ricewhite
Newbie
Posts: 4
Registered: 11-13-2010
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best border crossing coming from Arizona
We've crossed at Tijuana and Tecate many times on our way down Baja, but this January we'll be coming from Arizona instead of SoCal. It seems there
are lots of crossings to choose from between Mexicali and Nogales. We'll be coming from Tucson. Recommendations? Why do you prefer the place you
recommend? Thanks, Cathryn
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nbacc
Senior Nomad
Posts: 770
Registered: 12-27-2008
Location: Northern California
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Just crossed yesterday in Mexicali..............easy. Took three min.
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bajalou
Ultra Nomad
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Location: South of the broder
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I like Algodones (just west of Yuma AZ)
No Bad Days
\"Never argue with an idiot. People watching may not be able to tell the difference\"
\"The trouble with doing nothing is - how do I know when I\'m done?\"
Nomad Baja Interactive map
And in the San Felipe area - check out Valle Chico area |
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mcfez
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8678
Registered: 12-2-2009
Location: aka BN yankeeirishman
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| Quote: | Originally posted by nbacc
Just crossed yesterday in Mexicali..............easy. Took three min. |
Mexicali still that construction going on right there by the booths?
Old people are like the old cars, made of some tough stuff. May show a little rust, but good as gold on the inside.
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BajaRob
Senior Nomad
Posts: 722
Registered: 9-15-2003
Location: Bahia Santa Maria y Newport Or
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Mood: Life is good
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Ditto Lou. Very pleasant and easy crossing at Algodones last Saturday.
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rts551
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6700
Registered: 9-5-2003
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If you are headed to the Pacific side I think it is faster to cross at Tecate. We cross at Algodones for a change of pace. For the gulf region.
Algadones is the easiest for us.
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beercan
Senior Nomad
Posts: 670
Registered: 4-3-2005
Location: North of da Bear
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Mood: happy to be in Baja
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I usually agree with Lou
I live in Yuma and can cross at either Algodones or San Luis. Now that they have opened a Sentri lane in San Luis , I will be using that port.
If you're coming from Tucson, I would take the 195 bypass East of Yuma and exit thru San Luis--save time and mileage, and hit the Mexican "Freeway"
much sooner. Coming back North, the choice is yours--now that the snowbirds have landed in Yuma both of those returns are time consuming!!!
* libs, all about choice until you choose different
* B. Hussein Obama - an Empty Suit for Empty Minds.
* Annoy a liberal - Work hard and be happy!
* Arguing facts & truth to libs is like bringing a warm smile to a gun fight.
* Lets win the War on Terror
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Pescador
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3587
Registered: 10-17-2002
Location: Baja California Sur
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I love the crossing at Algodones because so few cross there, it is usually a no-brainer to get across. Then you have about 12 miles of paved
agricultural road to get close to San Luis where you enter the 4 lane and head up through La Rumorosa which is a great drive. If you have to declare
anything, you are probably better entering at San Luis where they will process you very quickly. I do not like Mexicali very much because you then
have to drive through Mexicali to get to where you are going and it seems much easier to avoid it altogether.
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Lista
Junior Nomad
Posts: 52
Registered: 5-2-2010
Location: MT
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Mood: (:
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I like Mexicali East, especially coming from AZ, just stay on I-8 until you get there then head south. Seems like coming from algadones is for sunday
drivers. I like to get there. I do although, like to cross heading north at algondones, I like the farming area.
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nbacc
Senior Nomad
Posts: 770
Registered: 12-27-2008
Location: Northern California
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No construction coming through Mexicali east that I could see. Hummmmm wish it was just as easy going back. there was a long line going back to the
states. Of course this was on a Friday around 1:00
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rts551
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6700
Registered: 9-5-2003
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What if this person is going to the pacific coast? They don't say.
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CortezBlue
Super Nomad
Posts: 2213
Registered: 11-14-2006
Location: Fenix/San Phelipe
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No
Your all wrong
Yust yoking
Algadones, yes David k it is spelled wrong, is nice to cross, but you have to drive through to many little towns very slowly
Mexicalli is just crazy and depending on when u cross can take some time
San Luis is now the best
There is a new road from I 10 near yuma that takes you to the border. It is 4 lane and it only takes 20 min.
Exit Araby road and follow it to san Luis. It is brand new and does not shoe up on bing or google maps
Once you cross the border you turn right on the first road and you are on 2d, the toll road that will take you to why 5
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ricewhite
Newbie
Posts: 4
Registered: 11-13-2010
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Thanks to all of you for your comments. We're not really sure where we're going first once we cross (itinerary? Nope!) But we usually head to BLA
unless it's too early/cold, in which case we'll head down to Concepcion or further south. We have 3-4 months, so not in a hurry. Guess we could head
west from Arizona staying north of the border to our usual Tecate crossing but seems like there may be a better and shorter way? Thanks again.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65285
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Mexicalli (Mexicali), too! 
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DavidE
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3814
Registered: 12-1-2003
Location: Baja California México
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Mood: 'At home we demand facts and get them. In Mexico one subsists on rumor and never demands anything.' Charles Flandrau,
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Is there a Banjercito or Solo Sonora car permit to turn in?
If there is it makes all the difference in the world.
The solitary Banjercito office to turn in the permits is 5 km east of Sonoyta. You cannot do it anywhere else except at a well-hidden office in T.J.
that would be miserable to track down. Read the "cannot do it anywhere else" part once again.
If you fail to surrender a car permit, that'll be your last time on the mainland in a car south of the tourist border zone. You cannot get another
prmit.
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GilandVal
Junior Nomad
Posts: 45
Registered: 8-31-2010
Location: Lompoc, California/Erie, Colorado
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Crossing through San Luis, where do you go to take care of getting your visa permit stamped? Thanks.
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CortezBlue
Super Nomad
Posts: 2213
Registered: 11-14-2006
Location: Fenix/San Phelipe
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Just past the gate, on the right, is the immigration office.
You may have to pull forward, park and walk back to the office
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