BajaNomad

Tecate for the newest village idiot

Cliffy - 12-29-2013 at 09:57 PM

Pulling a 22 ft travel trailer and going thru Tecate for 3 and Ensenada and down to Conception Bay.
I'm looking at Google earth and wondering where I can park the rig to get my FMMs and stuff? I see the roof over the road just on the Mexico side but I don't see any viable place to stop the rig and get out to the offices. Ideas ? I've been reading here and they talk about the first right but the first right looks to be 1 way and not my way :-)

dasubergeek - 12-29-2013 at 10:13 PM

Do what all the pro truckers do; park along the road at the last curve before the border, walk across and get your FMM, then walk back (there's never, EVER a wait for pedestrians at Tecate) and get in your rig and drive through. When CBP asks what you were doing, tell them you needed your FMM and you couldn't park on the south side.

Cliffy - 12-29-2013 at 10:27 PM

OK I see the curve with the truckers on it. Great Idea! Thanks!

Islandbuilder - 12-29-2013 at 11:25 PM

You're right about the first right being one way against you.

But that is also where the parking is to get your visa from the Mexican side.

We go down to the next right (2nd from the crossing gate) and then go around the block. The coned off parking is where we (in a car) park to get our visas. A man will move the cones for us and I assume watch the car while we're in the office, so we give him a few pesos when we come out.

I see delivery trucks parked against the (red) curb adjacent to the parking area, on the south side of the road. So, you could probably do that as well, especially if the cone guy gives you a smile when you pull up.

That said, parking on the US side and walking over seems like far and away the better option.

rts551 - 12-30-2013 at 08:23 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by dasubergeek
Do what all the pro truckers do; park along the road at the last curve before the border, walk across and get your FMM, then walk back (there's never, EVER a wait for pedestrians at Tecate) and get in your rig and drive through. When CBP asks what you were doing, tell them you needed your FMM and you couldn't park on the south side.


You may get a ticket unless someone stays with your rig. There are no parking signs along the road.The truckers do this to open their back doors for inspection and get their paper work ready. All leave someone with the truck. I know this because I stay with my truck while my son gets his FMM.

An alternative is to park in the pay parking area on the hill behind the store/post office.

Loretana - 12-30-2013 at 09:03 AM

The park on the US side and walk across option is definitely your best bet.
The US ICE folks will know exactly what you are doing, they're used to it.
Tecate is the way to go. :yes:

DavidE - 12-30-2013 at 10:53 AM

I used to pull into Mexico SECONDARY, chat with the aduanero, ask them if I could park there for a moment then depart. Is this still possible?

DianaT - 12-30-2013 at 11:33 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by DavidE
I used to pull into Mexico SECONDARY, chat with the aduanero, ask them if I could park there for a moment then depart. Is this still possible?


Don't know if that would work, but especially pulling a trailer, I don't think I would try it. If they said no, parking elsewhere could be a nightmare, or at least I think so. :biggrin:

David K - 12-30-2013 at 05:50 PM

I have not gone into the Tecate INM, but enough people say the parking on the side street is no big deal...

Go to the second street after entering Mexico (one way to the right/ west), go a block and turn right (north), go a block turn right again and now you are heading towards the INM complex on the one way street going east. Park anywhere you can. When done, go ahead to the Mexican entrance street and turn south!

rts551 - 12-30-2013 at 06:25 PM

Haven't seen much parking on side streets for a truck pulling a 22 foot trailer

David K - 12-30-2013 at 06:37 PM

So you got to wonder, if Mexico wants us all to get FMM's... then what are they going to do about this parking issue.. if it is an issue?

Feathers - 12-30-2013 at 10:45 PM

Be forewarned when traveling through Tecate:

It's become the Northern version of CD Constitution and mordida demand is in full force.

Wear your seatbelt, keep your dogs in a crate, DO NOT carry so much as a POCKET knife and only keep 100 pesos in your 'visible' wallet.

Via con Dios, Amigo!

[Edited on 12-31-2013 by Feathers]

Cliffy - 12-30-2013 at 11:17 PM

No animals, pocket knife in trailer (in OLD trailer, not a flashy $$$$$$$ model),
will carry no big cash amounts in truck (all buried in hidden safe in trailer).
This is my MO all the time on this trip. Think it will work? :-)

David K - 12-30-2013 at 11:29 PM

Yes, of course... and no, there are no banditos hiding behind the rocks in Baja, either! (well maybe?) :lol: