Getting to Valle de Guadalupe, Mexico

Valle de Guadalupe, Mexico’s wine country, is about 90 miles south of San Diego. If you're coming from outside Southern California, the best airport to fly into is San Diego

International Airport. From there, you can rent a car (just check that the rental company allows cars to cross into Mexico). Alternatively, you could fly into Tijuana and take a shuttle directly from the Tijuana airport to Valle.

If you’re driving yourself, you have a few options for crossing the border: Tijuana, Otay Mesa, or Tecate. Most travelers take the Tijuana crossing and then drive along the scenic coastal road down to Valle. Roads within Valle are unpaved and can be bumpy, especially after rain, so a car with decent clearance is helpful, though not essential.

Driving into Mexico

Get Auto Insurance: Make sure to get insurance for your time in Mexico, either through your own provider or through services like Sanborn’s.

Tolls: Keep small bills ready for tolls along the way; around $15 is enough for both directions.

Border Requirements: Bring your passport and avoid bringing fresh produce or fruit.

Cellular Plan: Check your data plan to avoid roaming fees (most plans work in Baja California).

Driving Back to the U.S.

Border Wait Times: Check wait times online, but add about an hour to the listed time. The Tijuana crossing is usually the quickest to reach, though it can have long wait times, especially on Sundays after 11 am. Otay Mesa and Tecate are farther east but may save time.

Expedited Crossing Options: Consider applying for SENTRI or Global Entry to use the faster lanes, but apply early, as approval can take a while. Everyone in the car needs to have SENTRI to use the ready lanes.

Currency

Payment Options: Most places accept U.S. dollars, debit, and credit cards.

Cash: It’s good to carry some cash or pesos, though you don’t need a large amount.