BajaNomad

TJ border crossing

soccerscotty21 - 5-17-2011 at 11:07 PM

Hey all, i'm new here. I will be heading down to BOLA this weekend. My second time down there, first time driving (last time i was a kid). Looks like things have changed at the SY crossing once you enter TJ. Can someone give me an idea of where I will end up going once i get across the border, and how I will get on my way to ensenada the quickest and safest? Thank you.

David K - 5-17-2011 at 11:16 PM

Just follow then signs for PLAYAS, ROSARITO, ENSENADA, SCENIC HIGHWAY (Toll Road, Mex. 1-D). After leaving the border area, stay towards the right... go up an overpass and see the exit right to the road along the border heading west. There is a detour for construction before joining the toll highway.

A far easier route in my opinion is to cross at Otay, go south 1 mile to Blvd. Industrial and turn east (signed for Tecate Cuota Mex. 2-D) for 5 miles to Corredor 2000, a new fast freeway to the coast at Popotla, south of Rosarito. You can hop onto the toll road a few miles south at Cantamar, for free and have just one toll to pay.

Have a fun trip!

DENNIS - 5-18-2011 at 07:08 AM

San Ysidro is kinda tricky for the unitiated right at the start.
First, you pass through the gate.........
Next, you will, or won't be flagged over to Mexican Customs on the right....
Leaving Customs, you proceed forward in any lane BUT the right lane, under the bridge .......... [pay attention here as there's a right hand turn right before you get to the bridge and you don't, as in "Do Not" turn there]

Continue on under the bridge, up the short hill and position your self in the right lane at that point.

At the top of that short climb, you will see cars on your right merging into your lane from another another road and, at the same time, you'll be merging into their lane.....a switch-over. Most often this requires aggressive driving and it's no place to be timid.
Another thing........you won't have much time to make this lane transition as you will be turning right, off that road, while on top of the bridge.
You will by this time have seen signs directing you to points south and having a co-pilot to call out these directions as they come up is a good idea as your attention will be pinned to the Kamikazee traffic that can develop on the bridge.

Once you've pulled it off, it will seem simple...as it is.

Have a good trip, Scotty, and welcome to BajaNomad. Give us a trip report when you have time.

Oh...yeah.....be sure to get your visas at the border and buy insurance if you haven't already bought that.


.



[Edited on 5-18-2011 by DENNIS]

soccerscotty21 - 5-18-2011 at 07:34 AM

Dennis- thank you for this information it is very helpful. I think i can manage it. I had just heard that there were some detours as soon as you cross the border that send you south through the city, not sure if that is correct. As far as getting the tourist card, i have heard that at SY you get in the right lane and wait for a gate to open where you can park and walk over to the INM, is that about right?

David- I am interested in Otay. Does it also offer a bank/INM so I can get the tourist card and exchange $? Also, once you cross the border, does it put you onto surface streets or a major highway/toll road? Compared to SY is Otay more/less safe? This is my first time crossing so I just want to make sure to have everything in order before I make the plunge. Thank you.

David K - 5-18-2011 at 07:46 AM

Otay does have a bank for buying tourist cards, but I haven't heard it was open 24/7 like the Tijuana one is (is supposed to be).

You are on two surface streets... the one heading south from the border for 1 mile... then the one heading east 5 miles to the Tecate Toll road entrance and the Corredor 2000 (free highway) entrance (signed for Rosarito).

There are very few issues and it is the easiest way south for the least amount of cross traffic... and well signed.

Hey, life needs some adventure... just go into Mexico like you would any other new city... be careful, and relax... I have posted photos of the route in detail on my Sept. 2010 trip to Las Pintas Rock Art site trip report...

OKAY, here it is:

Part 1, Friday 9-17-10

A quick weekend adventure was in order from my birthday, so we headed south to Baja! Our destination for the evening was El Rosario's Baja Cactus Motel.

We left California at the Otay Border about 6:30 pm, Friday afternoon...





The line going into Mexico moved quickly, and we did get a red light and pulled up to the customs officer standing between lanes, who quickly had us continue on (only an ice chest in the truck bed).

Ahead from the border, 1.1 miles is Blvd. Industrial where a left turn is made to get to the Corredor 2000 (formerly Blvd. 2000) which is a fast, easy freeway to the Ensenada highway, just south of Rosarito.





This is also the route to the Tecate Toll (Cuota) highway (Mex. 2-D).





About 5 miles down Blvd. Industrial is where the Corredor 2000 (to the right) and the Tecate Toll Highway (to the left) begin.







The sun was setting as we neared the end of the Corredor 2000 on the Pacific Coast.



The Corredor 2000 ends on the Free (Libre) Ensenada highway at Popotla, about 32 miles from the Otay Border. We went home via the Corredor 2000 and the Tecate Free Highway (Mex. 2) to the Tecate Border (38 miles from Mex. 1 at Popotla).

South of Ensenada at Maneadero, we enjoyed some yummy carne asada tacos at Los Poblanos (red taco shop on the east side of the road). From Maneadero to almost Ejido Uruapan (12 miles) they are widening the highway and there are a few miles of dirt and paved detours. The military checkpoint just beyond Uruapan (north of Santo Tomas) and again just north of El Rosario both waved us through southbound, but did an inspection northbound.

We arrived in El Rosario at 11:30 pm Friday night and enjoyed a great night's sleep at Baja Cactus...

To Be Continued...








[Edited on 5-18-2011 by David K]

DENNIS - 5-18-2011 at 07:59 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by soccerscotty21
I had just heard that there were some detours as soon as you cross the border that send you south through the city


The through-city detours are no more. just follow the signs.
Quote:
As far as getting the tourist card, i have heard that at SY you get in the right lane and wait for a gate to open where you can park and walk over to the INM, is that about right?


Correct.


David's suggestion for crossing at Otay deserves consideration. It may be more painless.

Martyman - 5-18-2011 at 08:10 AM

Can you miss the gate (san ysidro) and park past the inspection area? You used to be able to park and go get your tourist cards. I'm trying to miss the red light/green light and still get my papers. I will be carrying guns and drugs.

soccerscotty21 - 5-18-2011 at 08:14 AM

David-

This information looks really good. I think I will cross at Otay. It looks a lot faster and a lot less used. So in order to get a tourist card at this crossing, what is the procedure? Where is the INM/Bank located? We will probably plan on crossing around 10-11 AM, so no worries about it being closed. It looks pretty easy to get to, and get on corredor 2000. I know that everything is hyped up and the danger isn't like everyone makes it out to be, but are we close to or near any bad parts of town by going this way through otay compared to going through SY? Thank you. The pictures really help also, btw.

DENNIS - 5-18-2011 at 11:10 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Martyman
Can you miss the gate (san ysidro) and park past the inspection area? You used to be able to park and go get your tourist cards. I'm trying to miss the red light/green light and still get my papers. I will be carrying guns and drugs.


Things have changed a bit at the gate, Marty. The initial red/green light is all but meaningless. Now, seemingly more often than not, cars are waved into secondary regardless of the color of the light.
There's a small insurance office right past the customs area, but I think the parking around that is meant for customers.
If things go wrong there, next stop is Ensenada and that's not a good option to be left with.

By the way....don't worry about the guns. These days, everybody has them.

David K - 5-18-2011 at 11:33 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by soccerscotty21
David-

This information looks really good. I think I will cross at Otay. It looks a lot faster and a lot less used. So in order to get a tourist card at this crossing, what is the procedure? Where is the INM/Bank located? We will probably plan on crossing around 10-11 AM, so no worries about it being closed. It looks pretty easy to get to, and get on corredor 2000. I know that everything is hyped up and the danger isn't like everyone makes it out to be, but are we close to or near any bad parts of town by going this way through otay compared to going through SY? Thank you. The pictures really help also, btw.



I have never gotten tourist cards at Otay (only Tijuana)... but have read of others who have and it sounds just as painless... You may be in for an inspection, but with nothing to hide, so what?

The Otay to Corredor 2000 is very pain free and very limited traffic compared to crossing south from San Ysidro with its busy merging street as you go across the bridge to the Rosarito/Ensenada off ramp.

Bad parts of Tijuana? Nope, the bad parts are in Juarez on the mainland!:cool:

Here's some fine tune notes on the Otay to Ensenada route:

Very soon after crossing into Mexico, is a signed concrete exit for Tecate... a newer road... I have not taken it and am not sure where it joins into Blvd. Industrial... I continued a bit further ahead to Blvd. Industrial and turned left (signed for Tecate Cuota 'toll' road). That is what my photos show... 1.1 mile south of the border... Then it is about 5 miles east to the split: Left for the Tecate Toll Road entrance and Right for Corredor 2000 (signed for Rosarito).

Fast freeway to the coast... it ends on the free road, just south of Fox Baja Studios where Titanic was filmed in Popotla. The interchange to the toll road was begun but never finished.

The free road is now 4 lanes wide all the way past Cantamar. You can get on the toll road at Cantamar or a bit further near the end of the 4 lane part (by Splash Restaurant) for free. That is the fastest way south and just one toll to pay at San Miguel Village. You can stay on the free road, it is 2 lanes wide and climbs over a mountain between La Mision and El Tigre, but is a nice drive if you are not in a rush.

Returning home, I suggest using Hwy. 3 to Tecate from Ensenada... As you enter downtown Tecate at the bottom of the hill, fork right (along the train tracks), just past the baseball stadium (and before the McDonalds) well signed for San Diego, Hwy. 94, Garita (border)...



[Edited on 5-18-2011 by David K]

soccerscotty21 - 5-18-2011 at 12:08 PM

Perfect. I think we will cross at Otay. I speak spanish, so I will just ask for the INM office and where to change money to get the tourist visa (FMM right?). I also think that we will go through tecate on the way home since we will be crossing on a sunday afternoon, and SY will be packed. David, that is a stellar map you posted. Mind if i ask where you got it?

Dollare to Pesos

bajaguy - 5-18-2011 at 12:20 PM

There are money changers there (wearing yellow or green vests) working the southbound & northbound lanes at Otay that can convert your dollars to pesos for the FMM.

As soon as you leave the INM office and before you get to the bank, look through the fence at the southbound lanes for a yellow vest........easy squeezy

DENNIS - 5-18-2011 at 06:08 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajaguy
There are money changers there (wearing yellow or green vests) working the southbound & northbound lanes at Otay that can convert your dollars to pesos for the FMM.

As soon as you leave the INM office and before you get to the bank, look through the fence at the southbound lanes for a yellow vest........easy squeezy


You gotta be kiddin', Terry. Do they work for nothing?

I can't believe the bank won't take dollars for a T-Card. When one first comes to Mexico, what are they supposed to do?
No wonder people don't want to comply with their nonsense.

bajaguy - 5-18-2011 at 06:29 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
[You gotta be kiddin', Terry. Do they work for nothing?

I can't believe the bank won't take dollars for a T-Card. When one first comes to Mexico, what are they supposed to do?

No wonder people don't want to comply with their nonsense.






Dennis.....had friends visit in March. They tried to pay for their FMM's with Dollars.....the bank refused to accept Dollars.....only would accept Pesos and referred them to the money changers.

DENNIS - 5-18-2011 at 06:57 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajaguy


Dennis.....had friends visit in March. They tried to pay for their FMM's with Dollars.....the bank refused to accept Dollars.....only would accept Pesos and referred them to the money changers.


Unreal....so much for hospitality. Mexico earns ever bad rap they get.

bajaguy - 5-18-2011 at 07:04 PM

well, it is their country and I guess you spend the coin of the realm........I'll bet the US doesn't accept Pesos for tourist visas

DENNIS - 5-18-2011 at 07:13 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajaguy
well, it is their country and I guess you spend the coin of the realm........I'll bet the US doesn't accept Pesos for tourist visas


I'll bet you're wrong on that. Does the US even have tourist visas that can be bought at the entrance?

Besides, whether it's their country or not....they try to promote tourism and slam the door on tourists who are having their first exposure to Mexico? Where are they supposed to get Pesos before crossing the line?
OK....you know the answer and I know, but they obviously don't. So what kind of friend has Mexico made at that point?

mtgoat666 - 5-18-2011 at 07:29 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajaguy
Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
[You gotta be kiddin', Terry. Do they work for nothing?

I can't believe the bank won't take dollars for a T-Card. When one first comes to Mexico, what are they supposed to do?

No wonder people don't want to comply with their nonsense.


Dennis.....had friends visit in March. They tried to pay for their FMM's with Dollars.....the bank refused to accept Dollars.....only would accept Pesos and referred them to the money changers.


crikey! it's a foreign country! what marooon would be offended if foreign govt or their banking agent won't accept dollars in lieu of their own currency?

DENNIS - 5-18-2011 at 09:25 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by mtgoat666
crikey! it's a foreign country! what marooon would be offended if foreign govt or their banking agent won't accept dollars in lieu of their own currency?


OK...splain me this...........why would a first time tourist from the middle of freakin Alaska be expected to know he could buy foreign money on the streets in the USA?
Where's he supposed to get those holy Pesos to buy his permit twenty feet inside the line?
It's not a very accomodating regulation, but more like some asinine government false pride.

redhilltown - 5-19-2011 at 12:08 AM

Greetings!

I think I read the thread right and has anybody mentioned you can get a free seven day card? Still a good idea of course to get some pesos but might make the initial border crossing a bit easier.

Nobody loves crossing in TJ but if you coming down the 5 straight through San Diego it really is not that bad and easier in many ways. You have a big parking lot to pull into immediately after crossing and the office is always open (ok ok ok..."open" as to Mexico standards...sometimes you have to track down the right person). After this you have only about 5-10 minutes on regular TJ roads until the toll road at which point I relax a bit...and those roads have been vastly improved in the last couple of years.

But you do have it right to cross back over on a Sunday at Tecate. No bed of roses but usually better than the alternatives and a drive up the Guadalupe valley can be relaxing now that the construction is almost done.

David K - 5-19-2011 at 07:48 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by soccerscotty21
Perfect. I think we will cross at Otay. I speak spanish, so I will just ask for the INM office and where to change money to get the tourist visa (FMM right?). I also think that we will go through tecate on the way home since we will be crossing on a sunday afternoon, and SY will be packed. David, that is a stellar map you posted. Mind if i ask where you got it?


The map is the 2007 edition AAA Baja map... It shows the Corredor 2000, but the interchange onto the Ensenada toll road was never finished, as shown on the map.

Even if you go across at Tijuana, you will get to L.A. Bay, so don't worry about it... If there was no Internet, you would still get down there. There are lots of signs either route you take... Have FUN!

soccerscotty21 - 5-31-2011 at 06:50 PM

Hey everyone thanks for all the help. It was a great trip. We crossed Saturday morning at about 11 am at otay mesa. We waited about 25 minutes. No problems crossing. I didn't know where to park to go to the INM so I actually went into town and parked near the border wall (could have been sketchy) and then walked back across the traffic to the INM. Everything turned out fine. Coming back we went through Tecate on Saturday afternoon at about 3pm. There was only 1 car in front of us to get through. it would have only taken like 3 or 4 minutes but my brother had tied a dead pelican skull to the top of the car so we got waved over to be inspected. Needless to say they took the skull (they said they will ship it to him if its actually allowed -- they weren't sure). The roads weren't too bad at all, we had no problems getting out of TJ and down south. We stayed south of san quentin the first night down, and then at archelon in bola. We were the only campers at Archelon until friday night some Mexicans came and camped next to us. On the way back we went straight from bola to cali with a short stop in Ensenada. Not too bad of a drive actually. Thank you all for your help. I am already anxious to plan the next baja trip. Just wish i lived in California so it would only be 1 day of driving instead of an extra day of driving from Utah. Oh well, what can you do. Thanks again.

David K - 5-31-2011 at 06:54 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by soccerscotty21
Hey everyone thanks for all the help. It was a great trip. We crossed Saturday morning at about 11 am at otay mesa. We waited about 25 minutes. No problems crossing. I didn't know where to park to go to the INM so I actually went into town and parked near the border wall (could have been sketchy) and then walked back across the traffic to the INM. Everything turned out fine. Coming back we went through Tecate on Saturday afternoon at about 3pm. There was only 1 car in front of us to get through. it would have only taken like 3 or 4 minutes but my brother had tied a dead pelican skull to the top of the car so we got waved over to be inspected. Needless to say they took the skull (they said they will ship it to him if its actually allowed -- they weren't sure). The roads weren't too bad at all, we had no problems getting out of TJ and down south. We stayed south of san quentin the first night down, and then at archelon in bola. We were the only campers at Archelon until friday night some Mexicans came and camped next to us. On the way back we went straight from bola to cali with a short stop in Ensenada. Not too bad of a drive actually. Thank you all for your help. I am already anxious to plan the next baja trip. Just wish i lived in California so it would only be 1 day of driving instead of an extra day of driving from Utah. Oh well, what can you do. Thanks again.



Thanks for reporting back to us! Terrific it all worked out great for you... You get a pass card! :bounce:

DENNIS - 6-1-2011 at 07:26 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by soccerscotty21
Needless to say they took the skull (they said they will ship it to him if its actually allowed -- they weren't sure).


Our only hope at this point is that Mexico doesn't read this. The "When in doubt...Confiscate" rule could be disastrous.

Thanks for the report. Glad it all worked out for you.