Aleta Azul (Bluefin)

Celebrate the Tuna: A Fun-Filled Day at Caracol Science Museum

Ensenada Celebrates Tuna Day with Free Family Event

This Saturday, May 3, Ensenada is throwing a party for one of our favorite sea creatures — the tuna.

From 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., the Caracol Science Museum will host a free event full of tasty food, hands-on activities, and cool facts. The star of the show? The bluefin tuna. The event also celebrates the reopening of the exhibit “Aleta Azul: El Atún del Pacífico.”

Aleta Azul (Bluefin)
#Aleta Azul (Bluefin)

One highlight is the ronqueo demonstration — the traditional art of filleting bluefin tuna. An expert from Baja Aqua Farms, along with chef Miguel Bahena, will show the process live. It’s a mix of tradition, precision, and culinary skill you rarely get to see.

filleting bluefin tuna
#filleting bluefin tuna

Throughout the day, guests can also enjoy educational talks, raffles, fun stations for kids, and plenty of food. There’s something for everyone, whether you’re a seafood fan, science lover, or just looking for a fun way to spend your Saturday.

The event is organized by the Caracol Museo de Ciencias, with support from Baja Aqua Farms and Bluefina. Best of all, admission is free.

🐟 Come celebrate one of Baja’s greatest catches — and yes, we mean that literally.

Bus Gets Stuck

Bus Gets Stuck, Snarls Traffic on Calle Ruíz and Ámbar

This morning in Ensenada, a bus got stuck in a dip at the intersection of Calle Ruíz and Ámbar, causing a serious traffic slowdown.

According to witnesses, the driver didn’t notice the shallow but sneaky dip in the road and ended up wedged halfway in. It’s the same dip locals have warned about before, but this time it trapped a whole bus. A backhoe was brought in to help, followed by a cement truck attempting to assist.

As of 9:20 a.m., the bus was still there, with just one police officer managing the chaos. Drivers in the area reported long delays and confusion.

📍If you’re headed through this part of town, take another route. And if you’re behind the wheel of a larger vehicle — slow down and stay alert, especially on familiar streets. You never know when a “little dip” turns into a big problem.

Photos taken on the scene show the unusual rescue effort in action. We’ve posted them below.

🚨 When buses bounce into dips, we bring you the bumpy details — only at the Gringo Gazette North.

Read and help

World Book Day 2025: Read, Share, and Make a Difference

World Book Day 2025

Today, April 23, is World Book Day, and there’s no better excuse to open a book—and help someone in the process.

📚 Join the 2025 Reading Marathon

Penguin Random House Grupo Editorial has launched its annual Reading Marathon to promote literacy and support vulnerable communities. It’s simple: for every 20 minutes you read or listen to a book and log at maratondelectura.com, a book gets donated to a child in need.

Penguin Random House Publishing Group
Penguin Random House Publishing Group

🗓️ Active until April 30, 2025, the campaign features:

  • Dozens of eBooks and audiobooks.
  • Categories like Must-Reads, LGBTQ+, Inspiring Authors, and even Horror or BookTok picks.
  • Featured titles include Matilda, The Fault in Our Stars, La Tumba, and Game of Thrones.

Over 61,000 minutes have already been logged, turning reading time into real impact.

How to join:

  1. Register on the site.
  2. Choose a book.
  3. Read or listen for 20+ minutes.
  4. Log your time.
  5. Share it on social media to inspire others.

📖 Baja Celebrates Too

The Autonomous University of Baja California (UABC), one of the region’s top public universities, is hosting local events in Ensenada.

  • 📍 April 23 at 1:30 PM – Valle Dorado campus
  • 📍 April 24 at 11:00 AMBiblioteca Central Ensenada, UABC Campus Sauzal (There’ll be a book-themed quiz and even some Starbucks. Yes, please.)
  • UABC is hosting local events in Ensenada
  • UABC is hosting local events in Ensenada

🎉 How to Celebrate

  • Join the Marathon – Your reading minutes can donate books.
  • Attend a Local Event – Book fairs, quizzes, and more.
  • Spread the Word – Share your favorite reads using #DíaDelLibro and #MaratónDeLectura.

At the Gringo Gazette North, we love a good book. Especially when it gives something back.

Governor Marina del Pilar handed over ten electric carriages to local drivers

Ensenada Rolls Out Electric Carriages: Tradition Meets Innovation

Ensenada has taken a significant step toward sustainable tourism

On April 21, Governor Marina del Pilar Ávila Olmeda gave out ten electric carriages to local drivers. These will replace the old horse-drawn ones.

The new rides carry four passengers. They’re quiet, eco-friendly, and best of all, no horses needed.

The state invested 2.75 million pesos through its Department of Economy and Innovation. Officials also plan to install charging stations across town.

#MarinaDelPilar And Claudia A

This move follows a new law in Baja California. It bans animals from pulling carriages for tourism. It also recognizes animals as living beings, not property.

“This is a big day,” said the governor. “We’re ending horse-drawn rides and moving to clean, modern transport—without losing our charm.”

The change didn’t happen overnight. Authorities worked with drivers to find solutions. Now, drivers get to keep their jobs—and horses get to rest.

Jenny de la Cruz, speaking for the group, thanked the state for helping them modernize. She said the change protects a tradition that’s been part of Ensenada for over 40 years.

So yes, you can still ride through Ensenada’s scenic streets. But now, the wheels are quiet—and the animals are free.

Here at the Gringo Gazette North, we love when old traditions meet new ideas. Especially when everyone wins—including the horses.

Eye on the sidewalk colors before you park!

Parking in Ensenada Just Got Colorful

—Pay Attention or Pay the Price

Planning a stroll down Ensenada’s tourist zone? Better start looking at the sidewalk colors, not just the wine list.

New rules are now in effect: green curbs mean you can only park for two hours. Yes, two. After that, move it or risk a fine. The city made the change after businesses complained that some folks were parking all day. We get it—those tacos are hard to leave.

White curbs? Those are only for loading and unloading tourist buses. Don’t even think about parking your SUV there while grabbing souvenirs.

Why all the paint? Because Ensenada, like most beautiful places, has a parking problem. Officials want to keep traffic flowing and tourists happy. Rotating cars more often means more chances to find a spot—at least in theory.


Parking along Ensenada’s tourist zone—especially Calle Primera—is still a challenge. But with new two-hour zones and clearer curb markings, things are expected to improve. Just keep an eye on the sidewalk colors before you park!

This isn’t just for locals. Expats and visitors are affected too. So, next time you head downtown, keep an eye on the curb. Green? Set a timer. White? Drive away slowly and act innocent.

Local police say they’ll enforce these changes. Whether that means tickets or just warnings remains to be seen. But hey, better safe than booted.

At the Gringo Gazette North, we’re here to help you park smart, not pay dumb. Watch the colors and enjoy Ensenada—just not from behind the wheel too long.

Ensenada Will Be The First City in Mexico to Roll Out Local EV Buses

Move over Tesla, Ensenada is getting its own fleet of electric vehicles—and they’re way bigger than a sedan.

That’s right, our little coastal city is making national headlines as the first in Mexico to launch a full fleet of electric buses, designed and built right here in Mexico by DINA and MegaFlux. The shiny new model? It’s called Taruk—which, honestly, sounds like the name of a sci-fi superhero… and we’re here for it.

In the coming months, 80 Taruk buses will hit the streets in the first stage of a mega plan to eventually roll out 345 units across all 78 public transport routes in Ensenada. If you’ve ever tried to get from one end of town to the other during rush hour, you’ll know just how welcome this is.

Mayor Claudia Agatón is leading the charge—pun intended—and she’s not being subtle about it: “Ensenada isn’t just adopting clean tech, we’re writing the manual for Mexico’s energy transition,” she said. “Our port city is going to be the live lab for proving electric public transport works—both technically and financially.”

Taaruk Bus. Photo courtesy of Dyna México

Each Taruk bus can travel 390 km on a single charge, enough for a full 12-hour workday with the AC on full blast. And yes, they’ve already been tested under real-world conditions in Mexico City—because if a bus can survive that traffic, it can survive anything.

But this isn’t just about swapping diesel fumes for cleaner air. The project is Made in Mexico from start to finish—so every bus represents local jobs, homegrown know-how, and a big win for Mexican manufacturing. According to the numbers: each vehicle creates 25 jobs in the supply chain, and 78 out of every 100 pesos spent stays in the national economy. Compare that with imported buses, where most of the cash flies out of the country faster than a tourist spotting a taco stand.

In Ensenada alone, the project has already generated 50 new specialized jobs, with plans to train another 200 technicians before the end of the year. Plus, MegaFlux will install fast and slow charging stations across the city, working with the national electric utility (CFE) to make sure the grid doesn’t blow a fuse.

And guess what? Other states are watching closely. Baja California Sur, Jalisco, Nuevo León, Hidalgo, Michoacán… they all want in on the action. No surprise there—the federal government has already set its sights on deploying 3,000 electric buses nationwide in the next few years.

Ensenada Beaches Get the Green Light for Fun in the Sun

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:

👉 COFEPRIS Beach Monitoring – Semana Santa 2025

So grab your towel, your shades, and your best “I swear I remembered sunscreen” outfit—Ensenada’s beaches are open and waiting.

Baja Voters Face a Judicial Marathon: 220+ Picks in Under 12 Minutes

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.

Over 900 Kilos of Trash Collected in Ensenada Beach Cleanup

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!

Easter in the Wine Country

Venture off the Beaten Path

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.

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