For Norte Americanos crossing the San Diego Border into Mexico, the joys of a great time with the Mexican food, atmosphere and people is always tempered by the long waits at the border to return to the US.
Now the waits can be reduced dramatically by employing one of two new methods to get back to San Diego. In order to reduce tourist waiting times at the border, as well as trying to entice more Americans to return to Mexico, the Baja California Secretary of Tourism, along with Tijuana Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Tijuana Secretary of Economic Development has set up a dedicated Tourist Lane. Originally designed specifically for Medical emergencies, the lane is now available to vacationers and business people coming to Tijuana and the communities south of the border.
The first new program is called “Fast Track” and is available for individuals who have a coupon from Mexican business and tourist establishments who are part of the Fast Track Program. Of course, returning Americans still need a valid passport to return to the US through the Fast Track lane.
To get a Fast Track, it is necessary to visit specific businesses in Mexico who are participants in the program. A list of current participants can be found at http://www.ensenadaexperience.com
The goal of the Fast Track program is to reduce waiting times to return to San Diego (often a wait of up to three hours) to less than 15 minutes.
Currently only San Ysidro has Fast Track availability.
The second of the two programs is the “Ready Lane”. The Ready Lane has several specific and important differences from the Fast Track.
First, the Ready Lane uses RFID technology. This means that a person WITH a new US Electronic Passport CAN NOT use the Ready Lane. Current technology only allows the system to read the following cards for crossing:
- U.S. Passport card (NO passport books allowed)
- SENTRI card, FAST and NEXUS
- Enhanced driver’s license (EDL) - States available: MI, NY, VT, WA
- Enhanced Tribal Card (ETC)
- Enhanced Permanent Resident card (EPR)
- Border Crossing Card (BCC)
San Diego returnees can use the Ready Lane at San Ysidro and Otay Mesa. Further east, Calexico offers the Ready Lane program.
To get to the Fast Track Lane, look at this site:
· Ensenadaexperience.com
To see a very good video on the quick way to get to the Ready Lane, go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgtNyPBVYJg
Or watch the attached video with this article.
Boaters returning from Baja by car will find both of these crossing techniques far quicker than waiting in line for the normal Tijuana to San Diego crossing. If you are going to do the Ensenada Race or Baja HaHa, one of these two crossing techniques will make your stay south of the border far more pleasant.
For Delivery Captains, these new crossings will be an unexpected blessing. And for boaters whose boats are at Hotel Coral Marina, Baja Naval or Cruiseport, the new crossing procedures will make a return back to San Diego for food or parts so much easier!
Enjoy the new crossings, be safe go boating and have a great day!
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