BajaNomad - Crossed northbound at Tecate 12/22

Crossed northbound at Tecate 12/22

AKgringo - 12-25-2016 at 11:18 AM

I reached the end of the line just after 3:00 (Baja Sur time) and it took 23 minutes to clear, with no secondary inspection.

For the first time ever, I was asked for shot records for my dog! I had them, so no problem, but he did not ask for the veterinary health certificate that I also had.

I commented that it was a first, and he said that 'they' want the records checked. I am not sure who 'they' refers to, but he seemed annoyed to have to check them.

Only four and a half hours later, I was on the north side of LA traffic! I hope to avoid forever that overpopulated section of the planet!

[Edited on 12-25-2016 by AKgringo]

David K - 12-25-2016 at 11:26 AM

Thanks!!

AKgringo - 12-25-2016 at 11:34 AM

Quote: Originally posted by David K

Thanks!!

If you mean thanks for avoiding your part of the world in the future, you are more than welcome!

It took longer to get through the San Diego/L.A. corridor that it took to drive from Vizcaino to B.O.L.A. on the dirt road. And that was with a side trip into Las Animas!

bajaguy - 12-25-2016 at 11:48 AM

Try the 15 north to the 210 west to the 5 north,

Or the 15 north to 395 north to the 58 west to 99 or the 5

willardguy - 12-25-2016 at 11:54 AM

suppose southern californians were grumbling about canadian tourists clogging their roadways? :lol:

David K - 12-25-2016 at 12:43 PM

Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo

Quote: Originally posted by David K

Thanks!!

No, I meant thanks for taking the time on Christmas to give us your report.

L.A. should be avoided at all costs. No big city is in my world, by choice. It's even too crowded here in San Marcos!

BajaBreak - 12-26-2016 at 01:21 PM

Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo

Quote: Originally posted by David K

Thanks!!

I feel your pain, AKgringo. I loathe the drive from the border back to Los Angeles more than the border crossing.

In my experience, during the weekdays, the only window to hope to avoid heavy traffic on the 5/405, is 10am - 2pm, then 7:30pm -6am. Weekends maybe if you do it before 11am or noon. Trying to coordinate that with the border crossing takes some luck sometimes, too.

dtbushpilot - 12-26-2016 at 02:10 PM

We crossed at Mexicali on the 22nd, got in line at 1:00pm, crossed at 3:30....should have drove over the pass to Tecate...

AKgringo - 12-26-2016 at 02:22 PM

DT, it sounds like I was an hour behind you heading north. I decided at the last minute to head over the pass on Mex 2, because I had never been on it before.

About a third of the way up, I drove into the clouds, which quickly became white knuckle, pea soup fog! I broke out into the open at the top of the grade, but it was a dangerous drive!

[Edited on 12-26-2016 by AKgringo]

bkbend - 12-26-2016 at 02:33 PM

Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo

For the first time ever, I was asked for shot records for my dog! I had them, so no problem, but he did not ask for the veterinary health certificate that I also had.

I commented that it was a first, and he said that 'they' want the records checked. I am not sure who 'they' refers to, but he seemed annoyed to have to check them.

[Edited on 12-25-2016 by AKgringo]

I've crossed for several years always with a dog and never been asked for anything regarding the dog. In October I crossed a Mexicali east with no dog and the first question was "do you have a dog?" Must be the season for a dog crackdown.

Since the improvements on Mex5 I've been crossing at Mexicali and taking various routes north to CA58 west to Bakersfield. It's probably a wash time-wise but a much easier drive for those used to more rural roads.

nbacc - 12-26-2016 at 04:34 PM

Interesting. I crossed at Mexicali East twice so far in the last several months and always bring the dog..........no questions going either way. AND I ALWAYS have the right paperwork.

dtbushpilot - 12-26-2016 at 05:09 PM

BTW, at Mexicali, 2 dogs, one in my lap, one in the back seat, nothing said about them as per usual for the last 10 years. I usually have a couple of cats too but they got to stay home this trip. I always have shot records but quit getting the health certificate years ago. (I'm not recommending that anyone else skips the HC, just sayin).

[Edited on 12-27-2016 by dtbushpilot]

willardguy - 12-26-2016 at 05:17 PM

this pet passport sounds like a good deal. from talkbaja a couple days ago!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/TalkBaja/permalink/153707050...

AKgringo - 12-26-2016 at 05:37 PM

A German tourist I met in La Paz had a passport for his dog. It was issued in Europe and was very similar to a human book type passport. It had the dog's picture, microchip number, past medical records, and pouches for additional papers.

It would make sense to me to get one, since I will need to enter Canada as well as Mexico.

BlueHighways - 1-6-2017 at 02:57 PM

"They" is the CDC. The same thing happened to us at Tecate. It was the first time anyone (on either side) looked at the vaccination report.

David K - 1-6-2017 at 03:04 PM

On Jan. 3, Tecate, I was asked two questions never before asked: "no dogs?" & "nothing off the beach?"
My windows were all down so they (two officers) could easily see if I had a dog in my Tacoma.

DENNIS - 1-6-2017 at 03:13 PM

Quote: Originally posted by David K

On Jan. 3, Tecate, I was asked two questions never before asked: "no dogs?" & "nothing off the beach?"
My windows were all down so they (two officers) could easily see if I had a dog in my Tacoma.

They just want to hear you talk. If you seem nervous or distracted, they may give you a closer look.

vandenberg - 1-6-2017 at 03:20 PM

Quote: Originally posted by bajaguy

Try the 15 north to the 210 west to the 5 north,

Or the 15 north to 395 north to the 58 west to 99 or the 5

Only way to go, especially the 395 route

David K - 1-6-2017 at 04:02 PM

Quote: Originally posted by DENNIS

Quote: Originally posted by David K

On Jan. 3, Tecate, I was asked two questions never before asked: "no dogs?" & "nothing off the beach?"
My windows were all down so they (two officers) could easily see if I had a dog in my Tacoma.

They just want to hear you talk. If you seem nervous or distracted, they may give you a closer look.

I understand that... and looking you in the eye while asking, etc. I was just saying I have never been asked BEFORE if I had a dog or if I had anything from the beach.