BajaNomad

Border crossing Mid -day

Lengua - 10-5-2014 at 08:10 PM

Need advice on which border crossing to utilize .

Driving Truck and Boat up from La Paz -approximately 45 total length.whats the best border crossing to use in terms of wait time , access and ease.

All your thoughts are appreciated.:?:

richfulf - 10-5-2014 at 11:22 PM

There are merchants in the Rosarito area,in my case it was a motel,that can give you a pass to the front of the line (San Ysidro)because you are a customer. That's the fastest way through that I know of.

Alan - 10-6-2014 at 06:27 AM

Lengua, I now always cross at Tecate when pulling my boat ever since the one time I went to cross at SY and they were redirecting everyone to Otay because SY was so backed up. Suddenly found myself dragging my whole rig right through downtown TJ and not sure how to get there. I have to confess I actually lost my cherub-like demeanor for a little while.

dasubergeek - 10-6-2014 at 08:04 AM

The waits at San Ysidro are much, much shorter since they opened a new set of lanes. 22 minutes on Saturday at 6 p.m.; an hour and a quarter at 6 p.m. Sunday.

Tecate Secondary

baconjr - 10-6-2014 at 10:22 AM

There are very few people sent to secondary at Tecate which can make a real difference.
Quote:
Originally posted by Alan
Lengua, I now always cross at Tecate when pulling my boat ever since the one time I went to cross at SY and they were redirecting everyone to Otay because SY was so backed up. Suddenly found myself dragging my whole rig right through downtown TJ and not sure how to get there. I have to confess I actually lost my cherub-like demeanor for a little while.

Alan - 10-6-2014 at 10:32 AM

When towing a boat I have been sent to secondary EVERYTIME at SY and only about 30% of the time at Tecate.
Quote:
Originally posted by baconjr
There are very few people sent to secondary at Tecate which can make a real difference.

Quote:
Originally posted by Alan
Lengua, I now always cross at Tecate when pulling my boat ever since the one time I went to cross at SY and they were redirecting everyone to Otay because SY was so backed up. Suddenly found myself dragging my whole rig right through downtown TJ and not sure how to get there. I have to confess I actually lost my cherub-like demeanor for a little while.

Lengua - 10-6-2014 at 10:50 AM

Thank you for the help and all your comments . Boat has a T top so I assume there are no height restrictions?????

J.P. - 10-6-2014 at 11:45 AM

I have crossed at Tecate many times over the years towing everything imaginable and never had a problem. If you are in a RV or towing anything it's pretty much standard practice they send you to secondary going North.:coolup:

Alan - 10-6-2014 at 05:33 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Lengua
Thank you for the help and all your comments . Boat has a T top so I assume there are no height restrictions?????
Most of my boats have had a T top or hardtop with rocket launchers. The only time I had a problem was one northbound trip when I missed my turn in Ensenada to get down to the malecon. Ended up going right through down town. The way the power lines were drooped across the street I knew for sure I was going to take out the entire power grid. I knew I wasn't clearing them by much. Halfway through some tourists yelled at me so I slammed on the brakes and said "What?" They responded "Nice boat!" That was the other time I lost my cherub-like demeanor.:lol:

dasubergeek - 10-7-2014 at 12:16 PM

Just a note that after observing the data, it looks like the decreased wait times in SY are causing decreased wait times in Tecate. 10 minutes on Sunday at noon, no wait this morning.

cftlet - 10-7-2014 at 09:33 PM

Just A heads up, I have crossed at Tecate for the last 7 years and have been sent to secondary every time. I think it is because I am pulling a cargo trailer.

Alm - 10-10-2014 at 07:39 PM

Lengua - you didn't tell where you are going. For somebody living in, say, SD area, it would not make much sense crossing further East than Garita de Otay.

carlosg - 10-11-2014 at 05:16 PM

Last monday I crossed the border at Tecate about 4:00pm and there was only one car in front of me....

This is a posting done a couple of weeks ago, hopefully its of some help...
Quote:
Originally posted by carlosg
Buenos dias amigos,

We just crossed the border in Tecate last night(09/25/14 about 7:00pm) trailering a 16' boat after a camping trip to San Luis Gonzaga, the truck cab and bed were loaded with us and our equipment as well as the boat: used the left lane after the military post, took about 30 minutes to cross (don't try this on weekends specially on Sundays or on US or Mexican holidays, best time is Mon-Fri from 3:00pm on after), line started about half way down the hill (where the vendors start), we have (all 4 for the past 12 years) SENTRI Cards, officer asked what we had to declare and I gave him a verbal list (be prepared to do so and be very specific and clear) of vegetables, beer cans (3), wine bottles (6 bought in the US) and cheese, he replied asking if any poultry or pork and I said NO, it seems beef may have some problem coming across; then he seemed to go ahead and start writing the red slip for secondary inspection when he asked me if the trailer had its own registration which I immediately displayed (so be prepared and hand over any trailer and/or boat registration with your passport(s)) he checked it and sent us on our way... this was a great surprise and a pleasant one: no secondary. REMEMBER: BE PREPARED with ALL your info BEFORE arriving to the check point and check and recheck your paper work!!!!

When in Tecate try out El Tucan Restaurant in El Dorado Hotel (nice, basic, clean rooms: $450.00 pesos for double, wifi and secured parking -if available you can use the private parking not the street while dining- ph:665-654-1333), on weekends try the authentic Mexican all you eat buffet or you can also order from the menu, good freshly ground coffee, very clean restaurant and clean restrooms. Its on the main street: Avenida Juarez, coming from Ensenada drive north past the railroad tracks into town, at the Plaza make a left onto Avenida Juarez, drive west for about 8 blocks to the west end of downtown and its on the corner of Calle Cantu and Avenida Juarez east of the Red Cross.

Try this links:

to find out crossing times at ANY of Baja's Border Crossing:

http://bwt.cbp.gov/?com=1&pas=1&ped=1&plist=2503...

to find out crossing times at the Tijuana Border Crossing:

http://garitacenter.com/

http://www.frontera.info/Garitas/

http://www.el-mexicano.com.mx/traficoengaritas


to find out what fruits and vegetables you can bring across the border, refresh your browser because it changes from time to time:

https://epermits.aphis.usda.gov/manual/index.cfm?NEW=1&R...

[Edited on 10-12-2014 by carlosg]