If San Diego Pride or San Diego Comic-Con is drawing you to our city this year, Mexico may just lure you a few more miles south to the neighboring border city of Tijuana.

Getting there is the easy part — it’s a trolley ride away that takes you directly to the border, in fact — but crossing over, getting around, or even getting back to the U.S. is a whole other story. Do you know what you’re doing?

To get the scoop on how to take a day trip to Tijuana like a local, we spoke with Turista Libre founder Derrik Chinn about what travelers should and shouldn’t do while visiting San Diego’s sister city to the south.


What to bring with you to Tijuana

Passport: Travelers headed into Mexico by foot will be required to carry a passport, but those crossing the border by vehicle will not be required to show a passport. However, all travelers coming from Mexico and into the U.S. will be required to show a valid visa or U.S. passport or other accepted forms of identification.

Those traveling in a bus or as part of a tour group will also be asked to show a passport when entering Mexico.

Currency: Mexico’s currency is called the “peso.” Travelers can easily exchange currency from dollars to pesos at public kiosks on either side of the border, but it’s not really necessary. Dollars are accepted just about everywhere in Tijuana.

Chinn says merchants will accept dollars for any purchases but that they’ll likely give you back pesos in change. Because exchange rates fluctuate, travelers are encouraged to check an online calculator to get the latest rate.


What not to bring with you to Tijuana

Guns: Firearms are illegal in Mexico, so don’t bring them.

How to cross into Tijuana

By foot: Pedestrian access to Tijuana — again, you need a passport to enter Mexico this way — is available at three entry points: Otay Mesa (off Highway 905) | San Ysidro | San Ysidro’s PedWest

By car: Those traveling by vehicle may enter via the Otay Mesa port of entry or the San Ysidro port of entry.

All port of entries for non-commercial crossing are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.


How to get around in Tijuana

Uber: Chinn says travelers can use the same Uber app to hail a ride in Tijuana. Don’t speak Spanish? No problem. The Uber app will prompt users whether they want an English-speaking driver in Tijuana. Caveat: You can’t use Uber to cross the border.

Cab rides: Chinn recommends travelers use Uber instead of hailing a cab. Because some cabs don’t have a functioning meter, you would have to negotiate a price with the driver, he says.

With your own vehicle: If you’re driving into Tijuana, Chinn recommends drivers buy Mexican car insurance. That can be purchased just about anywhere, even online, and can be as affordable as $10 per day. If you get into an accident, he says, your car will be impounded.

Crossing the border back to the U.S.

Passports or valid visas: Again, if you are crossing from Mexico to the U.S., you will be asked to show a current passport or a valid visa.


Items allowed — and not allowed! — back in the U.S.: Generally anything that is commercially packaged and unopened is allowed back in the U.S. Most fruits and vegetables from Mexico are not allowed in the U.S. Also banned: switchblade knives, sea turtle boots or any other items made out of endangered species.

Alcohol and tobacco: Up to 1 liter of alcohol per adult person 21 or older is allowed back in the U.S. duty-free. Up to one carton of cigarettes may be imported for those 18 or older. Agents will ask for proof of age.

Check wait times: Entry back into the U.S. can get extremely crowded. There are two ways to check the wait times for crossing the border — online at the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website, or through its mobile app available for Android and iPhone.

CBP Border Wait Times mobile app Apple iTunes

Mobile phone calls and data

Roaming: Using a mobile device to make calls or use data will require you to use Mexico’s network, which means you’d be roaming. Chinn says all carriers offer per-day rates for roaming. Call your carrier or go to its website to check out its rates for Mexico.


No need to buy a separate subscriber identity module, or SIM, card. But that’s an option, too.

Free wi-fi: Chinn says most restaurants and bars offer free wi-fi. Just ask nicely for the password.

Do’s and Don’ts

Chinn’s general advice for everyone: “Don’t do anything you wouldn’t do back home.” Here’s a list of other things visitors should know about Tijuana because they can get you into trouble or keep you out of it.

Don’t drink on public streets.

Don’t look for trouble or engage in illegal activity.

Don’t buy drugs.

Do stay together if you are traveling with a group.

Do stay within tourist areas like downtown Tijuana or just about any of the populated areas of the city.

Things to see and do in Tijuana

While it attracts headlines for crime, Tijuana is rich with culture, food and generous people. It’s also full of sight-seeing opportunities for visitors. Here’s a few things Chinn suggests everyone should visit:


Frikiplaza: This is Tijuana’s go-to shopping mall of all things kawai, anime, manga cosplay and Japanese food.

This is Tijuana’s go-to shopping mall of all things kawai, anime, manga cosplay and Japanese food. Otaku Cafe: This downtown cafe serves traditional Japanese dishes. Photos and details are found on its Facebook Page.

This downtown cafe serves traditional Japanese dishes. Photos and details are found on its Facebook Page. Pasaje Rodriguez: This is a more authentic Mexican culture mall that sells all sorts of artwork. It’s open every Sunday.

This is a more authentic Mexican culture mall that sells all sorts of artwork. It’s open every Sunday. Coyote Collective: A popular art gallery also located in downtown Tijuana.

Museo del coleccionista: This is a marketplace for art fans who want to trade or show collectible items. Directions, hours and photos can be found on its Facebook Page.

Email: luis.gomez@sduniontribune.com

Twitter: @RunGomez

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