Mexico: Guerrero Negro, Baja California
Photo by: Edson Estrada.
One of Mexico’s Top Filming Locations
If you’re looking for a filming location in Mexico with hallucinatory views and unique vibe, then Guerrero Negro stands out as one of the country’s top filming locations.
Guerrero Negro is a small city in the north of Baja California Sur, near the border with Baja California Norte. It’s a place that harbors many hidden treasures and is known during the coldest months of the year for being one of the best whale-watching destinations in Mexico. Although it may be a tiny city, its tourism infrastructure is proliferating, and visitors will find all the necessary services they require.
Guerrero Negro is home to the world’s largest and perhaps most important salt factory and the source of the area’s otherworldly vistas: vast white plains that look like a blanket of snow, periodically dotted with small turquoise pools, producing a landscape that oscillates between desolate and magical. Towering sand dunes tumbling into the Pacific Ocean add to the spectacular panorama. They change color as the day progresses and contrast startlingly with the city’s plains and deserts. The sunsets are simply stunning.
Guerrero Negro is a fantastic filming location in Mexico, and here are some essential details that you need to know if you are considering a shoot there:
The otherworldly vistas of Guerrero Negro’s salt pans.
The Origin of Guerrero Negro
Guerrero Negro’s unusual name—translating in English as “Black Warrior”—comes from the Black Warrior, a US whaling ship hailing from Duxbury, Massachusetts, which was wrecked in what was then called Frenchman’s Lagoon on December 20th, 1858. The bay was then renamed after the ship, and the town took the same name upon being founded in 1957.
Things have come full circle in Guerrero Negro since Black Warrior ran aground - the gray whale breeding lagoon that once attracted whaling vessels from around the world now brings tourists every year, eager to get up close to these magnificent animals. In fact, Guerrero Negro is famous for the whale’s willingness to approach the whale-watching boats due to their familiarity with humans.
The Climate
The climate is arid, and the sea winds can be extremely intense in some areas, which is vital to consider during an audio portion of your shoot. What's more, although it may be quite a cold area for the majority of the year, in the summer, the temperature can exceed 38ºC/100°F. Therefore it's important to take plenty of sunscreen and stay well hydrated.
Guerrero Negro is home to the world's largest and perhaps most important salt factory.
The People
In general, the people are amiable and always ready to help. They will happily give you advice on where to go, what to eat, and exciting spots to visit. In addition, they are always ready with a smile and a welcoming greeting, making this a pleasant filming location overall.
Buying Supplies
The city has several stores for general items like phone chargers, flashlights, fishing equipment, and other simple necessities. However, the city does lack any truly specialist shops, so it can be next to impossible to get hold of special adaptors, mounts, or photographic and cinematography equipment.
Renting Gear
Gear rental is somewhat complicated in the entire state of Baja California Sur. However, you can find gear rental houses in San José del Cabo, a 1 hour and 45-minute drive from La Paz in the south of the state. You can find a wide range of equipment, yet rental options can vary at times, so lock down your gear rentals well in advance of your shoot.
Local Crew
Working with local people in this region is an excellent experience. Baja California Sur is home to very professional, friendly, and committed people who will jump at the chance to show off the best of their region. Not to mention where to find the tastiest burritos.
WhereNext on assignment in Guerrero Negro, Mexico (Photo by: Edson Estrada).
How to Get to Guerrero Negro?
Getting to Guerrero Negro is simpler for international travelers than nationals since there are now direct flights from the US to Loreto (another lovely filming location on the Sea of Cortés). From Loreto, you can travel by land to Guerrero Negro in roughly five-and-a-half hours.
The easiest option for those traveling from Mexico City or elsewhere in the country is to fly to La Paz and then travel overland to Guerrero Negro. However, it's worth bearing in mind that this is a journey of about 10 hours, which can leave you pretty exhausted. One solution is to spend a night in Loreto to break up the trip. While you're there, you can enjoy the sunrise from the promenade, an unforgettable sight.
Road transport to Guerrero Negro (Photo by: Edson Estrada).