Crime in Northern Baja

There has been a lot of press lately about crime in Northern Baja, more specifically on the toll road from Tijuana to Rosarito. Bandits, posing as policemen, are pulling over unsuspecting travelers and taking everything from money to watches to cars. This is frightening news even to the most experienced Baja traveler. The most important thing is not to drive this road very late at night or early in the morning (when it is still dark out). The problem has been brought to the attention of the Mexican government and they have placed Green Angels (Angeles Verdes) along the toll road for extra protection. The continued bad press will hopefully be motivation enough for the government to make the roads safe again and boost tourism.

SPOTLIGHT: Mulege

I had been hearing about Mulege for years. All I knew was that it was about halfway down the Baja, on the Sea of Cortez. Recently I had the opportunity to see it firsthand on my roadtrip down the peninsula.

Mulege is one of the most beautiful places that I have ever seen. The water is shades of turquoise, green, and deep blue. The bay is flanked by huge islands that look like something out of a movie.

For those that want to escape the hustle and bustle of the bigger cities and enjoy some peace and quiet, this is the place for you. It is a great place for fishing, as it is where the cold currents from the North and the warm currents from the South meet. Mulege is also extremely popular with sailors. The town has a river running through it and is almost jungle like.

SPOTLIGHT: Ensenada

Ensenada, home to one of the largest ports on the Pacific West coast, is located 80 miles south of San Diego. Its location makes it the perfect weekend getaway for visitors from Southern California. Ensenada is probably best known for its fishing, but it has quickly established itself as an up and coming cultural center.




Some of the best wines in Mexico come from Ensenada and the Guadalupe Valley. Its temperate climate is very conducive to producing wine. What goes better with a great glass of wine than a great meal? The innovative chefs in the region have put Ensenada on the map, making it one of the finest culinary centers of Mexico.


Another popular attraction in Ensenada is whale watching. Every year, from late December through March, visitors can witness the California Gray whales off of the coast. The whales migrate south to the warmer waters of the lagoons of Baja. Many companies offer whale watching day trips that leave around 11am and return at 3pm.





If you are looking for nightlife, Ensenada has it. Hussong's Cantina, Baja's oldest bar and home of the Margarita, is a great place to eat, drink, and be merry. If you are looking for something a little more wild, try Papas N Beer. This establishment has been a favorite of spring breakers and cruise ship passengers for years.





Ensenada offers something for everyone. Whether you are looking to party or just sit back and enjoy the scenery, you will not be disappointed.

Construction Completed on Las Ventanas Project in Puerto Nuevo

Las Ventanas is an exclusive community of 38 homes in Puerto Nuevo, Baja California built by Irvine, California developer Waterfront Development Company. This project's completion represents a development milestone in Northern Baja as it is the first major project completed by a U.S.-based developer.

Irvine, CA (PRWEB) September 22, 2007 -- Irvine developer Waterfront Development Company announced the completion of construction at Las Ventanas in Puerto Nuevo, Baja California. "As the first U.S. developer to complete a project in northern Baja, we are proud of the quality of construction and attention to detail that we were able to bring to the project in concert with our Mexican construction partners," said Stephan Erkelens, managing partner of Waterfront Development Company.

Las Ventanas is an exclusive gate guarded enclave of 38 single family homes located 30 minutes south of the U.S. border and represents the high point of quality and livability in the area. With prices that are a mere fraction of those found north of the border, buyers have been attracted to the project in gratifying numbers. "Sales in the past six months have averaged a million dollars a month and we have just four units left to sell," said Robert Donnell of Beachfront Baja, the San Diego-based marketing firm selling Las Ventanas. "With prices in the area rising based on demand and the cost of construction, these remaining homes are being sold for less than their replacement value and represent a genuine buying opportunity for those looking for a beachfront house in Baja, that is ready to move into, now -- for less than the price of a condo," said Donnell.
More information is available on their website. http://www.las-ventanas.com/

Baja California Meeting Point

I recently attended the Baja California Meeting Point and was amazed by all of the development going on in the Sea of Cortez region. The Sea of Cortez is flanked by the Mexican States of Sonora, Baja California Norte, and Baja California Sur. The cities that are seeing the highest number of new developments are Rocky Point (Puerto Penasco), San Felipe, Loreto, the Tijuana-Rosarito-Ensenada corridor, and the Los Cabos/East Cape area. Cities like La Paz, San Carlos, and Kino Bay are also starting to see a number of new developments springing up.

The developments are becoming more and more sophisticated, with each developer trying to out do another with added amenities. One particular development I looked at will have a state of the art clubhouse, a gym over looking the ocean, and miles of exercise trails. Another development will have a mini-market and dry cleaners on-site so that residents can take care of their errands without leaving the property.

More and more people are choosing homes in Mexico as their primary residence. With the availability of high-speed internet connections and VOIP phones that allow you to call anywhere in the world for pennies on the dollar, working from a foreign country has become easier than ever.

I invite you to check out some of the new developments in the Sea of Cortez area by visiting:
Baja California Meeting Point