Global Wave Conference (GWC) III Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)s

Transcription

1 Global Wave Conference (GWC) III Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)s Is Baja safe? Despite several years in the media as being an unsafe place to travel, Baja California has returned as a globally renowned tourist destination. Improvements to the border crossing in San Ysidro, a very- well maintained toll road and immediate access to the Rosarito Beach Hotel from the highway make the trip from the border a safe and easy 15 minutes. Do I need a passport to go to Rosarito? U.S. and non U.S. citizens need their passports or residency cards. Please check with the Mexican Consulates in your area with any questions. How do I get to the conference? A bus will be available leaving from the San Diego International Airport (SAN) in the afternoon on Sunday, May 5 th, arriving at the Rosarito Beach Hotel around in time for dinner and returning to SAN on Wednesday, May 8 th after lunch. If I need to stay in San Diego, where can I stay? There are a number of hotels around the airport with taxis available to go to and from your hotel. What if I choose to rent a car; can I take a rental car to Mexico? If you re a U.S resident, you may drive a rental car into Mexico with most rental companies. You may only drive a rental vehicle into Mexico if you purchase Mexican Automobile Liability Insurance at the U.S. rental location. The Mexican Automobile liability insurance is not available for purchase in Mexico. You must purchase this extra insurance regardless of any insurance coverage s you may already have or already purchased from the car rental agency. What is the surf like? The Rosarito Beach Hotel is located on the beach in Rosarito Beach, Baja California, Mexico. A pier and offshore rocks create peaky beach break on most swells. May is a good time of year for south swells, which can make for very fun surf in front of the hotel. Around Rosarito Beach there are a number of quality surf spots.

2 Do I need to change money? The US Dollar is easily accepted in almost all shops and services. Sometimes however you may find that with gas stations and some services that the exchange rate is not as favorable as that issued by a local bank. There are ATM machines that will give Mexican Pesos and several banks in Rosarito that can exchange money. What services/amenities are available in Rosarito? There are many restaurants, stores, cafes and bars located in easy walking distance from the Rosarito Beach Hotel as well as several miles of sandy beach. Can I drive my own car from the US into Mexico? Yes, you can drive your own car into Mexico if you have a valid driver s license and Mexican Liability Insurance. Once passing the San Ysidro border you will come to a tollbooth that charges 30 pesos ($2.75 in U.S. dollars). You will only need to pay once on your journey to Rosarito. Is Mexican car insurance required? Mexican Liability Insurance is required by Mexican law in the event of an accident, even if you are not at fault. It greatly reduces the chance that you will face jail time, and limits the financial burden you might come by after an accident. Lastly, Mexican insurance provides coverage for damage to your vehicle or its total loss. U.S. or any other non- Mexican insurance does not cover your liability for potential accidents, nor does it fulfill the basic requirement for insurance according to Mexican law. Where can I purchase Mexican Liability Insurance? We recommend purchasing Mexican Liability Insurance through Baja Bound ( Their website is easy to navigate and they provide free quotes for all car types. Baja Bound had been selling Mexican insurance on the border for over 14 years and they provide an easy and convenient process that allows you to immediately print out the official certificate of Mexican insurance. What are some driving precautions while traveling through Northern Baja? While driving on the toll road, we advise you to remain in the right lane unless you re passing a slower car. Obey the speed limit and remain alert and cautious of other drivers. We recommend avoiding driving at night.

3 Will my cell phone have reception? There is cell phone reception, however we recommend contacting your cell provider and updating your phone to international calling. You will need to pay addition fees for roaming and calls. Is the tap water safe to drink? Tap water in Mexico is generally unsafe to drink. Safe potable bottled water can be purchased at any store. What is the exchange rate? 1 Mexican Peso =.08 US Dollar =.05 British Pound Sterling =.06 Euro =.08 Canadian Dollar =.08 Australian Dollar = 7.22 Japanese Yen =.09 New Zealand Dollar What are the expected weather and surf conditions? The month of May in Northern Baja California is generally warm. The weather averages F (14-22 C) with very little chance of precipitation. The water temperature is generally around 62 F (17 C). It is a transitional month for weather and waves; however swells can be expected from the south as well as the north. What surf equipment is recommended? A 3/2 mm fullsuit is recommended. However, depending on the current swell and winds, the water may be warmer or colder. It would be a good idea to bring a lighter wetsuit as well. A standard shortboard or alternative shape is recommended.

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