Visiting Tijuana from San Diego
 

Two members of our group do not have passports. What does one need to return to the U.S. from a day shopping in Tijuana? The Consular sites say 'a passport'; and that drivers licence is not good enough. Is that so? Thanks for help.

Jean, driver's license is good for US citizens, and I'm almost certain that non-citizens need passports.

DON"T BOTHER !!!!! T/J dirtiest place I've ever seen.

Jean,<BR><BR>Gigi is correct. For U.S. citizens only a drivers license is needed. Non-citizens need a passport.

Do driver's licenses indicate whether the holder is a US citizen?!

you may want to think twice. last time i was in tijuana, last november, i had a 2-1/2 wait on foot returning to u.s. <BR>by car, would take longer.

All you need is your drivers licenses for a day in TJ. I, however, would tell you not to bother. TJ is dirty, the shopping is not any good, and it is just gross. I couldn't wait to get back on the other side!

The border crossing isn't taking as long as it did right after 9-11. There's a trolley or something that you can take down there to the border.

We took the trolly to the border and walked over. Yes, it is dirty and tacky, but it was a blast. One girl in our group had a brain fart and didn't even take her drivers license with her and she didn't have any trouble coming back. We had our passports only because I always carry them as a form of ID when traveling. I held them up and the inspector waved us thru.<BR><BR>Walking over had it all over taking a car. The traffic at the border was horrendous. The lines were long and hot.

If you go, don't drink the water, including ice cubes. I've always enjoyed the tacos with no problems. Since you have a car, you may want to consider going to ensenada, a port town further south. They know for their lobster tacos and they're very good. There's also a day cruise down there from SD I believe. Enjoy.

My advice would be to skip it, but if you must go, be sure to take the trolley to the border and walk across. Then, negotiate beforehand for a taxi. It's not as near as you would think it is. The car traffic is terrible. Unfortunately, all you'll find is junk stores,kids trying to sell you junk and drunken underaged U.S. college kids. Last time I was in Mexico we took passports (to Cancun) last time I was in TJ we have voters registration cards from Illinois (none here in CA). A driver's license is not proof of citizenship only of identity. From your "aussie" address, I would assume you have passports in order to get into the U.S.

Hold on! If you are a US citizen, you don't need a passport. However, you have to prove you are indeed a US citizen. For this, you need both a government-issues picture ID (drivers' license, state ID card) and proof of US citizenship (birth certificate, voter registration card). The picture ID proves you are the US citizen listed on the piece of paper that announces your US citizenship. This doesn't mean that no one has ever crossed the border without fulfilling the legal requirements, but why take a chance?

100 yards from the border you can park<BR>your car and take the bus. It cost<BR>only $1.00 per person, parking is about<BR>$6. You will get past the border with<BR>no delays, the same coming back to<BR>U.S. The bus will take you to the main<BR>shopping area of TJ. I would recommend<BR>the trip, my three kids had a good time.

DON'T WASTE A DAY OF YOUR VACATION. WE WENT LAST SUMMER AND IT IS A BIG WASTE OF TIME. STREET AND STORE FRONT VENDORS TRYING TO SELL YOU JUNK. MY 18 YR 0LD DAUGHTER AND NIECE WOULDN'T EVEN GO INTO A RESTAURANT. LUCKILY WE BROUGHT BOTTLED WATER AND OUR SNACKS. WE TOOK A TOUR FROM OUR HOTEL AND SPEND 2 1/2 HRS AT CUSTOMS TRYING TO GET BACK TO THE HOTEL. DEFINATELY NOT WORTH THE TIME

Come on folks, I think you're being a little harsh. I've been to TJ many times and will hopefully get to go again. FYI - TJ is actually nice as far as border towns go. No, it's not The Great Mall of America. However, where else can you walk the streets with a drink in your hand, shop, and catch a donkey show?

Many thanks to all for their comments - pro and con a visit to Tijuana. <BR>Havent been for three years; hope there are some bargains remaining, if not it will be a fun day to get together with friends.<BR>

Bring a voter registration card or passport just in case especially if you are an ethnic minority. Having a valid drivers license does not ensure that you are a citizen (many non citizens have drivers licenses) nor does it ensure that your visa has not expired. We were always told to bring a passport or voter reg card.

Just got back Monday... no big hassle.<BR>Rosarita (just south of TJ) has good tacos and is not quite as touristy. It's close.<BR>If you just want to go to TJ, I would not bother with a taxi when you go in.<BR>The trolley is convenient but annoyingly SLOW!<BR>Park in the parking lot next to the border, it is TOTALLY safe. I have been parking there for years.<BR>Walk through the border, cross the street and go a few yards into the shopping area and you will be in what's probably the cleanest area of TJ... a very commercial "square" with stores and restaurants. You can then take the foot bridge into real TJ and Revolution Blvd. There are some good grocery stores and some good quality glass and pottery shops. Expore.<BR>It's grungy and it sure makes you thankful for what you have.<BR>I have found great bargains... stuff like you would find in the Sundance catalog.