In the 1980s and 1990s, Rosarito became known for hosting one of the wildest parties in Mexico for U.S. college students on spring break. Papas & Beer, Iggy’s, and other mega-clubs on the beach kept the drinks flowing and the dance music pumping day and night. The clubs are still open, but these days, Rosarito is a town in transition. The drug wars and a global economic recession have lessened the crowds and toned down the scene, making the town more attractive to surfers and visitors in search of a relaxing vacation.
Boulevard Juarez is the center of the action, with a string of beach clubs, bars, restaurants, and hotels lining the beach. Nearby are dozens of surf breaks, and Baja’s lobster capital, Puerto Nuevo. In its ninth decade in business, the Rosarito Beach Hotel is the most historic building in town. It was built in the 1920s and hosted a number of Hollywood stars as guests in the 1950s and 1960s. The Rosarito pier is part of the hotel.
