Travel to La Paloma ( Mexico near Tijuana)

[dori47]

Coming from Canadá, and flight options are hideous, involving more than a days travel ( we could drive there in under 2 days) . But, to fly to San Diego is a 6 hour trip ( even with a layover) and I see there are lots of instructions on how to drive to the resort from San Diego . My trepidation is , being a Canadian, renting a car in San Diego, and driving across the border with a rental car. I know some rental agencies won’t allow it( but some will) and I understand need special insurance for Mexico . So anyone know which rental agencies I should book with and how to make sure I get the right insurance ( we normally don’t get car insurance when we rent as our insurance at home covers us for driving in US ) and any other instructions ?
Thanks
Carole Ann

 

[easyrider]

You could cross the CBX into TIJ or just fly into TIJ and rent a car in Mexico which would be easier than crossing the border by car, imo.

Bill

 

[dori47]

The flight to Tijuana is a 29 hour flight from home and a 6 hour flight from San Diego .looking at tram to border, cross on foot and rental car on other side. Or maybe shuttle? The shuttle quote I got was $600

 

[buzglyd]

The shuttle likely quoted you that because they don’t want to cross the border. It can take forever to get back across. The San Diego trolley goes all the way to the border and then you could walk across and rent a car. I’m unfamiliar with any San Diego rental agencies that would let you take a car to Mexico.

 

[WorldT]

I have not done this before, but I did research it quite a bit. Here is what I found.

1. You can fly into LAX (cheaper for me). Get a rental and do a one way to San Diego airport.
2. Once at San Diego airport (by car or flight), you get the tram (schedule is on the website) to the border. The tram takes you right to the border, just get out and walk across into Mexico. There are lots of people going the same direction, you won't miss it.
3. Once in Mexico, you can rent a car or use any other means of transportation to La Paloma.
4. When returning, you just reverse your steps. However, crossing back into the USA can take quite a bit of time depending on when and the exact crossing you are using (there are three close to each other although only one of them takes you directly back to the tram station). If you have global entry, then you will significantly cut your wait time as there is a separate line for those with global entry.

I researched it a way to cut my travel cost to Cabo while also taking a week vacation in California (two birds with one stone). Once my TSA pre check comes up for renewal, I will likely switch to global entry and may try this.

 

[moonstone]

You could cross the CBX into TIJ or just fly into TIJ and rent a car in Mexico which would be easier than crossing the border by car, imo.

Bill

Agree with this recommendation. A cousin who lives in Chula Visa (south of San Diego) and travels with his family to work on building houses with his church group near Ensenada, MX a few times a year doesnt even drive his own car across the border. They get a ride or take the train to the border, walk across and rent a car on the MX side. I am not sure if he uses a car rental place at the border or takes an Uber further away.

~Diane

 

[WorldT]

Agree with this recommendation. A cousin who lives in Chula Visa (south of San Diego) and travels with his family to work on building houses with his church group near Ensenada, MX a few times a year doesnt even drive his own car across the border. They get a ride or take the train to the border, walk across and rent a car on the MX side. I am not sure if he uses a car rental place at the border or takes an Uber further away.

~Diane

In order to use CBX, you need a ticket for a flight arriving or departing TIJ. Since the flight into TIJ is 29 hrs for the OP and San Diego is only 6 hours, the OP will not be able to use CBX. Also, if the OP is flying to or from TIJ for a trip between La Paloma and Canada, then CBX is not going to be part of the trip.
I haven't investigated rental companies that allow you to drive across and if their rates are reasonable. Walking across is likely going to the the fastest and cheapest option.
On the other side renting a car or using Uber are two options. La Paloma is only 30-35 minutes from the border.

 

[emeryjre]

I have not done this before, but I did research it quite a bit. Here is what I found.

1. You can fly into LAX (cheaper for me). Get a rental and do a one way to San Diego airport.
2. Once at San Diego airport (by car or flight), you get the tram (schedule is on the website) to the border. The tram takes you right to the border, just get out and walk across into Mexico. There are lots of people going the same direction, you won't miss it.
3. Once in Mexico, you can rent a car or use any other means of transportation to La Paloma.
4. When returning, you just reverse your steps. However, crossing back into the USA can take quite a bit of time depending on when and the exact crossing you are using (there are three close to each other although only one of them takes you directly back to the tram station). If you have global entry, then you will significantly cut your wait time as there is a separate line for those with global entry.

I researched it a way to cut my travel cost to Cabo while also taking a week vacation in California (two birds with one stone). Once my TSA pre check comes up for renewal, I will likely switch to global entry and may try this.

Coming from Canadá, and flight options are hideous, involving more than a days travel ( we could drive there in under 2 days) . But, to fly to San Diego is a 6 hour trip ( even with a layover) and I see there are lots of instructions on how to drive to the resort from San Diego . My trepidation is , being a Canadian, renting a car in San Diego, and driving across the border with a rental car. I know some rental agencies won’t allow it( but some will) and I understand need special insurance for Mexico . So anyone know which rental agencies I should book with and how to make sure I get the right insurance ( we normally don’t get car insurance when we rent as our insurance at home covers us for driving in US ) and any other instructions ?
Thanks
Carole Ann

You can book from any of the major car rental companies for travel into Mexico
They do it all the time
If you have a favorite, call and discuss
Use their 800 number
You can drive into Mexico from San Diego and avoid walking across at one of the busiest border crossings in the US

Mexican Insurance is the only insurance valid in Mexico
your current policy in Canada may provide some
But don’t count on it

Rosarita was my favorite weekend getaway for years when I was younger
Rosarita Beach Hotel
The drive down is spectacular with ocean views
Getting through TJ was always an adventure

 

[SmithOp]

If you pay a little more there are shorter flights from YVR, is that where you are coming from?

 

[buzglyd]

If you rent in San Diego, try to find an offsite rental place because the rental cars at SAN have huge taxes and fees added to them.

 

[dori47]

If you rent in San Diego, try to find an offsite rental place because the rental cars at SAN have huge taxes and fees added to them.

Thanks for the information. I got a quote that was huge so will look off site

 

[dori47]

If you pay a little more there are shorter flights from YVR, is that where you are coming from?

View attachment 123389

I couldn’t find those flights. What site did you use? But 29 hours is too much the 8 is ok, but to leave from YVR in the morning, we habpve to get there the day before , so still over a day

 

[SmithOp]

I couldn’t find those flights. What site did you use? But 29 hours is too much the 8 is ok, but to leave from YVR in the morning, we habpve to get there the day before , so still over a day

That was using Kayak app.

 

[echino]

Drive from Canada. Make an epic road trip out of that.

 

[dori47]

Drive from Canada. Make an epic road trip out of that.
View attachment 123487

I did think about that but it takes 4 days off of my time
there

 

[WinniWoman]

After reading through this thread if it were me I’d skip Mexico and hang in Southern California. I’m sure there must be some beautiful beaches there, beautiful weather and Mexican restaurants.

 

[Snazzylass]

I just talked to a friend who lives South of Tucson. For over 10 years, she has crossed into MX weekly...except now. She's considering limiting her trips because it took her over 3 hours to get back into the US. She said Border Patrol states they are short-handed. We used to walk across as it was so much simpler. I know this is not Tijuana but it makes me wonder if it's like this everywhere?

 

[emeryjre]

After reading through this thread if it were me I’d skip Mexico and hang in Southern California. I’m sure there must be some beautiful beaches there, beautiful weather and Mexican restaurants.

Traveling into Mexico has always required an effort
I have sat and waited for 6-7 hours to get back into the US at both the Otay Mesa and Tijuana border crossings because of diplomatic flareups under every administration since 1970
As I've aged, my desire to put in the effort has waned
But the coastline of North Baja was spectacular
I really miss not going down to Rosarito and Ensanada on a regular basis
If I want to do Mexica these days, it is flight down to the Cabo for me

edited spelling of (Rosarita to Rosarito)

 

[echino]

If you have Global Entry / Nexus / Sentri, and have added the car to your account, crossing back from Mexico to the US by car is quite fast, using the Sentri lanes.

 

[WinniWoman]

Traveling into Mexico has always required an effort
I have sat and waited for 6-7 hours to get back into the US at both the Otay Mesa and Tijuana border crossings because of diplomatic flareups under every administration since 1970
As I've aged, my desire to put in the effort has waned
But the coastline of North Baja was spectacular
I really miss not going down to Rosarita and Ensanada on a regular basis
If I want to do Mexica these days, it is flight down to the Cabo for me

That’s beyond “ effort” . That’s torture! Lol!

 

[emeryjre]

If you have Global Entry / Nexus / Sentri, and have added the car to your account, crossing back from Mexico to the US by car is quite fast, using the Sentri lanes.

Can you add a rental car to an account
I always took a rental car when I drove across the border
We are talking 1980 to 2008
I have only walked in and out since then
Use the west port of entry at TJ

 

[echino]

Can you add a rental car to an account
I always took a rental car when I drove across the border
We are talking 1980 to 2008
I have only walked in and out since then
Use the west port of entry at TJ

Yes, but it's a major hassle. You need to have the car already before you can add it to your account. You need license plate number, VIN, rental agreement, etc, and pay a fee. Then it takes time to approve. Not worth it for a rental car to cross the border in the Sentri lane just one time. Only worth it for your own car if you plan to cross several times.

 

[emeryjre]

Yes, but it's a major hassle. You need to have the car already before you can add it to your account. You need license plate number, VIN, rental agreement, etc, and pay a fee. Then it takes time to approve. Not worth it for a rental car to cross the border in the Sentri lane just one time. Only worth it for your own car if you plan to cross several times.

I looked up when Global Entry first started
It was after I stopped driving across the border

 

[davidvel]

You can fly from Seattle to San Diego in less than 3 hours. Either rent a car there, or take the trolley to the border and rent a car there. You'll be in Ro(s)aritO (not RosraitA) in about 8 hours from leaving Canada.

 

[emeryjre]

You can fly from Seattle to San Diego in less than 3 hours. Either rent a car there, or take the trolley to the border and rent a car there. You'll be in RoaritO (not RosraitA) in about 8 hours from leaving Canada.

Yep
I have been spelling it wrong
Probably since 1971
The first time I visited there