Tourism on the wane in Rosarito, Mexico

Tourism at Rosarito Beach has plummeted though some tourists still come despite the escalating drug-war killings that have plagued Tijuana and Rosarito in the last year.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

Wranglers return home with their rental horses after a slow day of business at Rosarito Beach.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

A lone tourist makes tracks in the light sand at Rosarito Beach.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

On a recent day, about 450 of the Rosarito Beach Hotel’s 500 rooms were empty--and no one was taking advantage of the hotel’s pool.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

On Feb. 20, the U.S. State Department issued a 12-paragraph “alert” on the perils of travel in Mexico, especially near the border.

On March 2, the Justice Department’s Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives went a step further, warning American college students to stay away from Tijuana and Rosarito Beach (shown) during spring break.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

Early morning hits Rosarito Beach, where tourism is way off. But the few who do visit,say it’s “drug people fighting the drug people” and they don’t feel that they will be affected.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

The front lobby archway with stained glass window at Rosarito Beach Hotel.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

The nearly empty Cocobeach Club in Rosarito is one of the businesses feeling the pinch. On March 2, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives warned American college students to stay away from Tijuana and Rosarito Beach during spring break.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

Street and Rosarito’s Best Corner are empty on a recent evening.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

Andrea Sharples, 24, of Los Angeles, does shots in Iggy’s Corner with her friends Josh Davis, left, and Reed Clark.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

Blanca Martinez, 36, and Ivan Barron, 33, from National City, Calif., have drinks under palapas by the fire at Iggy’s Corner at Rosarito Beach. For about $150, Barron says, they booked three nights in an ocean-view room, along with three free dinners and three margaritas each.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

Late afternoon at the pier amid the palapas at Rosarito Beach.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

Rental horses idle in front of Rosarito Beach Hotel Condos, a very slow day of business in this tourist town.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)