Yay, I am planning travel to BCS mid-May (I should have my shots by then).
I have never crossed southbound anywhere except San Ysidro, but I want to stay night in El Centro (is it safe there for parking overnight in a hotel
lot?) and cross Mexicali West. (Mexicali West looks easier to hook up to Mex 5).
May I please have specific instructions on where to park and getting to immigration to get my FMM stamped? I sure will appreciate it. I get
flustered in new areas and pre-information keeps the anxiety down.David K - 3-19-2021 at 09:04 AM
As you approach the Mexico entrance, keep left and park in the area provided, before the building, inside which is the INM desk where you get the FMM.
A bank teller is inside that building... but if not open, the INM officer has a cash box. If for some reason there is no parking open before the
electronic gates, just park as soon as possible on the other side, even along the street, and walk across and back to the building.
[Edited on 3-19-2021 by David K]sancho - 3-19-2021 at 03:23 PM
As DK points out, as you approach the entry into Mex at
the West crossing, a few yrds. BEFORE you get to the red/green
lite, pull off to the left park under an overhang, room for several
vehicles. A large white bldg., large glass door entry, is Mex
Immigration, didn't see a sign when I was there. I last crossed months ago, but Mexicali cops appeared to be working Ave. Presidente, the blvd. that
one drives so.
on after you enter Mexicali, I understand one can cut over to 5
shortly after entering Mexicali, I remained on Presidente for
the 4 mi. or so before turning left to the 5
[Edited on 3-19-2021 by sancho]PaulW - 3-19-2021 at 04:43 PM
Don't use west. Drive a few more miles on I8 to CA hwy7 and avoid getting lost south of the border and avoid the crime that is rampant in that main
part of Mexicali. The problem is you have to cross east before 2PM. However the line going south near 2PM or after the west crossing is terribly long
and slow.Lee - 3-19-2021 at 07:09 PM
Parking felt safe there as did El Centro. Imperial County, I read, was the epicenter for the virus. Cuidado.
Cross West on a Sunday early. Drive right up. BajaMama - 3-21-2021 at 09:28 AM
Thanks for the tips, I really appreciate it. RFClark - 3-21-2021 at 12:55 PM
At the west crossing the parking on the left side says customs inspection. That’s where you park to get a visa. Go through the doors in the end of
the building, continue straight ahead and you will see the counter. They have never had change so take the exact amount in pesos. RFClark - 3-22-2021 at 01:33 PM
I just received a text from another homeowner in our camp. He was refused entry into Mexico recently ( yesterday-today?) no details where or why!
(probably Mexicali) More information as available!
Update:
He reports that he tried to cross at the East Crossing and they turned him around.
[Edited on 3-23-2021 by RFClark]Bajazly - 3-22-2021 at 07:07 PM
I just received a text from another homeowner in our camp. He was refused entry into Mexico recently ( yesterday-today?) no details where or why!
(probably Mexicali) More information as available!
Update:
He reports that he tried to cross at the East Crossing and they turned him around.
[Edited on 3-23-2021 by RFClark]
What resident status does he have? RFClark - 3-22-2021 at 08:46 PM
Bajazly,
For the last year, having a home in Mexico has been a valid reason for crossing the border. The exceptions have been around some holidays when
sometimes they check more. We have yet to be asked anything when we’re headed south. Northbound is the same as always.
The East Calexico crossing generally stops more people and asks more questions. That’s why most of the traffic, including us, goes to the new west
crossing.PaulW - 3-23-2021 at 08:31 AM
Clark,
Ask the guy why he was turned around. I have crossed 3 times in a week and once asked by Mx border guy for resident card at the west crossing. Always
waved thru at the east.RFClark - 3-23-2021 at 09:19 AM
Us too! He hasn't said yet, he’s peeed! That said I’ve been stopped more often at the East Crossing over the years, than the west crossing!
That’s why I use the West crossing usually it’s too busy to stop anyone!Bajazly - 3-23-2021 at 09:26 AM
We have yet to be asked anything when we’re headed south. Northbound is the same as always.
Same here, I have RP but have never been asked. Got stopped at the checkpoint a couple times before I had the card but had a power bill and all was
good.
Be interesting to hear why they turned him around.AKgringo - 3-23-2021 at 10:24 AM
Be interesting to hear why they turned him around.
And why he didn't just shrug and drive over to the other
crossing.
That may (or may not) work in Baja, but if you ever get turned back trying to cross into Canada do not drive to a different crossing.
They track that stuff!Udo - 3-23-2021 at 12:04 PM
I have been turned around before (what they do is to escort you to the US side and stop traffic so you can cut in line). My reason for being turned
around was that I did not have the registration on a trailer I was towing with goods in it. The goods were OK but the lack of registration was not,
even though the state that the trailer was from did not require registration. I should have borrowed the title as well as the trailer.
Clark,
Ask the guy why he was turned around. I have crossed 3 times in a week and once asked by Mx border guy for resident card at the west crossing. Always
waved thru at the east.
PaulW - 3-23-2021 at 03:12 PM
Yes on a quiet day. I was the only one passing thru.
East crossing I had to show Resident card, trailer reg, Jeep reg, but not the pickup reg.
Lots of inspectors and no business.
Did not require me to start the Jeep.
Did not look at all my stuff in the pickup.
Did not ask for proof of insurance.
I carry all that stuff - so no problem.
Customs lady took pictures of VIN for Jeep and trailer with her phone.
It was done very quickly.
Pretty extreme for my experience.BajaMama - 3-24-2021 at 07:55 AM
Well, I hope it goes well. I will be an essential traveler - helping my father in law with his house and his travel back to US.RFClark - 3-24-2021 at 08:07 AM
Slightly off topic but interesting nonetheless.
If refused entry to Canada you can demand treaty rights of passage to Alaska. Basically you do have to drive to Alaska though. You are also allowed to
transport a hand gun and or a rifle as well. I haven’t tried this recently but probably still in effect. It really “pised off” the Customs
Canada guy too!
Made my day!
[Edited on 3-24-2021 by RFClark]
[Edited on 3-24-2021 by RFClark]LaTijereta - 5-2-2021 at 07:18 AM
Crossing northbound at Mexicali this week, but will need to get across at the West crossing due to arrival time at the border.. any updated directions
based on the “new” approach coming through the city coming up from SF?fishnbaja1 - 5-19-2021 at 12:55 AM
Don't use west. Drive a few more miles on I8 to CA hwy7 and avoid getting lost south of the border and avoid the crime that is rampant in that main
part of Mexicali. The problem is you have to cross east before 2PM. However the line going south near 2PM or after the west crossing is terribly long
and slow.
I'm crossing into Mexico via Mexicali next week. It's going to be my first time, and all this talk about East vs West crossing has got my head
spinning. I have no idea what any of that means. Can someone explain? I have a PR card, so I don't need to get any special visa to enter.PaulW - 5-19-2021 at 06:30 AM
What it all means is there are choices. The main problem for the west crossing is for those going north without Sentri.
Crossing is much more difficult since the east crossing has limited hours (closes at 2PM and that means traffic after that time is diverted to the
west crossing).
Timing is important going both north and south.
Crossing before noon is recommended on either crossing and either direction.
Southbound - If you do not have Sentri I would recommend crossing at the east to get familiar with the route because you sure do not want to use the
west for return to the US. To avoid driving thru the core city after crossing southbound turn left and avoid the core city. after you get on the
airport road the signage is acceptable all the way to Hwy5. Turn right after the border follow the fence and turn left at Hwy5 all the way south thru
the core city.
