Often referred to as the Napa Valley of Mexico, Valle de Guadalupe is a place that has been gaining a lot of steam in recent years. Located about an hour and a half south of Tijuana and just under two hours from San Diego, it is very easy to get to and very worth the trip. This post will break down everything to know before visiting, including our answer to the question “Is Valle de Guadalupe worth visiting?”
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Valle de Guadalupe Is Surging in Popularity
We’ve tasted some of the top wines from around the world, and we were pleasantly surprised by just how fantastic the wines in this region were! The unique landscapes, luxurious hotels, and tasty wines draw in thousands of visitors every year.
There is a lot that we wish we knew about before we visited, like the odd Valle de Guadalupe weather. This guide will break down everything to know logistically for your Valle de Guadalupe trip. If you’re looking for more specific vineyard recommendations, check out our post on the best wineries in Valle de Guadalupe.
This guide will break down everything to know logistically for your Valle de Guadalupe trip.
Best Things to Do in Valle de Guadalupe
I swear this isn’t a cop-out. There really is just nothing to put here other than the two obvious choices – eat good food and drink great wine!
Valle de Guadalupe is stuffed with incredible vineyards and restaurants, but outside of that there isn’t too much to do. That is the beauty of it!
Valle de Guadalupe is very rural. Its rolling hills are serene, and even more so with a glass of local wine. If you’re interested in learning about the top wine varieties in Valle de Guadalupe, you can check out this post on the types of wine in Valle de Guadalupe.
Come drink wine with us and Tour our Wine Cabin in our Valle de Guadalupe Vlog!
Where to Stay in Valle de Guadalupe
If you’re visiting Valle de Guadalupe for more than a day, you have two main options of places to stay: Ensenada and Valle de Guadalupe itself. Some people opt to stay in Ensenada, and that is certainly a fine option.
By staying in Ensenada you have more choices of standard hotels. There is a great restaurant scene there, so you’ll definitely have a great time. However, we’d recommend staying in the Valle itself, because it saves so much time going back and forth, and there are some incredible accommodation options.
The experience of lodging on a vineyard is incredible.
Honestly, if you’re going to Valle de Guadalupe, there is no better option than staying directly on a Vineyard. Not only is the experience of staying on a vineyard awesome; you’re also located just minutes away from countless other vineyards and don’t lose a ton of time traveling! We stayed at Don Tomas Viñedo, and our experience was absolutely incredible!
If you’re interested in staying on a great vineyard for a very good price, check out our review of the cabins at Don Tomas. We highly recommend them!
Hotel Recommendations in Valle de Guadalupe
- El Cielo Resort and Winery – $$$
- Don Tomas Cabins – $
- Encuestro Valle de Guadalupe – $$$$
- Surya Hotel – $$$
Hotel Recommendations in Ensenada
- Hotel Coral and Marina – $$$
- Holiday Inn Express and Suites Ensenada Centro – $$$
- Capital O Hotel Rose – $
- Estero Beach Hotel and Resort -$$
How to Get to Valle de Guadalupe
Valle de Guadalupe isn’t very close to a major airport. In fact, the closest major Airport is an hour and a half away in Tijuana.
Unless you’re driving in from the United States, you’ll need to fly into the Tijuana airport and head south to the Valley. Since the only way to Valle de Guadalupe is through Tijuana, this section will focus specifically on how to get from Tijuana to Valle de Guadalupe.
If you have the time, we definitely recommend spending a couple of days in Tijuana as well, because it is a really awesome city! You can check out our updated Tijuana travel guide here.
Driving to Valle de Guadalupe from the USA
If you’re driving from somewhere else in Baja California or in the United States, getting to Valle de Guadalupe is pretty self-explanatory. Just be sure to have all the necessary documentation to cross the border if that applies to you, and have either dollars or pesos on hand to pay the tolls on the road from Tijuana to Valle de Guadalupe.
There are several toll booths and each one charges around $2USD/$40MXN. If you’re driving in your own car or you rent a car from the airport, be sure to check out our post with tips on driving in Mexico.
How to Get to Valle de Guadalupe from Tijuana
How to Get Around Valle de Guadalupe
CAR | UBER
This is probably the most important advice we can give you about Valle de Guadalupe: you really should have a car. Being stranded is very inconvenient. Trust me on that.
Is there Uber in Valle de Guadalupe?
I read mixed things online about the availability of taxis and Ubers in the Valle, so I will clarify it for you here: 99% of the time you will not find a taxi or Uber in the Valle.
We took an Uber from Ensenada to the vineyard we stayed at in the Valle, and then we asked him to wait and drive us (for a pre-arranged extra amount) to our first vineyard of the day.
We figured we’d just call an Uber to go back to our accommodation. This blind hope was painfully wrong.
We walked 3.5 miles back to our accommodation because we literally had no means of transportation, and this happened at one of the most popular vineyards in the entire region – Vena Cava. If you can’t get an Uber there, you can’t get one anywhere.
We got stranded and had to walk 3.5 miles back to our accommodation because we literally had no means of transportation.
Best Ways to Get Around Valle de Guadalupe
I bring all of this up to give a little context when I tell you that you have three options for transportation within the Valle; you either need a car, need to arrange having a driver for the duration of your stay, or need to join a tour group.
Other Tips for Visiting Valle de Guadalupe
Frequently Asked Questions About Valle de Guadalupe
What is the dress code for Valle de Guadalupe?
Valle de Guadalupe is fairly laid back, but I recommend wearing at least smart casual when you visit wineries. Jeans are acceptable, but I’d recommend a nicer shirt or top.
Also, since the area is filled with dirt roads and rocky terrain, I’d recommend leaving the high heels at home and packing sturdy shoes or boots instead.
What is the best season for Valle de Guadalupe?
The best season for Valle de Guadalupe is absolutely the summer. The region’s activity is very seasonal, and visiting in the winter or too far into the shoulder seasons is not worth your time. Visiting between May and October is best, as there are many restaurants and tasting rooms that only operate seasonally during these months.
You can visit outside of these months and have a nice time, but the best times to visit are late May and all of September. The summer is very hot, but it is also when the area is most alive. If you visit in the summer, make sure your hotel room has air conditioning.
Do you need a passport to go to Valle de Guadalupe?
Yes, you need a passport to go to Valle de Guadalupe. It is in Mexico, and your passport is required to enter the country. While some popular border crossings are lax when going south, things are very different when heading back into the United States.
You will have a really hard time getting back into the USA without a passport. You’d probably have a really hard time getting into Mexico without one too. Bring your passport.
That’s all we have for you! Hopefully this guide helps you plan the perfect Valle de Guadalupe getaway. If you’re planning a trip to Valle de Guadalupe, let us know! We’d love to chat ahead of time and answer any questions you have. Otherwise, have a wonderful day and stay present!
