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BajaMama
Super Nomad
Posts: 1108
Registered: 10-4-2015
Location: Pleasanton/Punta Chivato
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Mood: Got Baja fever!!
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Mexicali West
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.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64850
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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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]
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sancho
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2524
Registered: 10-6-2004
Location: OC So Cal
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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]
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PaulW
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3075
Registered: 5-21-2013
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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.
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Lee
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3507
Registered: 10-2-2006
Location: High in the Colorado Rockies
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Stayed here a month ago and loved it. https://www.marriott.com/hotels/hotel-photos/iplfi-fairfield... Starbucks next door, Panda Express and McDonalds up the street couple blocks.
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.
US Marines: providing enemies of America an opportunity to die for their country since 1775.
What I say before any important decision.
F*ck it.
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BajaMama
Super Nomad
Posts: 1108
Registered: 10-4-2015
Location: Pleasanton/Punta Chivato
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Mood: Got Baja fever!!
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Thanks for the tips, I really appreciate it.
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RFClark
Super Nomad
Posts: 2462
Registered: 8-27-2015
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Mood: Delighted with 2024 and looking forward to 2025
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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.
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RFClark
Super Nomad
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Mood: Delighted with 2024 and looking forward to 2025
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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]
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Bajazly
Super Nomad
Posts: 1013
Registered: 6-4-2015
Location: Goodbye Cali and Hello San Felipe
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Mood: More Relaxed Everyday
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Quote: Originally posted by RFClark  | 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?
Believing is religion - Knowing is science
Harald Pietschmann
"Get off the beaten path and memories, friends and new techniques are developed"
Bajazly, August 2019
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RFClark
Super Nomad
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Mood: Delighted with 2024 and looking forward to 2025
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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.
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PaulW
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3075
Registered: 5-21-2013
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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.
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RFClark
Super Nomad
Posts: 2462
Registered: 8-27-2015
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Mood: Delighted with 2024 and looking forward to 2025
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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!
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Bajazly
Super Nomad
Posts: 1013
Registered: 6-4-2015
Location: Goodbye Cali and Hello San Felipe
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Mood: More Relaxed Everyday
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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.
Believing is religion - Knowing is science
Harald Pietschmann
"Get off the beaten path and memories, friends and new techniques are developed"
Bajazly, August 2019
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AKgringo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6027
Registered: 9-20-2014
Location: Anchorage, AK (no mas!)
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Mood: Retireded
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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!
If you are not living on the edge, you are taking up too much space!
"Could do better if he tried!" Report card comments from most of my grade school teachers. Sadly, still true!
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Udo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6346
Registered: 4-26-2008
Location: Black Hills, SD/Ensenada/San Felipe
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Mood: TEQUILA!
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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.
| Quote: Originally posted by PaulW | 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. |
Udo
Youth is wasted on the young!
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PaulW
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3075
Registered: 5-21-2013
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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.
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BajaMama
Super Nomad
Posts: 1108
Registered: 10-4-2015
Location: Pleasanton/Punta Chivato
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Mood: Got Baja fever!!
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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.
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RFClark
Super Nomad
Posts: 2462
Registered: 8-27-2015
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Mood: Delighted with 2024 and looking forward to 2025
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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]
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LaTijereta
Super Nomad
Posts: 1192
Registered: 8-27-2003
Location: Loreto
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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?
Democracy is like two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote.
Ben Franklin (1759)
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fishnbaja1
Newbie
Posts: 17
Registered: 9-6-2006
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| Quote: Originally posted by PaulW | | 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.
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