Crossing at Mexicali with a group of 5 jeeps
I am trying to find out where does everyone park
Do they have there own parking area?
Anyone with any info would be appreciated David K - 3-21-2019 at 07:34 AM
The downtown (west or #1) new border has a large parking area by the INM building as well as on the opposite side after the gates. Most park at the
first parking area before the gates, just like at Tijuana's border.john - 3-21-2019 at 07:43 AM
Thanks David
I didn’t know there were two different crossings which is the easiest David K - 3-21-2019 at 07:50 AM
Yes the original Calexico/Mexicali border (which was upgraded this past year and moved west a block or two from the south end of Hwy. 111) and the
newer (well, about 20 years ago) Mexicali East (or #2) crossing a few miles east of Calexico.
If you are coming from San Diego, the original (west/ #1) crossing makes the most sense. There are no great set of published directions from it to
Hwy. 5, so follow the signs... I have heard there is a little confusion at the final intersection before reaching Hwy. 5 (near the Costco) so consider
this an adventure!
There are no great set of published directions from it to Hwy. 5, so follow the signs
[Edited on 3-21-2019 by David K]
I've seen a couple variations, I'm still a bit in the dark,
planning to drive it soon. A post mentions a sign to San Felipe
about 2 mi. after you enter Mexicali, that apparently is
erroneous. Anyone come back thru this new west crossing?
Info says use the old, former lanes along the fence
when coming back with non sentri, regular lanes?
Mexicali west
John M - 3-21-2019 at 08:32 AM
Northbound regular, not Sentri, go the old way along the border fence. You'll be routed to the new crossing.
Sentri is different. Sentri approach is via Presidente - signs along Presidente as you near the border are plentiful and direct you to your own
crossing. (name isn't Presidente, actually, it's something else added like el Presidente or similar).
S/B new crossing - be in the left most lane if you can as you enter Mexico. Just after you clear the crossing gate (like immediately) turn left into a
parking space in front of a big new white building to get your fmmDavid K - 3-21-2019 at 09:16 AM
Hi John M, so the INM building/ parking is AFTER the gates (red/green light)? I saw posts saying before, but also in Secondary after if you drive past
the first parking area?Rossman - 3-21-2019 at 11:29 AM
Hi John M, so the INM building/ parking is AFTER the gates (red/green light)? I saw posts saying before, but also in Secondary after if you drive past
the first parking area?
Correct on both counts David although "before" the gates is more correct. Went through there last Sunday and went through the gates and asked where
the IMM office was. Just happened that the guy that runs the FMM desk was out there carousing with the border guys and he just directed me to an
empty area in the secondary and escorted me to his desk and took care of me. While at his desk I noticed there was a good bit of organized parking
(10 spots or so)before the gate.David K - 3-21-2019 at 12:42 PM
Thanks, Rossman, that must have been the post I read then?
So BEST to park before the gates. I know that sometimes the people in Secondary don't like you parking there for INM as it uses needed inspection
parking spots.
As you can tell, I have not been across at Mexicali since the new border went in. My last time was August 2017. In August 2018, my trip required
crossing at Tecate as I was documenting all of Hwy. 3.Bajazly - 3-21-2019 at 06:59 PM
A little trick I figured out to get on the road to San Felipe was as soon as you get thru the border, take the very first left. I know, sounds strange
but you go up kind of a ramp and you’ll see a sign that says old town or something like that and you will be forced to turn right, go about a block
and make another right and go straight to San Felipe. Basicaly it’s the old road you were on when you came thru the old crossing.
A good deal of parking after you cross for INM too, on the left side. mexicali-kid - 3-23-2019 at 02:00 PM
Crossing at Mexicali with a group of 5 jeeps
I am trying to find out where does everyone park
Do they have there own parking area?
Anyone with any info would be appreciated
Go thru the gates and park to the left.
The office is on the north end of the building you will be parking behind. mooose29 - 3-28-2019 at 10:04 PM
David there is a huge separate area to park after the crossing so no need to worry about taking up secondary space. There is also many spots prior to
crossing and the visa desk is at the end of the building closest to the border
[Edited on 3-29-2019 by mooose29]KasloKid - 3-28-2019 at 11:17 PM
Re: Davids excellent picture of the crossing and directions.
"Stay in the Right Lane" caption..
If I remember correctly, the right lane (crossing into Mexico from the USA) is a "Nothing to Declare" Lane.
A fellow I met at that crossing mistakenly got into that lane and had a bunch of solar panels in his cargo trailer. He not only pay a hefty fine for
failure to declare, but a high import fee for the panels. He wasn't aware that he had to get an FMM until I mentioned it.
[Edited on 3-29-2019 by KasloKid]David K - 3-29-2019 at 06:43 AM
That is not my map, it is only to show the route south from the new border. Stay in the right lane means after you have cleared customs. The left lane
goes to the older route south.
It has been posted many times that the parking and INM building is on the LEFT, as it was at the old crossing.
Obviously if you are importing construction materials, solar panels, etc., you must declare their value.PaulW - 3-29-2019 at 07:41 AM
Great. Going south park on the left and get an FMM then cross no declare traffic and go right to get on the mapped route above.
Seems a bit easier to get the FMM then go straight keeping left then right onto Hwy 5 using the old route to San Felipe.
Edit
I might also mention that for a caravan of multiple rigs I would not recommend using the east crossing because of lack of parking to get your FMM.
Room to park on the right side will only accommodate 2 or maybe 3 standard vehicles.
[Edited on 3-29-2019 by PaulW]sancho - 3-29-2019 at 08:55 AM
Speaking of solar panels, was a guy crossing Mexicail West,
the new West crossing wasn't opened yet, so maybe last
summer, in a larger cl A motorhome, Mex Customs wanted
$350 dlls. for solar panels that were installed on roof of the
MY, turned around went thru another POE Cappy - 3-29-2019 at 05:25 PM
Does anyone know hours. Thank youDavid K - 3-29-2019 at 05:48 PM
24freediverbrian - 3-29-2019 at 06:07 PM
Crossed last week was searched going south found two batteries for my boat had to pay inport tax. Automotive parts not included in your personal
exemption I found out. The road south it hwy 5 is not marked great got lost and I have been thru Mexicali many times. My advice is trurn east at a
big Street soon after and connect with the 5
Cappy - 3-30-2019 at 05:14 AM
Trying to cross Monday morning early. I hope to get across before the Donald locks the gate 🇲🇽👀🤞🏼 Travel in big white 4x4 van, Will
report road conditions. Say hello if you run into us. Free 🍺 john - 3-31-2019 at 12:23 PM
Just went through last Monday
Go tru gates don’t go through the red green lights yet look to the left and you see a covered parking lot
Park there go into building
In the building there is a desk with a customs official sitting there
Tried to get the free 7 day tourist card and the official told me that I could only get the free card online only
Made all pay 30 usd each for the 180 day visa
Didn’t want to argue about it so I don’t know if he just wanted our money
Then go back and drive through the lights
Got harassed about having gas in my cans
And also about having a c02 tank for refilling my tires
But let me by this timeDavid K - 3-31-2019 at 01:09 PM
Thanks for the report... I don't quite understand the gates part?
The no cans of gas going into Mexico has been the rules for several years. The idea started when Pemex prices were higher than U.S. prices as a way to
help their sales. Sorry that you have missed all the posts about that. I remember a post by 4baja a while back when the border made his friends all
return to the U.S. and then they had to try and get rid of all their extra fuel by selling or giving it away at San Ysidro. What a nightmare! Here it
was mentioned in 2007: http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=23384#pid2126...john - 3-31-2019 at 01:37 PM
Well maybe I shouldn’t call them Gates is just the fence you go through that goes all along the borderPaulW - 3-31-2019 at 04:37 PM
Dump cans racers use and Jerry vans must be empty. They always check them.
CO2 tank permanently mounted has been OK so far. If the bottle is loose expect to pay duty if it is full. Prove it is empty and no duty.
Solution Hide it and let the border person dither about the cans. A distraction alway is good.sancho - 3-31-2019 at 06:04 PM
Tried to get the free 7 day tourist card and the official told me that I could only get the free card online only
Made all pay 30 usd each for the 180 day visa
Didn’t want to argue about it so I don’t know if he just wanted our money
Thanks for that nugget, seems the different POE's change,
apply fmm regs at their whim, I'll go with they want to charge
the $30 dlls., not that there is some official decree about
7 day fmm's online only
