Good news for beach bums, sun lovers, and margarita sippers: all Ensenada beaches are officially safe for recreational use, just in time for that post-Easter tan.
According to the latest test results from Mexico’s Federal Commission for Protection against Sanitary Risks (aka COFEPRIS—because why use one word when you can use six?), the water quality is looking squeaky clean. The beaches clocked in well below the 200 enterococci per 100 milliliters threshold. Translation: you can swim without worrying about bacteria crashing your beach party.
Mayor Claudia Agatón Muñiz made the announcement, highlighting that popular spots like Playa Hermosa, La Joya, Monalisa, La Misión, and Playa Pacífica (which covers El Ciprés, Conalep 1 and 2) are all good to go.
Of course, the city’s firefighters’ aquatic division will still be on watch, and the mayor kindly reminded beachgoers to actually listen to their instructions. You know, for your own safety and so we don’t end up with a Baywatch episode gone wrong.
If you’re the type who needs to see the receipts, you can check the full report here:
Over the weekend, gunfire echoed through Los Arenales in Rosarito—a popular off-road and beach adventures. According to early reports, at least four people were injured in the incident. However, none of them were found at the scene by the time authorities arrived nor in nearby hospitals.
Authorities arrived quickly and locked down the area. Since then, the Baja State Attorney General’s Office has launched a formal investigation. However, they’ve yet to release further details.
#LosArenalesRosarito
For those who live nearby, own property in the area, or just enjoy a weekend drive through the dunes—don’t worry. We’re not here to stir panic. Instead, we aim to keep our community informed and grounded. In recent years, Rosarito has made solid progress on public safety. As a result, this kind of incident has become the exception, not the rule. Moreover, local and state forces have shown they’re not afraid to act.
Now, all eyes are on the justice system. If previous cases are any sign, we can expect action. Recently, we’ve seen prompt arrests and follow-throughs that show the region means business.
Of course, one isolated event doesn’t change the big picture. Rosarito remains a safe, vibrant destination. Therefore, there’s no need to cancel your trip or rethink your weekend plans. Just stay aware, and let the authorities do their job.
At the Gringo Gazette North, we believe in facts, not fear. And we’re confident Baja knows how to bounce back—even when the sand gets a little stirred up.
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🇲🇽 Mexico Dodges a Trade War (Sort Of) — But Tariffs Still Sting
Baja watches the big game with nosebleed tickets
Trump’s trade policy just got real. The U.S. imposed 25% tariffs on imports from multiple countries, and although Mexico managed to avoid retaliatory tariffs, it couldn’t dodge the hit entirely. Over 50% of Mexican exports to the U.S. are now subject to the new rates.
Mexico’s response? Diplomatic silence. No counterattacks. No panic. Just a quiet commitment to ride the wave without starting a trade war.
SúperPeso
📊 The twist? Mexico is doing pretty well, all things considered.
The peso didn’t collapse. The markets didn’t flinch. And the world noticed: Mexico’s now seen as a stable and strategic partner in a world full of economic tantrums.
🌉 Baja California, however, is in limbo.
Despite being in the ideal location for cross-border trade, we’re still stuck with infrastructure bottlenecks, overloaded ports, and a grid that flickers at the worst times. We could be leading this moment, but instead we’re fumbling to keep pace.
💸 Meanwhile, remittances keep sliding—which hits harder in Baja than people think. The big wins in macroeconomics don’t always make it to the kitchen table.Mexic
📰 At Gringo Gazette North, we believe good news doesn’t always come with fireworks. Sometimes, staying calm under fire is the real headline.
On June 1, every citizen in Baja California will be hit with one of the most daunting ballots in history—over 220 judicial positions, including 172 state-level and 50 federal posts, with roughly 1,000 candidates in the mix.
According to election officials, casting a vote could take anywhere from 10 to 12 minutes per person. That’s right: voters will need to sift through hundreds of names to choose their judges, magistrates, and ministers. The process, described during a breakfast meeting by María Guadalupe Plaza Medina from the INE, could stretch to 12 minutes as some voters take their time reading and double-checking candidate details.
To keep things moving, each polling station will be set up with 8 to 15 voting booths so multiple people can cast their ballots at once. In total, Baja California will have 2,625 polling stations—Tijuana leading with 1,396, followed by Mexicali with 730, Ensenada with 287, Playas de Rosarito with 73, Tecate with 69, San Quintín with 59, and San Felipe with 11, plus six special sites in universities and transit hubs.
This “judicial” election, a first of its kind in the country, has already prompted a significant budget request of over 241 million pesos to cover everything from printing ballots to upgrading voting materials. The federal INE has also capped campaign spending for judicial candidates at about 220,000 pesos (11,000 U.S dollars) per person to ensure fairness.
With radio, TV, print, and social media campaigns, along with forums at universities and community centers, officials are working hard to prepare voters for what promises to be a true test of patience and civic duty. Can Baja handle the judicial marathon? Only time will tell.
Harvard might be thousands of miles from the border, but last week it got a strong taste of Baja’s cultural flavor thanks to artist and cultural promoter Benito Del Águila. He brought the borderlands to the Ivy League during the symposium “Distant Neighbors or Regional Partners?”—a heavyweight gathering at Harvard University reflecting on U.S.–Mexico relations under two new administrations.
While academics, investigative journalists, Indigenous community leaders, and even a coalition of borderland mayors tackled migration and trade, Benito came with brushes, vision, and something Harvard hadn’t seen much of lately: borderland soul.
His talk focused on the power of art as a form of cultural diplomacy. According to Benito, it’s not about red tape or policy—art gets things done the old-fashioned way: by bringing people together. He shined a spotlight on the Tijuana–San Diego art community and how it’s been building bridges way before the diplomats got around to it.
Del Águila didn’t just theorize—he showed real-life examples of how the arts are opening dialogue and encouraging mutual respect between Mexico and the U.S. He also promoted “La Línea que Une – Conexiones Transfronterizas”, an exhibit featuring over 50 artists from both sides of the border who reflect on life in a binational community.
That show is part of Artwalk Rosarito 2025, which, if you haven’t been, is not just a walk—it’s a cultural sprint across gallery spaces that’s fast becoming the go-to art event of the region.
Benito’s participation at Harvard didn’t go unnoticed. Outlets like Flash Cultural Tijuana echoed the event, highlighting his role in pushing for deeper cross-border understanding through creativity and cultural connection.
It wasn’t just about showing off pretty pictures. It was a reminder that culture—unlike certain policies—actually crosses borders. Through art, music, and shared stories, Benito made it clear: when creativity leads the way, people follow.
And while Washington figures out which neighbor gets what, artists like Del Águila are already living in the future—one where Mexico and the U.S. aren’t distant at all.
At the Gringo Gazette North, we say skip the red tape—pass the paintbrush. Benito’s brushstrokes just hit Harvard, and Baja’s voice is louder than ever.
Baja California authorities aren’t messing around. This week, the State Attorney General’s Office (FGE) confirmed the arrest of a man involved in the murder of Gail Castro—brother of popular influencer Markitos Toys.
The suspect had been under investigation for months. Eventually, authorities tracked him down and made the arrest, showing that in Baja, no one gets a free pass when it comes to serious crimes.
The murder of Gail Castro shocked fans across the country and hit social media hard. While details of the case remain under wraps, the FGE says this is just one of several actions they’re taking to bring justice to the Castro family.
More arrests could be on the way. In the meantime, this capture sends a loud message: run all you want, but sooner or later, Baja catches up.
Here at the Gringo Gazette North, we don’t chase headlines—we chase the silver linings. And today, it’s that Baja California’s getting tougher on crime, and impunity is no longer on the menu.
Ensenada, B.C. – In a fitting close to March’s Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Month, the city wrapped up a massive cleanup at Playa Hermosa, right at the mouth of El Gallo stream. Over 900 kilograms of trash were collected, proving that when the community comes together, big changes can happen.
Mayor Claudia Agatón Muñiz led the charge, with about a hundred dedicated volunteers joining forces. Team members came from various city departments—Wellness, Education, Youth, Ecology, and Environment—as well as crime prevention and even specialized environmental units like Zofemat. The effort also drew in personnel from the Navy, Cicese (the Ensenada Center for Scientific Research and Higher Education), and local fire services, plus support from councilors Ana Daniela García Salgado and Jorge Eduardo Vega Zamora.
This spirited cleanup wasn’t just about collecting garbage—it was a powerful reminder of the importance of protecting our water and natural resources. The event encouraged locals to take part in preserving the environment, showing that everyone can contribute to a cleaner, healthier community.
Throughout the month, the city also hosted three “Water Guardians Fairs” at local primary schools, spreading the message of conservation to even the youngest citizens.
It’s a shining example of community action where every piece of trash picked up makes a difference. Keep an eye out for more ways to get involved and help keep our beaches beautiful!
For decades Baja California has been known as a destination for Spring breakers. But this image has changed over the years. There is a new look and presence to be enjoyed, and Baja has much more than the margarita to sample. This is found by the true traveler as their curiosity takes them off the beaten path. Surprises await. This Easter season is celebrated in many different ways in Baja and one of those is a good old fashion Easter egg hunt. With a short drive through sleeping grape vines, orange groves and hidden in the hills of the Guadalupe Valley is the En’Kanto winery. Each year they host a community egg hunt. Part of the festival includes a visit to their very special heritage chickens. Baja is one of the very few purebred chicken breeding farms. These classy hens are known for their rainbow eggs.
There is a long history of how the egg became part of a holy tradition we know as Easter today. The egg is an ancient symbol of new life and it has been associated with Pagan festivals celebrating spring. It is said that the tradition of decorating and coloring eggs dates back to at least the 13th century. The first hunt was recorded in the 16th century in Germany. Martin Luther, a Protestant leader for the Lutheran church, introduced the egg symbolizing life and resurrection. And now children around the world are delighted when they find special eggs hidden in the grass.
Tom and Eva invited me out to meet their good friend, Cassie. Forgive the pun, but this is how the story was hatched. It all started when Cassie wanted to have fresh eggs for breakfast. The vineyard and casita rentals were surround by plenty of beautiful landscaping and room for a chicken coop. Little did anyone know at the time that they would one day have a purebred farm in Baja California.
Cassie and I met at the expanded enclosure. I learned right away that you have to have a sense of humor to be a “Poulterer.” Cassie just grinned and said, “We have some pretty funny titles; Chief Hen’Kanto Officer CHO, La Cluckadora and Madam Hatch-a-lot.” This is seriously funny way of life. She has a T-shirt that reads, “I might look like I’m listening to you, but in my head, I’m thinking about getting more Chickens.” We are both laughing by the end of the list. We started with the basics. It takes a rooster and a hen and the right set of factors for purebred birds. We stepped inside the brooding grounds; I watched for poop hidden the hay. There was a cacophony of clucking like a barnyard symphony and birds were running everywhere. But these were not ordinary chickens, these were beyond the idea of chicken. It was a funny, wildly beautiful display of bird life. The plumage of the different breeds was like a moving art show, from orange, rusty red and iridescent black of the studly rooster to the cream and white hen with the jazzy feathered hat and skinny legs reminiscent of Dr Suess’ little “Things” characters.
Cassie pointed out how the hay was laid out, “Actually we just throw in a bale of hay and they do all the work. They love to pick at it and they spread it everywhere.” She opened an inner door and pointed out how they roost at night. The feeding is simple, but Cassie exclaimed, “Oh the feed has gone sky high! It has doubled in price!” The feeders themselves are uniquely created to keep the mice out of the grain. Cassie knew all of her birds and the future pairings that would go on to create new chicks. But she was worried, “There are way too many roosters now and this is a problem as you can imagine.” When the breeding begins there is a special place where one lucky rooster is put in separately with eight or nine hens of his breed. Otherwise, there will be “mut” a mixed breed. She explains, “This is just like dog breeding to get the specialty breeds; it is the same with chickens for their rainbow eggs, plumage displays, dual purpose, or just for being cute.”
She continued, “I didn’t want to have roosters because they start crowing at four in the morning and I didn’t want them to disturb the guests staying in the casitas.” One thing led to another, and she admitted, “People start to get addicted.” There is a natural desire to begin to breed them she said, “It’s called Chicken Math.” This opens up a whole new experience and it is no longer just about the eggs. It creates a different way of life. The Poulterer begins to keep all the breeding schedules in their heads and to a layperson it is mind boggling.
When the hens begin to lay, Cassie collects 22 fertilized eggs for the incubator. It takes 21 days to hatch, however on the 18th day the eggs need to go into “lockdown” with higher humidity in the incubator. They no longer rotate hourly and must be removed and placed under the heat lamp. This allows more space for them when they hatch. Recently Cassie purchased a second incubator and is deciding on a third one. “Each one will be in process of hatching in 21 days so every week you have little chicks.” On top of this, there is the schedule for breeding to coincide with the batches leaving the incubators. “Chicken Math” is ongoing in Cassie’s head all the time. She explained, is a joke among backyard chicken-keepers. It means you start with 4 or 6 chickens and before you know it you have 50!”
“There are very few sources for purebred chicks here in Baja, and now we can begin to sell them. Some people love a special breed for pets, but there is also the opportunity of having eggs. There is a new Polish breed I have coming, and people are going to love them!” Laughing, “Yes, I am addicted!” Cassie hopes there will be the first batch of little chicks for April. What a fun Easter gift this can be.
There is so much here to enjoy all year around. The natural landscaping features massive granite boulders that are millions of years old and were left here like ancient art forms. The vineyard is always a wonder to behold in its different stages of growth. In Spring the first tiny leaves are seen pushing out of what looks like dry dead wood. In the fall the vines are heavy with grapes and the citrus groves are lush with fruit. Old tree growth provides lovely setting to enjoy wine tasting. The outdoor restaurant serves up a delicious array of homecooked delights as well as those maintaining a personal diet. And yes! You can experience eating an omelet made with fresh eggs from the classy hens. This is a real gem off the beaten path. If you visit, be sure and tell them that Martina sent you. Open Friday through Sunday, www.enkanto.mx
Editor’s Note: Martina is a freelance writer, author and columnist for Baja Bound where this story first appeared. Visit the Baja StoryTeller and read many more of her years of travel stories. See our aid and order a copy today.
Baja California kicked off the week with some challenging weather, according to the latest CONAGUA update. Two cold fronts are barreling in from the northwest and north, mixing with the subtropical jet stream to bring intense winds, rough seas, and scattered showers across the region.
Expect wind gusts between 50 and 70 km/h across both Baja California and Baja California Sur—strong enough to whip up dust clouds and reduce visibility on the roads and in the skies. The west coast will see waves between 1 and 3 meters, posing a risk for smaller boats.
Here’s a quick rundown of what to expect in key spots:
• Tijuana: Partly cloudy with light rains during the day, and thunderstorms in the early morning. Temperatures will hover between 13°C and 17°C, with NW winds reaching up to 30 km/h at night.
• Mexicali: Overcast skies with temperatures ranging from 18°C to 29°C. Strong west winds could hit 56 km/h in the afternoon.
• Ensenada: Expect intermittent clouds with light rain, with temps from 14°C to 20°C and west winds up to 30 km/h.
• Tecate: Cloudy with heavy showers, temperatures between 10°C and 16°C, and winds around 38 km/h.
• La Rumorosa: Partly cloudy with light rain by day turning into thunderstorms later; temperatures between 8°C and 15°C with SW winds gusting up to 79 km/h at night.
• Rosarito: Similar to Tijuana, light rain with occasional early-morning thunderstorms, temperatures between 14°C and 16°C, and winds up to 29 km/h.
• San Quintín: Partly cloudy with temperatures from 12°C to 22°C and winds between 30 and 54 km/h.
• San Felipe: A mix of sun and clouds, temperatures ranging from 18°C to 24°C, and SE winds between 23 and 39 km/h.
• San Pedro Mártir: Partly cloudy skies with temperatures from 7°C to 20°C and winds up to 55 km/h.
Residents are advised to take extra precautions, whether you’re on the road or at sea. Stay safe out there, Baja!
