BajaNomad

Mexicali West Border Crossing - Southbound - ?

elskel - 9-24-2022 at 02:57 PM

Hey All: Quick question: I have not been through this crossing in years. I do know there has been some on going construction. My brother is heading through on Tuesday. Question - Is the Immigration building still on the left with the large covered parking area? Thanks, bk

David K - 9-24-2022 at 03:11 PM

Yes, in the first building on the left. Park before the electric gates, if you can. Otherwise the first place after and walk back.

Udo - 9-24-2022 at 03:13 PM

Yes, it is. However, the drive to the main North to South roadway has changed somewhat. Just follow the traffic and you'll be OK.
If you are all alone going through it, turn left at the first opportunity. At the dead end, turn right and head South.
Quote: Originally posted by elskel  
Hey All: Quick question: I have not been through this crossing in years. I do know there has been some on going construction. My brother is heading through on Tuesday. Question - Is the Immigration building still on the left with the large covered parking area? Thanks, bk

elskel - 9-24-2022 at 05:52 PM

Gracias, will pass along to my brother. bk

AKgringo - 9-24-2022 at 06:29 PM

If you go left before the entry gates, you will be in the correct place to get your FMM, but it is also where you go to volunteer your car for a search! That happened to me in November, and again this week.

I think I will go through the gates and walk back next time.

About following signs to get to San Felipe, there is at least one wrong one that has twice had me trying to find my way back to Mex 5. I could be wrong, but I think following the main route past the single off ramp to San Felipe will get you to the right highway. Could I have taken a turn to a street named San Felipe?

Desert Assassins Shortcut from Mexicali West to San Felipe

David K - 9-24-2022 at 06:50 PM

Cameron Steele showed me his short cut... go south from the border to the intersection with Centro Civico signed to turn left, Tijuana signed to turn right (and San Felipe is signed to continue ahead). Turn LEFT there, and go a short ways to the original route to San Felipe and get on it (elevated highway here).

Go straight here, as signed:


Turn left here 'Centro Civico' (Tijuana is signed to turn right):


See the elevated road/ bridge ahead? That's the original route:


Turn right, as signed, and go up to the road for San Felipe:


sancho - 9-25-2022 at 10:11 AM

I've crossed West a few times fairly recent. As posted, try,
usually plenty of parking, to park before the gates. As posted
doing MAY subject you to a search by customs. Never has
happened to me. Going thru the gates to park, there has been
a report or 2, of tourists being waved on, not allowing to park,
ending up not being able to easily access Mex Imm build
for an fmm

mtgoat666 - 9-25-2022 at 10:30 AM

Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo  

About following signs to get to San Felipe, there is at least one wrong one that has twice had me trying to find my way back to Mex 5. I could be wrong, but I think following the main route past the single off ramp to San Felipe will get you to the right highway. Could I have taken a turn to a street named San Felipe?


The signs seem to be unreliable. I usually use my phone map to get thru Mexicali,… I go a slightly different route each time, usually because we are shopping for food or fuel or quick bite as we are passing thru.



Udo - 9-26-2022 at 09:07 AM

That happened to me as well. That is where I found the dead-end road, and my instincts made me turn right. That put me exactly where we used to cross the old way.
Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo  
If you go left before the entry gates, you will be in the correct place to get your FMM, but it is also where you go to volunteer your car for a search! That happened to me in November, and again this week.

I think I will go through the gates and walk back next time.

About following signs to get to San Felipe, there is at least one wrong one that has twice had me trying to find my way back to Mex 5. I could be wrong, but I think following the main route past the single off ramp to San Felipe will get you to the right highway. Could I have taken a turn to a street named San Felipe?

Udo - 9-26-2022 at 09:11 AM

One cautionary tale!

There has been a rash of intentional accidents aimed at tourists. Minor ones. When one pulls over to hash out the information, the perps claim that you hit them and demand money or they will call the police. Make sure you have your phone with you and take photos of the perps or call the police yourself. The perps will then disappear quickly!

This has happened quite a few times to San Felipe residents, and notices posted on FB.

Alm - 9-27-2022 at 12:58 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Udo  
One cautionary tale!

There has been a rash of intentional accidents aimed at tourists. Minor ones. When one pulls over to hash out the information, the perps claim that you hit them and demand money or they will call the police. Make sure you have your phone with you and take photos of the perps or call the police yourself. The perps will then disappear quickly!

This has happened quite a few times to San Felipe residents, and notices posted on FB.

Some of them are aggressive, I've heard. They will rear-end you and will try to push you off the road. Safe approach has changed accordingly - don't stop no matter what, until you are far away in some quiet area. They won't follow, they are here not to kill you, only to take your money :(.

JDCanuck - 9-27-2022 at 04:17 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Udo  
One cautionary tale!

There has been a rash of intentional accidents aimed at tourists. Minor ones. When one pulls over to hash out the information, the perps claim that you hit them and demand money or they will call the police. Make sure you have your phone with you and take photos of the perps or call the police yourself. The perps will then disappear quickly!

This has happened quite a few times to San Felipe residents, and notices posted on FB.


Exactlly what happened to us just south (maybe 1 km) of the last turn posted in pics above. San Felipe police told us do not stop, do not pull over. Taking a pic or video of the car attempting to force you over might help.
In our case, there seemed to be 2 compact white sedans involved, one with severe damage to left front end, one clean doing the blocking. Damage to our right rear fender was very minimal and we had felt nothing, but noticed the white paint and slight dent when we stopped in San Felipe.

[Edited on 9-27-2022 by JDCanuck]