VALLE DE GUADALUPE, MX
The Valle de Guadalupe is a unique part of Baja. It is renowned as Mexico's wine country. Think the Mexican Napa Valley. The Mexican Bordeaux. The Mexican Duoro Valley. Just like those places, the Valle de Guadelupe has become luxury and trendy. Boutique hotels and restaurants are popping up daily. At least that's what I noticed from my time there after seeing all of the construction sites. But the area is unique. It is more alive and green than the rest of Baja which should be considered for the most part, a desert. It feels a bit like an oasis (but it isn't my favorite oasis in Baja — more on that in the Mulege section). It's a very common destination for people who want to come down for a weekend away. It can certainly be romantic. Nice meals. Good wine. Fancy accommodation. To enjoy all of these aforementioned perks of the valley, you certainly won't be on a backpacker's budget. One of the reasons I spent very little time there. But if you aren't on a budget and want to have a nice little weekend, the Valle de Guadelupe could be a really nice destination. There are lots of recommendation posts online about this place that will be able to describe it better from that viewpoint than I will. I pretty much drove in, failed to find a campsite, got lost on an old vineyard, bought some street tacos, had a glass of wine because I felt obligated, and went back and camped on the ocean. Below is some info on the Valley that I know, but it's not much. I would look to other places for more information. None of the photos are mine.
LOCATION
Valle de Guadelupe is located about 45 minutes inland from Ensenada, or 1 hour and 30 minutes south of the border. It's inland, and will be one of the only things that I mention in Baja that is not on the coast. One reason I think it is such an interesting place to visit. I do wish I spent a little more time there.
When you get there, the general area is not too large. Some of the bigger vineyards and hotels are on the outskirts of town but there is a feeling that you are in a small town when you are there. A kind of main drag once you pull into town. But interestingly enough, once you look past all the new and fancy wine related developments, it looks like a normal Mexican town. Taco shops, tortas, etc., — this is the part, and dichotomy, that I found interesting.
HOSTELS, CAMPING, AND HOTELS (IF ANY)
The housing options here are pretty endless. But nothing much in the way of affordable. If anything. I actually looked online to see if there were any hostels, and from my brief Google, there are none. But luxury hotels, the options seem to not end. I don't have any info on those but the internet of things will be a good resource outside of here. The hotels look extremely well done. The architecture interesting and impressive. If my budget afforded it, I imagine it would be very cool to explore some of the unique housing options in the valley.
I tried to find a campsite when I was there, and failed. So from me, I have no real recommendations as it comes to housing here in the Valle de Guadelupe.
EATS
There's plenty of fine dining here in Valle de Guadelupe. I won't get into any of that here.
I did find a few tacos places near the end of town that I tried and I will mention. The tacos were delicious, it was primarily full of locals, and everything was priced great which was welcome considering where we were.
So once again it's tacos in Mexico. Surprise. But here I think it's interesting to go try these, in a place where people are pretty much going for the fancy food, to try the local stuff that stills hits.
Restaurants
Awesome little spot all the way at the end of town. Serving Delicious Al Pastor on those epic plastic plates, smothered in guacamole, for about 15 pesos each.
Translated to 'the King of the Taco'. A super-small little shack near the end of town with delicious tacos. A very local feel inside this cool spot.
Probably the biggest, and most locally known taco place in town. It's a little more than halfway through town, so more tourists will come here. Quality is still great though.
NIGHTLIFE
I know people who have gone on big weekends in Valle de Guadalupe with large groups of friends. On party buses and stuff like that. There are bachelor and bachelorette parties here all the time apparently. But I didn't witness any of that. So can't be any help here. I'm sure it can be fun, but I imagine it's mostly fun when you go already with a group. That's all I got.
SIGHTS
The sight to see in Valle de Guadelupe is really just the valley itself. Once you get there, you are seeing what there is to see. Take a tour around town. Not guided, just go for a walk or drive your car around. Look at the vineyards that coat the landscape. See the mountains surrounding the valley. It won't be reminiscent of the Mexico you thought you knew. It will feel like something different. So that is the thing to see here. Nothing that will blow your mind. Not waterfalls, or things along those lines. But the beauty of the valley and the interesting things going on there is what you came to see.
