MexicoTed
Senior Nomad
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No Wait at Tecate border yesterday!
Had a friend in town and decided to show him Baja for a night. Came back through the wine country and the Tecate border crossing at 6:30pm (Thursday
March 15th). Drove right up to the booth without a car in front of us. Incredible! In fact we got there so fast we had to look for our passports. When
the agent saw us looking for our PP's, he quipped "what's wrong didn't you know you were crossing an international border today". Then we all laughed
as he he commented he couldn't believe there was no one there.
Ted
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
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Location: Punta Banda
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Shhhhhh...don't tell anybody. 
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Bajahowodd
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Geez. As I started a thread here yesterday, on Saturday, we waited one hour to get through in Tecate. It appears to me to be a crap shoot, especially
since Russ noted that he recently waited 1 1/2 hours at San Ysidro. From my perspective, given the extra driving, if I had to wait for 1 1/2 hours at
SY, or who knows, maybe less at Otay, I wasted my time going to Tecate.
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DianaT
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Geez. As I started a thread here yesterday, on Saturday, we waited one hour to get through in Tecate. It appears to me to be a crap shoot, especially
since Russ noted that he recently waited 1 1/2 hours at San Ysidro. From my perspective, given the extra driving, if I had to wait for 1 1/2 hours at
SY, or who knows, maybe less at Otay, I wasted my time going to Tecate. |
MexicoTed's experience was very, very unusual!
It is not worth the extra time for anyone to cross at Tecate. Everyone really should reconsider and only cross at San Ysidro. It is an ugly,
terrible and dangerous drive through those mountains, the police in Tecate will "get" you, there are hundreds of really pushy vendors, the army will
harass you, the border agents are really grumpy and you will ALWAYS end up in secondary! It is just not worth it! Viva San Ysidro!
[Edited on 3-16-2012 by DianaT]
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BornFisher
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Crossing at 6:30 on a weekday, has its advantages wherever you cross. A friend crossed in 2 minutes Thursday at Otay (Ready Lane), at 3PM. You never
know!
Just checked--- at 4PM--- Tecate=20 minutes. Otay Ready Lane=5 minutes.
BTW the new concrete barriers are up (Otay) and a good thing--- no line cutting!!
[Edited on 3-16-2012 by BornFisher]
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rts551
Elite Nomad
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Go for OTAY. All the "experts" will tell you there is no advantage to Tecate Only two gates and a single line to those.. And there is no
protection against line cutters. (You have to go through the historical posts to get the info on line cutters)
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DianaT
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| Quote: | Originally posted by rts551
Go for OTAY. All the "experts" will tell you there is no advantage to Tecate Only two gates and a single line to those.. And there is no
protection against line cutters. (You have to go through the historical posts to get the info on line cutters) |
GREAT information---
[Edited on 3-17-2012 by DianaT]
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willardguy
Elite Nomad
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man I wish they'd move the tecate crossing to tijuana!
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MexicoTed
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Funny thing is my brother was in another car and didn't want to drive to Tecate so went to Otay to cross. He said they got there about 6pm and waited
an hour... I guess you never know as I have waited 45 minutes at Tecate too.
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goldhuntress
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Mexico Ted, buy a lottery ticket, your on a lucky streak, lol.
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
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| Quote: | Originally posted by goldhuntress
Mexico Ted, buy a lottery ticket, your on a lucky streak, lol. |
Really. It's like believing in only one Gawd. 
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David K
Honored Nomad
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Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Some great reverse psychology going on here!
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redhilltown
Super Nomad
Posts: 1130
Registered: 1-24-2009
Location: Long Beach, CA
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| Quote: | Originally posted by DianaT
| Quote: | Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Geez. As I started a thread here yesterday, on Saturday, we waited one hour to get through in Tecate. It appears to me to be a crap shoot, especially
since Russ noted that he recently waited 1 1/2 hours at San Ysidro. From my perspective, given the extra driving, if I had to wait for 1 1/2 hours at
SY, or who knows, maybe less at Otay, I wasted my time going to Tecate. |
MexicoTed's experience was very, very unusual!
It is not worth the extra time for anyone to cross at Tecate. Everyone really should reconsider and only cross at San Ysidro. It is an ugly,
terrible and dangerous drive through those mountains, the police in Tecate will "get" you, there are hundreds of really pushy vendors, the army will
harass you, the border agents are really grumpy and you will ALWAYS end up in secondary! It is just not worth it! Viva San Ysidro!
[Edited on 3-16-2012 by DianaT] |
Diana failed to mention that Tecate is the only border crossing where you do not receive fresh doughnuts and warm moist towelettes from the customs
agents!!!!!
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65278
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| Quote: | Originally posted by redhilltown
Diana failed to mention that Tecate is the only border crossing where you do not receive fresh doughnuts and warm moist towelettes from the customs
agents!!!!! |
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rts551
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6700
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| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
Some great reverse psychology going on here! |
Ahhh come on. really?
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Marc
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2802
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Location: San Francisco & Palm Springs
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Mood: Waiting
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Tecate is the way to go. Although it's a good chance you will be directed to secondary if you're in a pickup. The guys there a are good natured
as*****s. They took our breakfast chorizo.
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unbob
Nomad
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Registered: 8-7-2006
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| Quote: | | Originally posted by DianaTIt is not worth the extra time for anyone to cross at Tecate. Everyone really should reconsider and only cross at
San Ysidro. It is an ugly, terrible and dangerous drive through those mountains, the police in Tecate will "get" you, there are hundreds of really
pushy vendors, the army will harass you, the border agents are really grumpy and you will ALWAYS end up in secondary! It is just not worth it!
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And don't foget all the snow and ice in the mountains! Banditos and nightmare topes, etc etc. Whatever you
do, avoid Tecate at all cost!
"I'm too young to be this old!"
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fourninerpapa
Junior Nomad
Posts: 40
Registered: 11-2-2008
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We crossed at Tecate at 3:30pm on the 15th with about a 20 minute wait.
I ran into a big problem trying to go into secondary with a (new to me) 38 foot class A motorhome. I could not make the turn into secondary. I had to
back up so they could open another gate and let me into the area where they run vehicles through xray.
The inspectors were very helpful and polite. One suggested I go through the truck gate next year but I am sure I can do that.
Since I end up in Yuma I think I will go through the east exit of Mexicalli.
Norm
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Bajahowodd
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9274
Registered: 12-15-2008
Location: Disneyland Adjacent and anywhere in Baja
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Two gates, and the Mexican Army to direct you. Who could ask for anything more?
Seriously, outside of certain holiday periods, it seems to me that if Tecate wait time is upwards of an hour, anyone looking to head North on I-5
would be better served going across at Otay.
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TecateRay
Nomad
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Registered: 9-6-2006
Location: La Mesa, CA
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Friends waited 3hours on Saturday. They got in line around 6. Weekdays seem to be good, but weekends at Tecate have become a lengthy process. What
was Wait at Otay on Saturday at 6 pm?
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