Border Crossing Information

I had almost the same experience last weekend. When returning to US at 430am, the border agent only asked "are you bringing anything from Mexico?" after looking into some device (camera) I was allowed back into the US.

Do you have to buy the $30 pass?

If you're crossing at San Ysidro, then probably yes. Technically, it's still supposed to be essential travel only. I would keep an eye on this website in case Baja goes from orange to red: https://datos.covid-19.conacyt.mx/#SemaFE The vaccine will keep you out of the hospital/morgue, but it won't necessarily keep you from catching (and potentially passing on) Covid... stay safe.

mongo the vax will sicken or kill you, not to mention it is a sterilant.

So will covid dumbass

@latinalover69: I thought the trolls on this website were finally tired of trolling about Covid. If you were actually serious, best of luck to you. Your battle will be against science and statistics and I don't like your chances.

I get all my medical info on sites like this, from world renoun doctors name latinalover69.

I’m going for the first time soon. I’ve had the vaccine so according to dr. latinalover since I already survived the attempt on my life I should have no fear of impregnating any strippers, I’ve been sterilized. (Something tells me I better wear a condom anyway). If anything goes wrong and I get kidnapped by the cartel the microchips should help the federales find and rescue me. So far not seeing much downside to the vaccine. Lol.

@desertscrub so all the sudden you feel like you need to comply with what the feds say to you?

I told them I’m going to the Strip Clubs! Then he says I need a pass $30... no need to lie lol

How do you get the visa?

Honestly you Covidophobes are a freakin hoot. After 14 months of this absurdity and you still this this non-sense is real and serious I've decided to take it all with a sense of humor. "Statistics"? Lol. What percentage of the world population has died from this "pandemic"? You can even use your inflated mainstream numbers if you want. I dare you, do the actual math. Its not complicated.

@tahoecruz: The 'Ignore' button is the finest enhancement that Founder has added to this site in the past couple of years.

And I suggest you ignore desertscruff and Dave_the_denyer. The border to Mexico Is not closed, neither the land crossing or the air crossing. And dipshits like Dave denying that COVID is real so they don’t have to be inconvenienced by it are assholes. Unless you’ve lost a loved one and seen it up close or you are a immunology expert, you should keep you ill informed less than novice opinions to yourself.

There are a lot of theories of COVID-19. From what I seen first hand, it is definitely a real virus that attacks the respiratory system. But with everything, it’s a risk. Doesn’t mean you shouldn’t live your life. As long as you do what you should be doing and take the necessary precautions, I don’t see a problem taking the risk to enjoy yourself.

I will have to say that the crossing back into US is seemingly an ordeal. I parked behind the Jack in the Box place. At the entrance to the parking lot, I asked the parking lot attendant how long was it taking to cross back into the US. He said 1-2 hrs. I asked a couple of other folks who were going into Mexico and they said the same. I was walking to cross over when I decided to ask one last dude who was wheeling a large suitcase back to his car. I thought his first hand experience would be a good thing - his answer = 4 hrs. Got in line at 7 AM and entered US at 11 AM. He was a "resident".....anyways I was not going to take a chance and waste 4 hours in a line. This is on Fri morning April 30th. Use this information for what it's worth. Clearly, as many people have noted, crossing back into US late at night or before 5 AM works best.

Doing a little more research, looks like April 30 th was an anamoly. Higher than standard pedestrian crossing times. Not sure why. Also, using the one datapoint from the guy I talked to, possibly is estimating a crossg time that is half the actual time. Their graph was reporting around 150 mins....whereas 4 hrs is equal to 240 minutes. Anyways...hope things settle down.

If border-delays are critical to you then perhaps it'd be a good idea to invest in a global-entry card (unless for w/e reason you don't want the global-entry paper-trail)

You have to time it right. Can take upto 2hrs to get back in from Mexico. Took me 1.5hrs when I got there at 5am. Or pay $240 and get global entry pass. Time is money so what’s it worth to you?

my ge cost $100 to apply.

To those who think they have the TJ itch, I suggest viewing Sammy Gravano's You Tube clip " I Spent Time In A Tijuana Jail."

I agree...Global Entry would be the way to go. Unfortunately I don't have it. But as Pap, Tahoecruz, SCmania77 and Jascoi recommend, one should get the GE. Also I don't think the "paper trail" will even be public info...and even if it is, traveling between Mexico-US is no offense....God bless the freedoms afforded to us in this great nation.

^ I was thinking more about those with an S.O./wife where they don't want, or can't afford, evidence of them being south-of-the-border

That's a lot of good info. I had no idea they were issuing these $30 Visas on the Mexican side. I'm willing to pay this minor COVID related fee. As far as non vaccinated folks go, is there going to be more of an issue when it comes to crossing the border? Specifically, will non vaccinated people be barred from re-entering the U.S.? If not, will they be subjected to more harassment (for lack of a better word) from the guards?

hmm, so that vaccine is a "sterilant"? This disappoints me now, having all that time and money spent on "the snip" back in 2019 wasted, not realizing I could just suffer with condoms for another year until a quick shot would protect me from ever paying child support. But, eh, probably better safe than sorry and get both? And I do believe they can't deny citizens entry to the US. They have never (that I'm aware of), but could, lock you up in a quarantine when entering, but can't refuse to let you enter...

On a recent Friday, it was amazingly easy both ways. No hassle of the $30 visa. Smooth ride to HK and on the way back....never had a shorter/smoother reentry to the US. Good times.

What time on Friday was your return?

@623, returning at 1 PM. Zero line. I later checked the CBP crossing time data - was way off. Said 60 minutes. Checking the data lately, I have seen much lower times reported during weekdays...always less than 1 hr. May be the crossings have dropped.

Any word (rumors, speculation, innuendo) on when PedWest will open?

Come on guys, no mystery here... everything will be reopened in stages as the State Department travel advisory gets lowered. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/mexico-travel-advisory.html

last thursday afternoon it took me a minute to get cleared by the usa cbp agent at ped east... glad for my global entry card. this next thursday hopefully the mexican border agents approve my preprinted FMM form at no cost. doing it has been working for me since my 180 day FMM expired months ago. i’d rather spend that $30 on a girl than some border agent.

I know California opened up on June 15. Did that have any impact on the re-entry lines ? Also, in looking at the website that talks about border crossing times, it appears there is a big difference on the wait times in the morning vs the afternoon and evening. Is this true ? I've only tried to cross in the morning as I have always been catching a flight that same day. I'm thinking of staying in San Diego an extra night so I can cross in the evening, then not worry about catching my flight.

Pre-covid, I used to budget around 4 hours to check out and get to SAN from Cascadas (and picked my flights accordingly). I have stayed at a few hotels near America Plaza the night before my flight if it was an early takeoff and the area around the station is nice enough (you also get to take the hotel's shuttle to the airport). I guess it depends on how pissed you're going to be if you miss your flight. :-) One thing to keep in mind is that if regular school starts up in September, weekday mornings will be busier with TJ kids who go to school on the US side. Another reason to get a Sentri card...

Thanks guys. I'm going in two weeks. My trip is 4 nights and I'm thinking I may be "out of gas" after 3 nights anyway. So I"m still thinking about staying in the Gaslamp District on the last night. There are a lot of active bars in that area os San Diego. Then all I have to worry about the next morning is the 922. Maybe I'll look into this Sentri card.

Yeah, TJ is like Vegas... after three days of it I'm ready for real life again. It would be cool if you could post pics of your room at Cascadas once you get back. I've been getting a master room my past few visits because it increases the chance of getting an outside window, but I'm thinking of going with a double my next visit.

Warrior15, definitely look into getting a Sentri card (or Global Entry) -- immediately. If you're going to TJ in two weeks, I'd be surprised if you could get one that quickly. If you can, great.

it is what it is.

July 4 weekend? It's going to be jam packed everywhere.