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At left is a view of the route
driving from the border to Bahia de los Angeles.
The number one rule we have
always followed is "Don't drive at night"!
This is especially applies to the border area. I
strongly, strongly advise others to follow that rule.
Additionally, Hwy. 1 is NOT for high speed driving
as you would be used to in the States. You have
to use caution, patience and be a defensive driver.
Watch Video..."Narrow Roads"
 Watch
Video... "Narrow Roads"
Make sure your vehicle is in
good working order. Also make sure you can change a
tire with the tools you have onboard. Does your
spare have air in it? Even so the roads are in better
shape these days, one still needs to be prepared.
"How long does it take
to drive from the border to Bahia de los Angeles?"
It takes approximately 10 hours to drive the distance
between the border at Tijuana and Bahia de los Angeles.
Add an extra hour for the route from Tecate. My
preference is to break the drive up into two days, spending
the night in Vicente Guerrero, which is just North of
San Quintin. I'm up early the next morning usually
arriving in Bahia by 9:00 or 10:00 a.m.
"Do I need a Visa to visit
Bahia?" Yes, a tourist visa, or FMT is required
since Bahia is South of Maneadero (which is below Ensenada). FMT's must be aqcuired at a
border crossing, such as Tijuana, or Tecate. Do
NOT try to get one in Ensenada as this is not a border
crossing and you will assessed a fine for processing
it there. Also, when I last inquired at the INM
office in Tijuana, the official there told me it's best
to get one, period, even if you are not traveling further
South than Maneadero. See
details on how and where to get your FMT.
"Are gasoline
& diesel available in Bahia?" Yes, there
are two Pemex stations in town and both have gas &
diesel. The station at the far North end of town
also has Premium.
"Is gas
available in Cataviña?"
Yes, though it is sold by private vendors
out of barrels. The Pemex station is not in operation,
but you can get it there. Best is to top off in
El Rosario.
"Is there gas available
at the Parador/turnoff to Bahia?" There
was a station in operation years and years ago, but
these days, as in Cataviña, gas at the turnoff is sold
by private vendors. You'll see pickup trucks parked
there with barrells on the back. If you filled
up in El Rosario, you should breeze into Bahia with
no problem. But you can get it there if needed.
"How about heading
back to the States? Should I cross at San Ysidro
or Tecate?" My personal preference is to make
the trip in two days, spending the night in Ensenada,
and crossing the border at Tecate the following morning
around 10:00 a.m. This allows me to avoid
peak traffic hours in both the San Diego and L.A. areas.
I prefer to cross on a weekday.
It s a more direct route to drive through to San
Ysidro an d cross there, but I do not care for the lines
and traffic.
"At Tecate, are they open
24 hours and can I take my motorhome or trailer through?"
The Tecate border crossing is NOT open 24
hours. I believe the hours are 6:00 a.m. - Midnight.
*Important* There is one lane to wait
in and two gates to choose from when you reach
the crossing (heading North back into the States). If
you are driving a motorhome or towing a large
trailer, MAKE SURE AND USE THE LEFT HAND GATE LANE.
Watch
Video of Crossing Border at Tecate...
Watch
Video of Crossing Border at Tecate...
More
on Tecate & Driving to and From Bahia...
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