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Isn’t it crazy that Mexico’s largest wine region is just 2 hours south of the US/Mexico border? Being just a short drive from my home base, I have been to Valle De Guadalupe more times than I can count. The most exciting gastronomy scene and boutique hotels are some of the highlights of Valle and I can’t wait to show you the best of them all in this blog.
Is Valle De Guadalupe Safe?
One of the most asked questions I get is if it’s safe to travel to Valle De Guadalupe. A lot of people are intimidated by traveling to Mexico and I can assure you that this part of Mexico IS safe and does not see violent crimes like other regions in the country. You should always practice safety precautions though to avoid trouble as you should everywhere you go. Here are some safety tips you should follow:
- Lock your vehicles
- Do not leave valuables in your vehicles, especially in plain sight
- Avoid bringing a flashy car or being flashy in general
- Be respectful of everyone you come across
- Travel with a group
How To Get To Valle De Guadalupe
Road trip From San Diego
The most common way to visit Valle De Guadalupe is by driving down through the busy San Ysidro Border. This is what I have been doing dozens of times and from my experience, it has been perfectly safe. If you plan on driving down, make sure to check with your insurance if you are covered in Mexico. Another option to stay protected is by purchasing insurance by the day or week through BajaBound.
San Ysidro is the busiest border crossing in the world. The wait to get back to the states when driving can be anywhere between 2-8 hours. The best days and times to cross are early in the mornings on weekends or between rush hour during the week. If you have Global Entry or SENTRI, you have access to the faster lanes which only takes 10-30 minutes to cross. There are helpful resources online so you can check the wait times for the 3 border crossings nearest San Diego: San Ysidro, Otay Mesa, and Tecate.
Hire A Driver
To simplify your trip, you can hire a driver to either pick you up from San Diego or Tijuana to take you to all the attractions in Valle De Guadalupe. This is a great option for groups so you can have multiple people to split the cost of this service. Check Rates Here.
Take The ABC Bus
Another option is to take the ABC bus from Tijuana to Ensenada. You will still need a driver to pick you up and drive you around Valle De Guadalupe but this saves you a lot of money since they will not need to pick you up 2 hours away.
Trip Checklist
- Cash for tolls, tips, and tacos!
- Passport or 2 forms of ID like your DL or Birth Certificate
- Vaccine records if bringing your dog
- Liquid IV if you plan on drinking
Where To Stay in Valle De Guadalupe
Boskenvid
This hotel looks like it is straight out of a fairytale. Their luxury treehouses are surrounded by oak trees with lights. They even have their very own restaurant on site and a pool overlooking the valley. This is one of the more affordable hotels in Valle De Guadalupe costing less than $200 a night. It is also pet friendly so you are welcome to bring your four legged friend! Check Rates
Zeuhary
Valle De Guadalupe is bustling with boutique stays but one of the most impressive from our experience has been Zeuhary. We loved the unique architecture and amenities such as a hot tub with a projector so you can watch Netflix while you’re soaking. It also has vineyard views you can see from your room and rooftop terrace. This stay is dog friendly and located near wineries and restaurants. Check rates.
Encuentro
Encuentro is named one of the best boutique hotels in Valle De Guadalupe. Their rooms are perched high on the rocks and you have access to their pool and restaurant during your stay. I’ve only dined here and can confirm this whole property is BEAUTIFUL. Hopefully I can stay here one of these days because it is so high on my list! Check Rates
Lumi Valle De Guadalupe
My bf and I celebrated one of our anniversaries here and had an amazing time! I always recommend this hotel to anyone going to Valle.Their luxury container homes were designed beautifully and we loved having brunch in our very own rooftop terrace. There are also plenty of amenities like riding a bike through their vineyard and soaking in the hot tub. Check Rates
Santulan
Santulan is the perfect place to stay in Valle De Guadalupe if you’re looking for a relaxing getaway. Their hotel is geared towards sustainability and mindfulness. Their rooms overlook the valley and they have a meditation dome where you can practice yoga or join a wellness class. Check Rates
Where To Eat And Drink In Valle De Guadalupe
Valle is a foodie’s nirvana. Some of the best food in Baja can be found here. From fresh seafood to wood fired steak, it doesn’t get any better than this when it comes to locally sourced restaurants.
Animalon
Dine under a large oak tree or stay warm indoors in their winter pop-up, you can never go wrong when you dine in Animalón. Both a la carte dishes and 5-12 course tasting menus are available. Reservations are strongly recommended.
Primitivo
For a unique dining experience, I highly recommend Primitivo. They serve only what they can sustainably source locally so each day is different. Every dish is cooked over the fire and each meat or seafood chosen will serve 2 using the animal in various courses. The ambiance is also beautiful with tables under their 200 year old oak tree.
Oja Valle
Want to find the most instagrammable restaurant in Valle? Oja is a stunning restaurant with amazing cocktails and apps. This is one of the pricier options for eating and drinking in the area so we stuck to smaller apps like oysters which were delicious.
La Cocina de Doña Esthela
This is a restaurant that you absolutely can’t miss. La Cocina de Doña Esthela won the best breakfast in the world in 2015 and it lives up to the hype. Her restaurant is located in a ranch and gets busy FAST. If you want to avoid waiting a few hours to get seated, make sure to get there as soon as it opens at 8am. Some of our favorite dishes here are the elote pancakes, machaca, and borrego tatemado. Check out the reviews here.
Cava Dragon
The most authentic experience we’ve had in a winery here has been with Cava Dragon. This family owned winery has incredible wines made sustainably and a chef’s tasting menu that’ll blow your mind. If you plan on visiting, make sure to make a reservation beforehand.
More places worth visiting: Decantos, Once Pueblos, Tahona for mezcal, and Vena Cava.
Bloodlust Wine Bar
A lot of wineries in Valle De Guadalupe close by 5 or 6pm and Bloodlust is the perfect place to keep the buzz going. They have a great list of local wines, craft beer, cocktails, and even coffee. You can also order meals for dinner or bar bites to share with friends. It does get PACKED on weekends so make sure you make a reservation.
Once Pueblos
This restaurant is one of those places I just want to keep to myself because it’s SO good but it is to good not to share. Their dishes are inspired by traditional Mexican cuisine from different states like Michoacan and Oaxaca. Every dish we have here always hits the spot and their property has gorgeous views.
Activities In Valle De Guadalupe
Book a spa day
Spend the day getting pampered in the middle of wine country. This Spa experience includes a one hour massage, chilaquiles, mimosa, and access to the spa amenities like the hot tub overlooking the vineyard, infinity pool, and saunas. Check rates.
Private Speakeasy Experience
This architectural gem is perched into a canyon and is quite possibly one of the best places for a private event in valle. Truly one of the most memorable things you can book in valle. This experience is perfect for groups and includes:
- One bottle of wine per couple
- Mezcal
- Charcuterie
- Waters
- Speakers
- 2 hours in the venue
Check this experience out here.
I hope this post has been helpful for you. If you want to see more of my travels from Baja and beyond, you can find them on my Instagram reels and highlights.
If you liked this blog, you might also like my Todos Santos blog.