You
are more than welcome to call us at 1-877-629-2852 for further assistance
if you are planning to travel to San Felipe. We can send you
detailed maps and instructions to help you plan your trip in addition
to what is provided in our web site. Or simply e-mail
us now.
Driving
Instructions and Directions
Mileages and travel time from USA Cities
Caravans to San Felipe
Border Crossing Requirements
Traveling in Mexico
Firearms
Required Auto Insurance
Road Signs
Food/Fuel/Restroom Facilities
DRIVING
INSTRUCTIONS AND DIRECTIONS
If you are driving, you need to get to Calexico, California. You can
get there via San Diego on Interstate 8 East or from Yuma, AZ take
Interstate 8 West to Hwy. 111 exit. Take Hwy. 111 South to Calexico
and the Mexican border. There are two crossing points into Mexico
from here. See the following instructions. Drive time from border
to San Felipe is approximately 2 hours.
Border
Crossing at Calexico:
From
El Centro: Go east on Interstate 8 to Highway 111 exit.
Go South on Highway 111 to the border. Go through the border, and
bear right. After approximately 500 feet turn right for San Felipe.
Go straight on this road through Mexicali (major intersections will
have signs for San Felipe.) This turns into Highway 5. Follow to San Felipe. Click for map.
Eastern
Border Crossing:
From El Centro: Go East on Interstate 8 to Highway
111 exit. Go South on Highway 111 to the third light (Hwy. 98 or
Truck Route 7). Go East on Highway 98 for about 7 miles where the
sign shows the border crossing. Make a right and proceed up and
over the cloverleaf and into the border crossing (this is clearly
marked). Follow the signs for passenger cars.
From
Yuma: Take Highway 8 West and exit at Highway 98. Go West
on Highway 98 for about 16 miles. At the traffic light, make a left
and proceed up and over the cloverleaf and into the border crossing
(this is clearly marked).
Once
through the new border crossing you will come to a "T"
crossing. Make a right and proceed West along the border boundary
to the first stop sign where you will make a left onto Calzado Manuel
Gomez Morin (MORIN BLVD). Continue South on MORIN through 7 traffic
lights, passing the Sony plant. Turn left onto Highway 5 going South.
Follow to San Felipe, about 2 - 2 1/2 hours driving time from the border. Click for map.
Caravan
Border Crossing: Click for map.
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Those
who live farther away may want to fly.
1.
Fly into San Diego and drive rental car. Drive time is approximately
5 hours.
2.
Fly into Yuma, AZ and drive rental car. Drive time is approximately
3.5 hours. 3. Fly into Los Angeles and then fly into El Centro, CA
and drive rental car. Drive time is approximately 2.5 hours.
NOTE:
When renting a car you must tell them you are driving into Mexico.
Some agencies will not allow rentals into Mexico. In San Diego Red
& Blue is the most economical and allows their vehicles into Mexico
with the appropriate insurance. In Yuma and El Centro, Avis rents
cars that can go into Mexico. (El Centro Avis counter closes at 5:00
on weekdays, Noon on Saturdays, and closed on Sundays.)
We
have had some people choose another option and that is by bus. It
can be a long tedious trip but can be done. Greyhound Bus has a station
in Calexico, CA, right at the border. You can then walk or take a
taxi into Mexicali Bus Station and get a bus to San Felipe.
Information
Sheet
The
following information will assist you in making your trip to our beautiful
seaside resort - Club Habana Resort & Spa. If you have a question that is
not answered in this information packet, please contact our us at email@clubhabanaresort.com or 877-629-2852,
or 4255 S. Buckley Road #314,
Aurora, CO 80013.
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MILEAGES/TIMES
FROM MAJOR SOUTH WESTERN USA CITIES TO SAN FELIPE
| Mileage
from San Felipe to other major cities: (in USA) |
| City |
Miles |
Estimated
Time |
| El
Centro, California |
137
miles |
2:15
hours |
| San
Diego, California |
236
miles |
4:30
hours |
| Palm
Springs, Califonia |
244 miles |
4:00
hours |
| Los
Angeles, California |
350
miles |
6:30
hours |
| San
Francisco, California |
725
miles |
12:30
hours |
| Yuma,
Arizona |
184
miles |
2:45
hours |
| Phoenix,
Arizona |
374
miles |
6:00
hours |
| Tucson,
Arizona |
446
miles |
7:15
hours |
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CARAVANS
TO San Felipe
Our partner, El Dorado Ranch leads caravans every Wednesday
from El Centro, CA to San Felipe. The meeting
area is Desert Trails RV Park (Phone:: 760-352-7275). Exit at 4th
Avenue (Hwy. 86) off of Hwy. 8. Go south on 4th Avenue. At the first
intersection make a left - Desert Trails is 1/4 mile down on your
right. Meeting time is 9:00 am in front of the reception area.
IT
IS SUGGESTED THAT YOU MAKE RESERVATIONS THROUGH THE DENVER OFFICE
SO THE CARAVAN LEADER KNOWS TO EXPECT YOU ( email@eldoradoranch.com or call 1-800-404-2599.) Mexican
Insurance must be purchased in advance of meeting the Caravan.
You can purchase your insurance online.
If arriving late, Mexican Insurance is available at the Mobile Station
at the corner of 4th Street and Wake, just one block west of the Desert
Trails meeting place.
Click here for a map of the Caravan Border Crossing.
BORDER
CROSSING REQUIREMENTS
Passports are required for all land, air and sea border crossings. Crossing the border is virtually effortless. Typically, North Americans
entering Mexico at Mexicali are simply waved through. During the return trip, U.S. Customs performs a standard
inspection on every car, so be prepared to wait in line for re-entry into the U.S. on weekends and holidays. When crossing the border, always carry two forms of identification including your passport along with your driver's license, a certified copy of your
birth certificate, your voter registration card or your social security card (bring a birth certificate for any
minor child).
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TRAVELING
IN MEXICO
Plan to drive into Mexico during daylight hours (narrow roads pose the challenge, not
threats of violence). Generally, highways are well maintained, but the roads are not illuminated and drivers may have
difficulty seeing unmarked road hazards at night. As a precaution, travelers should carry a gallon of water. The Secretary
of Tourism has created the Green Angel organization for the assistance and the protection of highway travelers. This
free, federally funded group patrols Mexican highways looking for motorists in distress. They will help with minor
repairs, supply gasoline and generally assist drivers at no charge except for the gas or parts provided. Mexican highways
are policed by the Highway Patrol in black and white sedans. If you need emergency assistance, do not hesitate to flag
down one of these vehicles.
Pemex is the only gasoline producer in Mexico, but most gas stations are locally owned and operated. The prices are
standard, and heavy competition means good customer service. The quality of Mexican gasoline meets the standards
of traveler’s vehicles. Magna Sin provides the equivalent of unleaded, and some stations also sell diesel fuel. It is wise
to buy your gas at busy stations where frequent inventory turnover ensures fresh fuel. Be sure to fill the tank before
leaving Mexicali; you will not have another opportunity until you reach San Felipe.
Under a joint agreement between the U.S. and Mexican governments, floating checkpoints that are manned by the
Mexican Army have been established to control contraband movement. There is no need to be alarmed. The guards
are courteous and will explain why they are stopping you. Signage is posted in Spanish and English. The rule is to be
polite and cooperative, and so long as you are not transporting any contraband (guns/drugs), they pass you through
very quickly. It is also advisable to let them know you are going to San Felipe.
Expect to stop at a checkpoint approximately 25 miles north of the San Felipe.
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FIREARMS
One
thing you should definitely not bring with you into Mexico is any
type of firearms or explosives. THEY ARE NOT ALLOWED.
AUTO
INSURANCE
Mexican
auto insurance is a must. Mexico does not recognize U.S. auto insurance
policies. Proof of automobile ownership is required. Insurance is
easy and affordable to purchase whether on a daily or annual basis.
Insurance rates vary and depend on length of stay, type and value
of vehicle.
You can purchase your insurance
policy well in advance of your trip to Mexico - 24 hours a day, 7
days a week. By purchasing your Mexico auto insurance online, you
will save money and time, and you will never have to wait in line
at the border again!
Accidents
must be reported to your Mexican insurance carrier BEFORE returning
to the United States.
ROAD
SIGNS
Click on Image to Enlarge
FOOD/FUEL/RESTROOM
FACILITIES
Plan ahead and be sure to fill up your gas tank before, or in, Mexicali.
After leaving Mexicali, there is no gas available until you reach San Felipe. At Kilometer Marker 110 (approximately 45
miles from San Felipe), La Ventana offers cold drinks to travelers needing a rest stop en route. The next formal
rest stop is at the Junction of Highway 5 and Highway 3 (Ensenada Hwy). The rest stop, approximately 23 miles from
the Ranch, is large, lighted and has indoor bath facilities that are kept relatively clean. However, there is no food or
fuel at this location, and you will be charged a nominal fee by the attendant for use of the restroom facilities.
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