Rancho Agua Caliente is a two-hour drive south of the USA/Mexico international border crossing at San Ysidro and is located in the eastern valleys of the city of Ensenada, Baja California. It’s approximately 17 miles east of the port and 10 miles (15 KM) west of Ojos Negros and is accessible only by a private 4 mile dirt road. Entrance gate has 24-hour security.
Print a PDF Version of these driving directions for your trip!
Driving directions are as follows:
Drive I-5 or I-805 South and cross the border into Tijuana. Immediately after you cross into Mexico, stay to the right side of the road, and follow signs to Rosarito / Ensenada.
Follow that arrow to Rosarito / Ensenada!
Exit Playas de Tijuana / Rosarito Cuota. It will be your first immediate exit after you cross over the river. (See both photos, above and below.)
Note: This photo is showing you that you need to exit right before the sign that says "Playas de Tijuana / Rosarito Cuoto", not after.
Drive through North Tijuana towards the coastal community of Playas de Tijuana via Highway 1 toll road. Stay on the Highway 1 and follow signs to Ensenda.
There are three toll gates on your scenic drive South to Ensenada, Baja California. The first two tolls are approx. $2.35 each (or $27.00 pesos) and the third toll is approx. $2.60 (or $30.00 pesos)
After the third toll in San Miguel you will drive through the El Sauzal community on Carretera Transpeninsular eventually passing the UABC-University, where you will turn right towards the Port of Ensenada (Zona Turistica) entrance. Once in Ensenada, keep driving South along Blvd. Lazaro Cardenas. Follow past the clubs, restaurants, Starbucks, etc.
Shortly after you pass the Naval Base on the right at Gral Agustin Sangines, Turn Left (east) at the Ave. Esmeralda Intersection. This is a brand new intersection and does not have a street sign, as of August 2nd, 2011. The two photos below are taken at the intersection of Esmeralda Ave. & Hwy 1. You will see a big Port of Ensenada sculpture on the right side of the freeway.
Drive approx. 17 miles (27 Km) until you reach the Rancho Agua Caliente exit sign. (Ave. Esmeralda will eventually curve north and turn into Calle Septima. Stay on Calle Septima and it eventually curves again eastward and and turns into Highway 3. Keep track of and follow any road signs indicating Highway 3 to Ojos Negros/San Felipe.)
Once you get into the rural area, you’ll see km markers on the side of the road. The Rancho Agua Caliente is located right after the 26 km marker.
Exit carefully and slowly into the dirt driveway on the right and stop at the entrance gate. You will be greeted by RAC staff.
After checking in at the front gate, carefully follow the dirt road 4 miles down to the Rancho Agua Caliente hot springs oasis facilities. There is more than one checkpoint along the way down the dirt road. Please stop and be respectful to any guards or staff you encounter.
Although conventional automobiles will make it on the dirt road most of the year, we recommended that vehicles with a significant clearance such as SUV’s or trucks be your preferred mode of travel, especially during the winter rainy season.
Once you arrive to the Rancho Agua Caliente oasis facilities, park in the designated parking lot, and meet the Native Alien group at the restaurant and bar area for hotel room assignments.
Print a PDF Version of these driving directions for your trip!
We drove down and checked the road condition. There is random bits of construction and clean up action going on along the toll road, please keep an eye out for the signs and flag dude. The condition of the dirt road was pretty good. We drove the Scion XB down, no issues, almost any normal vehicle can make it down as the road is right now in the summer of 2011. Stoked!
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