Travel info

Ensenada is a port city of about 450,000 located right on the Pacific coast. The third largest city on the Baja Peninsula thrives on the import industry, tourism, agriculture, commerce, and fishing. The City of Children is located about 5 miles north of Ensenada in the El Sauzal community approximately one mile from the ocean. The ocean’s cool breeze is always welcome.

Map to the City of Children
Map to the City of Children

Is it safe to visit the City of Children?

Thank you for asking 🙂 Although we cannot guarantee anyone’s safety, whether they are in the U.S. or in Mexico, we can say with reasonable confidence that we feel comfortable with you making the trip to The City of Children.

Following the recent cartel-related events reported in parts of Mexico, we want to provide a clear update regarding conditions in Ensenada and travel to the City of Children.

At this time, Ensenada and the surrounding region remain calm and stable, with no related incidents reported locally. Daily life continues as normal, and the area continues to receive both domestic and international visitors. Carnival and other major cruise lines have confirmed continued operations, with ships docking in Ensenada as scheduled. Members of our board and leadership team have crossed the border multiple times in recent weeks without issue or any indication of heightened safety concerns.

It is important to note that the recent unrest occurred primarily in other regions of Mexico and, consistent with what security experts have long observed, these incidents were not directed toward tourists or visiting groups. However, such events can understandably create concern and, in some cases, lead to temporary disruptions to travel, even in areas not directly affected.

For those traveling to Ensenada, the primary route from San Diego remains the well-traveled toll road corridor, and recent infrastructure improvements—including the new road connection directly from the border to the toll road—have further improved the ease and efficiency of travel.

We encourage all travelers to stay informed through official sources:

Baja California is currently under a Level 3: “Reconsider Travel” advisory. It is important to understand that this designation has been in place for several years and is not new or specific to recent events. In plain terms, Level 3 means travelers should carefully evaluate their plans and take additional precautions—it does not mean “do not travel.” Many areas under Level 3 continue to receive significant tourism and regular cross-border travel.

The advisory applies broadly to the state and reflects general crime conditions, particularly in certain areas of border cities—not the specific travel corridor used by most visitors traveling to Ensenada. In practice, thousands of U.S. citizens continue to cross the San Diego–Baja corridor each day, including tourists, business travelers, and ministry groups.

We continue to monitor conditions closely, remain in communication with local contacts, and follow guidance from appropriate authorities. Should any conditions change, we will respond accordingly and update any visiting group leaders.

While many circumstances around the world are beyond our control, we remain grounded in our mission and grateful for the ongoing partnership, prayers, and support that make this work possible. Thank you for standing with us as we continue to serve the children of Baja. Together, we're creating a brighter future for these incredible children!

In Christ,

The City of Children Leadership Team and Board of Directors