Originally posted by Martillo
The Tecate/Otay Mesa Crossing to Boulevard 2000 and on to Ensenada
I just got back from a couple of weeks in Baja California. I traveled down to Loreto and spent a week there getting my boat ready for the trip north.
On the way north I stopped off at Bahia de Los Angeles and did some fishing. A question many people seem to be asking is “Where do I cross the
border going south; north”? Well I have been going to Baja for over thirty years and here is my opinion on the subject. Traveling south from
California you have the choices of highway 5, & 805 (TJ/Otay), 15 -94 East (Tecate) and 10 – 86/78-111 (Mexicali). Your choices are Tijuana, Otay
Mesa, Tecate, Mexicali and Mexicali East. There is another crossing being built east of Otay Mesa which will be finished in a couple of years. If you
choose the Otay mesa crossing follow these directions to blvd 2000."When you first cross at Otay you will travel over an overpass and see a sign
saying Tecate/Mexicali. DO NOT take that exit, but continue on down to Industrial Ave. and turn left there. From there it is fairly simple as you
continue heading east until you come to the junction to the toll road to Tecate and the road 2000 south to Rosarito and Ensenada on your right. Once
you are on that just follow it all the way down until you come to the T intersection at Highway 1 and turn left. Follow it south until you can get on
the toll road and you will only have one toll booth to go through before getting to Ensenada." I live in Riverside so I have all the options
depending on where I will be going. I take 15 to the 8 east. Turn right on Spring Street and then on 94 east which will take me to the border turn
off. I prefer to cross at Tecate unless I am going to San Felipe for a number of reasons. The gate opens at 6:00 A.M. and closes at 11:00P.M. There
is a campground a few miles north of the border run by San Diego called Portrero, which you can book, online. Spend the night and hit the border
first thing in the morning; after 6:00A.M. I find the Mexican authorities at Tecate are very friendly and are not too particular on what your taking
into Mexico. If you have things to declare it is usually easier to cross at Tecate. At Tijuana sometimes they will divert you to Otay Mesa where
they are very much into checking what your bringing into Mexico. This is basically the commercial crossing as is Mexicali East. I usually get my FMT
from the Vagabundos office (vagabundos .com), which usually costs about $25 depending on exchange. A FMT is needed if you are staying longer than 3
days in Mexico; it is good for 6 months. By getting a FMT through the Vagabundos office ; I only have to get it stamped at the border. At Tecate you
go down a block and drive around the block to a parking area. Walk back to the Immigration office and get your paper stamped. Now you are good to go
for 6 months. If you need to get a FMT you can get one here and if the bank across the street is open you can pay for it, bring it back and finalize
it. Sometimes however the bank is not open, so you have to wait until you get ask for it at Guerrero Negro. I usually drive south through the Valley
de Guadalupe which a wonderful area of Baja featuring many boutique wineries and restaurants. Now however they are working on the road and there is
about 14 miles of dirt diversions. Not to bad but if you are towing something not the best. A route people are now taking is the Blvd 2000. As you
cross at Tecate you go straight, turn left, than right, over the bridge and up the hill to the Mexicali/Tijuana Quota road. Take a right towards
Tijuana and you’re on the Quota road, a very nice road. You eventually come to the tollbooth, which is 88 pesos if you’re not towing anything; about
120 pesos if you’re towing. Now as you go through the tollbooth veer left towards the sign that says Rosarito/Ensenada. The right turns goes to
Tijuana. You are now on Blvd 2000 a wonderful smooth highway to the coast. Stay on 2000 until you see the sea and come to the “T”. You then turn
left towards Puerto Nuevo/Ensenada. You are now on the libre road (free road) after a few miles you will have the opportunity to get on the Quota
road to Ensenada. It will come out right before the last tollbooth; 30 pesos. After that it is straightforward into Ensenada. When you return going
north; you get on the Quota north of Ensenada towards Tijuana. Pay your 30 pesos and then look for “Primo Tapia” , this is the off ramp road, which
turns very quickly going underneath the highway and on to the libre road parallel to the coast. This is a fairly good road. You then travel for a
few miles until you come to Popotla. Here you will see the sign for Blvd 2000 Tecate. Turn right and stay on the highway to the tollbooth. Do not
take the turn off for Libre Tecate turn off! Stay in the two left lanes. Before the tollbooth there will be an option for Tijuana; don’t turn. Pay
your 88 pesos and drive until you see the Tecate off ramp. Goes under the highway and back down the hill; watch out for the stop signs. Over the
bridge, turn right and follow the signs to border crossing. Usually less than hour. |
