Is It Safe To Travel To San Felipe Baja Mexico - BikeHike (2023)

FAQs

Is the road to San Felipe Mexico safe? ›

Frequently they swerve instinctively and this may cause an accident with oncoming traffic. While driving in Mexico is relatively safe, accidents and breakdowns do occur. There are large stretches of uninhabited desert between the border and San Felipe so it doesn't hurt to come prepared.

San Felipe is a very safe town located on the eastern coast of Baja California. This fishing village is home to less than 20,000 citizens and is known to be much calmer than bigger cities within the state like Rosarito.

Is La Paz Mexico safe? Yes, it is indeed a safe place as much as the rest of Baja California. Normal petty theft can occur, like anywhere else in the world. So usual common sense is required.

Baja California state – Reconsider Travel

Violent crime and gang activity are common. Travelers should remain on main highways and avoid remote locations. Of particular concern is the high number of homicides in the non-tourist areas of Tijuana.

If you are a U.S national, you may be looking up questions like “Do you need a passport to go to Baja California?” The answer is, yes. You will require a passport to travel to this Mexican state. While many people consider traveling by car, boat, train or bus, traveling by air is arguably the most convenient option.

La Paz. Baja California is one of the safest areas in Mexico, and for some of the best beaches in Baja California — like Playa Balandra Beach — head to La Paz, one of the safest places in Baja California.

Which areas in Mexico are dangerous for tourists right now? The US Department has recently warned citizens against traveling to Baja California, Tijuana, Colima, Guerrero, Michoacan, Sinaloa and Tamaulipas, due to increasing criminal activity.

Safe in San Felipe

The town's proximity to the U.S.A. is one of the prime features which attracts foreigners, and particularly Americans, to consider the town as a place for part-time or full-time living and retirement.

San Felipe has two cell phone companies: Telefonica Movilstar and TelCel.

Baja California is relatively safe for US tourists, as evidenced by the large numbers of travelers who cross the border by car or on foot.

What is the best time of year to visit Baja? ›

But the best time to visit Baja is from December through April. Our Baja cruises primarily operate during these months, taking advantage of pleasant weather and sailing conditions while avoiding the hottest summer months and the hurricane season.

No vehicle permit is required for cars, trucks, or motorcycles if you are only driving on the Baja peninsula or to Puerto Peñasco. If you will be driving on mainland Mexico outside of Baja or Puerto Peñasco, you will need a vehicle temporary import permit (TIP). Vehicle permits are US$52 and are valid for six months.

Despite the country's high crime rate, major tourist attractions like La Paz and Potosi are generally safe to visit, even at night. However, it is still advisable to exercise caution and avoid certain parts of these cities that may be more prone to crime.

Which areas to avoid in La Paz. After dark, it's best to avoid the El Alto area. The Chapare region, Altiplano and North Yungas (bad and dangerous roads due to the way of driving) are also avoidable. If you haven't booked your hotel yet, you can get the best deals on hotels here.

So when is the best time to visit La Paz? While the weather is generally pleasant year-round, the best time to visit is from October to May. During these months, the temperatures are less warm, and there is less rainfall.

The paid FMM tourist permit is valid for a period of up to 180 days (as long as your passport does not expire before that time) At the border, they will ask you how long you would like the permit for and you should ask for the full 180 days. The free FMM is only valid for seven days or less.

San Felipe is a small fishing village, situated on the Sea of Cortez, 118 miles south of the U.S. border, which was historically dependent upon fishing; however, today tourism and real estate provide the economic base.

Because San Felipe is in the Border Free Zone, you do not need a temporary import permit.

Crime in Baja California Sur

Unfortunately, crime is everywhere. However, compared to other places in Mexico, BCS has a much lower crime rate. Street smarts will usually keep you out of trouble.

While some other Mexican border towns are known for violent crime and cartel problems, you won't find any of that in Boquillas del Carmen. The remoteness of this tiny village makes it perhaps the safest border town in Mexico.

What town in Baja California has the safest beach? ›

Expect to see colorful fish, sea turtles, manta rays and sea fans. One of the most popular beaches in Los Cabos, Playa el Médano is considered the safest for swimming.

The Tijuana Cartel (Spanish: Cártel de Tijuana) or Arellano-Félix-Cartel (Spanish: Cártel Arellano Félix, CAF) is a Mexican drug cartel based in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico. Founded by the Arellano-Félix family, the cartel once was described as "one of the biggest and most violent criminal groups in Mexico".

Mexico has a high risk of violent crime, such as murder, armed robbery, sexual assault and kidnapping. Don't travel at night outside major cities. Kidnapping and extortion are serious risks.

Mexican tourist permits, or FMMs (Forma Migratoria Multiple), are required for all non-Mexican citizens entering Baja. A passport or passport card is required to obtain an FMM. Passports and passport cards must be valid for six months or more from date of entry.

As a foreigner, you can acquire irrevocable and absolute ownership rights to property in Mexico through a 50 year perpetually renewable and transferable Real Estate Bank Trust called a “Fideicomiso.” This trust is the legal equivalent for deeded ownership (commonly referred to in the U.S. as fee simple) and is provided ...

San Felipe is historically a fishing town. Today it is also a popular tourist destination, known for its beaches, nature, and desert racing, as home to the San Felipe 250.

In any case, if the injury or illness is serious, they will be stabilized and then transported on up the Mexicali hospitals for further treatment as necessary. Back in 2003, San Felipe was finally blessed with a small, fully equipped hospital of it's own, St. James Infirmary, located next to the police station.

The risk for mosquito activity is extremely high. Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants when spending time outdoors to prevent bites. The risk for mosquito activity is high.

In general, the swimming season ends In December. Average annual water temperature on the coast in San Felipe is 73°F, by the seasons: in winter 62°F, in spring 68°F, in summer 83°F, in autumn 79°F. Minimum water temperature (58°F) in San Felipe it happens in February, maximum (89°F) in August.

Is it safe to drive down the Baja Peninsula? ›

Is driving through Baja safe? Driving through Baja is generally safe. However, you should stick to the main roads and avoid hitchhikers. Don't stop to sleep in sketchy areas as well.

Cuota Roads Vs Libre Roads

I always recommend taking the cuota roads, but especially if you need to drive after dark. In general, these are considered the safest option when traveling around the country and often there is no other option to get to your destination.

The 120 mile stretch of highway is in good condition, which makes for fairly safe and easy travel. You can also drive to San Felipe from Ensenada, Mexico on Highway 3, but this highway is a lot tougher to drive. If you are towing a boat or trailer, this route is not recommended.

Normal driving time from Ensenada to San Felipe is 3 hours. Repairs and pothole-filling are a constant and on-going activity but the road is in generally good condition. The 30 kilometers between Ensenada and Ojos Negros consists of spectacular curves with wonderful scenery but no passing lanes.

The Tijuana Cartel (Spanish: Cártel de Tijuana) or Arellano-Félix-Cartel (Spanish: Cártel Arellano Félix, CAF) is a Mexican drug cartel based in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico. Founded by the Arellano-Félix family, the cartel once was described as "one of the biggest and most violent criminal groups in Mexico".

If you want to access some of the more remote areas of Baja, you will definitely need a high clearance vehicle that has 4 wheel drive. Please do not get the impression that you need a 4 wheel drive vehicle to enjoy a Baja road trip.

Valid U.S. Driver's License

If you have a valid driver's license for any U.S. state, you can legally drive across the border to Mexico. Like your passport, your driver's license should be valid for at least another six months, just to be safe so you have no issues crossing the border into Mexicop by car.

If you're wondering 'is Uber safe,' the short answer is yes. It's the safest form of car transportation in Mexico City. Taking a taxi in Mexico City is not the safest idea unless you're familiar with the cab companies and know how to verify that the cab you're getting into can be trusted. What is this?

Pueblo, San Miguel de Allende, and Santa Fe also boast excellent infrastructures for tourism as well as high levels of safety for tourists. Other safe cities in Mexico include Riviera Maya – made up of Tulum, Playa del Carmen, and Cozumel – and Guanajuato City.

Safe in San Felipe

San Felipe is situated on Mexico's Baja peninsula, about a two-hour road drive (125 miles) south of Mexicali on the U.S.-Mexico Border.

What is San Felipe Mexico known for? ›

San Felipe is historically a fishing town. Today it is also a popular tourist destination, known for its beaches, nature, and desert racing, as home to the San Felipe 250.

The Final Verdict: San Felipe Has It All

Both San Felipe and Puerto Penasco are great places to visit, but if you are looking for an authentic Mexican vacation with a small-town feel, combined with beautiful beaches and a vibrant arts and culture scene, San Felipe is a must-see vacation destination.

Rosarito has a “party time” atmosphere. Rents and home prices are higher than Ensenada because of its proximity to the border. Many people even commute San Diego to Rosarito for work, but Ensenada is so far it's not practical on a daily basis.

The easiest way to get to the island is to charter a boat from the Malecon in downtown San Felipe and head on a 45-minute boat ride, 23 miles, to the island. This is about the halfway point between San Felipe and Puerto Penasco.

By Road: While having a passport book would be the most seamless option, you can also enter Mexico if you have a passport card, a REAL ID, or a trusted traveler's card. Please note that these documents will not assure you of entry as the immigration department may require supporting documents.