BajaVida
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Mexicali crossing: tourist cards
Where does one get one, how easy is it?
No se apure y dure.
Don\'t hurry and you\'ll last longer.
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David K
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At the INM office... Downtown Mexicali crossing, it is on your left, just ahead once you have entered Mexican gates. You must have a valid passport.
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redhilltown
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It's been a few years but DK is correct that it is on the left...but you have to park on the right...not the easiest thing I have ever done in Mexico.
Do you have the option of crossing in Tecate? If so, go for it!!!!! Then take the toll road across to Mexicali.
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John M
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Papers? you need papers?
Mexicali west at Calexico
John
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paranewbi
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John M has it right...do not park on right, as you cross hang a left and cut everyone off as you do...and do this immediately because the INM office
is on the left side. There are 4 or 5 parking spots but the area is active with drop offs and street crossers using the stairs to access the
subsurface border crossing for walkers.
You can park on the right but up past the taxi drop of area and then walk / run across 4 lanes of Mexican traffic! Don’t forget...if you’re only going
to be in Mex for a week or less, tell the dispatcher of you visa, it’s free then.
Did it twice last month.
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paranewbi
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Also...Mexicali is extremely easy and a 24 hour operation.
If you cross in Tecate it may be confusing if the banks are not open. As well the toll road is nice (and the free road to) but that drop down into the
desert, although beautiful, is tense if your full of toys and camping stuff going into Mex.
I've done it a ton of times and now drive the I-8 for a pre-dawn easy crossing into Mexicali (6-7ish).
The drive south through the city also is not to bad once you've done it...some may think differently.
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BajaVida
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Although I wish I didn't need no stinkin' papers, thanks for the info all.
Going down La Rumorosa sounds interesting. My father and my grandmother rode in an army truck from Mexicali to Ensenada in the 30s. I know the road
is much better than the road was then. There were some harrowing turns from what he told me.
No se apure y dure.
Don\'t hurry and you\'ll last longer.
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BajaVida
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Is the bank next to immigration also open 24 hours?
No se apure y dure.
Don\'t hurry and you\'ll last longer.
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dasubergeek
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The banks at San Ysidro and Mexicali West (downtown) are open 24/7. At Tecate they're open shorter hours than the INM (but the INM will take the
payment if they're closed), and not sure about Mexicali East.
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sancho
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The San Felipe site has been, for the last few weeks,
stating, according to the newer Mex Imm info they get, that
all tourists going to SF need an fmm, free 7 day or
$24 180 day. As stated parking at the Old Downtown
Crossing CAN be a bit tricky
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Bwana_John
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| Quote: |
Is the bank next to immigration also open 24 hours?
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No, at least it was not this last December 2013 @ 7am.
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BajaVida
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Thanks for the responses
One more question, does the bank at Mexicali west have an ATM?
No se apure y dure.
Don\'t hurry and you\'ll last longer.
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Bwana_John
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| Quote: |
Tijuana and Tecate INM have been able to take the money when the bank at the border is closed... I would think (hope) that Mexicali will also be able
to...???
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No, not this last December 2013 on a Saturday @ 7am.
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Bajafun777
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La Rumorosa road in the late 70s was a two lane death trap when semi-trucks or buses along with drunk drives tried to pass hitting cars head-on that
only had going over the cliff to get away. Not pretty choices and not a nice way to go either way. You could always see trucks, cars and sometimes
buses over the cliff and down in the bottom from bad mistakes of someone.
I went twice on it back then and last trip we had very close call and never again until they made the toll road. Even with the toll road the dang
semi-trucks still make you pucker when they are going to fast downhill next to you. So, I prefer the Interstate 8 to get my Baja trip to coastal
areas unless I am going to San Felipe then that is a breeze, LOL.
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David K
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Bajafun777
La Rumorosa road in the late 70s was a two lane death trap when semi-trucks or buses along with drunk drives tried to pass hitting cars head-on that
only had going over the cliff to get away. Not pretty choices and not a nice way to go either way. You could always see trucks, cars and sometimes
buses over the cliff and down in the bottom from bad mistakes of someone.
I went twice on it back then and last trip we had very close call and never again until they made the toll road. Even with the toll road the dang
semi-trucks still make you pucker when they are going to fast downhill next to you. So, I prefer the Interstate 8 to get my Baja trip to coastal
areas unless I am going to San Felipe then that is a breeze, LOL. |
My parents and I tried it once in the 1960's... once! Even Mexican nationals (who could) avoided it by crossing into the U.S. and using I-8 as a
detour.
I think I first drove the new Hwy. 2-D Rumorosa Grade in 2001 on a Guadalupe Canyon trip? Quite an improvement over the old Hwy. 2!
[Edited on 1-18-2014 by David K]
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