Travel and Safety Tips
General Information for A Worry-Free Holiday
Rosarito Beach is an extremely safe area, but it is still a good idea to be aware of your surroundings when traveling to a new place. Please take a look at the information below. If you need additional aide while you are in Rosarito you can contact the Tourist Assistance Hot Line, by dialing 078 from any public and private phone.
[THIS SHOULD ALSO LINK TO THE FACT CHECK]
GETTING THERE
Do I need a passport?
Yes! Regulations for traveling to Mexico and Canada have changed and they now require for all adult travelers to present proof of citizenship when entering through land and sea. Oral declarations of citizenship will no longer be accepted. Click here for more info.
Crossing the Border
Always have a valid photo I.D.
If you plan on driving, it is very important that you consider buying Mexican Auto Insurance; you will save a lot of time and hassle in case of an accident.
It is against the law for anyone to bring into México:
Firearms, cartridges, bullet clips, explosives, chemical substances associated with weapons, ammunition, munitions, and other weapons. Also narcotics and other street drugs.
It is against the law for anyone to take out of México:
Archeological jewels or gems or historical objects.
Wild flora or fauna.
All substances, products, goods and items regulated by Mexican trade laws.
Items you cannot bring back into the U.S.:
Fruits and vegetables that are not on the “permitted list.”
Pork and chicken meat (canned are permitted).
More than one liter of alcoholic beverage per person, (21 years of age or older).
More than $ 10,000 dollars (without declaring the amount to U.S. Bureau of Customs & Border Protection).
ON THE ROAD
Be aware that speed limits in México are set in kilometers (1 mile= 1.6 kms.) for example speed limit on highways is 55 Miles per hour and within city limits it averages 25 miles per hour.
It is a traffic violation to use a cellular phone wile driving in the state of Baja California.
If your car breaks down, turn on your flashers and raise the hood.
Along certain Mexican roads and highways you will find military checkpoints where you may be subjected to a routine search. Please cooperate, be patient and before you know it, you will be on your way.
If your vehicle is stolen, you should immediately call our Tourist Assistance Hotline 078 they will direct you on how to go about filing a report with the Deputy DA Office (Ministerio Publico). Just show any document that proves ownership of the stolen vehicle. The Deputy DA will take a report and open an investigation.
Traffic Tickets If you are stopped by a police officer for a traffic violation in Tijuana or Rosarito, you should always politely insist on a written citation that you could pay either at the police station, or by mail. Tickets issued in Tijuana can be paid in the USA with a check or money order made out to: H. Ayuntamiento de Tijuana, 416 West San Ysidro Blvd. Suite “L”, No. 725, San Ysidro, CA 92143. Tickets issued In Rosarito can be paid in the USA with a check or money order made out to: H. Ayuntamiento de Rosarito, P.O. Box 439060 San Diego, CA 92143-9060. For the cities of Ensenada, San Felipe, Tecate and Mexicali, traffic fines must be paid at the police station.
Green Angels
They will provide FREE road assistance to visitors in case of a vehicle malfunction while on Mexican highways. They also have a communication network with different government offices and offer basic tourist information. (Look for the green pick up trucks; they are constantly patrolling the highways and are there for you).
Emergency Toll Free Numbers:
01 800 990 3900: Tijuana – Ensenada & El Hongo – La Rumorosa Toll Roads
01 800 888 0911: Tijuana – Tecate Toll Road
You can dial these numbers from any land line or cell phone 24/7; they will direct emergency assistance to you including towing services to the nearest toll gate or mechanic in the area.
ON ARRIVAL
Can I drink the water?
As opposed to mainland México, Baja California's water 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 Baja California also provide bottled or purified water in guest rooms and popular international brands of bottled water are available for purchase virtually everywhere.
Can I use U.S. currency?
The peso is the official currency of Mexico but being so close to the border dollars are accepted almost everywhere and credit cards are taken at most major restaurants, shops and hotels. There are also ATM machines in town located at the Bital. Banorte, Santander, Banamex and Bancomer banks. They accept Visa and MasterCard and dispense bills in pesos. If you prefer to use pesos during your stay, you'll also find several banks and money-exchange houses in the central downtown area where you can make money exchanges.
Taxes
The sales and service tax, is known as the Value Added Tax (IVA) and is 10% of the bill. Hotels, moreover, will add a 2% Tax to your room rate.
Hotel / Motel Security
* Take valuables with you or leave them in the hotel safety deposit box.
* Never leave money, checks, credit cards, jewelry and other valuables, extra room keys or car keys in the room.
* Report any lost or stolen items to the management and to the police, if you require further assistance call our Tourist Assistance Hotline 078.
* Determine the easiest route to and from your room to the fire escapes, elevators and nearest Telephone.
* Use all auxiliary locking devices on doors and windows.
* Use the door viewer to identify anyone requesting entry.
* Report to the management any suspicious activities in the corridors or rooms.
Vehicle Security
* Do not advertise you are a visitor. Place maps, travel brochures and valuables in the glove compartment or trunk before you get to your destination. Carry wallets, checkbooks and purses with you.
* Check the back seat before getting into your car.
* Always lock your car and take the keys. Don't hide a spare key on your vehicle, a thief is sure to find it.
* Never leave your vehicle with the engine running.
* Park in well-lighted, busy areas.
* Whenever you stop overnight, remove bags and other valuables from the car and take them inside your room.
Beach / Ocean Safety
Check with the lifeguards about safety conditions around the beach and water areas and tell your kids about unsafe conditions or non-swimming areas.
* Beware of rip currents
* If your children become separated from you, have them contact a lifeguard or police officer for help.
* Observe posted signs around the beach area.
* Do not touch wildlife on the beach or in the tide pools.
* Do not carry glass containers to the beach.
* If you are going to leave valuables in your car, place them in your trunk or conceal them before you arrive at your destination.
* Drinking alcohol is illegal at all public areas.
* Whether you are skating or riding the waves, don’t forget the protective gear, sunscreen and drinking water
Kids Safety
* When visiting local attractions, dress kids in bright clothing and designate a meeting site for lost family members. For small children, write down their names and where they're staying and put it in their pockets.
* Instruct kids not to open hotel room doors to people they don't know.
* Make sure kids are familiar with hotel/motel escape routes. Discuss which adult is responsible for which child/children in an emergency.
* When visiting local attractions, dress kids in bright clothing and designate a meeting site for lost family members. For small children, write down their names and where they are staying and put the paper in their pockets.
* Instruct kids not to open hotel room doors to people they don’t know.
* Make sure kids are familiar with hotel / motel escape routes. Discuss which adult is responsible for which child/children in an emergency.
* When in a car in Baja California, children 3 years old or under must be in an approved safety seat.
* Never leave children alone in a car.
Buying Medicine / Prescription Drugs
When buying any type of medication, make sure that there is no restriction for its purchase over the counter.
*To buy any controlled medication, you need a prescription with the original signature issued by a Mexican doctor. It must also include the seal from the State Health Authorities and serial-number.
*Possession of controlled medications without a Mexican prescription is a serious crime.
*With a prescription you can only obtain up to 30 days of medication.
*Under no circumstances should you buy or pay for a prescription, it is considered a serious federal crime.
*For more information call the State Health Authorities by dialing the toll free number locally 01 800 025 6580, for a complete listing of controlled medication in Mexico, go to the web site: www.cofepris.gob.mx
*You can also contact the Federal Attorney Genera’s Crime Prevention Office at (011 52 664) 633-6889 or 90, the Association of Pharmacies at (011 52 664) 685-0170 in Tijuana, or contact you nearest consulate.
*Remember that if you purchase any medicine requiring a prescription and you buy it over the counter, you are at risk of being detained by the police authorities. Use common sense.
*For information on bringing prescription medication into the US, go to the Customs web site: www.customs.ustreas.gov
Sightseeing Safety
* Always ask for directions to the sites or places you want to visit.
* City and road maps are available at your hotel or at any of the visitor centers listed in this page.
* If you get lost find an open business and ask for directions or call our Tourist Assistance Hotline 078.
* Avoid driving isolated highways at night and if possible avoid traveling alone.
* Visitors can be targets for pickpockets. Stay alert to what’s going on around you.
Using ATM’s
* You will find ATM´s at all major bank branches throughout the State.
* ATM´s in Mexico can be used with most USA issued credit and debit cards that operate in the Cirrus or Plus system. Look for the logo on the back of your card.
* ATM´s provide only Mexican currency (Pesos).
* Law enforcement authorities are always on the lookout for people that pray on unsuspecting visitors. When using an ATM machine make sure that no one is looking to surprise you and please contact the police if you feel it necessary.
* Never give your credit card or secret access number to anyone.
*this information is courtesy of the
State’s Secretariat of Tourism www.discoverbajacalifornia.com