Mexico

[mainelyj]

We are going to southern ca in the spring of 08. We are interested in taking a day trip to Mexico - my teenage boys would really like to go.

We are staying in Newport Beach area.

Any ideas on where to go in Mexico and what to see?

From what I understand, we will need passports, right?

Thanks for your help.

 

[Rapunsel]

there are many things to consider when going there. One is will it be your own personal car or a rental. Some rental cars places have stipulations. Unless you just want to drive down and park on the american side and walk across to TJ. There is not much there except cildren begging for $, and trying to sell you goods. At one time you used to be able to see all the people lining up to try and cross the border at night along the fences.

Or try and find a tour that would take you down and back for the day..


I persoanlly have not been across the border in about 15 years. We used to go work on mission trips there and stayed at a church.
Otherwise we get there by cruise ship. And go to the big name places.. Cabo San Lucas. Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan.



HTH.

 

[Barbday62]

Yes begining mid Jan 08 we need passports to cross the border.

I have been to Tijuana before (last time was 2001) and what we did was park in the lot on the American side and pay a couple bucks to take the bus into the town where they sell you anything, Also FYI never pay the first price the quote you lol. For some reason they will always come down. I personally have a hard time going down because I feel guilty.

Recently we went across close to YUMA in Arizona. I thik we actually crossed in California (IM in Arizona) They had lots of souvenner type things and i could not beleive how many Dentists and Pharmacies there was.

Mexico is definelty a culture shock for us in America. I think its good to see it once as a teenager. I did go as a teenager and back then (In the 70's) people lived in cardboard boxes. I never forgot that site and today I still appreciate all I have compared to them. You will encounter very small children selling basically junk and pretty much you give them a dollar because you feel so bad for them. I have never sight see in Mexico just shop. The buses we took in 2001 brought us back to our cars every half hour or so. I cant remember how often they run any more.

 

[mainelyj]

thanks. I think we may look for a tour, because of we have car rental. keep the ideas coming.

 

[debabe723]

Since you'll have a rental car, they will make you sign a waiver when you pick the car up stating you won't take the car across the border. Your car insurance that would cover you in the US specifically excludes Mexico also.

I know there used to be a trolley that went from SD across the border so you might want to see if you can find more information about that online. I haven't been in years either because I never felt really safe in the border towns (and I've been to just about all of the major ones from CA to TX). YMMV

 

[mainelyj]

Just got my california tourist guide and yes it does say american insurance does not cover Mexico. I guess I will check with our hotel re: a tour. I would like to take my teenage boys to Mexico. They want to go too.

Does any one know of any private tours for a daytime trip?

thanks.

 

[debabe723]

I googled "Tijuana Tours" and came up with pages of stuff. There is even one that leaves from Anaheim, is 11 hours and takes your to Rosarita Beach, a tour of TJ and then lets you spend 5 hours exploring on your own. I saw others including GrayLine. You might also want to check the message boards on travel websites, like Frommers or Fodors.

 

[mainelyj]

thanks.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

If you are going to go down to Mexico, see if you can get down to Rosarito or Ensenada (3-hours, I think to Ensenada).

Tijuana is not representative of Mexico, and you will see the poorest people there begging on the streets. I took my cousins there (from Spain), and they were in shock at the poverty that they saw, and couldn't understand why Mexico wouldn't improve their border city to attract the tourists.

If you do go down to TJ, please do not let it influence you into thinking that all of Mexico is like that. The history is rich, people very friendly, and there are really beautiful places there ... just not in TJ.