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Which border to cross?

2 posts
Which border to cross?
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Hi, I will be traveling to MX this Saturday for a medical procedure. The procedure is at 9am in Tecate. I was originally planning to enter through the Tijuana border before realizing that Tecate is an hour away from TJ and I am wary about driving in Mexico for so long. Have any of you traveled using the Tecate border and if so, what was your experience like? The office is less than 20 min away using that border but I do know that they close early. Is it really that scary driving in Tijuana?

2 posts
1. Re: Which border to cross?
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Also, is it absolutely necessary to get Mexican car insurance?

San Diego...
Level Contributor
112 posts
2. Re: Which border to cross?
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YES you obviously need the car insurance. There are laws in Mexico just like the USA.

If your medical appt is in Tecate then cross there. Drive on the American side until you get there or park and walk across take a taxi. Traffic in Tijuana can be very tedious at times.

Anaheim, California
Destination Expert
for Tijuana, Anaheim
Level Contributor
9,736 posts
12 reviews
70 helpful votes
3. Re: Which border to cross?
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If your appointment is in Tecate, drive via the Tecate border. The road from San Diego is windy but manageable. When you come back, there will be a second immigration checkpoint as you head back toward San Diego.

Be vigilant about your driving in Tecate, the traffic police are not lenient.

San Diego...
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44,517 posts
4. Re: Which border to cross?
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Sounds like it’s this morning that you are going? Since you are worried about driving and insurance why don’t you park at the Tecate crossing and Uber or taxi to your appointment? As already mentioned no need to cross into Tijuana.

Anaheim, California
Destination Expert
for Tijuana, Anaheim
Level Contributor
9,736 posts
12 reviews
70 helpful votes
5. Re: Which border to cross?
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Actually that's an excellent idea, GoodBeer. Tecate is a small town and no one EVER crosses by foot there so you will have no wait to cross back, whereas if you drive you will have to wait at least an hour to cross.

6. Re: Which border to cross?

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