The US-Mexico border restrictions, introduced in March 2020 due to Covid-19, will begin to be lifted on May 12, 2023, allowing fully vaccinated people to enter the US for nonessential travel, including tourism. The US will temporarily limit inbound land border crossings from Canada and Mexico to “essential travel” until at least August 21, the Department of Homeland Security announced.
Travelers from Tijuana, Mexico, moved swiftly northward into California from Tijuana, Mexico, in the predawn hours on Monday, as tourists with proof of vaccination were allowed to cross the border. The United States Customs and Border Protection Office (CBP) has extended these restrictions on land border crossings. For the most up-to-date information on border wait times, visitors can check with Customs and Border Protection or call 619-690-8999.
Pedestrians crossing into Tijuana at the San Ysidro crossing need to complete a Mexico Visitor’s Permit (FMM) if the trip is 7 days or less and you cross. The Government of Mexico reports that the border with the United States reopened to non-essential border activities today without incident.
For those planning to cross the border between San Diego and Tijuana this holiday season, add waiting in longer than usual lines to their to-do lists. The CBP advises against all but essential travel to the city of Tecate in Baja California, including roads between Tijuana and Tecate.
San Ysidro port of entry remains open 24 hours a day, seven days a week for pedestrian and vehicle processing northbound and southbound. Travelers should remain on main highways and avoid remote locations, as there are high numbers of homicides in non-tourist areas.
📹 San Diego to Tijuana for travel photography by foot: WHAT THEY DON’T TELL YOU!
Border Crossing Tips: San Diego to Tijuana Adventure! Embark on a border-crossing adventure with Jefferson Graham!
Is the San Diego-Tijuana border open on 24/7?
San Ysidro port of entry will be open 24/7 for pedestrian and vehicle processing, with all processing taking place at the Pedestrian east facility, which was the original pedestrian crossing area at San Ysidro.
Can you cross the border from San Diego to Tijuana?
The most cost-effective way to get from San Diego to Tijuana is by foot, using three pedestrian crossing points: PedEast, Otay Mesa, and the Cross Border Express. PedWest, reopened in 2023, is another public crossing point. Parking is available in commercial lots surrounding the ports of entry on the U. S. side, and rideshares and taxis can drop off near the entrances. Uber drivers can shuttle passengers across the border into Mexico but cannot bring them back into the U. S.
Public transit is also a popular choice, with the San Diego Trolley light rail system following the Blue Line from downtown through Southern communities. Trains are frequent, seven days a week, and one-way fare is $2. 50 unless you qualify for the senior/disabled/Medicare rate of $1. 25. Adult one-day passes start at $6.
Can I go to Tijuana with my California ID?
Tijuana is a popular destination for dental tourism, and if you don’t have a passport, you can use secondary documentation such as valid identification, RFID passport cards, tourist permits, and vehicle permits. Crossing the Mexican border is also possible, and you can submit the necessary documentation voluntarily. SOFDenta l can help save money by recommending hotels and places to visit in Tijuana.
Is it worth going to Tijuana from San Diego?
Tijuana is a popular destination for those who appreciate Mexican cuisine, good beaches, and culture. The city offers a variety of activities, including street tacos, market vendors, museums, and beaches. From the Zona Centro, visitors can easily reach Telefónica Gastro Park, a variety of food vendors and bars offering meat, seafood, and veggie options. There is no need for a tour guide or public transportation to enjoy the local cuisine. Tijuana is also easily accessible back to downtown San Diego via the San Ysidro trolley station.
Is the Tijuana cartel still active?
The Tijuana Cartel, formerly known as the Arellano-Félix Cartel, is a Mexican drug cartel based in Tijuana, Baja California. Founded by the Arellano-Félix family, the cartel was once considered one of the largest and most violent criminal groups in Mexico. However, since the 2006 Sinaloa Cartel incursion and the fall of the brothers, the Tijuana Cartel has been reduced to a few cells. In 2016, the cartel became known as Cartel Tijuana Nueva Generación (New Generation Tijuana Cartel) and began aligning itself under the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, along with Beltrán Leyva Organization (BLO).
This alliance has since dwindled as the Tijuana, Jalisco New Generation, and Sinaloa cartels all battle each other for trafficking influence in the city of Tijuana and the region of Baja California. Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo, founder of the Guadalajara Cartel, was arrested in 1989 and maintained his organization via mobile phone until he was transferred to a new maximum security prison in the 1990s.
His old organization broke up into three factions: the Tijuana Cartel, led by his nephews, the Arellano Félix brothers, the Juarez Cartel, led by Amado Carrillo Fuentes, and the Sinaloa Cartel, run by former lieutenants Héctor Luis Palma Salazar and Joaquín Guzmán Loera, a. k. a. El Chapo.
Is it safe to go to Tijuana right now?
Transnational criminal organizations in the border area of Mexico are establishing narco-trafficking and human smuggling routes, leading to violent crime and gang activity. Travelers should avoid remote locations and main highways. The high number of homicides in non-tourist areas of Tijuana is a concern, with most homicides being targeted. Kidnappings have occurred in U. S. citizens and LPRs. U. S. government employees should avoid the Mexicali Valley due to the potential for violence between rival cartel factions.
The restricted area is located between the Baja California/Arizona and Baja California/Sonora borders, and includes the boundaries of the restricted area. Travelers can use Highways 2 and 2D to transit between Mexicali, Los Algodones, and San Luis Rio Colorado during daylight hours, and Highways 1 and 8 to and from the Mexicali Airport during daylight hours.
What documents do I need to cross the border in Tijuana?
U. S. citizens must present a valid passport and an entry permit from the Instituto Nacional de Migración when entering Mexico, even if in the border zone, as expired U. S. vehicle registration may result in confiscation by Mexican authorities.
What is the fastest way to cross the border from Tijuana to San Diego?
The Cross Border Xpress (CBX) pedestrian bridge connects Tijuana International Airport to San Diego, offering access to over 30 Mexican destinations. Travelers to the U. S. through CBX no longer need COVID-19 vaccination or negative test results. Citizens of other countries must carry a valid passport and I-94 visa or waiver. The U. S. government encourages nonimmigrant visitors to download the free CBP One app to streamline the I-94 application process.
Can you still walk into Tijuana?
Passport holders from countries on Mexico’s no visa required list do not need to apply for a formal visa to visit the country. The maximum stay without a visa is six months. Pedestrians crossing into Tijuana at the San Ysidro crossing need to complete a Mexico Visitor’s Permit and present a passport. This form can be provided by the airline or at the port of entry. If traveling beyond the 22 miles/35 km “free zone”, a fee of around $22 is required. A USA tourism visa is sufficient for returning to the United States after visiting Mexico.
Can I cross from San Diego to Tijuana?
The main vehicle-crossing points for crossing between San Diego and Tijuana are El Chaparral and Otay Mesa. Companies like YTS Transport offer chauffeured car shuttle services between the two countries. Mexican law requires motorists to have proof of financial responsibility in an accident, regardless of fault. Carry sufficient cash to cover accident damages or purchase a temporary auto policy from a Mexican insurance company. U. S.
Policies do not satisfy this legal requirement. Purchase in advance online or in-person just before crossing the border. Having a car is useful for exploring the beach or parts of town outside the main tourism sector.
Flying to Tijuana from San Diego is not realistic or cost-effective, as there are no direct flights from San Diego International Airport. Getting to Tijuana International Airport (TIJ) usually involves flying far out of the way to cities like Las Vegas, Atlanta, and Guadalajara and at least two connections. The travel day is almost three times as long as walking from one downtown to the other.
Is Tijuana or Mexico City safer?
The crime comparison between Tijuana and Mexico City reveals significant issues such as violent crimes like assault and armed robbery, as well as corruption and bribery.
📹 Crossing the US/MEXICO Border 🇲🇽 My First Day in Tijuana, Mexico
Tijuana, Mexico is one of those special places on this planet that everyone has an opinion about before they’ve ever visited.
THANK YOU ALL for perusal, liking, commenting, subscribing, and hitting that notifications bell 🔔 I know it seems like a lot, but it helps a ton! 😂 🙏 If you enjoyed this article, check out the “Best Birria Tacos in San Diego” episode: youtu.be/BDyqizzXNyc 🌮 and be sure to stay tuned for next week’s episode “Ultimate Tijuana Taco Tour” 🤯 and if you’re still reading this comment, come say “hi” on Instagram so I can say thank you personally! instagram.com/traveldeeper/
I lived in Guadalajara for 2 years and heard my friends speak of Tijuana many times, but I never had time to visit, so thank you for this article. It’s always good to see positive cultural experiences like the ones you post. While in Guadalajara, I never ate such good food and the Mexican people were so willing to teach me how to prepare their native dishes.
Thank you for this article😭 my grandparents lived in Chula Vista for over 25 years, when my pops was stationed there. And my abuela used to take my sisters and i to Tijuana for the day,every time we visited which was about 3-4 times a year. I have so many great memories with her in Tijuana. Beautiful hospitable people, beautiful culture. Bomb a$$ food. I love Tijuana ❤️
Thank you for mentioning the passport which is required to get your FMM (Tourist Permit) which is free for 7 days, but ensures your legal presence in Mexico. Many people aren’t aware of the laws passed in 2015 nullifying the free zone.. Tijuana, all of Baja is truly a special place… A Baja adventure would be amazing content for your website.. Nice work.. now I’m hungry.
You know that the history of that type of marker goes back to Roman times. Before the Romans, there were no paved or cobblestone roads. So, when the Romans ventured into Europa they put those markers with the number of km to Rome (from newly found cities) and from Rome to their new cities and territories. That’s why we have the say, “All roads lead to Rome.” That type of marker is used all around the western world even today (as you can see).
4 years ago, I packed my stuff, walked to a bus stop on Sunset Blvd., rode the bus to Union Station, took Amtrak to Santa Fe station in San Diego, walked a block or 2 to catch the blue line to San Ysidro, walked across the border, caught a cab to the bus station, and then took a 20 hour bus trip Mazatlan.
It was really cool seeing him at the Tijuana beach, as i’ve been there before. My entire family live in Mexico, mostly in Tijuana, and me, mom, and sister are here in the US along with a few other family members. I go to Tijuana with my grandparents every summer, and this summer I went to the Playas De Tijuana. It was pretty cool.
I used to do your trip EVERYSINGLE DAY just to go to school, I’d have to wake up at 3 am to make it to school on time and that’s if I got lucky and it wasn’t crazy long. The border line that is. I’m not the only hundreds if not thousands of people cross daily for work and school like it’s no big deal. It’s so interesting to see how others perceive our daily lives as Novel. Makes me want to travel and experience everything the world has to to offer as well .
We eat from food truck’s daily…and a lot of the vendor’s in America who make the best food i have ever eaten..hands down the best El Pastor tacos i have ever tasted….and while my Spanish sucks i try…and they teach me a new phrase every single day…i teach them the same phrase in English..so we both learn something new daily…
Thank you for highlighting how lucky we are to hold a US passport and how we can easily walk thru international borders. So many take it for granted and don’t think about how lucky they are before “opening their mouths” to comment against where they are! They don’t realize thousands die trying to get here! And that’s all of my rolling around the “political mud” haha
I used to go to Tijuana every weekend as a Marine back in the late 80’s. Revolution street was party central on the weekends! 1,000’s, perhaps 10’s of thousands of Americans would be down there. Marines, sailors, college students from SD, and tourists. Every discotech packed, with long lines to get in. I was a regular, and the security would bring me and my friends right in. Depending on the club, beers were 75cents to around 1.75$. My favorite club, Tequila Sunrise. Hotdog vendors everywhere, kids selling chicklets, beautiful college women. Concerts at their bullring. You could get a picture sitting on a horse painted up like a zebra for a dollar. There were indoor volleyball courts with sand floors, dancing on rooftops, just an absolute blast. In the 90’s, we were banned from entering TJ because of gang cartels, and everything has changed. At the time, you entered TJ, by simply passing through a revolving fence, possibly the one you pass through early in the article before getting picked up. Parking was free, we simply walked in, no passport, no fees. You only entered the building with border patrol officers coming back into America. There would be hundreds of cabs waiting to pick you up, and they would load as many people as they could into the car and drive you the few blocks to Revolution Street. Great times! I didn’t recognize anything in the article, it’s changed so much.
My husband and I took the train from above San Diego to San Ysidro and walked across the border, too. It was before passports were needed. We then walked across a bridge and then back to enter the U.S. because going to Mexico was a last minute decision and we really didn’t want to eat there or anything (we’re 50 year vegetarians). We did buy some souvenirs from some street shops near the border. We got back on the train and I swear an agent sat across from us and engaged us in conversation. When I pulled out peanuts and juice out of my backpack and offered him some, he decided we weren’t interesting and left. I worked in the high schools in SD county and there were a lot of wonderful kids who came from Mexico and Central America.
Ah man, this was such an awesome article, Gareth! I visited the Mexican Riviera a little over 20 years ago but haven’t been back to the country since. I would love to visit Tijuana, especially after seeing this. The food looks outstanding and it seems like a fun place to have an adventure. Looking forward to more, man!
I love the article!! Can’t wait for the next one!! I was born in Tijuana and I’ve been in San Diego for almost 20 years, I am glad you are showing this side of Tijuana, the food, always a great service and awesome people, history, it has a lot to offer of course always taking the precautions needed, Thank you.
Thanks for sharing your article. It’s been a few years since I’ve been down to Mexico (Mexico City). I travel a few times to El Paso, TX and i have been wondering what it’s like to walk across the border into Juarez for a day visit. Your article reinforced my adventure for my next visit. Food looks good.
Funny, where you were standing by that fence at Playas de Tijuana I brought the mother of my children through a hole in a rusty chain link fence back in 1983. There was no problem at all! I can’t believe the security now …. looks like something out of that old tv show “The Prisoner” My how things have changed!
Great article. Showing Mexico for what it is. I think cartel or kidnapping when I think Tijuana but it’s really beautiful and different. Shout out to all the Mexican people trying to make a living . Keep your head up always .. I wanna take my daughters to Mexico to show them the history of our culture…great job ..
Before this pandemic started my husband and I went to Tijuana just for a day trip as we were staying in Downtown SD. It was a great trip. We ended up eating at Ruta 3 which is like a sports bar. I think they had a big game on the TV that day and it was full of people but it was much cheaper to eat there versus if you ate in the states, half the price!
I LOVE Norte Brewing! Great beer, great view. Doesn’t matter that the town was named after Tia Juana, it’s still Tijuana (no “a” after Ti). Didn’t watch the following articles yet, but I hope you hit Telefónica Gastro Park. A couple more noteworthy gems are Verde y Crema on Revolución (right above Insurgente Brewing, also noteworthy) and Misión 19. Thanks so much for highlighting the town!
I have binged on your vidoes over the past year and loved every single one. I said to my husband, when perusal one from a few years ago, that your style reminds me of Anthony Bourdain. The next article I watched, you mentioned him and how you like him too! Another great article here Gareth. The only thing that sucks is having to wait a week for the next one, but I know it will be worth it. Stay safe..cheers, from Toronto, Canada!
Anyone wanting 5o make gordita or sopes in the US and does not have access to a Mexican shop that sell the doug for them…you can buy the flour for tortillas or tamales like Maseca and just add salt and water until you get a non sticky consistency and shape them. You can fry it just like in the article with so many different ingredients on the inside
Tijuana is actually a very different place than Mexican Cities down South, I used to have family there and I occasionally cross the border to visit them, I have always dislike that City, lol, always telling to my cousins that even small towns down in Central Jalisco (where I was born ) are nicer than Tijuana, but they have make their lives there, already and told me that they love it there, also if you are driving in Tijuana it is very different than in the USA, once I got into a roundabout and it took me a while to get out lol, but that was like 30 years ago, I don’t know how it is now, just taking the opportunity to tell you that if you think you know how is México Tijuana is not a good sample, but is good to know places anyway.
6:34 The difference between the Berlin wall and the “Border wall” is that one was built to keep their own people from leaving, while the “Border wall” is to keep people from entering illegally. Let’s never forget that point. Perhaps one day, when enough brave Mexicans get sick of the corruption and the power that drug cartels hold over the majority honorable Mexican people, there will be change in Mexico. Viva Mexico!!!
Now y’all need to cross the border and go to Progresso, also in Mexico, but crossed through South Texas. We go often go mainly for prescription meds (a THOUSAND times cheaper) and then we love to stop this one restaurant on the way out. Progresso is more of a one whole day visit. It is AWESOME. I know it’s crazy, but you don’t even need a passport, just a valid ID, social security card and birth certificate. Law enforcement know that most ppl are there for medicine, dental work, and other medical services. If we don’t stop at that Great restaurant, we’ll stop at the taco trucks for their Awesome mini tacos and SUPER STRONG Mexican Coca Cola in a glass bottle. They have outdoor seating and waitstaff is The Best and are grateful for $2! (Yes, we leave more, everything is so cheap that $2- $3 is actually 15%). You park on the US side, pay a couple of dollars for the whole day with security and walk across – actually walk over the river that divides US & Mexico, through a bridge. Some ppl take their vehicles into Progresso, which is cool, but car theft is sometimes a problem. It is an experience that is different each time and that I LOVE! GO, GUYS!!
Oh my. It has changed a lot since I was there 10 years ago. I just walked through the turnstile and that was it. “Welcome to Tijuana”. No baggage check, security personnel, or anything. I don’t remember those high fences or barbed wire either. I just went by myself (not sure I would do that now). Down by the beach there were these metal pillars that you could squeeze through or swim around if you wanted.
It’s crazy to me how close Tijuana is from Me, I live in Las Vegas, just a 5-6 hour drive, I never even realized how close it was and people always say it’s dangerous but I always figured that was just the media, im sure it’s a nice place and I do wanna go there as a first trip to Mexico considering it’s so close and basically on the border line, it’s crazy how such a close a Mexican city is too America, I never realized that, really cool.
In the 80s-90s I made many (a lot) trips to Tijuana. But in the early 2000s it was something to see armed police at street corners. I decided then not to return and have not. I would so love to experience the food again, but I just do not think it is for me anymore. Great article showing the city, so many changes. But I have the funny, fond memories of the 80s-90s there.
It took me a while to get the courage to go alone on a trip on my own terms. Just buy the Mexican Car Insurance on top your personal liability which you already have for 10 days and 20 miles past the border. Get in your car and go! Not that hard. Now I will go ride a bike in Rosarito for the 50 mile ride or go to a concert or museum any time I feel.
I’m originally from Tijuana Baja California I haven’t seen my family who leaves in Tijuana because I live in New York City, I’m waiting for October to go back tijuana and see my family again I moved here when I was 15 years old alone without my parents when I was 17 I met my husband in San Diego he was in the Us Navy at the time and thanks to my husband (his white😍) i become a permanent resident in December 2020 and I can’t wait to take my husband with me so he can know about my culture I’m so excited come back now I’m just waiting to apply for the citizenship and become an US CITIZEN and bring my family with me to the US legally❤️🇺🇸🇲🇽
Love your articles I have a question I’ve been going to Tijuana several times this year at least five times this year. But me looking Asian they always seem to hustle me for like 30 bucks to cross and is it required to get a Visa while crossing the boarder ? I’m a USA citizen. Can you please tell me am I getting ripped off or that’s their policy during this covid time? But at times they don’t ask for it. Is it just a matter of the employee on duty ?
If you haven’t crossed back to the US, have Umberto take you to Valle De Guadalupe for some great food. Mision 19, which you have visited, is owned by Javier Plascencia. Along with Miguel Angel Guerrero, these two are credited with creating the Baja Med cuisine. Miguel’s restaurant in Valle De Guadalupe is called La Esperanza. You need to check that out, and then head north to Tecate and cross the boarder there. There is about zero traffic at this crossing – plus it’s a good excuse to go eat some more amazing food.
Although I am Latino (Mexican/Nicaraguan) I was white washed growing up in idaho and forgetting my españiol was one of my losses. After living in San Diego for 10 years I made the move to Tijuana for the cost of living. I did wait 2 years for my Sentri’Pass and I am very thankful to hold this privilege as it allows me to get into San Diego and to work. I love the welcoming culture of people in Tijuana. It is a huge contrast compared to where I grew up in Idaho. They do NOT like outsiders and are proud Xenophobes…so Tijuana I tip my hat to you in respects for letting me be a part of your community🙌🏾
The name Tijuana definitely comes from Tia Juana, who was a lady that operated a small store in the area, back when, there were very few people and even fewer stores, so whenever people were going to the store they would say let’s go to Tia’s Juana, the area around the store became by default known as Tijuana, and subsequently the city was named after it too. That’s what I remember from the local history from back in the day.
New subscriber! Great article. Im mexican-american. I used to live in Chula Vista and Going to San Ysidro is the best . It has a few Mercados that I like. I’m always curious to see how people experience crossing the border, and their experiences in Mexico and etc. I’ve been through border patrol when moving twice. And it honestly wasnt so bad. I was just scared because…border patrol 😅. But they really just took my identification and checked my car. I like seeing people enjoy themselves and show enjoyable things and the beauties Mexico has.
Here is my question. Is the three feet or so between the border marker and the fence legally part of the United States? I assume the border marker was placed in that spot based on a land survey. If that small space is legally part of the United States and a Mexican woman gives birth in that space, is the child a birthright citizen of the United States?
I had the best mystery meat street tacos in my life from a tent set up in TJ! When ever I would ask what the meat is they always say steak. I love it. Could of done without the chicklet kids hassling you during the day but that might not be a problem anymore because it’s been a while since I was there.
My grandmother who came to America from Holland at the time of her death could no longer speak read or understand Dutch! Because her parent’s who did not speak English at all ever she read & translated for them! My Aunt who was also born in Holland spoke only Dutch & was not allowed to go to school! Until she could speak English! So the other four were not taught to speak Dutch sad thing they never we’re taught! Because what happened to my Aunt in later years she had to translate to my grandmother letters from family! Now she’s gone “she was 96” no-one in the family speaks Dutch or even know’s about the land the customs or culture’s! Very sad thought! 😢😢😢😢😢😢 lost forever! 😢😢😢😢😢😢