Major city · Mexico
Guerrero Negro
Go for one night in whale season (Jan–Mar) to boat Laguna Ojo de Liebre; outside that window it is a Highway 1 fuel-and-sleep stop.
Guerrero Negro is a salt-works town of about 14,000 on the Vizcaíno Desert, just south of the Baja California border and roughly halfway down the peninsula. It is the practical base for Laguna Ojo de Liebre (Scammon's Lagoon), where gray whales calve from January to March, and for the wider El Vizcaíno Biosphere Reserve. Everything else here is basic: one main road, simple hotels, seafood restaurants and long drives.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- MXN
- Best months
- Jan–Mar for whales; Nov–Apr for cooler desert driving
- avoid Jul–Sep (heat, humidity and hurricane season on the peninsula)
- Airports
- GUB · SJD · TIJ
- Nights
- 1–2
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- Mexico ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Mexico's National Migration Institute (INM) or your nearest Mexican consulate; keep proof of your entry (stamp or digital record) until you leave.
- Mexico ↗Security advice differs by state: some governments advise against travel to parts of several states. Check your own government's advice for each region on your route.
- Mexico ↗Do not drink tap water; use bottled or filtered water and ice from reliable places.
- Mexico ↗Foreign visitors to Quintana Roo (Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Bacalar, Holbox) pay the state VISITAX online at visitax.gob.mx only; lookalike sites add fees.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Guerrero Negro911 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Guerrero Negro, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Mexican peso (MXN, $).Mexico-wide
- SIM or eSIMTelcel has the widest coverage; AT&T and Movistar are cheaper in cities.Mexico-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap; garrafón (20-litre jugs) and filtered water in hotels.Mexico-wide
- TippingcheckRestaurants: 10–15%; check the bill for an included 'servicio'.Mexico-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 127 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Mexico-wide
- SafetyGuerrero Negro is a small, quiet town and the usual precautions apply: cash over cards, no night driving on Highway 1…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPut paper in the bin, not the toilet, in most places; public toilets charge MXN 5–10 (≈ under US$1).Mexico-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance (all mexico) · 078 Tourist assistance (SECTUR) · 078 Green Angels roadside help
- Sundays & holidaysMost museums and many archaeological sites close on Mondays; banks close on public holidays.Mexico-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckGUB Guerrero Negro regional airport (Small field by the dunes; scheduled service is irregular — check before you plan around it.).
- Getting aroundThe town is small: walk the boulevard and take taxis for anything further.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeM$40–70
- Street or quick mealFish tacos (street stall)M$25–45 each
- Beerbottle in a bar / can at an oxxoM$45–70M$25–35
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekM$250–450
- Budget bedHostel or basic room, a night, per personMX$350 (≈ US$19)
- Mid-range bedSimple hotel double room, a night, per roomMX$1,400 (≈ US$80)
- High-end bedSimple hotel double room, a night, per roomMX$2,200 (≈ US$120)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget MX$700 (≈ US$40) · Mid MX$1,400 (≈ US$80) · High MX$2,600 (≈ US$150)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- GUB Guerrero Negro regional airport (Small field by the dunes; scheduled service is irregular — check before you plan around it.) · SJD Los Cabos International (The realistic fly-in: rent a car or bus to La Paz, then north.) · TIJ Tijuana (Cross from San Diego, then long-distance bus or rental car south.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Feb
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Mar
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Apr
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
May
not flagged
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Jun
not flagged
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jul
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Sep
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Oct
not flagged
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Nov
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Dec
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Best: Nov–Apr. Avoid: Jul–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest Aug (32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)), coolest Jan (8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C) low), wettest Jan (2 rain days), driest May (0). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Guerrero Negro: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
2 rd
Feb
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
2 rd
Mar
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
1 rd
Apr
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
1 rd
May
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
0 rd
Jun
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
0 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
1 rd
Aug
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
1 rd
Sep
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
1 rd
Oct
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
1 rd
Nov
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
1 rd
Dec
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
2 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The town is small: walk the boulevard and take taxis for anything further. To reach Laguna Ojo de Liebre you join an operator's boat tour, not a public service. A rental car helps for the dunes and the salt works, but the dirt tracks past the military base and airport are easy to miss.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Laguna Ojo de Liebre (Scammon's Lagoon)
goDoor to door: Half day
Operator boat tour from town, roughly 30–40 min by road to the launch point
The reason to come. Morning departures are common; confirm times and price with your operator the day before.
Dunas de Soledad
goDoor to door: 2–3 h
Taxi or rental car north past the military base and airport
About 40 sq km of bare sand; arrange your driver's return time in advance.
Salt works (Exportadora de Sal)
cautionDoor to door: Half day
Guided visit arranged in town
Working industrial site; access depends on permission — ask locally.
San Francisco and Santa Marta sierras rock art
cautionDoor to door: Full day or overnight
Guided 4x4 tour, long dirt-road day
Remote reserve terrain; only with a local guide.
Santa Rosalía
goDoor to door: 1.5–2 h
Car or bus north on Highway 1
Historic mining town with a French-built church; pairs well as the next stop.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Blvd. Emiliano Zapata (town entrance)
Hotels, restaurants and tour operators line the main road; walkable to most of them.
Calzada de la República
Second cluster of simple hotels a few minutes from the boulevard.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- M$700–1,200 excl. bed
- Mid
- M$1,200–2,200 excl. bed
- High
- M$2,200+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Simple hotel double room1 × 1 night × MX$1,400 | MX$1,400 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × MX$1,400 | MX$2,800 |
| Whale-watching boat tour2 × MX$1,200 · check — confirm current price with your operator | MX$2,400 |
| Taxi to the dunes, return1 × MX$600 · check | MX$600 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × MX$300 | MX$600 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | MX$780 |
| Trip total≈ MX$4,290 per person per day, bed included | MX$8,580≈ US$500 |
2026 estimate in pesos; long-distance transport excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | M$40–70 |
| Fish tacos (street stall) | M$25–45 each |
| Seafood plate in a restaurant | M$180–320 |
| Beer: bottle in a bar / can at an oxxo | M$45–70 / M$25–35 |
| Whale-watching boat tourcheck — seasonal, per operator | M$900–1,600 |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | M$250–450 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Whale season runs roughly January to March; boats only run with permits, so book through an operator.
- The lagoon is a protected reserve: no independent boat access, no touching or chasing whales.
- Fuel and ATM coverage is thin along Highway 1 — fill up and carry cash in pesos.
- Summer heat and hurricane season make Jul–Sep the wrong months for this stretch.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance (all Mexico)
- 911
- Tourist assistance (SECTUR)
- 078
- Green Angels roadside help
- 078
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Guerrero NegroGuerrero Negro
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Tourist assistance078
- Green Angels roadside help078
Embassy
No embassy here; the nearest US consular agency is in Cabo San Lucas and the consulate-general in Tijuana. Other countries: embassies in Mexico City (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Taxi in town: M$60–120 short hop (check)
- Taxi to the dunes, return: about M$600 (check)
- Bus Guerrero Negro → Santa Rosalía: about M$150–250, 1.5–2 h (check)
Say or show
- Disculpe — Excuse me / Sorry (dees-KOOL-peh)
- Gracias — Thank you (GRAH-syahs)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much is it? (KWAN-toh KWES-tah)
- ¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta? — Can I pay by card? (PWEH-doh pah-GAR kon tar-HEH-tah)
- ¿Dónde está el baño? — Where is the toilet? (DON-deh es-TAH el BAH-nyoh)
- Quiero ver las ballenas — I want to see the whales (KYEH-roh ver las bah-YEH-nas)
Cash in pesos is the practical default; card acceptance is limited outside the larger hotels.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Guerrero Negro. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jan–Mar for whales; Nov–Apr for cooler desert driving · avoid Jul–Sep (heat, humidity and hurricane season on the peninsula) · month by month →
- 3 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for GUB and the SJD/TIJ long-haul arrivals: last bus departures field-checked, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Whale-season operator pages with verified departure times, boat capacity and permit status.
- Highway 1 fuel, ATM and phone-signal map for the Vizcaíno stretch.
- Place pages for Laguna Ojo de Liebre, Dunas de Soledad and the salt works with access rules.