Baja Driving Tip #1:

Why drive out of your way to Tecate to cross the border? Yes it is a few miles extra depending on where you are going once you cross the border, but the ease and speed of the crossing is way different than San Ysidro.

The main border crossing, San Ysidro is said to be “the busiest border in the world” when you are headed back into the states the wait much of the time is over an hour and a half!

When I arrived in Tecate after a pleasant drive through “Ruta de Vino”* (translated literally to be “wine route”) Hwy 3, I was the eighth car in line and it took about 12 minutes to cross! I have had some friends use this method and not like it especially when it is raining. While the road does have some rough patches and tight turns I have crossed here at least 15 times in as many years and have never waited more than 20 minutes.

* Ruta de Vino or highway 3 from Ensenanda to Tecate. With over 16 wineries and wine tasting facilities it has become a great place to sample the wines of Baja.