Why Choose Rosarito Beach, Mexico?

ABOUT ROSARITO BEACH, MEXICO

One of the top choices for Spring Break for college students is Rosarito Beach, Mexico, and it's easy to see why if you take a look at what this lively and colorful vacation hotspot has to offer. Even the journey there is a wonderful start to your Spring Break if you're driving – a gorgeous, scenic route alongside the sparkling waters of the Pacific. Being the first beach town south of the border gives Rosarito Beach an advantage over other Spring Break destinations, and as a result, you'll find it packed with other like-minded party-seekers, all out to have a great time and seek out the very best that Mexico has to offer in terms of nightlife, restaurants, beaches, and bars. Tequila, anyone?

HISTORY

The first settlers in the Playas de Rosarito area were the Kumiai Indians – the Spaniards then arrived in the middle of the 16th century, giving it a rich and diverse culture that thrives to this day.  The development of large ranches throughout the 19th century played an important part in nudging Rosarito towards being the bustling city that it is today. Then, in the 1920s, its life as a tourist favorite began when the Barbachano family – who had been a very powerful and prominent political family since the beginnngs of Rosarito - built the first highway allowing visitors to travel directly from San Diego.

Rosarito Beach, ideally situated on the Pacific coast of Baja California, has become increasingly popular with students since the 1980s – however, its appeal as a vacation getaway spot has been around since as far back as the 1930s, when it was a convenient and attractive party zone for Hollywood's favorite stars and starlets. They came here to get away from the spotlight, relax in beautiful tropical surroundings, and enjoy some indulgent living through drinking, partying and gambling. Most famously, Rita Hayworth and her husband, Prince Aly Khan, regularly chose the Rosarito Beach Hotel as their 'hideaway' spot. This history of celebrity presence made Rosarito Beach a fashionable and chic place to be, adding to its appeal in later years. It's also a popular choice as a filming location, and “Titanic” was filmed here in 1996. There's a Fox Studios museum at their studios just south of downtown.

For years now, young Americans have been flocking to Rosarito in search of an exciting, memorable and fun-filled Spring Break – and the fact that more and more turn up each year testifies to the fact that that's exactly what they find when they get there!

DAYTIME ACTIVITIES

There's no shortage of things to do in Rosarita Beach, Mexico during Spring Break. You should definitely spend some time browsing in the lively local markets and shops, where you can check out all sorts of quaint and quirky Mexican handicrafts and local produce. All duty free, of course, so remember to pick up a bottle of tequila or a favorite scent while you're there!
For those who like the great outdoors, there are plenty of sporting opportunities too when you're in Rosarito Beach – for a start, it contains some of the most popular and famous surf spots around. Grab a board and hit the waves. You can also enjoy a huge number of sports, from swimming and golf to horseback riding on the beach. Alternatively, pamper yourself by spending some time at one of the city's decadent European-style spas. And of course, you always have the option of just lazing around on the beach, sipping a cocktail and getting ready for another night of hardcore partying...

THE NIGHTLIFE

The Barbachano Zone is the place to be – it's the nightlife central, comprising of the area between the main street and Corona Avenues downtown. There are loads of clubs to choose from, like Iggy's, Papa's and Beers, and Senor Frogs, to name some of the most well-known. Rosarito Beach has also gained a large part of its popularity with Spring Break vacationers because of its party atmosphere and huge beach bar scene – if you want a real Rosarito Beach Spring Break experience, head for the open-air cantinas on the beach. Here, you can party on down on the sandy floors and enjoy tequila shooters galore, while taking part in all kinds of fun activities from mechanical bulls to volleyball!Aside from the lively cantinas, you'll also find more traditional music bars and jazz clubs – and karaoke, too, if you prefer to be in the spotlight.

DRESS CODE

For the most part, during Spring Break Rosarito Beach has no rules on dress code. Most places are fairly casual and laid-back. To be on the safe side, though, check each individual club or restaurant's policy before you go, as some of the more upmarket places do have some kind of dress code in place.

THE WEATHER

The climate of Rosarito Beach is usually described as being somewhat "Mediterranean". It's steady and consistent, with temperatures seldom going above 85 degrees F., or below 50 degrees F., all year round. Temperatures are moderated by the cool Pacific waters, while if you go a few miles further inland, the temperature can become a bit hot and stifling in the summer. The weather in Rosarito Beach is very similar to that of San Diego, and it's generally thought of as being just about perfect.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS FOR U.S. CITIZENS

As of January 23, 2007, all U.S. citizens traveling by air between the United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda will be required to present a valid passport, Air NEXUS card, or U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document. A tourist card (provided at the airport) must also be completed, presented upon entering Mexico, retained during one's stay, and surrendered upon leaving the country. The tourist card is available at Mexican Consulates, travel agencies, or airline check-in counters.

LANGUAGE

While the official language in Rosarito Beach, Mexico is Spanish, many people have an understanding of the English language. Most service employees speak both English and Spanish

TRANSPORTATION

Taxis are readily available in Rosarito Beach – you'll never be stranded, no matter what time you're leaving that club! Make sure you get the driver to tell you upfront what the fare for your journey will be. You can easily catch taxis outside the main hotels. In addition to taxis, there's some public transportation - the buses are called calafias, and they'll shuttle you up and down the length of the main street for just a few pesos. 
However, for the most part you really shouldn't expect to have to use transportation very much while in Rosarito Beach. The whole tourist zone is centred on the main street in town,  Bulevar Juárez. For the most part, you should be able to get to wherever you want to be on foot.

MONEY

The official currency of Mexico is the Peso, but because Rosarito Beach is so close to the border, you'll find that a great many of the shops, bads and restaurants will readily accept the US Dollar. If you do need to change money, there are plenty of banks and exchange houses downtown, as well as ATMs if you just want to wihdraw the cash from your account.  You've also got the option of paying by credit card in most major hotels, shops and restaurants.

ELECTRICITY

The typical set up in the U.S.A. and Canada: 110 Volts, 60 cycles, A.C.

TIME ZONE

The time zone of Rosarito Beach, Mexico is PST (UTC−8). In the summer time (daylight savings time) it's PDT (UTC−7).

TIPPING

Especially on Spring Break, make sure to take care of the bartenders. The general custom is to tip 15% on restaurants and bar bills, $2 (U.S.) per person for bellboys, and $2 (U.S.) per room/per night for maids.

DINING AND DRINKING

Legal drinking age in Mexico is 18 years (most bars and clubs will ask for ID). Rosarito Beach Spring Break is packed full of great restaurants and cafés serving tasty and authentic Mexican cuisine at very reasonable prices. Try the popular El Nido's for a truly Mexican eating experience and atmosphere, or one of a huge selection of international restaurants. And if you want a really special treat for your taste buds, you've got to check out Puerto Nueva – a village just south of Rosarito Beach, where for decades they've been catching and serving the freshest and most delicious lobster imaginable. There are about 40 restaurants in this tiny place, all serving the same thing – and people come from all over the world to eat there! .

ABOUT THE WATER

The tap water in Baja (unlike in mainland Mexico) is from wells and has for years been considered safe to drink. If you want to be extra safe and avoid tap water anyway, most hotels in Rosarito provide bottled or purified water in guest rooms, and you'll have no trouble finding familiar brands of bottled water in the shops. There is also Mexican federal law requiring restaurants to serve purified, "drinkable" water for drinking and for ice – this water is tested and certified as safe.