Luisa Rosas-Hernández

Summer is over, but dirty sheets aren’t part of the vacation package

As summer winds down, the Baja California State Commission for Protection against Sanitary Risks (COEPRIS BC) is turning up the heat on hotels. After all, tourists expect sandy beaches and tacos, not food poisoning. When hotels skip the basics—clean sheets, pest-free rooms, safe kitchens—guests can do more than roll their eyes. They can file an official complaint.

Training at the Caliente Hotel

Recently, 20 employees at Tijuana’s Caliente Hotel and Casino sat through training led by COEPRIS BC. Instead of learning how to fold swans from towels, they covered Mexico’s Normas Oficiales Mexicanas (NOMs).

For example, hotels must keep a cleaning log. This includes records of room sanitation, fumigation, and air filter cleaning. Without these steps, pests like bedbugs could turn a weekend trip into a nightmare.

Hygiene Rules Are Not Suggestions

One of the most important regulations is NOM-251-SSA1-2009. It sets hygiene practices for kitchens, from hand washing to grease traps. Food must be stored properly. Meats and dairy go in the fridge, vegetables must be washed, and even cans need cleaning before opening.

Because of Tijuana’s summer heat, poor storage can spoil food quickly. That means tacos that bite back.

Laundry Rooms Matter Too

Guests often overlook the laundry area. However, clean towels and crisp sheets don’t just appear by magic. Machines require regular maintenance, detergents must actually clean, and linens should smell like soap, not mystery mildew.

Other Rules That Hotels Must Follow

Beyond NOM-251, several NOMs keep the tourism industry safe:

• NOM-245-SSA1-2010 sets pool hygiene standards. No one wants to swim in bacteria soup.
• NOM-06-TUR-2017 requires hotels to meet minimum standards in hygiene and safety.
• NOM-07-TUR-2002 forces hotels to carry liability insurance. If something happens, guests aren’t left with the bill.
• NOM-10-TUR-2001 protects tourists with clear contracts. No fine-print traps.

Together, these rules keep vacation fun instead of risky.

How to Spot a Problem

Look around your hotel room. If you see dust on the fan, smell revenge in the bathroom, or notice shiny food under heat lamps, something is wrong. In these cases, your hotel may not be following the NOMs.

What Guests Can Do

Guests are not powerless. If you spot dirty rooms, pests, or spoiled food, you can act.

• File a complaint online with COFEPRIS.
• Or call 800 033 50 50 (only available in Mexico) for help.

These are legal obligations. Therefore, hotels that fail to comply can face real consequences.

Why It Matters for Baja

Tourism keeps Baja alive. Visitors want tacos, tequila, and sunsets—not stomachaches or bug bites. Also, hotel hygiene protects the region’s reputation.

One bad review about cockroaches can spread faster than a hurricane. In today’s travel world, cleanliness is marketing.

Know Your Rights

When you book a stay, remember:

1. You deserve safety. NOMs are mandatory.
2. Contracts must be clear. No vague charges.
3. Insurance is required. Hotels must cover accidents.
4. Food must be safe. Strange smells or pests? Report them.

GGNorth Bottom Line

Vacations should bring memories, not medical bills. If sheets smell funky, the pool looks cloudy, or the food seems risky, don’t ignore it.

File a complaint. Hotels that break the rules need more than bad Yelp reviews. They need accountability.

So when you check in, remember: margaritas are optional, hygiene is not. Baja deserves better, and so do you.

The Mexican Monsoon is our not‑so‑secret summer guest. It flips wind patterns and drags in humidity from both the Gulf of Mexico and the Gulf of California .

Baja lies on its fringe, so rain’s usually shy—think sudden summer sprinkles, not monsoon home invasions .

Those moisture surges from the Gulf of California—like a sneaky wet wave that barrels up the Gulf—often spark the action .

This Week’s Forecast: Baja’s Mid-Week Weather

Starting Monday (today) afternoon through Wednesday night, monsoon moisture is expected to push into Baja. Mountains get the first round of showers, heavy downpours, and lightning shows. Keep your shoes and phones dry.

Even Mexicali and San Felipe might score surprise storms—show up uninvited, yes. So yes, umbrellas are a must.

Elsewhere? Rain odds are low, but officials are on watch. And yes, the 9‑1‑1 number still works—no need to get creative.

Power Woes in the Rain

Meanwhile, locals are raising eyebrows about those wild CFE voltage swings. Cleaning up that mess amid lightning storms? That’s asking the power crew to dance in flip‑flops. Let’s hope repairs hold, or we’ll all be charging our phones with portable generators.

Why Monsoon Timing Matters

Monsoon rains are short, intense, and often hit hard. Hard‑packed arid soil doesn’t absorb quickly—flash floods are the kind of drama no one wants .

Still, those storm clouds help. They lower the heat and mop the air. But don’t get spoiled—lightning can spark fires, even when the rain looks helpful .

Power Prep Checklist for Locals

• Watch official updates (yes, “watch TV” still works).
• Secure loose objects—wind loves surprise missile launches.
• Have a flashlight or battery stash.
• And unplug chargers during storms—no one wants fried electronics when the clouds clear.

Final Word

A bit of rain, a flicker of thunder, and hopefully no power dramas. It’s that sweet middle ground: weather that keeps us entertained, but not stuck in the dark. Monsoon’s on its way—pull your rain boots closer.

Counting People, Not Problems

While most of us slept, more than 300 workers hit Tijuana’s streets. Their mission: the city’s first-ever night census of people living on the streets. The goal is simple. Who are they, where are they, and how many are there? If you want to plan the future, you better know the present.

How They Did It

The effort came under Governor Marina del Pilar’s orders and tied into the national program led by President Claudia Sheinbaum. A command center buzzed at Delegación Centro, hosting federal, state, and city officials. On the ground, teams spread across the Zona Norte, Zona Centro, La Mesa, Playas de Tijuana, and San Antonio de los Buenos.

Each group had staff from health, social welfare, and public safety. They carried supplies, clipboards, and enough coffee to fuel an army. Their task: record everyone they could find, all night long.

Words from the Top

Beatriz Olivares from the National Center for Crime Prevention put it this way:

“We worked together to close the gap of inequality.”

State Secretary Alfredo Álvarez Cárdenas said the census created a reliable database to connect people with health, shelter, ID, and jobs. Mayor Ismael Burgueño went a step further, calling it “an act of empathy” and a way to humanize those often ignored.

What Comes Next?

That’s the big question. The census gives Tijuana a snapshot. Now comes the real challenge—turning numbers into action. That means opening shelters, boosting mental health care, and linking people to jobs. The hard part isn’t counting. The hard part is following through.

Learning from Los Angeles

Other cities already do this. In Los Angeles, volunteers conduct the “Homeless Count” every January. Thousands walk neighborhoods for three nights, logging who sleeps on sidewalks, in tents, or in cars. They repeat it yearly, because the situation changes fast. Housing costs, migration, and addiction all reshape the crisis.

The lesson for Tijuana? One night isn’t enough. A census is useful only if it becomes routine, transparent, and followed by action.

We’ll Be Watching

This first night census is a start, not a finish line. The next step is clear: show the results and act on them. GGNorth will keep an eye on whether this late-night headcount sparks real change or ends up filed under “good intentions.”

Because yes, the city finally counted its invisibles. Now we’ll see if it can give them more than a number.