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Bajahowodd
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9274
Registered: 12-15-2008
Location: Disneyland Adjacent and anywhere in Baja
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Look Out Below!
then varooom.
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k-rico
Super Nomad
Posts: 2079
Registered: 7-10-2008
Location: Playas de Tijuana
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Somebody mentioned going to Tecate from Mexicali.
I've been on that hiway and there is a westbound checkpoint just before the La Rumorosa uphill climb that can back up for an hour or more. It's
horrible, avoid it at all costs.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65410
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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| Quote: | Originally posted by k-rico
Somebody mentioned going to Tecate from Mexicali.
I've been on that hiway and there is a westbound checkpoint just before the La Rumorosa uphill climb that can back up for an hour or more. It's
horrible, avoid it at all costs. |
K-Rico... you muct have been in the truck lane?
Get into the left lane and pass the 'mile' of trucks and get right up to the checkpoint... where we almost always get waved through... done this many
times.
San Felipe to San Diego, via the Libramente Mexicali toll road 2-D and Highway 2-D to Tecate... 3 tolls.
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k-rico
Super Nomad
Posts: 2079
Registered: 7-10-2008
Location: Playas de Tijuana
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Miles of trucks were in all the lanes. It really sucked. This was last May and it was hotter than hell, (the checkpoint is in the desert) I thought my
old dog wasn't going to make it. The truck was starting to overheat just sitting there not moving with the A/C on so I had to shut it down. It was
miserable.
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mulegemichael
Super Nomad
Posts: 2310
Registered: 12-24-2007
Location: sequim,wa. and mulege
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Mood: up on step
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and at tecate there is NONE of that...what's the problem here?....i don't quite get it????...no complications, no hassles, no problemo...
dyslexia is never having to say you\'re yrros.
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k-rico
Super Nomad
Posts: 2079
Registered: 7-10-2008
Location: Playas de Tijuana
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we're talking getting to Tecate from Mexicali
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65410
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Location: San Diego County
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Right... at the foot of the Cantu/ Rumorosa Grade... bummer that the trucks hogged both lanes or that the military didn't keep them in one.
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k-rico
Super Nomad
Posts: 2079
Registered: 7-10-2008
Location: Playas de Tijuana
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I've read reports in a daily TJ rag, La Frontera, of 3 hour backups there. Locals who use the road frequently are real upset.
Just tellin' ya what I know.
I don't know how frequently it gets backed up tho.
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DianaT
Select Nomad
Posts: 10020
Registered: 12-17-2004
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Yesterday, in the afternoon we had to wait 25 minutes at Tecate. For us, is a first for that time and in the middle of the week---usually we wait
less than 5 minutes.
We asked the customs agent why and he said that the last few days there had been waits of 1 to 2 hours and they were trying to figure out what is
going on.
Like most of the agents there, he was very nice and we were a little surprised that they are keeping track how often we cross. He greeted us by name
and said, so you are crossing again---all very nice. There is only one real jerk there ---- a REAL jerk.
It took us 2 hours as there were delays from what looked like storm damage along with the construction.
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k-rico
Super Nomad
Posts: 2079
Registered: 7-10-2008
Location: Playas de Tijuana
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Like most of the agents there, he was very nice and we were a little surprised that they are keeping track how often we cross. He greeted us by
name and said, so you are crossing again.
That's interesting. Darned databases are getting bigger and bigger and more and more interconnected. Next they'll be reminding you to pay your
upcoming utility bills, that your prescription medicines need to be refilled, and asking how you feel after your last battle with the flu and if you
won any money on your last trip to Vegas. All from you license plate number.
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wilderone
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3894
Registered: 2-9-2004
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Short answer : 1 1/2 hours from Tecate to Ensenada. I did that last week - going and returning - same time. The construction portion slows you down,
but the finished part from the El Sauzal end is 65 mph. When I crossed into Tecate on a Friday evening, 6 pm - there was one car in front of me. I
was sent to secondary for an agriculture check. Took about 15 minutes for that. If you're in the vicinity of the LA Cetto winery (after 10 am) and
they're open, stop for some vino, olive oil. Down the road a bit from there at the Dona Maria's (? I think), you can get lemons too. Enjoy the
drive.
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wilderone
Ultra Nomad
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Registered: 2-9-2004
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One more comment. I wanted to get tourist card at Tecate, but no parking, so I blew it off, intending to tell my sad tale at the Baja Sur checkpoint.
But at that checkpoint, they didn't check for tourist cards or check for fruit - only wanted $1 for pest spray. Also, there is ONE place at the US
Tecate border shopping center where you can get dollars from ATM and exchange into pesos.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65410
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Oranges are a no-no, but lemons and sour limes are permitted. Is that why you got pulled into the Ag check? I declared my limes, and got pulled in
there and it took them forever to figure out they were permitted... lol
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toneart
Ultra Nomad
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Registered: 7-23-2006
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If I tout my favorite crossing, Tecate both directions, then you will probably be in the vehicle that is behind the others who have read this, and in
front of me. So, no, don't go through Tecate!   If you do, it will take less than 1 1/2 hours to Ensenada through the
beautiful wine country. You certainly don't want to do that. It is all too easy.
That is not the usual chaos you have come to expect and fear.
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DianaT
Select Nomad
Posts: 10020
Registered: 12-17-2004
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| Quote: | Originally posted by toneart
If I tout my favorite crossing, Tecate both directions, then you will probably be in the vehicle that is behind the others who have read this, and in
front of me. So, no, don't go through Tecate! If you do, it will take less than 1 1/2 hours to Ensenada through the
beautiful wine country. You certainly don't want to do that. It is all too easy.
That is not the usual chaos you have come to expect and fear.
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Even the custom's agent agreed when we told him we were going to start telling everyone that VERY bad and VERY dangerous and it was much better to
cross at San Ysidro.
He said they really did not know why the waits had been so long the last few days as it was not the weekend and not a holiday.
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k-rico
Super Nomad
Posts: 2079
Registered: 7-10-2008
Location: Playas de Tijuana
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I agree that the Tecate crossing is by far the best. Everybody should use Tecate and stay away from horrible Tijuana and the San Ysidro crossing -
please and thank you.
TECATE IS THE COOLEST PLACE IN THE WORLD!!!!
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DianaT
Select Nomad
Posts: 10020
Registered: 12-17-2004
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| Quote: | Originally posted by k-rico
I agree that the Tecate crossing is by far the best. Everybody should use Tecate and stay away from horrible Tijuana and the San Ysidro crossing -
please and thank you.
TECATE IS THE COOLEST PLACE IN THE WORLD!!!! |
Tecate will take you hours longer, you will always be put in secondary for hours and hours, the town is full of bandits, and the road----YUK and the
scenery is NOTHING.
San Ysidro all the way!!
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k-rico
Super Nomad
Posts: 2079
Registered: 7-10-2008
Location: Playas de Tijuana
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I think it's great they're improving the road from Ensenada to Tecate. Four lanes would be better of course. And that beautiful wine country, soon to
be a tourist mecca. You'll be able to buy slingshots, Mexican yo-yos (they don't tie the string to it) blankets, Viagra, and Human Growth Hormone
after you fill up on award winning Mexican Boones Farm. Paradise.
TJ to Ensenada? Nothing but ocean views. If you've seen one ocean, you've seen them all. And those kids throwing rocks from the overpasses?
Fuggetaboutit!!
Tecate, all the way, the way to go, hands down.
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DeMinimis
Nomad
Posts: 271
Registered: 1-7-2008
Location: Orygun
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Okay all you pro-Tecate folks, can come someone please tell when the banco (closest to the crossing) closes on weekdays (need the tourist stamp)?
Thanks.
You gonna eat that?
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DeMinimis
Nomad
Posts: 271
Registered: 1-7-2008
Location: Orygun
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Hey! Will I finally get a second star if I break 100 posts?
You gonna eat that?
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