French
Deutsch
Ciudad Constitución is a small city in Baja California Sur. It is a common stop for travelers driving the length of the Baja peninsula and is a good place to stay for nature travelers wanting to experience the whale sanctuaries of Magdalena Bay (see Baja Whale Trail). It is also a popular stop for off-road race fans as it lies along the route of the Baja 1000.
Understand
[edit | edit source]
It is a young city whose roots stretch back only to 1940 when it was a crossroads known as El Crucero. It grew into a city due to agriculture being developed in the area starting in the late 1940s. Wheat was the dominant crop. Today it is a small city with a population just under 44,000 as of 2020.
Get in
[edit | edit source]By plane
[edit | edit source]The Ciudad Constitución National Airport CUA IATA is a small airfield served only by small regional carriers, particularly Aereo Servicio Guerrero (ASG).
- 1 Aeropuerto Nacional Ciudad Constitucion, Carr. Aeropuerto. Small functional airport with basic services and no perks.
By bus
[edit | edit source]Long-distance buses run frequently along the entire length of the Baja California peninsula. Services are provided by two major bus linesː Aguila and ABC. A bus from La Paz takes about 3½ hours. It is about 2 hours from Loreto and about 7 hours from Los Cabos. See also Bus travel in Mexico.
- 2 Terminal Ciudad Constitucion, José María Pino Suárez 109, Centro, ☏ +52 800 026 8931. Small terminal operated by Autobuses Aguila with sporadic arrivals and departures. Waiting room is usually clean though restrooms may not be. M$7 (coins only) to use the restroom (bring some paper because it's not always available). Coffee shop in terminal.
Get around
[edit | edit source]
The city is small and compact so walking is often the best way to get to local businesses, plazas and restaurants. Taxis are readily available but they don't use meters, so ask about fares before getting in and negotiate if the quoted price seems high.
See
[edit | edit source]- Misión San Luis Gonzaga Chiriyaqui - historic Jesuit mission established in 1721. The mission operated until 1768 when the King of Spain expelled the Jesuit order from Spain and all colonies of the Spanish Empire. Ruins of the old mission can still be explored. About 50 km off highway MEX-1 along very rough dirt backroads. A 4WD truck is advised.
Do
[edit | edit source]- Whale watching - the famous whale breeding lagoons of Magdalena Bay are about 50 km west of Ciudad Constitucion. Drive west on highway 22 to the town of San Carlos where you can hire a boat. Tour guides can also be hired in Ciudad Constitucion, which may be more convenient since they will know other embarkation points.
Buy
[edit | edit source]Eat
[edit | edit source]- 1 Casa Rafael, Esq. Javier Cervantes del Río y Francisco Javier Mina, Centro, ☏ +52 613 100 9322. Daily 08ː00 - 23ː00. Trendy diner with a mix of hearty burgers (including a tasty Hawaiian burger), Mexican mainstays, and fresh sushi. Dog friendly on the outdoor patio.
- 2 Los Faroles, Zaragoza Felipe Angeles Francisco Villa, ☏ +52 613 132 2849. Wed-Mon 08ː00 - 16ː00, closed Tue. Peaceful, quaint courtyard restaurant serving omelettes, chilaquiles and other breakfast and lunch favorites. The machaca burritos are recommended. M$200.
- 3 Bacci, Blvd. Lic. Hugo Cervantes del Río 405, ☏ +52 612 157 2672. Tue-Sun 08ː00 - 00ː00, closed Mon. Classy, upscale dining room. Menu is mostly traditional Mexican with Italian classics like pasta and pizza and American grilled meats like steak and burgers. Friendly staff, good mixed drinks. M$250.
Drink
[edit | edit source]Sleep
[edit | edit source]- 1 Hotel Oasis, Vicente Guerrero 284, ☏ +52 613 132 4458. Check-in: 15ː00, check-out: 12ː00. Moderate hotel with clean, comfortable rooms. Outdoor swimming pool available. Off-street parking available. M$1000.
- 2 Hotel Paraiso del Valle, Blvd. Agustin Olachea Esquina Agustin Melgar, ☏ +52 613 114 7419. Check-in: 12ː00, check-out: 13ː00. Friendly staff and clean, well equipped rooms at affordable rates. Off-street parking available. Rooms have air conditioning and TVs but no fridge. No on-site restaurant but there is a coffee shop right next door. Laundromat available. M$1000.
- 3 Maria de Nadie, Belisário Domínguez, ☏ +52 613 129 4071. Check-in: 15ː00, check-out: 12ː00. Upscale boutique hotel with spacious, clean, comfortable rooms. Room rates include breakfast served in the on-site restaurant, which is also open for lunch and dinner (not included). Secure off-street parking. M$2000.
- 4 Misiones RV Park, Carr. Transpeninsular KM 213, ☏ +52 613 108 0468. Well-maintained RV park with full hook-ups available. Outdoor swimming pool available. Friendly camp dog in case you left your dog back home.