Phil S
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Posts: 1205
Registered: 10-28-2003
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Mood: After 34 years. Still in love w/ my wife
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Xing Mexicali.Where do I park & get my FMM stamped?
Is it convenient to park on the way over the border into Baja at Mexicali. Any help appreciated. I've already got & paid for my FMM. Just need it
stamped for my wife & myself. Can I do both for my wife, while she stays in the car? Thanks folks
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BajaWarrior
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Location: Mission Bay, San Diego. Playa Hermosa, San Felipe.
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Mood: Anxious to get south
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Very easy at the East crossing, lots of parking on right even with towing, in and out. Can't tell about the West crossing...
Haven't had a bad trip yet....
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Ken Cooke
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Mood: Pole Line Road postponed due to injury
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Look for the Punto de Reuñion
Traveling south through Calexico, you will see this sign at the border.
Look to the immediate right, and park your car.
Lock your vehicle, because where you park on the right side of the street, the US Gov't will be deporting Immigrants.
Cross the street, and as you walk East across traffic lanes towards this spiffy seal.
Continue walking down the sidewalk, and you will see this PUNTO DE REUñION.
Earthquake damage cracked the building to your left, so keep walking, and on your left, up the stairs (4 or 5 steps high), you will see the temporary
office bearing this signage.
Walk inside, and get your items stamped. Have a great time!
[Edited on 10-26-2011 by Ken Cooke]
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John M
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Registered: 9-3-2003
Location: California High Desert
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Mexicali West
A few months ago we needed the same thing. At that time you crossed into Mexicali, and after you pass under the Mexican inspection area, move to the
left, park under the overhead awning (P in the photo) and walk back to the building (V in the photo) to get the visa validated.
It was simple. Actually I stayed with the truck and my wife went inside - took less than five minutes.
[[Edited on 10-26-2011 by John M]
[Edited on 10-26-2011 by John M]
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mcfez
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Location: aka BN yankeeirishman
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| Quote: | Originally posted by John M
A few months ago we needed the same thing. At that time you crossed into Mexicali, and after you pass under the Mexican inspection area, move to the
left, park under the overhead awning (P in the photo) and walk back to the building (V in the photo) to get the visa validated.
It was simple. Actually I stayed with the truck and my wife went inside - took less than five minutes.
[[Edited on 10-26-2011 by John M]
[Edited on 10-26-2011 by John M] |
Of all the 100's of posts here in the past about this subject.....you made it so clear!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Great map...you must be taking "Maps
101" from DavidK. 5 Stars for your great directions.
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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Phil S
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Mood: After 34 years. Still in love w/ my wife
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That was tremendous help. Thank you thank you thank you. And thanks to the other responders also.
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Phil S
Super Nomad
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Registered: 10-28-2003
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Mood: After 34 years. Still in love w/ my wife
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Sounds like there might be two border crossing locations for Mexicali. Which one might this one be???? Since we are coming frm Yuma . Thankis.
[Edited on 10-27-2011 by Phil S]
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David K
Honored Nomad
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Location: San Diego County
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Ken wasn't clear, but the hint is 'driving through Calexico' to the border... Plus I recognize this also as the original/ downtown/ west Mexicali
border.
The newer east border is several miles from Calexico, but closer to Yuma.
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Phil S
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So which is the "recommended" entry then coming from Yuma? Is the route after crossing easier to drive than the "WESTERN ONE"?
This is getting complicated!
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David K
Honored Nomad
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Where are you going, you didn't say... shopping in Mexicali or going to San Felipe or to Tecate?? If going to San Felipe, I would say the east
crossing is a good deal. Not sure how the signage is southbound, as I have only used it northbound. ut, if you search posts by 'bajalou', he has
posted maps of the route to Hwy. 5... It comes out near the Costco.
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Phil S
Super Nomad
Posts: 1205
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Mood: After 34 years. Still in love w/ my wife
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David. This is my 'annual' trip to Loreto/Cabo. Trying the 5 route this time. Been following the thread about the new paving & having made this
run in a pickup about 12 years ago, figured I might take a crack at it now, though it isn't finished yet. Coming in from surprise Az through Yuma.
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David K
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Why not cross at Algodones? Just make sure you can pay for the FMM (during bank hours), right?
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Phil S
Super Nomad
Posts: 1205
Registered: 10-28-2003
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Mood: After 34 years. Still in love w/ my wife
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No problem for needing a bank. We bought our FMM through Vagabundo's del Mar club, that we've been members of for over 20 years.
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Ken Cooke
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8970
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Location: Riverside, CA
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Mood: Pole Line Road postponed due to injury
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Now, DavidK isn't clear!
| Quote: | Originally posted by Phil S
So which is the "recommended" entry then coming from Yuma? Is the route after crossing easier to drive than the "WESTERN ONE"?
This is getting complicated! |
I have heard this over and over about the EASTERN vs. WESTERN crossing.
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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 Ken Cooke
| Quote: | Originally posted by Phil S
So which is the "recommended" entry then coming from Yuma? Is the route after crossing easier to drive than the "WESTERN ONE"?
This is getting complicated! |
I have heard this over and over about the EASTERN vs. WESTERN crossing. |
Spell it out Ken... you quoted Phil. How was I not clear and where, so I can make it better, if it was me. You never mentioned which Mexicali crossing
in your post, so I cleared that mystery as I recognize the border and you did say driving through Calexico (Mexicali East is far outside the city
building area of Calexico).
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Phil S
Super Nomad
Posts: 1205
Registered: 10-28-2003
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Mood: After 34 years. Still in love w/ my wife
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Yeah, Ken. Which Xing do I make???????
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Riom
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Coming from Yuma, going to (or through) San Felipe, there are three main choices:
1. Head down 95 (watch for speed traps in Gadsen and Somerton), cross at San Luis to San Luis Rio Colorado, immediate right on 2 towards
Mexicali/Tijuana (divided highway), 12 pesos toll on bridge, then the bypass round Mexicali (16 pesos) to the 5 south. Fastest and easiest unless
there's a wait to cross at San Luis.
2. I-8 west to Andrade (just a few miles), cross at Algodones (almost never a wait, southbound), then wind your way through the farm roads and small
towns to join the 2, then the Mexicali bypass, then the 5 (or you can go further south on farm roads to avoid Mexicali totally). Slow, but reasonably
easy, and the border crossing is the easiest.
3. 1-8 west to 98 (or the 7 south) to Calexico east crossing. Often a (US) border checkpoint on 1-8 westbound that can cause delays. This is the
easiest for getting your FMM entry permit, if you need one, compared to the other crossings (as it's purpose built buildings, not a town center). Once
in Mexico, you're heading through Mexicali traffic - handy if you want to do a bit of shopping, but a pain otherwise.
Option 4 would be the downtown Calexico crossing mentioned above - the furthest, slowest, and with the most traffic. I've never bothered with that
one.
I used to use option 1 (San Luis) but as the southbound crossings have become more congested I've switched to mostly using Algodones (in both
directions).
Rob
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Phil S
Super Nomad
Posts: 1205
Registered: 10-28-2003
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Mood: After 34 years. Still in love w/ my wife
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Thank you. This is the information I've been seeking. Options are great.
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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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Yes, excellent directions for Zonies heading to San Felipe!
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