La Paz

All foreign nationals must have valid immigration documents–including, a passport, and a Forma Migratoria Multiple (FMM) or temporary or permanent resident card or a tourist visa. Failure to present an FMM or other valid immigration documents when checking in for an international flight departing Mexico can result in delays or missed flights. U.S. citizens need a passport (with one blank page for the entry stamp) valid for 6 months, and a tourist entry permit (FMM) to enter Mexico. There are special document requirements for dual Mexican/American citizens, particularly minors. If you have questions about required documents or entry and exit requirements, please call the Mexican Counsel General’s office in Los Angeles, CA or visit your nearest Mexican embassy or consulate.

Tourists may bring in personal effects duty-free. Mexican customs regulations allow, in addition to clothing, personal effects that include 1 camera, 1 personal computer, 1 CD player, 5 DVDs, 20 music CDs, and 1 cell phone. Even if duty-free, tourists carrying such items should enter the “Merchandise to Declare” lane at the customs checkpoint. Travelers must pay any assessed duty on items in excess of these allowances or risk having the items seized.

A maximum of $10,000 (or its equivalent in pesos) in any combination of cash, checks, money orders, or any other monetary instrument must be declared when brought into or taken out of Mexico. Animals, agricultural products, and all medications also must be declared upon entry.

Importation of firearms and ammunition requires a permit.

Prohibited imports/exports include the following: Narcotic drugs of any kind (in any form, including seeds), marijuana (in any form, including seeds), live predator fish, fresh and cooled/frozen Totoaba fish, turtle eggs or skin, certain insecticides, and antiquities.

No vaccinations are required, but it is recommended that you keep your vaccines up-to-date when traveling.

Bottled water is recommended, as is the liberal use of a strong sunscreen or sunblock.

Medical marijuana prescriptions are invalid in Mexico, and possessing or using marijuana in Mexico is a serious drug-trafficking offense.

Travelers should avoid the possession or use of all controlled substances while in Mexico and are advised to carry a copy of their prescriptions to prove that their medicines are for personal use. It is illegal to purchase any prescription medication without using a prescription written by a legitimate Mexican physician.

Dial 066 from anywhere in La Paz for police, fire, and emergency medical services.

Religion: Catholic

Language: Spanish

Although the U.S. State Department warns U.S. citizens about the risk of traveling to certain places in Mexico due to threats to safety and security posed by organized criminal groups in the country, La Paz is one of the safest parts of the Baja California Peninsula and Mexico. As with travel anywhere in the world, you must exercise good judgment. Always be polite. Avoid wearing expensive watches or jewelry when you are on the street. Do not flash large sums of cash. Carry your passport (or a copy) with you. Store other important documents, extra credit cards and large sums of cash in a secure location.

Baja’s legal drinking age is 18. Most bars and nightclubs don’t have an official closing. Avoid walking in downtown La Paz in the early morning hours or whenever the streets are deserted. Drinking openly on the street is risky. If you plan to dine out or party late after dark, ask the bar or restaurant to call a cab for you when you are ready to leave.

Currency: Peso, but U.S. Dollars are widely accepted; keep small denominations of pesos on hand for use in more remote areas.

Credit Cards: Visa and MasterCard (widely accepted); keep the company’s 800 number recorded in a separate place for reference and never allow your credit card to be taken out of your direct sight.

ATMs: ATMs are available, but they dispense only pesos.

Traveler’s Checks: No.

Airport: General Manuel Marquez de Leon International Airport (La Paz International Airport); airport-to-base transfers are recommended, and travel time is approximately 14 minutes.

Taxi: Taxis are available at the airport and downtown. Most taxis don’t have meters; always ask the driver what the fare to your destination will be before you get in the car.

Rental Cars: Most major rental car companies are present. To get the best rate, plan ahead and make your reservation at the company’s local office in the United States, or use the company’s website. Buy the liability, collision and comprehensive insurance coverage for the rental car to avoid any lapse in coverage. Before accepting a rental car, report any existing marks, dents or other existing damage on the form. Confirm that there is a spare tire and jack in the trunk. Have the check-in representative sign your damage control form when you return the car.

Getting There
Aero Mexico has the most daily flights into La Paz International airport, with the last one arriving at 11:27pm www.aeromexico.com There are several other domestic airlines that will route you to La Paz through LAX or Mexico City.

Transfer
Airport to Base Location at Costa Baja by transfer (recommended) is about 14 minutes.

Credit Cards
All major credit cards are widely accepted. Although American Express is less accepted. It is a good idea to have a few thousand pesos as well for those occasions where no credit cards are accepted. ATM’s provide the best exchange rates and are widely dispersed. There is one at the marina.

Provisioning
There is a Walmart on the way from the airport and several excellent supermarkets just 10 -15 minutes away from the base where you can get great provisioning. There is also a small market at the base where you can get some essentials called the Breeze Market. It opens at 7am and closes at 10pm. There are excellent and very inexpensive small meals and espresso drinks available there as well as snacks and cold beverages of all types.

Scuba Diving
There is an excellent dive shop on premises right next door to our base location. Fun Baja is the name of the shop, They do rendezvous diving, and will rent equipment if you prefer.
www.funbaja.com
Tel: +52 612 106 71 48

Restaurants
There are three excellent restaurants at the base.
Azul Marino boasts indoor and outdoor seating, a serene water-front setting and a robust menu with fresh world-class seafood, thin crust pizza, and daily specials.
La Barcaccia is CostaBaja’s choice for fine Italian food and spirits. La Barcaccia’s menu features a variety of authentic Italian dishes, pizzas and fresh seafood.
Odayaka Sushi Bar has some of the best sushi anywhere. Most of the fish is locally caught right off the coast of the Baja Peninsula, the food is inventive, creative, delicious and above all incredibly fresh.

Hotel Accommodations
The Costa Baja Resort is a world class 5 star hotel with all of the amenities. We highly recommend you add a day or two after your charter to relax there and be pampered with excellent food, a stunning pool with a pool bar and a Gary Player designed golf course. This truly is a world-class resort. www.costabajaresort.com