainly generic in style. You don’t want to be too hippy, too goth, too Gucci or too  military. You just want to blend in. It’s fine to wear some jewelry, just don’t get too blinged out.  Ladies – don’t get slutty. You might want to club hop with your tight tank tops and short skirts and while I don’t recommend it -  if you do, be sure to bring clothes to cover up with when the party’s over. The men of Mexico are very amorous and love any reason to approach women. They will assume if you are dressed even remotely revealingly that you want attention and they will be more than happy to provide that for you. It doesn’t matter if you are with other guys. I have had men buy me drinks and start a conversation with me while I was sitting next to and talking with Randy. A waiter even asked me to marry him once when I was eating dinner with Randy. I’m not trying to toot my own horn here, I’m definitely not a beauty queen and I don’t get any attention like this at all back home. Typically I wear jeans & flip flops, nothing special. While it’s flattering at first it can get intimidating quickly so don’t go out of your way to encourage it or you will regret it. Tijuana also used to be the serious playground of the under 21 American crowd and it’s reputation as an insane party destination is still strong even if it has dwindled a bit in the past couple of years. As a result,, a lot of American men think normal rules don’t apply in Tijuana. They think because there is a brothel, cheap drinks and strip clubs they can get out of control drunk and stupid with all the ladies in town, this includes the locals girls and you. If you dress revealingly and hang out in bars or clubs, you are guaranteed to be approached (read: harassed) by the locals, the drunken U.S. frat boys or most likely, both. You will have a pretty good chance of having an annoying and possibly dangerous night so do yourself a favor and save the revealing threads for another time. For the men: having long hair will most likely get your bothered by the cops. Randy likes to grow his hair long and then cut it all off. We have noticed a huge difference when we visit and Randy has either long hair or short hair. Every time his hair is long he is harassed by the cops – thrown up against fences, questioned, etc. Mexico is a fairly traditional country and although the younger generation is bucking the trend, being a male tourist with long hair is just another way that you will stand out and will most likely get you the gringo shakedown.

5. Do bring your camera and keep it in a bag that doesn’t look like a camera bag. Any over the shoulder bag that looks    generic will work. A small diaper bag is also perfect because it has built in padding and no thief is interested in ripping off a diaper bag. A small over the shoulder, flexible cooler lunch bag will work too. Take photos and have a good time but be smart about it and don’t carry the camera around your neck or wrist while walking around. This also goes for cell phones. Randy has been robbed of 2 cell phones in Tijuana by people who befriended him in the city.

There you have it. The first big tip for traveling in Tijuana. Stay tuned for tip 2 which will fill you in on what to eat and what not to drink.

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*Please remember all photos on this website are copyrighted and property of BeersandBeans.com, NarikosNest.com & Bethany Salvon. Please do not use them without my permission. If you want to use one of them please contact me to ask first because I love to share. Thanks!

To Read Part 2 click here: Blood, Drugs & Sangria – How To Vacation In A War Zone – Part 2 of a 5 part series.

To Read Part 3 click here: Blood, Drugs & Sangria – How to Vacation In A War Zone – Part 3 of a 5 part series.

To Read Part 4 click here: Blood, Drugs & Sangria – How to Vacation In A War Zone – Part 4 of a 5 part series.

To Read Part 5 click here: Blood, Drugs & Sangria – How to Vacation In a War Zone – Part 5 of a 5 part series.

Many readers of this blog already know that I have had an ongoing love affair with Mexico for a some time now. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Mexico. In fact it’s one reason it is hard to even think about leaving San Diego. It’s only 20 minutes to the border and it’s hard to imagine not being able to just go there on a whim.

Twenty minutes to the border.
Twenty minutes to the warm Mexican sunlight.
Twenty minutes to unending nights wandering Mexican streets.
Twenty minutes to another language, another way of life and amazing food.
Twenty minutes to $1 cervezas and 3/$1 tacos.
Twenty minutes to welcoming strangers and beautiful beaches.

It’s no wonder that I consider Mexico my second home. From the minute I drove across the border years ago I fell in love. I even managed to work down there for a bit through my old job here in the U.S. There was a point that I was probably crossing the border every 2 to 3 weeks and I loved it. On our second date Randy and I ended up in Mexico together and after 4 months of dating we were back apartment searching in Tijuana (known locally as TJ) because we wanted to move there. That dream never came to fruition and it was a good thing because a year later TJ turned into a war zone.

A lot of people in San Diego won’t go near Mexico – Baja in particular -  because of the crime.

Map of Mexico - Baja is the part of Mexico directly below California. The main border crosing is Tijuana.

I’m not going to lie, things have changed there drastically. A once vibrant, exciting city, Tijuana is now a virtual ghost town with shop keepers and restaurant owners drained to their last penny without the tourist dollars. The main Tijuana drug cartel, the Arellano Felix gang, is slowly becoming dismantled after the arrest of the main king pin, Benjamin Arellano Felix, in 2007. The cartel is still doing business but has since weakened enough so that other cartels are now trying to fill the leadership void and gain the ever popular border city as it’s own.  The war for turf has been going strong  with the citizens paying the price – not only by losing the tourists dollars but also with their own lives.

In 2007, Presidente Caldron vowed war on the drug cartels and the bloodshed has continued ever since.  In that time over 12,500 people have been killed due to the drug wars.

To put this into perspective:

That’s 4,167 people a year, 347 people a month, 12 people every day.

Every two hours for the past 3 years someone has been murdered because of  drug violence.

Those are not good statistics. Far too many people are violently murdered on a daily basis.  Another sad fact is that many bodies have been disintegrated in acid and their bodies were never found.

The drug wars are literally out of control and to make matters worse almost all the cops are crooked. Of course you probably would be as well if you were only making about $400 a month protecting the streets of an extremely dangerous city.  In late 2007 Calderon  actually took away all the guns from every cop in Tijuana. This was the only way they could test the guns to see which were involved in crimes. He couldn’t leave the cops completely defenseless so he hooked them up with sling shots. You think I’m kidding but I’m not. I’m dead serious.

The cops of Tijuana had sling shots instead of guns.

Tijuana police show off their slingshots. (photo courtesy dailymail.co.uk)

Fortunately along with the slingshots he also sent in the Mexican army to control the city. The truly unfortunate news is the fact that most Tijuana cops were fired after their guns showed they were involved in drug crimes. Almost every cop was on the drug cartels payroll. New cops have been hired, fired and new ones hired again over the past couple of years. I have no idea if their income has increased. I can only hope it has.

The drug lords simply won’t back down – they continue to fight for territory and to get the new cops on their payroll. Almost every new police chief is murdered shortly after taking the job. The  police chief always has his own bodyguards that protect him 24/7. I’m not talking about 1 or 2 bodyguards either, try 20. It is obvious that a war is being waged when even the chief of police has so many bodyguards. The current police chief,  Julian Leyzaola, travels everywhere with his bodyguards and lives alone. His family lives elsewhere in Mexico because it is just too dangerous for them to be in Tijuana. Taking on this type of position and facing the daily threat of death requires more than just passion, it requires enormous dedication. But dedication to what? With Mexico’s deep seeded history of government corruption we can only hope that he truly envisions a Tijuana  free of the cartels cast iron grip.

It goes without saying that many, many cops are killed in Tijuana as well. To get the message across, the drug cartels usually leave their heads on the beaches outside of town with a threatening note screwed into their skulls.

And it doesn’t stop there.

Anyone opposing the cartels is kidnapped, tortured and/or murdered. The violence against journalists has risen drastically. Just less than a month ago on December 30, 2009 Jose Luis Romero, a radio station reporter, was forced at gunpoint out of a restaurant where he was eating. His body was discovered shortly after stuffed into a black bag with both of his hands broken & bound, one bullet wound in his shoulder and 2 more in his head.

Even popular Mexican music groups have to watch what they sing about. Numerous musicians have been murdered for anti-drug messages in their music. In 2007, Sergio Gómez, one of Mexico’s hottest singers, a headliner for the band, K-Paz de la Sierra,was kidnapped. Police found his body the next day. Also in late 2007 Zayda Pena Arjona, the lead singer of Zayda y Los Culpables was gruesomely shot dead in her hospital bed. She was recuperating from surgery after being shot the day before. The assailants entered the hospital, found her room and shot her 4 times in the chest, ensuring her death this time around. This past August, Mexican singer Carlos Ocaranza Rodriguez, (El Loco Elizalde) was shot dead on the street after leaving a bar in Guadalajara, Mexico. He had performed a concert earlier that night. These are just some of the stories, certainly not all of them.

The cartels don’t like anyone reporting or singing about them in negative ways. Death is their way of discouraging these actions.

However the people of Mexico are trying to change things and surprisingly there isn’t a shortage of someone else volunteering to be the next chief or penning the lyrics to the next revolution song.

The drug problems, illegal border crossings & the human trafficking have made Tijuana look like a very scary place to locals and outsiders. Truth be told, it can be – but not for the local tourist. However the danger of being caught in the crossfire is still scary enough for most people to even consider heading south of the border these days. Even with all the ongoing issues I still love Mexico and it will always hold a special place in my heart. Most people can’t see beyond the media hype but I have been fortunate enough to experience just some of the beauty this country holds.

Mustard seed blowing in the Mexican breeze.

I’ve made so many good memories in Baja and I have met some really outstanding people there.

One such person was Luis, an older man I befriended through my work visits. One day we took a walk through the desert while he identified all the flora that was at risk for extinction due to all the real estate development in the area. That walk was during a point in my life where I was constantly sick. He asked me why I hadn’t been around the past few weeks and I told him I had been under the weather. After hearing my ailments he said that he thought I had cancer. Of course I thought he was crazy. But it turned out that he was right. What all the U.S. doctors had missed for 2 years he picked up on after seeing me on a lazy Sunday afternoon. He turned to me during the same desert walk and randomly said ”One day, you will walk in diamonds.”

For the past couple of years I’ve been hoping that he was right.

I’ve wondered what has become of him and I hope he is well. I will probably never see him again but I will never forget him and his role in my life during such a strange time. The people of Mexico and the landscape are equally beautiful and something that I wish everyone could experience.

Tijuana used to be such a fun place to pop into on a random night and I’m really looking forward to times like that again. But with all the crime you have to wonder:

Does Mexico have a bloodless road?

That being said we were in Tijuana briefly in October (on the way to Oaxaca) and it really seemed liked business as usual.  It’s still an interesting place to visit  although most people reading this won’t touch foot in the city until things are under control. Even if you’re not staying in town you still have to drive though TJ to get to the most beautiful areas of Baja. In most other areas of Baja the crime is low, the cervezas are cheap and the sun is warm. Most tourists in Cabo or La Paz now stay at fancy resorts and have no idea about the drug war being waged on the city streets.

But if you’re a budget backpacker with a quest for adventure an all expense paid resort vacation is not your thing. You’re in it for the journey and the local flavor. That’s why we are writing this series.

Having hung out in one of what is considered to be one of the most dangerous, dirtiest cities in the world  for longer than even I care to remember we have learned a lot about having a great time and watching your back. You don’t want to be an outsider in Tijuana if you can help it and we can help you navigate the ins and outs of one of the busiest border cities in the world.

This post is just the beginning of a multi segment post that will elaborate on my top three tips that are listed below.

Tip #1 – Don’t look flashy
Tip #2 – Don’t drink the water
Tip # 3 – Don’t drive without protection, extra gas or at night.

We want to share our insider tips for hanging out in or just traveling through Tijuana and northern Baja. Stay tuned because following along with the posts will give you all the confidence you need to embark on a journey through any Mexican border town without being scared out of your mind.

Plus if you’re brave enough you might just have yourself a unforgettably good time while you’re there.

Bridgette & Mike relaxing at Coyote Cal's Hostel in Erindira, Mexico.

Did you like this article? If so, consider retweeting below or stumbling it. Better yet sign up for our RSS feed and get the goodies delivered directly to your inbox! Consider yourself hugged.

*Please remember all photos on this website are copyrighted and property of BeersandBeans.com, NarikosNest.com & Bethany Salvon. Please do not use them without my permission. If you want to use one of them please contact me to ask first because I love to share. Thanks!

We embarked on a 14 hour road trip (each way) for the chance to play with whales. Although we only had 4 days total for this trip it was worth every second spent on the dusty Mexican roads.

Playing With Whales from Bethany Blue on Vimeo.

We camped at the Kuyima Ecological Reserve which I would highly recommend. We had a great view because the campground is located at the edge of the desert that ends only because it runs into the Pacific Ocean (San Iganacio Bay to be more specific). It was beautiful. It was also very windy.

Since Randy and I had a giant sized, family tent from about 1989, our tent blew down on us every night so remember to bring a warm jacket and a hat for the evenings. Camping is only $10/site. You can also rent tents or cabanas as well. All the people were very knowledgeable and loved teaching us about the whales and the preserve. They have a small restaurant and store on the premises where you can get almost anything you need, except wood. Remember to bring your own since they don’t sell it there and it’s an hour drive down a dirt road to get to the little town of San Ignacio if you run out.

To view the rest of the pictures from this trip click here.

The drive down thru the Baja desert was beyond beautiful.

However the truly amazing experience was the chance to pet the wild grey whales that head to the San Ignacio lagoon every year to give birth. They were amazingly friendly and came right up to our boat to check things out and say hi.

We traveled out on a boat that is only a little larger than a row boat and soon enough we were surrounded by HUGE whales. It’s a bit unnerving when you realize you are on such a tiny boat and that these whales could kill you instantly. Then you discover how gentle and loving they are and you start to fall in love.

The youngsters looked very happy as they bobbed around checking out the sights. They were very curious little creatures and if you splash the water you’ll have a few of them swim right up to see what is going on.

Their gigantic moms were never far behind making sure that everything was safe. As our guide informed us, they get very itchy from the barnacles that grow on their body and as a result they love to be pet (as you can tell in the video) and are more than happy to roll around while you rub their giant bodies. It really is an amazing experience and shouldn’t be missed. I can honestly say that we were all completely in awe and utterly relaxed after the excursion. It is really inspiring to have such a connection with an animal that is so large. When you go, make sure to take off your sunglasses, they love to make eye contact.

We also stopped at a couple great little restaurants on the way home.

Ben (a great guy from Britain we met in San Ignacio and ended up spending a few fun days with – hi Ben!) got to try Cerviche, which is kinda like a Mexican salsa made with fresh fish. Most people love this stuff – Ben, not so much.

Overall, everyone had a great time and making friends with whales is something that everyone should do at least once in their lives.

The second video in this post is a bit of our road trip thru the desert including Randy’s imaginative tale of being a Baja off-roader in the late 80′s - Enjoy!

Road Trip To San Ignacio – Baja, Mexico from Bethany Blue on Vimeo.

I’ve decided to keep a running list of some of my recipes pertaining to beans and beer. This is the first one and it is listed under the recipe tab as well. In the next couple of days I will be adding a hysterical video that shows you exactly how to make this. Keep Posted!

Also, if you make it - please leave a comment telling me what you thought

Recipe #1:   The Holy Beanacado Super Yum – a black bean, avocado dip/salsa

This easy to make recipe is a cross between dip, guacamole & salsa. It’s chunky, colorful and very refreshing. It goes excellent with tortilla chips or you can use it as a spread. The black beans make it filling and full of protein. If you put this out at a party I guarantee it will not be around for long.

Ingredients:

2 ripe Avocados

1 15 oz. can of Black Beans

10 (or so) Cherry Tomatoes

1/4 cup chopped Onions (depending on your taste)

1/2 of a Lime

Salt, Pepper – Seasoned to taste

(optional ingredients: Garlic Powder, Hot Sauce, a Jalepeno Pepper)

Preperation:

The first thing you want to do is heat the beans, just a wee bit – this is the key element of this recipe. My recommendation is to drain almost all of the bean juice from the can and then microwave them for about 30 seconds or so. You don’t want to heat them fully, you just want to take the earthy edge off them and make them a bit softer. Be sure to drain the rest of the bean juice before you add the beans to mixing bowl. Cut your avocados in half and then pull the pits out. After that, dice the avocado (remove the skin before or after) into chunks. Remember this is a chunky dip, so you want to keep the avocado pieces bite sized so they will fit nicely on a chip but not so small that they will turn into guacamole as you mix it up.  Then dice about 10 cherry tomatoes. You can use any kind of tomoto but I prefer cherry since they pack a lot of flavor in a little bite. Then grab your onion and dice up  maybe about 1/4 cup or so. Some people will like more and some will like less so it is really up to your taste buds here. Toss all the ingredients together in a large bowl making sure to mix it thoroughly. Cut your lime in 4 sections and squeeze 2 of them  over the top and mix again. Add salt & pepper to taste and mix again.

The nice thing about this dish is that you can season it and add or subtract other ingrediants depending on your taste. If you want to spice it up you can dice (very small) a jalepeno or other hot pepper and throw it in. You could also add a few drops of hot sauce and garlic powder.  It’s very good, very filling and very, very healthy.

In the end your dish should look something like this: