At last! Californians have a new convenient way to reach Mexico without the hassle of Customs.
As you’ve surely heard on the news, just because we’re neighbors doesn’t mean you can cross over either side all willy-nilly.
Lots can be said about the border, but one aspect is undeniable – wait times are unpredictable, and when they’re bad, they’re really bad!
It’s said Tijuana is home to the busiest border in the world, drawing an impenetrable line in the sand between a pair of fascinating destinations.
Rather than visit Napa Valley, the inarguable wine king of California, Southern Californians often choose to stay closer to home by crossing into Mexico’s beautiful region of Valle de Guadalupe for world-class wineries and stunning scenery.
A new exciting ferry makes the process so much easier.
Skip the daunting lines and take a straight shot to the Northern Baja port city of Ensenada.
Azteca Ferry: The New Easy Route To Wine Country
Azteca Ferries will be the operator for the only ferry connecting Californians to Mexico. Cruises are a different story, obviously.
For travelers wanting to explore more of Baja beyond Tijuana, you have to make an important decision: Do you want to risk getting stuck in line coming back home for hours on end?
No matter how many TikToks you can scroll through for 3 hours, it’s not a good time.
That’s why I’m extra excited to discover this new ferry, especially as someone who has lived in San Diego for 10 years, probably crossed into Tijuana at least 200 times, and never made it to Ensenada, one of Baja’s most overlooked gems.
Reaching Ensenada is quite honestly a pain.
It’s so close, yet so far away. Approximately 90 minutes from Tijuana, Ensenada is both a popular cruise port and gateway into Mexico’s underrated wine country.
Those 90 minutes back to the border can turn into 5 hours if the lines are backed up.
That’s why this ferry ride is such good news to escape the hassle by departing from San Diego, rather than even stepping foot in Tijuana.
Tip: See if you’re eligible for a SENTRI card, the kryptonite to bypass border lines. New appointment openings are released between 10am – 11am, so refresh the page when booking!
What To Expect
While Azteca Ferries’ website is still pretty bare bones, local publication San Diego Red revealed some juicy insight.
For the record, there is no official departure date. “Coming soon” teases us on Azteca’s website. The good thing is that Valle de Guadalupe is great to visit any time of year.
According to San Diego Red, these will be the departure times:
- San Diego to Ensenada will be from 11:30am to 3:30pm and from 7:00pm to 9:30pm
- Ensenada to San Diego will be from 7:00am to 9:30am and from 3:00pm to 5:30pm.
Pricing is not official either, but these are the expected ticket prices:
- Single trip – $70
- Round-trip – $130
Although, children and senior citizens may be eligible for discounts.
Despite being out on the open sea, the best perks will be wifi and food and drink service, which will surely offer local wine aboard for a sample of what you’re getting yourself into.
The boat will seat 300 passengers.
Ensenada To Tecate: Mexico’s Most Underrated Journey
There are many ways to reach Mexico’s Valle de Guadalupe. Before this ferry, my personal preference was through Tijuana’s next-door neighbor of Tecate.
Most often, people begin their journey through the ‘Napa of Mexico’ from Tecate to Ensenada, passing through delightful small towns and gorgeous wineries along the way.
With the ferry, you’ll have to do it in reverse order with Ensenada as your starting point.
Ensenada itself is primarily known as a blip on cruise itineraries and a phenomenal seafood destination. Otherwise, it’s simply a gateway to Northern Baja’s famed wineries.
There are ample tour guides to hire or you can go at it alone. Just know despite Tijuana sketchy reputation, the rest of Baja is very safe.
You’ll find some truly awesome places to stay here too like the newly opened Banyan Tree Veya Valle de Guadalupe or my personal favorite Santuario Diegueño offering breathtaking views overlooking Tecate.
According to TripAdvisor, these are the top 3 wineries to visit right now:
- Xecue Vinicola
- Monte Xanic
- L.A. Cetto Boutique Valle de Guadalupe
Tip: If you’re just as into beer as you are wine, stop at the Tecate plant where you’re given a complimentary beer on arrival.
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