BajaNomad

Mexicali crossing: tourist cards

BajaVida - 12-12-2013 at 11:46 PM

Where does one get one, how easy is it?:cool:

David K - 12-12-2013 at 11:49 PM

At the INM office... Downtown Mexicali crossing, it is on your left, just ahead once you have entered Mexican gates. You must have a valid passport.

redhilltown - 12-13-2013 at 12:25 AM

It's been a few years but DK is correct that it is on the left...but you have to park on the right...not the easiest thing I have ever done in Mexico. Do you have the option of crossing in Tecate? If so, go for it!!!!! Then take the toll road across to Mexicali.

Papers? you need papers?

John M - 12-13-2013 at 05:42 AM

Mexicali west at Calexico



John

paranewbi - 12-13-2013 at 06:05 AM

John M has it right...do not park on right, as you cross hang a left and cut everyone off as you do...and do this immediately because the INM office is on the left side. There are 4 or 5 parking spots but the area is active with drop offs and street crossers using the stairs to access the subsurface border crossing for walkers.
You can park on the right but up past the taxi drop of area and then walk / run across 4 lanes of Mexican traffic! Don’t forget...if you’re only going to be in Mex for a week or less, tell the dispatcher of you visa, it’s free then.
Did it twice last month.

paranewbi - 12-13-2013 at 06:13 AM

Also...Mexicali is extremely easy and a 24 hour operation.
If you cross in Tecate it may be confusing if the banks are not open. As well the toll road is nice (and the free road to) but that drop down into the desert, although beautiful, is tense if your full of toys and camping stuff going into Mex.
I've done it a ton of times and now drive the I-8 for a pre-dawn easy crossing into Mexicali (6-7ish).
The drive south through the city also is not to bad once you've done it...some may think differently.

BajaVida - 12-13-2013 at 06:34 AM

Although I wish I didn't need no stinkin' papers, thanks for the info all.
Going down La Rumorosa sounds interesting. My father and my grandmother rode in an army truck from Mexicali to Ensenada in the 30s. I know the road is much better than the road was then. There were some harrowing turns from what he told me.

Is the bank next to immigration also open 24 hours?

BajaVida - 1-16-2014 at 10:26 PM

dasubergeek - 1-17-2014 at 12:11 AM

The banks at San Ysidro and Mexicali West (downtown) are open 24/7. At Tecate they're open shorter hours than the INM (but the INM will take the payment if they're closed), and not sure about Mexicali East.

sancho - 1-17-2014 at 12:37 PM

The San Felipe site has been, for the last few weeks,
stating, according to the newer Mex Imm info they get, that
all tourists going to SF need an fmm, free 7 day or
$24 180 day. As stated parking at the Old Downtown
Crossing CAN be a bit tricky

Bwana_John - 1-17-2014 at 02:07 PM

Quote:

Is the bank next to immigration also open 24 hours?


No, at least it was not this last December 2013 @ 7am.

Thanks for the responses

BajaVida - 1-17-2014 at 02:44 PM

One more question, does the bank at Mexicali west have an ATM?

Bwana_John - 1-17-2014 at 06:50 PM

Quote:

Tijuana and Tecate INM have been able to take the money when the bank at the border is closed... I would think (hope) that Mexicali will also be able to...???


No, not this last December 2013 on a Saturday @ 7am.

Bajafun777 - 1-18-2014 at 12:35 AM

La Rumorosa road in the late 70s was a two lane death trap when semi-trucks or buses along with drunk drives tried to pass hitting cars head-on that only had going over the cliff to get away. Not pretty choices and not a nice way to go either way. You could always see trucks, cars and sometimes buses over the cliff and down in the bottom from bad mistakes of someone.

I went twice on it back then and last trip we had very close call and never again until they made the toll road. Even with the toll road the dang semi-trucks still make you pucker when they are going to fast downhill next to you. So, I prefer the Interstate 8 to get my Baja trip to coastal areas unless I am going to San Felipe then that is a breeze, LOL.

David K - 1-18-2014 at 09:20 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajafun777
La Rumorosa road in the late 70s was a two lane death trap when semi-trucks or buses along with drunk drives tried to pass hitting cars head-on that only had going over the cliff to get away. Not pretty choices and not a nice way to go either way. You could always see trucks, cars and sometimes buses over the cliff and down in the bottom from bad mistakes of someone.

I went twice on it back then and last trip we had very close call and never again until they made the toll road. Even with the toll road the dang semi-trucks still make you pucker when they are going to fast downhill next to you. So, I prefer the Interstate 8 to get my Baja trip to coastal areas unless I am going to San Felipe then that is a breeze, LOL.


My parents and I tried it once in the 1960's... once! Even Mexican nationals (who could) avoided it by crossing into the U.S. and using I-8 as a detour.

I think I first drove the new Hwy. 2-D Rumorosa Grade in 2001 on a Guadalupe Canyon trip? Quite an improvement over the old Hwy. 2!

[Edited on 1-18-2014 by David K]