Tijuana
 

I am traveling to San Diego soon. I would like to visit Tijuana. Does anyone know if a valid driver's license is sufficient ID to exit and re-enter the US? Is it best to walk across the border as I have heard? If so, how far is the main downtown of Tijuana?

Welcome to Flyertalk!

I would not recommend trying to re-enter the US with just a driver's license. While you more than likely will not be asked for proof of citizenship, you never know when an immigration officer is going to demand it from you. A passport is always best but in lieu of that at least take a certified copy of your birth certificate and your driver's license. This of course assumes that you are a US citizen.

Case in point: The one time my dad didn't take his proof of citizenship was the one time he was asked for it (at the Blaine, WA port-of-entry). It didn't help matters when he told the INS officer that his place of birth was Switzerland but he was naturalized when he was three years old. They finally let him go after a few hours and a stern admonishment to always carry his proof of citizenship. This happened a few years ago; I suspect in this post 9/11 paranoia world we live in that my dad would still be in INS detention if this happened today.

Crossing the border at San Ysidro on foot is generally how I visit TJ. Downtown is about a 10-15 minute stroll from the border and easy enough to find. Or you can pay five dollars for a taxi to take you downtown. There is also very frequent bus service from San Ysidro on the USA side of the border to downtown TJ and return; I think it's five bucks or so each way. Usually when I return to the USA I hire a taxi in TJ and ask the driver to drop me off at "La Garita Fiscal" then walk (< 5 min.) to the US inspection station (follow the long line of cars).

I'll leave the logistics questions to others who may have been to TJ more recently but a driver's license alone is not proof of citizenship.

From the US State Dept. "tips for travelers to Mexico" website at:

http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/...onal_1174.html

"Bring either a U.S. passport or a certified copy of your birth certificate and current, valid photo identification."

This applies to native-born U.S. citizens; naturalized citizens should replace "birth certificate" with "naturalization certificate".

You didn't specify your nationality and the rules will very probably be very different if you're a citizen of a third country.

I don't know what is legally required or not, but in practical terms over several dozen car crossings at TJ the most I or anyone else in my car have been asked to show is a drivers license. Even that is rare as they usually just ask where you are from and as long as you answer with an honest face they wave you through.

I walked across twice and just showed a drivers license. When you enter Mexico, grab a taxi and tell them you will give them $5 to go to Avenida Revolucion (the main drag). If you don't specify the $5 first, you may get charged $10.

I've crossed 100+ times & never been asked to show anything.

I live in San Diego, and it would not occur to me to take anything more than my drivers license to TJ.

As for transport, it's very easy to drive to the border and park in a lot on the US side, or take the trolley to the border. Walk across and take a bus for about $1 to Avenida Revolucion - or take a taxi, as Stimpy has recommended.

If you want to drive into Mexico, and you are taking your own car, be sure to buy Mexican insurance as soon as you cross the border. US insurance does NOT cover you. If you want to drive a rental car, be sure that the rental company alloows you to take it into Mexico. It's a pretty drive on the free road thru Rosarito along the water down to Ensenada.

I too have just shown my drivers license when walking back across the border from TJ to San Ysidro. But I am as white as white can be and look "American." The sad truth is that if you're not Caucasian, you may be stopped for additional scrutiny and asked to show proof of citizenship in this era of heightened "security."

Drive to the border. Theres a parking lot near it. you park there and take the red bus. It will get you across the border without having to show any ID's I believe a round trip ticket was about 3 dollars. The bus goes to a station at Revolution Ave. The bus elimanates the huge traffick jam at the border comming back into the US. It has it's own lane. You get off in Mexico, walk thru customs and get back on the bus on the US side. it

Why not just take your passport? I crossed from Tijuana to San Diego by car yesterday. My colleague (green card) and I (citizen) were asked for "identification." We handed over our passports and 10 seconds later we were cleared through.

If you do choose to drive, your US insurance may actually cover you in Mexico (mine does). However, I bought Mexican insurance anyway, just in case the US insurance was questioned by the police if I had a problem.

ok enough about the items needed for re-entry, seems pretty logical to take certain documents.

The burning questions are:

Why go to Tijuana? What did you do there?

Not much, to be honest.

Most of the 'downtown' that people are referring to is Ave. Revolution (which isn't really their downtown, btw). Place is a tourist trap. I mean, you can have a Cesar Salad where it was allegedly invented at the Cesar Hotel on Rev, but as for anything else, there's not much there.

TJ's got some interesting stuff. Has a IMAX theatre at their Centro Cultural, some classic churches to see, and cheap food, but that's about it. Place has some really cool nightclubs, ones that rival the best in Socal, but they're off Rev and require a taxi to get there.

I don't particularly recommend it. Corruption is still a huge problem though it's getting a bit better. Mexican food stateside is just as good (if not better). The air is atrocious. The water still can't be drank. Traffic usually piles up and during rush hour most of the city is pretty badly gridlocked. Plus, it's a pretty confusing place to get around. Lot of one-way streets and traffic circles on their main Zona Rio drag (the real downtown).

My recommendation is Ensenada. Calmer, cleaner and not as much of a tourist trap. Plus, you get to drive along the beautiful coastline on their costal tollway.

Mexican insurance can be purchased in the states btw, Last two exits before the border has place selling it. In the $14-17 range per day, cheaper per month (then on a per-day basis). Prices are set by the Mexican gov't. It can also be bought online.

Watch your rental car company. They may charge a surcharge and rip you off w/ days worth of Mexican insurance which will be mandatory anyways.

I personally prefer Tecate to Tijuana. It is about 20 miles east and Tecate has a real Mexico atmosphere in comparison to Tijuana. You can also get a couple free beers at the Tecate breweries beer garden.