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gnukid
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Tourist visa Otay or Tecate?
I have an elderly friend crossing south (thanks for the dog tips), he needs to get his tourist visa, usually he parks in TJ walks across to get his
tourists visa and then drives to Tecate to cross.
He is in La Mesa, CA now, so I am encouraging him to simply go to Tecate or Otay and cross, stop and get his tourist visa and continue? should he park
and walk across and then walk back and drive like usual or what? He doesn't like to get out of his car in Mexico to walk to the bank... Can you parl
and walk across at Tecate or Otay?
What is it like to park and get a tourist visa at Tecate or Otay, he has a typical camp gear and nothing to declare? I looked for posts describing the
INM pull off spot but found none? Any tips are really appreciated since he needs exact directions? Thanks
[Edited on 9-24-2010 by gnukid]
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David K
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It has been posted, but no bank close to Tecate border, any more... now it's a few blocks away. Otay has one I read, and it is like Tijuana, park in
secondary and there is a bank teller in the complex (I read, never done at Otay).
If his trip is no more than a week he can get a free one... no bank hassle.
[Edited on 9-24-2010 by David K]
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gnukid
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Do you have a prefered casa de cambio near Otay? Or do you use only ATM withdrawl?
He is leaning to going to otay to park in secondary and get his tourist visa pay and go... I hope they are nice there?
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David K
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I use the currency of the local population... dollars!
When we take a long trip into Baja Sur, I used Costco in Chula Vista to buy pesos.
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gnukid
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I barter shark teeth and arrowheads! Thanks DK it all helps!
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tjBill
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I have been to both the Otay and San Ysidro immigration offices. San Ysidro they have better hours and are a lot more helpfull.
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bajaguy
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First, I use ATM's.....they have worked great for me. Just have him call his bank and tell them that he will be in Mexico and give the dates so they
don't block his card (also for any VISA or MAstercards).
Second, Otay for the FMM is easy. Just drive through the declare lane, park in the customs area. Walk back to INM....it's on in the offices on the
left. Get paperwork, go to the bank (right there, same area) and you are done.
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David K
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Thanks for confirming BajaGuy... What about tjBill's post regarding hours... San Ysidro is 24/7, I thought Otay was also, now?
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bajaguy
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| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
Thanks for confirming BajaGuy... What about tjBill's post regarding hours... San Ysidro is 24/7, I thought Otay was also, now?
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Unknown, sorry....supposed to be 24/7:
http://legacy.signonsandiego.com/news/mexico/20030726-9999_6...
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Baja&Back
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Can't believe anybody paying $8 to park at San Ysidro, walking across, COMING BACK, and then driving 70 miles out of their way to Tecate!!!
Parking is free at the Declare lane, the bank is right there, and San Ysidro is at least an hour faster to Ensenada. 24 Hrs too.
What is with this inordinate fear of the TJ crossing???
Someone please explain. Thx.
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bajaguy
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I almost always use Otay and take Blvd (Corridor) 2000 to the free/toll road to and from Ensenada. Quick, easy and no hassle of driving through TJ and
avoids 2 of the 3 toll booths.
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David K
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Baja&Back
Can't believe anybody paying $8 to park at San Ysidro, walking across, COMING BACK, and then driving 70 miles out of their way to Tecate!!!
Parking is free at the Declare lane, the bank is right there, and San Ysidro is at least an hour faster to Ensenada. 24 Hrs too.
What is with this inordinate fear of the TJ crossing???
Someone please explain. Thx. |
Southbound, the only issue is the merging traffic just south of the border, when you are driving up the overpass... You need to get into the right
lane (for the toll road/ scenic route) and a ton of vehicles are trying to get onto the overpass just before the exit you are heading for.
Otay to Corredor 2000 to Hwy. 1, is a breeze, I posted photos from 7 days ago of the route (well signed) in my Las Pintas Trip Report. Only about 5
miles longer than Tijuana south.
Coming north, the Tecate border is worth a few extra miles (20 more miles using Tecate vs. Otay, to San Diego), via Corredor 2000 and Mex. 2. then
Hwy. 94.
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Bob and Susan
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fri the 17th we got the daughters visa at tj
we parked in secondary
front office was closed
walked around back and
as we walked by the front office's rear door
the IMN guy yelled
"hey where are you going?"
"right there..."
$23 at the bank
we had to knock on the window...
the bank guy was in the back ZZZZZZ....
took all of 10 minutes
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David K
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Bob and Susan
fri the 17th we got the daughters visa at tj
we parked in secondary
front office was closed
walked around back and
as we walked by the front office's rear door
the IMN guy yelled
"hey where are you going?"
"right there..."
$23 at the bank
we had to knock on the window...
the bank guy was in the back ZZZZZZ....
took all of 10 minutes |
Just what time was this Bob?
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Bob and Susan
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6:30AM
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David K
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Bob and Susan
6:30AM |
THOUGHT SO!!! LOL!  
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BAJA.DESERT.RAT
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Hola, my son is coming down to and meeting me at san quintin for about three days to fish and i read on this website that the former fmt is not
necessary as it's within some type of exclusion zone ? does he have to stop and pay for any documentation ? i don't want his insurance invalidated due
to some technicality if the need arises.
also, heard the toll booths do not accept american dollars.
not trying to hijack this thread.
BIEN SALUD, DA RAT
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David K
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Toll boths have dollars and peso prices posted! We paid the one toll we used a week ago in dollars ($2.30 I think).
Frequently we read that all of Baja Norte is in the 'border zone'... or that the former Maneadero southern limit is extended to San Quintin.
Opinion time...
U.S. People have traveled many times south of San Felipe and south of Maneadero without one. If it was important to have in Baja Norte, they would
have a migra checkpoint like they do at the Baja Sur border... wouldn't you think? They used to at Maneadero... and you could 'tip' the officer if you
didn't have one already (from the border)... the good 'ol days!
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Bob and Susan
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first 2 are $2.10 usa
the last is $2.30 usa
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gnukid
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fyi My pal went Otay today to the far right lane in order to get a tourist visa, but once in the right lane you cannot turn away and must declare, no
backing up or exiting, even though he had nothing to declare, there was no way out.
So after two hours of unloading everything they gave him a nothing to declare form signed and stamped. Not the worst thing, but the correct thing for
tourists to do is go to the left lanes, after red or green light and inspection simply pull over to the right and park along the wall and walk back to
get the visa and pay.
Never go to the declare line with nothing to declare at Otay Mesa, Otay is a commercial border crossing which is run very professionally and fair if
you do want to declare.
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