From Tijuana to Ensenada there are many ways to get around. If you are driving there are two main roads. One is free (the free one), but it is so full of treacherous potholes in the stages that some of us avoid it whenever we can. It is currently under construction for its entire length and will have four lanes the entire length of the road. The other main road is the toll road that has 3 toll booths on the section from TJ to Ensenada. Each toll costs around two dollars depending on the peso / dollar ratio. For some reason Ensenada always has the highest toll but not much, just pennies. All of this is for those who have a vehicle to get around.
If you don’t own a car, don’t despair, as public transportation here is very reasonable, reliable, and frequent. In Rosarito, where I go most frequently, taxis continually go up and down the main boulevard. Some go as far as La Misión, 40 miles away, where I live, for $ 1.80 each way. Most fares are around $ 1.20 for local transportation. You don’t need an exact change, but you will want to have small bills. Many of the drivers in this area speak some English. They will stop where you want, unlike the US which has designated stops. This also applies to being picked up. Stand on the side of the road and a taxi will appear and find out if you need a ride. What a good system. When I first came here nine years ago, the taxis were mostly old-fashioned long-distance vans. Now they are nice and comfortable white trucks with a blue and red stripe down the side. They will tell how far they go and speed quite often on the left side of the windshield.
Yellow, green and white taxis can be had for privacy or to get off the main roads. They are still quite reasonable, but keep in mind that they will try to increase the fare for unsuspecting passengers. Find out from a local what you should really pay and barter with the driver. They will collapse as they do not want to lose the rate.
There is a red bus that you can catch from the center of Rosarito, in front of the Rosarito Beach Hotel. There is a large taxi rank with many yellow cabs. This bus will take you to the border for a fee of approximately $ 12. They only run in the summer. There are still taxis going to Tijuana, so ask at this taxi rank to find out where to take them and the current cost.
