BajaNomad

Question re logistics of being met at the Tijuana border

CatCrazyJulie - 10-7-2015 at 02:48 PM

Hi - My husband Mark is driving south to the East Cape, and we've arranged to have a Mexican friend drive down with him. Ricardo is flying in to meet Mark in Tijuana next week.

Since Mark plans to get his passport at the Tijuana border, we thought the easiest plan would be if Ricardo could meet Mark at the Visa office at the border. The question is: will this actually be possible for Ricardo to do? (Ricardo doesn't have an American visa, so he can't meet Mark in the U.S.)

Looking at Google Earth, I can see taxis on Avenida de la Amistad near the intersection with Calle Jose Maria Larroque. And in street view, there's a turnstyle with people passing through into a walkway that heads to the border crossing. So it seems that a taxi could drop Ricardo off at that intersection, and he could walk through the turnstyle, and meet Mark at the Visa office.

We're trying to avoid the need for Mark to have to drive through the hairball of Tijuana street traffic pulling our 25' trailer to pick up Ricardo, especially since Mark won't have a second pair of eyes and he doesn't speak Spanish, both of which are usually my role.

Both Mark and Ricardo with have phones, so they'll be able to communicate.

Feedback and suggestions appreciated,

Julie

SFandH - 10-7-2015 at 02:52 PM

Let me get this straight. Mark is towing a 25 foot trailer into Mexico at the San Ysidro crossing and he needs to pick up Ricardo on the Mexican side?

And Mark is getting his tourist card (FMM) at the border crossing?


[Edited on 10-7-2015 by SFandH]

Udo - 10-7-2015 at 03:02 PM

I have had to do this before.

It can be done (meet at the Mexican immigration office in San Ysidro). It is difficult however.

The ONLY way to get from the Mexican side to the SY INM office is to take a taxi (you HAVE to tell them where and how you want to go) to the footpath and bridge that literally drops you off in front of the INM office. This is easier done by a Mexican citizen than a US citizen.

There are 2-3 Mexican INM officers at the foot bridge. Plus there are usually 3-5 Mexican Army personnel at a couple of places on the bridge. The person wanting to meet someone at the INM office will HAVE to be escorted to the INM office, and once the paperwork is done, that person will HAVE to be escorted back across the bridge. It helps to grease the palms of the police officers that will do the escorting.

Note, most taxi cabs in TJ have no idea where the street is that leads you to the bridge.

SFandH - 10-7-2015 at 03:06 PM

Udo, are you talking about the INM office at the new southbound vehicle crossing?

Otay

bajaguy - 10-7-2015 at 03:13 PM

Why don't they meet in Otay

Cross with the trailer in Otay, get the FMM, then drive one mile to the McDonalds on Industrial Blvd to meet your friend, then take Corridor 2000 to Mex hwy 1 and head south

Udo - 10-7-2015 at 03:17 PM

Yes, handsome.
Quote: Originally posted by SFandH  
Udo, are you talking about the INM office at the new southbound vehicle crossing?

SFandH - 10-7-2015 at 03:18 PM

Otay is a good idea. I can't think of an easy way to meet up at the TJ crossing and, unfortunately, I know it all too well.

I was going to recommend meeting at the first toll booth on the toll road heading south.

SFandH - 10-7-2015 at 03:20 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Udo  
Yes, handsome.



:lol:

bajaguy - 10-7-2015 at 03:30 PM

Or the "old" first toll plaza just north of the "new" toll plaza....easy in-n-out with a trailer
Quote: Originally posted by SFandH  


I was going to recommend meeting at the first toll booth on the toll road heading south.

CatCrazyJulie - 10-7-2015 at 03:31 PM

Hi - To SFandH - yes, you got it all right!

Udo - so there's a foot bridge as well? Hmmm. And you're saying that Ricardo would have to be escorted *back* across the bridge? Because we want him to stay with Mark, so they can get in the truck, and proceed on down the road. Is that not possible? Does he have to go *back* by foot? If that's the case, it defeats the purpose of meeting up at the Visa Office.

So.....do you have any other suggestions for good places for Mark and Ricardo to meet in Tijuana or Rosarito (assuming that the taxi fare from Tijuana to Rosarito wouldn't be too terribly horrible), that would be fairly easy for Mark to get to from the border, pulling a 25' trailer? E.g., Convenient gas station/restaurant/hotel/bus stop/off ramp/shopping mall/camping spot?

Keeping in mind, Mark doesn't speak much more Spanish than "cerveza" and "bano". He's driven the length of Baja a dozen times, and is a heavy equipment operator, no problems dealing with the trailer. But if he gets lost off the beaten path in the city, it could get mighty stressful. So the best option is for there to be some easy place for Mark to park, and have Ricardo get a taxi to bring him to Mark.

Julie




bajaguy - 10-7-2015 at 03:33 PM

Meet at the "old" toll plaza southbound in Playas. Easy to find and easy for an RV.....any TJ cab driver knows where it is

https://www.google.com.mx/maps/place/Carr.+a+Ensenada+1356,+...


[Edited on 10-7-2015 by bajaguy]

CatCrazyJulie - 10-7-2015 at 03:43 PM

Boy, you folks are referencing crossings we haven't tried yet, but that's good - new experiences!

So is the Otay crossing the one on Highway 905?

That plan sounds pretty straightforward. He can get the visa there as well? And meeting at the McDonalds is a clear landmark.

I don't understand the reference to the "old" toll plaza in "Playas"? On the way to Rosarito?

bajaguy - 10-7-2015 at 03:49 PM

Yes, Otay is at the end of the 905

He can get his FMM at the same place/time when they inspect his trailer in Secondary.

McDonald's is easy and it is at a stoplight controlled intersection

As soon as he clears Aduna (Mexican Customs0 he will proceed for one mile to Industrial Blvd (Stoplight). He will make a left turn and the McDonalds will be at the second stoplight.

Out of McDonalds, turn left back onto Industrial Blvd, proceed 5 miles to Corridor 2000, merge right onto Corridor 2000. 26 Miles to highway 1. Turn left at Hwy 1, first ramp to the toll road and you are on your way
Quote: Originally posted by CatCrazyJulie  
Boy, you folks are referencing crossings we haven't tried yet, but that's good - new experiences!

So is the Otay crossing the one on Highway 905?

That plan sounds pretty straightforward. He can get the visa there as well? And meeting at the McDonalds is a clear landmark.

I don't understand the reference to the "old" toll plaza in "Playas"? On the way to Rosarito?

SFandH - 10-7-2015 at 04:29 PM

Quote: Originally posted by CatCrazyJulie  


I don't understand the reference to the "old" toll plaza in "Playas"? On the way to Rosarito?


Yes, on the way to Rosarito. When you cross at SY you head west towards Playas de Tijuana, "Playas" for short. When you get to the coast you follow the road to the south (left), otherwise you go straight into the delegation, Playas de Tijuana, where the bullring is.

After a km or so, while heading south, you'll come to an area where a truck towing a trailer could easily pull off and park a bit. There are buildings there. It used to be a toll plaza. Your friends could meet there.

Check out google maps. I think this is it: 32.526542, -117.108017



[Edited on 10-7-2015 by SFandH]

Udo - 10-7-2015 at 04:44 PM

Yes, Julie...Ricardo would have to go back across the bridge. He could not go back with Mark because he would technically go back to the USA after leaving the INM office, and then crossing into Mexico. That is the reason for Ricardo having to be escorted by the police each way.

If It were me doing what you are attempting to do, is to meet in Otay Mesa on the southwest corner as bajaguy suggested, (across from the McDonald's because it would not be a good idea to turn a truck and trailer into their parking lot).
Besides, with the new lane repositioning at the Mexico entrance, meeting at the INM office there becomes almost next to impossible. It used to be that the INM office and trailer inspection booths were next to each other...now they are 1000' apart with no parking available.
Quote: Originally posted by CatCrazyJulie  
Hi - To SFandH - yes, you got it all right!

Udo - so there's a foot bridge as well? Hmmm. And you're saying that Ricardo would have to be escorted *back* across the bridge? Because we want him to stay with Mark, so they can get in the truck, and proceed on down the road. Is that not possible? Does he have to go *back* by foot? If that's the case, it defeats the purpose of meeting up at the Visa Office.

So.....do you have any other suggestions for good places for Mark and Ricardo to meet in Tijuana or Rosarito (assuming that the taxi fare from Tijuana to Rosarito wouldn't be too terribly horrible), that would be fairly easy for Mark to get to from the border, pulling a 25' trailer? E.g., Convenient gas station/restaurant/hotel/bus stop/off ramp/shopping mall/camping spot?

Keeping in mind, Mark doesn't speak much more Spanish than "cerveza" and "bano". He's driven the length of Baja a dozen times, and is a heavy equipment operator, no problems dealing with the trailer. But if he gets lost off the beaten path in the city, it could get mighty stressful. So the best option is for there to be some easy place for Mark to park, and have Ricardo get a taxi to bring him to Mark.

Julie






[Edited on 10-7-2015 by Udo]

bajaguy - 10-7-2015 at 04:59 PM

He can turn the truck and RV around at the PEMEX next to McDonalds
Quote: Originally posted by Udo  
Yes, Julie...Ricardo would have to go back across the bridge. He could not go back with Mark because he would technically go back to the USA after leaving the INM office, and then crossing into Mexico. That is the reason for Ricardo having to be escorted by the police each way.

If It were me doing what you are attempting to do, is to meet in Otay Mesa on the southwest corner as bajaguy suggested, (across from the McDonald's because it would not be a good idea to turn a truck and trailer into their parking lot).
Besides, with the new lane repositioning at the Mexico entrance, meeting at the INM office there becomes almost next to impossible. It used to be that the INM office and trailer inspection booths were next to each other...now they are 1000' apart with no parking available.


Quote: Originally posted by CatCrazyJulie  
Hi - To SFandH - yes, you got it all right!

Udo - so there's a foot bridge as well? Hmmm. And you're saying that Ricardo would have to be escorted *back* across the bridge? Because we want him to stay with Mark, so they can get in the truck, and proceed on down the road. Is that not possible? Does he have to go *back* by foot? If that's the case, it defeats the purpose of meeting up at the Visa Office.

So.....do you have any other suggestions for good places for Mark and Ricardo to meet in Tijuana or Rosarito (assuming that the taxi fare from Tijuana to Rosarito wouldn't be too terribly horrible), that would be fairly easy for Mark to get to from the border, pulling a 25' trailer? E.g., Convenient gas station/restaurant/hotel/bus stop/off ramp/shopping mall/camping spot?

Keeping in mind, Mark doesn't speak much more Spanish than "cerveza" and "bano". He's driven the length of Baja a dozen times, and is a heavy equipment operator, no problems dealing with the trailer. But if he gets lost off the beaten path in the city, it could get mighty stressful. So the best option is for there to be some easy place for Mark to park, and have Ricardo get a taxi to bring him to Mark.

Julie






[Edited on 10-7-2015 by Udo]

CatCrazyJulie - 10-8-2015 at 10:19 AM

Okay, great info! So glad I posted the question here. The Otay crossing sounds like the way to go, with them meeting at the McDonald's.

A piece that I didn't mention is that Mark and Ricardo are going to be meeting after Ricardo's plane arrives at 3 pm. Which means by the time Ricardo gets a taxi and is on the road, it's likely to be about 4 pm. We're wanting to avoid having a situation where they are still trying to find each other after dark. Our fallback was to have Ricardo get a hotel, and have Mark cross the border in the morning, if the meeting place was going to be hard for Mark to get to.

Re the Playa location: that could work well if the taxi driver is very familiar with the area and we have a good map with the spot circled. I'm thinking it might be hard for Ricardo to give directions to a taxi driver to the old toll plaza at Playas, since Ricardo isn't from Tijuana himself. As it is, the Otay Mesa and McDonald's spot seems least likely to result in FUBARs.

Thanks again!

CatCrazyJulie - 10-8-2015 at 10:26 AM

Correction - meeting across from the McDonalds!

CatCrazyJulie - 10-8-2015 at 11:10 AM

Good ol' Google Earth. Enter "McDonalds, Otay, Tijuana, Baja, Mexico", and *boom*, all the McDonalds in the vicinity are pinpointed for convenience.

The address of the one we need appears to be:

Blvd Industrial Constituyentes
18140 Otay Constituyentes

However, on Google Earth, the road on which this McDonald's sits is also identified as Highway 2, as well as Bulevar Alberto Limon Padilla. Just in case the street ever has an identity crises, no doubt.

I think we have a plan! Thanks, folks!

Udo - 10-8-2015 at 11:15 AM

We all worked very hard to get you there, Julie.

wilderone - 10-9-2015 at 09:24 AM

Once in Panama I was trying to find a restaurant where I was supposed to meet other people. I drove around, had a map with smaller streets not included. I finally spotted a taxi and asked him to lead me to the address - I followed. Gave him $5. I would hate to be looking for an address in TJ, and those new streets around Industrial, people drive fast. Anyway, an option.