Travel guide: Arriving to Ensenada
Arriving by car
The drive from San Diego to Ensenada is quite scenic and fairly straight forward. Following highway I-5 South leads directly to the border. At the border crossing from San Ysidro, California into Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico, only a small percentage of vehicles are stopped and their passengers queried. You'll drive over a sensor and a light will flash in front of you indicating either a green 'PASE' (pass on) or a red 'REVISION' which triggers a bell (in this case, you will then be directed into an inspection area).
After crossing the border into Mexico, follow the signs for ROSARITO-ENSENADA SCENIC ROAD. The road signes are fairly easy to spot. Continue to follow the signs for ROSARITO-ENSENADA SCENIC ROAD and ENSENADA CUOTA. The Ensenada Cuota is a toll highway beginning at Playas de Tijuana and ending at the village or San Miguel, just north of Ensenada. There are three toll booths. You may pay in either US or Mexican currency but not a combination of the two. The tolls are under 3 USD per toll booth.
After crossing the third and final toll booth, continue through the village of El Sauzal. On the south side of El Sauzal, just crossing the University campus, a fork in the road indicates Ensenada Centro to the right and Ensenada Oriente/San Quintin to the left. Turn right at the fork in the direction of Ensenada Centro, always drive close to the ocean.
Arriving to the harbour, at the stoplight (there is a gas station in front) you will see the Bulevard Costero, a nice street with palm trees in the middle. Just follow this street/boulevard. You will pass a Mac Donald (on the left side), Hotel Bahia (on the left side), and after two more blocks, you will see the conference hotel Mision Santa Isabel (on the left side), just before the bridge (map here) (map1 here) (map2 here).
Arriving by bus
If you reach San Diego, you must first get to the Tijuana border. You can either take a taxi directly to the border (around 50.00 USD), or take a taxi or a city bus from the San Diego Airport to the nearest trolley stop. The staff at the airport information desks can show you where to catch buses, taxis and trolleys. Purchase a trolley ticket to the border. The trip to the border by trolley is about 40 minutes. (approx. 2. USD)
Upon arriving to the border, walk through the steel turnstiles at the border to enter directly into Mexico. Behind the taxi stand, to the right and next to a pharmacy you will see a small bus terminal (about 200 meters). Buses leave for Ensenada about every 30 minutes.
We recommend ABC buses. Tickets can be purchased at the terminals in Tijuana airport or at the border, or pre-purchased online on their website.
Arriving by taxi
There is another quick option which is to go by taxi from San Diego Airport to the border (around 50.00 USD), and then by taxi from the border to Ensenada directly (around 80.00 USD). This is a good option if you share the taxi with someone else from the meeting. Check the participant e-mail list.
If you reach Tijuana International Airport, also taxis can drive you directly to Ensenada for around 80.00 USD.