Living in San Diego we have the luxury of getting our visas before the day we leave to go south. After the experience of finding the office closed at
6am heading south for a week trip, we vowed to always have it before we headed for a trip south.
With the confusion of just what services remain at the newly configured San Ysidro crossing we decided to make a day trip over to Tecate and get the
visas.
We parked at the first parking area on the right side approaching the border crossing at Tecate, $5. It is within 5 minutes of the border. After you
enter Tecate you will see the bank kiosk on the right and just after that you will see the imigration building, walk up the steps enter through the
glass doors and the office on the right is where you want to be. Same drill as SY fill out the form, take the paperwork back to the bank kiosk pay
the fee, return to get it signed, done deal. At this point you could walk across the street and go through the US immigration office and back to your
car. Usually there is no line, but the Saturday before Christmas we took 18 minutes to get through. We had a different plan though, carne asada
tacos for lunch!
Just south of the plaza was our destination, 3 carne asada tacos with quac, and a glass bottle coke ea, and we were happy. A stroll through the
plaza, some shopping for a special little guy for Christmas and back across.
18" long and only 100 pesos we thought this was a fair price for this beauty!
woody with a view - 12-24-2012 at 10:36 AM
that truck is too cool!Bajaboy - 12-24-2012 at 10:37 AM
We had a similar experience....thanks for the pics. Safe travels.
ZacDavid K - 12-24-2012 at 11:12 AM
Ken, no photos of the INM or Bank building? What hours for each or either... In October I posted the hours they told me at Tecate... wondered if it
changed?
Thanks... now I am hungry for Baja tacos!tripledigitken - 12-24-2012 at 11:17 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Ken, no photos of the INM or Bank building? What hours for each or either... In October I posted the hours they told me at Tecate... wondered if it
changed?
Thanks... now I am hungry for Baja tacos!
I went to take a picture of the INM building and almost got my camera confisgated by a federal. Go figure????
Sorry didn't note the hours.David K - 12-24-2012 at 11:27 AM
I don't blame you!
Here is my post from Sept. 19 on the Tecate hours:
SOUTHBOUND: Max was driving and as soon as we were inside Mexico, we pulled up to some officials standing by the secondary inspection, which is in
front of the INM office. I rolled down my window and spoke to the man with the customs uniform on and asked him what hours is the office open to get a
tourist card. He said from 6 am to 11 pm. I then asked about being able to pay here at the INM office, and he said yes, but only between 8 am and 6
pm. I then confirmed that and said "here, not at a bank?"... "Yes, here".mulegemichael - 12-24-2012 at 11:37 AM
beachgirl got her visa and paid both at the same place right there at the border about 3 weeks ago..no hassle; 10 minutes max.willardguy - 12-24-2012 at 11:41 AM
both what? tourist card and?David K - 12-24-2012 at 01:07 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by willardguy
both what? tourist card and?
I think he means it to read like this:
"beachgirl got her visa and paid,... [pause]... both at the same place right there at the border..."
In other words she was able to (both) get the tourist card AND pay for it, at the same place.
