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Where To Cross The Mexican Border Into Baja California And Sonora

By Jim Labelle

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Published: 01Jul2011
Word count: 586
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One of the things to think about when planning your road trip to Mexico is where you are going to cross. While all border crossings are hectic, some are definitely more tranquillo than others. Some crossings are actually bustling party towns, such as Nogales and Tijuana/San Ysidro, which are often a destination themselves. You can make your crossing less of an adventure by planning it ahead of time and knowing when the best time to cross is.

Into Baja California:

San Ysidro: Directly south of San Diego and north of Tijuana, this is one of the most popular border crossings in Mexico. You can drive across 24 hours a day.

Otay Mesa: This crossing is about six miles east of San Ysidro, near to the Tijuana airport. It open's at 6AM and closes at 10PM.

Tecate: The border crossing at Tecate is open from 6AM until midnight. It is a quieter crossing than at Tijuana, and many consider this the best place to cross into the Baja. Be prepared for a bit of a winding mountain road, which can cost you a bit of time. The views, however, are stunning and well worth it.

Calexico: The crossing is open 24 hours a day. If you are crossing by car, try to cross in early morning or late afternoon to avoid long waits during peak hours. You can also park your car in a secured lot and walk across at this border.

Calexico East: You can only cross here from 6AM until 10 PM. Traffic is slightly less hectic here than at the main Calexico border crossing, making it a good alternative if the main entrance is too backed up.

Algodones: This crossing sits just 10 miles from the Arizona border in the extreme northeast corner of Baja California. It is only open from 6AM until 8PM and there is generally no wait to cross.

Into Sonora:

Nogales: One of the most popular border crossings into Sonora, Nogales is almost always bustling with activity. You can cross the border anytime, 24 hours a day.

San Luis Rio Colorado: This busy border crossing is open 24 hours a day. In 2011, a second crossing was installed for commercial vehicles only, making the crossing less congested than before. Still, cross in the early morning or afternoon to avoid the rush.

Lukeville, Arizona: This slow paced crossing is only open from 6AM to 12AM. This is a popular crossing for Arizona's heading down to Rocky Point, the town known as "Arizona's Beach".

Aqua Prieta: Cross the border into Aqua Prieta, Sonora from Douglas, Arizona. Generally, crossing the border is simple here and there is seldom a long wait time. This border is open 24 hours a day.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection posts information on delay times at each border crossing on its website, apps.cbp.gov/bwt/, in an app that can be downloaded to your smart phone. To make your crossing easier, make sure to have all your paperwork ready when you arrive. This includes passports for all passengers and Mexican auto insurance for your vehicle. You can purchase your Mexican auto insurance online before you arrive at the border. Simply print it out and put it in your car in a safe place. The better prepared you are for the crossing, the quicker it will take and the sooner you will be on your way to the beaches, mountains and deserts of northern Mexico!

Mexpro.com® is a website owned by International Insurance Group, Inc., the leading provider of Mexican Car Insurance. The first online Mexico Car Insurance broker to offer multiple company options, Mexpro.com offers the best Mexico Travel Insurance available and online.

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