rattus
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Formalities + Crossing at Tecate
I realize this has probably been beaten to death, but I have searched, and would like to establish in 1 place what the newbie needs to attend to at
the Tecate border crossing, plus directions in and out.
1) Formalities + procedure to pay and locations for Baja Sur visas
2) Best times, considering Ensenada traffic, etc.
3) Directions coming in and heading out
Leaving CO on Saturday and making a beeline to SD to start!
Thanks and regards,
Mike
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Diver
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Drive up to the border at Tecate and pull over to park 1-2 blocks from the border. Walk through the crossing with you passport or voters card and
driver's license and go to the office on the right 1/2 block into Tecate. They will take care of your FMT visa and then you go across the street to
the bank to pay. Then you return to the first office and show your receipt to get your visa. Their is an ATM at the bank.
If you have a large rig and stay in Potrero the night before, it may be a good idea to unhook and get your visas the afternoon before you cross.
If no parking appears available just pull into the center divider about 1 block before the border and leave someone in the car. You can get visas for
your family without them being present.
This time of year you should have no delays getting across almost any time but late afternoon.
Once you drive through the border, go two blocks and take a left then the first right and you will be on the way out of town heading towards Ensenada.
Have fun !!
.
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DianaT
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When you cross the street to go to the bank, you walk back toward the border to the bank. It is just a small room with a small counter.
Time? Early is always the best. Question, while we usually return through Tecate even though we can almost see Tijuana from our home, if we are
going south early in the morning, especially on a weekend, we cross at San Ysidro---much faster to Encenada. You said you are going to San Diego so
you would need to backtrack to Tecate.
Have a great trip
Diane
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rattus
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Thanks Diver and Diane -
San Ysidro I haven't heard about - what'e the story with that vs. TJ or Tecate? Same facilities and transit speed?
Also, we all have passports, except my youngest daughter whose passport has expired (good going, Mike - try checking it a bit sooner than 1 week
before travel!) I understand we're still OK with a birth certificate. Anything else we should bring to reduce any potential hassles?
Thanks again,
Mike
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DianaT
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| Quote: | Originally posted by rattus
Thanks Diver and Diane -
San Ysidro I haven't heard about - what'e the story with that vs. TJ or Tecate? Same facilities and transit speed?
Also, we all have passports, except my youngest daughter whose passport has expired (good going, Mike - try checking it a bit sooner than 1 week
before travel!) I understand we're still OK with a birth certificate. Anything else we should bring to reduce any potential hassles?
Thanks again,
Mike |
Mike,
Hi,
Certified copy of her birth certificate should be OK.
San Ysidro is the U. S. side across from Tijuana. It is the main crossing. If you are in San Diego and take the main freeways south, I-5 or the 805,
they run together and then hit the border. It is a very busy crossing, except when we cross at around 6 a.m. on a weekend. If you pull over to the
right after you cross the border, just ask and they will point the way to Immigration---same procedure, fill out the form, go to the bank right there
to pay your money, and back to Immigration to have it stamped.
It is faster to Ensenada because of the toll road. The road from Tecate is very scenic, but it is a slower mountain road. Like I said before, it is
the way we prefer to return home because we seldom have to wait long to cross back into the US.
Don't forget Mexican car insurance---they don't ask for it, but you don't want to be without it.
Drive safe and keep asking questions, you will get lots of answers and they probably will not all agree.
Diane
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rattus
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Speaking of car insurance, who have the forum members had luck with lately?
I've seen quotes all over the map; quality of service may be the tougher factor to determine.
Mike
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Diver
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Lewis and Lewis or Bajabound or Discover Baja
Get it online before you go.
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bajaguy
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Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
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Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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Otay Mesa
I have had a great time using the Otay crossing, then taking the "new" Blvd 2000. You end at Popotla on the free road, just south of the Fox Baja
studios. Eliminates the TJ congestion and also two toll booths. Just drive south on the free road to either Puerto Nuevo or Cantimar and jump on the
toll road south to Ensenada......the only toll booth is at the south end at Ensenada (El Sauzal). Get your insurance from Geoff (fellow Nomad) at
BajaBound.
[Edited on 5-29-2007 by bajaguy]
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fishingpal
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If you cross the border early 6:30 am on a weekend........are you able to get a visa at the TJ crossing? Are you able to get a visa in guerrero
Negro?
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rattus
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Thanks for all the answers!
One last Q - what's the latest status on foodstuffs? I gather that meat and fruit are out, but what about dairy, esp. cheese? Eggs? Liquor/wine
quantities?
Mike
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DavidT
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| Quote: | Originally posted by fishingpal
If you cross the border early 6:30 am on a weekend........are you able to get a visa at the TJ crossing? Are you able to get a visa in guerrero
Negro? |
Question 1:Yes
The immigration office and bank are open 24/7 @ San Ysidro.
Question 2: Maybe
In the past I was able to get my visa at the border checkpoint and then pay at the bank in Santa Rosalia.
David
Not one shred of evidence supports the notion that life is serious.
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DavidT
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| Quote: | Originally posted by rattus
Thanks for all the answers!
One last Q - what's the latest status on foodstuffs? I gather that meat and fruit are out, but what about dairy, esp. cheese? Eggs? Liquor/wine
quantities?
Mike |
I have some friends who carry a bunch of food into Baja, they hide it under dry ice in huge ice chests. Sad, because they refuse to shop or eat
anything from the locals.
David
Not one shred of evidence supports the notion that life is serious.
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CaboRon
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Bringing Food To Baja
It seems kind of sad that someone would travel to Baja and then avoid the
great food available. Why not just stay in Amerika? CaboRon
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DianaT
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| Quote: | Originally posted by CaboRon
It seems kind of sad that someone would travel to Baja and then avoid the
great food available. Why not just stay in Amerika? CaboRon |
Some people, including us, take things we cannot buy in Baja---not where we go. We love the food down there, but also bring some of ours. Besides,
while traveling some of the back roads, food and water are security. Also, some medical issues come into play.
Crossing into Baja Sur, they will take away fruit.
Diane
[Edited on 6-2-2007 by jdtrotter]
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CaboRon
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jdtrotter, My comment was is response was to the statement "Sad, because they REFUSE (my caps) to shop or eat anything from the locals". I
think this reeks of ugly amerikans.......................
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