Saturday, May 11, 2024

Only a few spots available!

Contact Mike at tours@gringoinparadise.com for information.

Already made a deposit? Pay balance here!

The itinerary for the Second Annual Valle de Guadalupe/Puerto Nuevo Tour has been finalized, promising an extraordinary journey South of the Border.

Join us at 8:45 am on Saturday, May 11th, by the ocean at the end of Newport Avenue in Ocean Beach. Here, you’ll unite with fellow enthusiastic travelers, ready to embark on our adventure aboard our deluxe bus.

Our initial stop will be a brief pause at the Mexican border office before we set off along the picturesque coastal toll road toward our first destination, the renowned Puerto Nuevo.

With over 30 restaurants to choose from, you’ll have the opportunity to savor the iconic Puerto Nuevo lobster plates. While everyone has their preferred spots, Gringo in Paradise suggests trying the medium lobsters at Restaurant Las Brisas or Sandra’s Restaurant, renowned for their exceptional quality.

Filled with contentment, we’ll continue our journey to Mexico’s acclaimed wine region, the charming Valle de Guadalupe, with our first stop being the highly-rated, family-owned Vinicola Emevé.

At Emevé, indulge in a tasting experience featuring three exquisite wines. Commence with their popular Isabella, a refreshing blend of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Viognier. Next, revel in the richness of Armonía de Tintos, a full-bodied ruby red blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, and Cabernet Franc, before culminating with Emevé’s robust and complex Malbec. Enjoy these tastings amidst the stunning backdrop of Emevé’s vineyards, attended to by their knowledgeable staff.

Responding to popular demand, we’ll revisit one of the valley’s oldest vineyards, Malagon Winery. Here, indulge in a tasting featuring three of their award-winning varietals. Perhaps you’ll hear the origin story of Whistling Donkey wine (80% Cabernet 20% Nebbiolo). The serene surroundings of Malagon provide the perfect setting to forge new connections and cherish moments with old and new friends alike. As a delightful bonus, the chefs at Malagon will once again be offering a taco plate at no additional cost.

Upon our return to the border, all passengers will disembark to proceed through the U.S. Border. Those without Sentri or Global Entry will have reserved seating on a SDTJ Passport shuttle, ensuring comfortable passage to the front of the pedestrian line. Once across, reconvene with your fellow travelers to board the deluxe bus for our return journey to Ocean Beach.

Rest assured, detailed instructions will be provided prior to the tour to facilitate seamless border crossings and minimize any potential issues.

Sign-up today!

Round-trip Transportation from Ocean Beach on a luxury bus.

$110 per person*
Limited to 50 passengers

INCLUDES Wine Tasting
DOES NOT Include Lunch

9:00 am – Leave – Ocean Beach
11:00 am – Early Lunch – Puerto Nuevo
2:30 pm – Emevé – Valle de Guadalupe
4:00 pm – Malagon – Valle de Guadalupe
5:00 pm – Leave Valle de Guadalupe
9:00 pm – Arrive – Ocean Beach

*$10 Discount for individuals with Global Entry or Sentri .

Border Crossing Guide

Border Crossings Guidelines

After crossing the border hundreds of times over the years, I know it can sometimes be a frustrating experience, especially with the unpredictability from day to day. Please read the following and share it with others in your group to lessen the impact of the border crossing.

ENTERING MEXICO

Make sure you have a valid Passport Book or Card. You will be asked to present this before you are allowed to board the bus in Ocean Beach.

We may be asked to disembark on arriving in Mexico to clear customs.

Before the tour, fill-out a Mexican Tourist Card (FMM), also known as a tourist card or tourist “visa”. This will save us precious time on entering Mexico. The form can be found online and should be filled out and printed. There is no charge for a visa if you are traveling in Mexico for less than 7 days. Always use the website below. Avoid scam websites.

https://www.inm.gob.mx/fmme/publico/en/solicitud.html

RETURNING TO THE UNITED STATES

On arriving at the border, all passengers must disembark with ALL their belongings.

Those with Sentri and Global Entry can proceed to the front of the pedestrian line directly to customs.

I will escort all other passengers to the SDTJ shuttle terminal a few blocks away. All seats will be reserved in advance, but there may be a delay waiting for an available shuttle. Once on the shuttle, we will be dropped off in front of the pedestrian line and then directed to a special bus passenger line.

On the U.S. side, everyone will reboard our bus at a designated parking lot a few blocks from the San Ysidro Transit Station.

Corner of San Ysidro Blvd and Beyer Blvd, San Ysidro, CA 92173

https://maps.app.goo.gl/t7JYw9wcDnBUtPpv5

All purchases must be declared on entering the United States. One liter of wine per person may be entered into the U.S. duty-free by travelers who are 21 or older. Amounts over one liter may require import taxes to be paid. To avoid delays on crossing, we ask that you only bring back one bottle of wine.

We have created the “Bus Buddy” system for those wishing to bring additional bottles. We will ask fellow passengers who will not be purchasing wine to volunteer to take a bottle over the border for their designated “Bus Buddy”.

If you brought snacks for the journey, please make sure to discard any fruits or vegetables before crossing back into the U.S.

For those with cell service in Mexico, I recommend downloading the WhatsApp app in advance, add me to your contacts and send a message. I will be providing group updates and will be available for questions at the following number ±1 (619) 500-2204.

https://www.whatsapp.com

I hope you are as excited as I am for our upcoming adventure. Once again I am available for questions at tours@gringoinparadise.com or (619) 500-2204.

Mike James
Gringo in Paradise