Touring - Safest place to cross the Mexican border from the US?

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spinnaker
09-27-12, 04:41 PM
In this thread

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/848597-Trans-America-then-on-to-Argentina


I asked a bunch of questions. No responses so maybe too many.

Just one question now. What is the safest place to cross into Mexico from the US? How would you rate Tijuana for someone who does not speak much English and little Spanish? Form what I have been hearing it may not be the best place.

GeoKrpan
09-27-12, 05:12 PM
I've crossed at Tijuana. It was the middle of the day, no problem. People were more than willing to give directions, good vibes. The guy I was with is an American of Mexican decent and speaks Spanish.

Bring a good map or use GPS and you will be fine.

We headed down to Rosarito to do the Rosarito-Ensenada Ride. We took the train from home to San Diego and rode the rest of the way, single speed! It was a great car free weekend!
Chris Pringle
09-27-12, 06:03 PM
TJ has been cleaned up a lot and it's much safer lately. But it's a big city with lots of traffic. In spite of it, most bicyclists doing the Pan-American tour cross through there directly from San Diego. You're out of the city within half hour. The secondary crossing point is through Calexico into Mexicali and continue south to La Paz. From there one takes the ferry to the mainland. I would only recommend the Calexico route Nov-Feb. Otherwise, you have to through a sizzling hot desert.

arctos
09-27-12, 08:42 PM
I prefer crossing at Tecate when I enter Mexico from California. Less traffic and several options for heading down into Baja.
rekmeyata
09-27-12, 10:43 PM
High up in an aircraft, less rift raft in the sky.

Don't go alone, don't befriend anyone.
spinnaker
09-28-12, 05:06 PM
High up in an aircraft, less rift raft in the sky.

Don't go alone, don't befriend anyone.

It is not me that is going. If it was I might be less concerned.

It is this guy.

http://journeyofspirit108.blogspot.com/p/about-daeung-sunim.html

I'm guessing he is pretty trusting. I am concerned for his safety. I think a trip across Canada and the US is challenging enough from a trust standpoint. So far he has been lucky. He has had lots of resources here to vet people.