Major city · Mexico
Santa Rosalía
Stop one night on the Highway 1 run: the Eiffel iron church, the old Boleo mine works and the bakeries are a half-day, not a base.
Santa Rosalía is a copper town of about 14,000 people on the Gulf of California coast, founded by a French company in 1884 and worked until 1954. The mine plant still stands inside the town, the church was designed by Gustave Eiffel, and the historic centre is small enough to walk in an hour. It is a Pueblo Mágico and the first reliably warm stop on the peninsula highway coming down from the US border. Travellers use it as a one-night break between Guerrero Negro and Loreto or La Paz, or as a launch point for the Sierra San Francisco rock art and the El Vizcaíno reserve.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- MXN
- Best months
- Nov–Apr
- avoid Jul–Sep (heat and hurricane season)
- Airport
- SRL
- Nights
- 1
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 Santa Rosalía911 ▾
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 Santa Rosalía, 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
- SafetySanta Rosalía is a small, quiet town and the usual precautions cover it: daylight driving on Highway 1, no night driving on unlit stretches…
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 All emergencies · 078 Tourist assistance · 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.
- AirportcheckSRL Palo Verde Airport (San Bruno) (Paved airstrip about 30 km (19 mi) south of town; small scheduled services from Sonora, so check before you rely on it.).SRL Palo Verde Airport (San Bruno) (Paved airstrip about 19 mi (30 km) south of town; small scheduled services from Sonora, so check before you rely on it.).
- Getting aroundThe historic centre is compact and walkable.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Sit-down mealGrilled steak or burger dinnerM$200–400
- BeerBeer in a barM$40–70
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi across towncheckM$50–100
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum entrycheckM$30
- Budget bedFamily room (up to 4), a night, per roomMX$1,200 (≈ US$65)
- Mid-range bedDouble room, mid hotel, a night, per roomMX$1,200 (≈ US$65)
- High-end bedDouble room, mid hotel, a night, per roomMX$2,200 (≈ US$120)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget MX$900 (≈ US$50) · Mid MX$1,600 (≈ US$90) · High MX$3,000 (≈ US$170)
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
- SRL Palo Verde Airport (San Bruno) (Paved airstrip about 30 km (19 mi) south of town; small scheduled services from Sonora, so check before you rely on it.)SRL Palo Verde Airport (San Bruno) (Paved airstrip about 19 mi (30 km) south of town; small scheduled services from Sonora, so check before you rely on it.)
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
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Apr
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
May
not flagged
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Jun
not flagged
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Jul
Avoid
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
Aug
Avoid
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
Sep
Avoid
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Oct
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Nov
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Dec
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Best: Nov–Apr. Avoid: Jul–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)), coolest Jan (10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C) low), wettest Aug (4 rain days), driest May (0). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Santa Rosalía: 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)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
2 rd
Feb
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
2 rd
Mar
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
1 rd
Apr
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
1 rd
May
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
0 rd
Jun
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
0 rd
Jul
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
2 rd
Aug
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
4 rd
Sep
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
3 rd
Oct
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
1 rd
Nov
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
1 rd
Dec
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°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 historic centre is compact and walkable. The town stretches along the shore and some sights sit well north of Centro, so take a taxi for those. For the Sierra San Francisco rock art and the El Vizcaíno reserve you need a local tour operator; there is no public transport into the protected area.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
El Vizcaíno Biosphere Reserve
goDoor to door: Half day to full day
Own vehicle or a local tour operator; no public transport into the reserve
UNESCO site and Mexico's largest wildlife refuge; whale watching is a winter activity based out of Guerrero Negro.
Sierra San Francisco rock art
cautionDoor to door: Full day or overnight
Guided tour only, usually arranged locally or from Guerrero Negro
Remote dirt-road country; go with an operator, not alone.
Mulegé
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Highway 1 south by car or bus
River oasis, mission and beaches; easy pairing with Santa Rosalía.
Guerrero Negro
overnightDoor to door: About 2 h
Highway 1 north by car or bus
Gateway to the Ojo de Liebre whale lagoon; sleep there in whale season.
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.
Centro
Walk to the church, the museum and the seafront restaurants; the practical choice for one night.
Mesa Francia
Quiet hillside street of French-era houses, a few minutes uphill from Centro; some hotels have pools and sea views.
Highway 1 edge and Cuauhtémoc
Cheaper rooms on the main road; convenient with a car, noisier at night.
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
| Double room, mid hotel1 × 1 night × MX$1,200 | MX$1,200 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × MX$1,600 | MX$3,200 |
| Museo el Boleo entry2 × MX$30 · check | MX$60 |
| Bus Loreto → Santa Rosalía, one way2 × MX$350 · check; band M$250–450 | MX$700 |
| Bus La Paz → Santa Rosalía, one way2 × MX$1,000 · check; band M$700–1,300 | MX$2,000 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × MX$250 | MX$500 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | MX$766 |
| Trip total≈ MX$4,213 per person per day, bed included | MX$8,426≈ US$500 |
2026 estimate in pesos; long-distance buses and tours excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Bread from a stone-oven bakery | M$30–80 |
| Fish soup or seafood plate | M$150–300 |
| Grilled steak or burger dinner | M$200–400 |
| Beer in a bar | M$40–70 |
| Taxi across towncheck | M$50–100 |
| Museum entrycheck | M$30 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Summer heat and humidity are severe; plan indoor or early-morning activity in Jul–Sep.
- Hurricane season runs roughly Jun–Nov on this coast; watch forecasts if you are driving.
- Some hotels are cash only — carry pesos.
- Fuel and services thin out north and south of town on Highway 1; fill up when you can.
- Do not walk into the mine plant or fenced industrial ground.
Emergency numbers
- All emergencies
- 911
- Tourist assistance
- 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.
Santa RosalíaSanta Rosalía
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- All emergencies911
- Tourist assistance078
- Green Angels roadside help078
Embassy
No embassy in town; the US consulate-general is in Tijuana and most other countries keep embassies in Mexico City. Check before you travel.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus Loreto → Santa Rosalía: about M$250–450, roughly 3.5 h (check)
- Bus La Paz → Santa Rosalía: about M$700–1,300, roughly 9 h (check)
- Taxi across town: M$50–100 (check)
Say or show
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much is it? (KWAN-toh KWES-tah)
- La cuenta, por favor — The bill, please (lah KWEN-tah por fah-VOR)
- ¿Aceptan tarjeta? — Do you take cards? (ah-SEP-tan tar-HEH-tah)
- ¿Dónde está la central de autobuses? — Where is the bus station? (DON-deh es-TAH lah sen-TRAL deh ow-toh-BOO-ses)
- Necesito un médico — I need a doctor (neh-seh-SEE-toh oon MEH-dee-koh)
- ¿Está lejos? — Is it far? (es-TAH LEH-hos)
Cash is king in Santa Rosalía: several hotels and small businesses do not take cards.
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 Santa Rosalía. 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: Nov–Apr · avoid Jul–Sep (heat and hurricane season) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for SRL: confirm whether the San Bruno airstrip has current scheduled service before selling it as an arrival.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: Centro and the church, the mine works and Museo el Boleo, Mesa Francia, the seafront and malecón.
- Place pages with verified opening hours (Iglesia de Santa Bárbara, Museo el Boleo) and eat pages with last orders.
- Bus and ferry fixtures: Autobuses Aguila timings from Loreto and La Paz, and the status of the old Baja Ferries terminal.