Getting Here
Getting to Caliente Casino from San Diego is easy!
Here are the most frequently asked questions about getting to Caliente Casino, Tijuana from San Diego and crossing the San Diego/Tijuana border.
"How do I get to the San Diego/Tijuana Border by Car?"
Driving to Pedwest and Walking Across
Pedwest is at 499 Virginia Ave. San Ysidro CA. Very nearby you’ll find the Border Station parking lot at 4570 Camino de La Plaza. The lot is fenced, well lighted, and attended 24 hours a day. However, it sometimes fills up which could leave you scrambling to find another place to park. To avoid that, reserve a parking spot online using SpotHero. Employees at the lot aren’t well briefed about it, so be prepared to show the attendant your confirmation and a receipt that includes how much you paid.
Ridesharing Services to Pedwest
If you use a ridesharing service to go to Pedwest, use the address above, and don’t let your driver try to tell you that you should go to the trolley stop instead. Not only are waiting times often shorter at Pedwest, but it also has an area for drop-off and pick-up.
After you pass through immigration, you will walk down a long covered walkway that eventually leads to the street. Walk across the parking lot and cross the street, heading toward a small shopping center and a pedestrian bridge to join the walking route below.
"Can I take the Trolley to go to Tijuana, Mexico?"
If you take the San Diego Trolley to the US/Mexico border, you can walk across the border from the last trolley stop. Check out the step by step directions for the San Diego Trolley.
The border is straight ahead, but you’ll go slightly left to get to it. Next to the trolley stop are a few shops and a McDonald’s which is a good place for a quick toilet stop before crossing. They charge a small fee to use their facilities.
When you’re ready to go to Tijuana, walk toward the blue building shown in this photo. If you’re obsessive about being prepared, check one more time that you have your passport with you. See above for more about that.
Just past that blue building, you’ll see a sign pointing toward the border. Follow the sign and walk up the ramp. After you pass under the sign that says “Mexico,” it’s super easy. Just keep walking. It’s nearly impossible to get lost.
You’ll go through the building and walk under a covered walkway. The Mexican Immigration Department has a checkpoint inside the building where they will check your passport. They may also charge you for a visa depending on how long you plan to stay.
Eventually, you will exit onto the street. That’s where things get a little trickier, but don’t worry. Just keep reading to find out what to do.
"Do I need a permit to travel to Tijuana, Mexico?"
Be prepared. Before you take off toward the border, be sure you have identification with you.
In the past, you could enter Mexico from the U.S. without documentation, but at this time, Mexico requires every visitor to show a book-style passport when entering their country. You will also be asked to fill out a tourist permit. You can find some tips for doing that below.
U.S. citizens have always needed a passport and not just an ID or driver’s license to re-enter the U.S. although that regulation hasn’t always been enforced, but it will save you lots of time if you have it.
How do I obtain a tourist card (FMM)?
The tourist card (FMM) application is now available online! View the online application.
How much does a tourist card (FMM) cost?
As of January 2017, tourist cards cost $533.00 pesos (appx U.S. $24) and can be issued for up to 180 days. It is advisable to have your card valid for 180 days even if you don’t plan on staying in Mexico that long. It is easier to already have the time granted to you than extend your card later if you stay longer.
The free tourist card (FMM): The tourist card is free if your stay in Mexico is 7 days or less and you are traveling by land into Baja. This isn’t frequently advertised. Ask your local INM official.
What is the general procedure to get a tourist card (FMM)?
1. Fill out a tourist card (FMM) form at the immigration office (INM) and walk to the nearby bank and pay for the tourist card
2. Or fill out the online tourist card (FMM) application and pay online with a Visa or Mastercard credit or debit card. Your online tourist card (FMM) will be ready to print within minutes. After printing your FMM form, it must be stamped by INM within 30 days to be valid
3. Whether buying the tourist card at an INM office or online, visit the INM office to get your tourist card (FMM) stamped/validated
Is it possible to enter and exit Baja multiple times with the same tourist card (FMM)?
Yes. The INM delegate for Baja California (Norte) announced in September 2015 that the FMM is now multiple entry for land travel in Baja California only.
What if I lose my tourist card (FMM)?
If you lose your tourist card, visit the nearest INM office in order to obtain a new one.
Does the tourist card (FMM) have to be returned to INM?
As of January 2015 according to INM, returning the FMM is not necessary in Baja California if you traveled by land. Although there is statement on the back of the FMM saying to return it, there is no procedure about how to return it or where to return it when crossing by land. The Federal INM Delgate in other regions may require that you turn it in and get an exit stamp. If you are not in the Baja Peninsula, it would be best to check with your local INM office.
Tourist Card Tips:
- Make sure that the Mexican officials stamp your card.
- Keep your card in a safe place.
- It is recommended to write down your FMM number in case it is lost or stolen.
Tips for Filling Out Your Tourist Permit
All visitors to Mexico must fill out a tourist permit. A few tips will help you do that with no worries:
- Fill out both the top and bottom sections of the form, even though some information is entered twice.
- Tiny print makes it almost impossible to make this out, but your date of birth (box 4) and the current date should be entered in the format DAY-MONTH-YEAR
- If you are walking across the border, leave boxes 11 and blank.
- In box 13, enter Tijuana
- If you are making a day trip, leave box 14 blank.
What does tourist card (FMM) look like?
"Do I need a passport to travel to Mexico and Back?"
If you’re a U.S. citizen, you can’t just present a driver’s license at the border of Mexico anymore. If you’re driving or cruising, however, a passport isn’t your only option.
Travelers visiting Mexico by way of land or sea crossings can apply for a wallet-sized passport card, or PASS Card. It’s less expensive than a passport book, and more portable. Best of all, they’re compliant new Homeland Security measures and are also suitable for trips by land or by sea to Canada and the Caribbean.
Get Required Documents to Travel to Tijuana Mexico
Safeguard Your Documents! Make two copies of all your travel documents in case of emergency. Leave one copy with a trusted friend or relative at home and carry the other separately from your original documents. To help prevent theft, do not carry your passport in your back pocket, and keep it separate from your money.
- Passport: Apply several months in advance for a new passport. If you already have one, it should be valid for at least six months after you return home and have two or more blank pages, depending on your destination. Otherwise, some countries may not let you enter.
- Children’s passports: Passports issued for children under age 16 are valid for only five years, not 10 years like adult passports. Check passport expiration dates carefully and renew early.
- Visas: You may need to get a visa before you travel to a foreign destination.
- Medications: Some prescription drugs, including narcotics and some U.S. over-the-counter medications, are illegal in other countries. Check with the embassy of your destination(s) about regulations and documentation before you travel.
- International Driving Permit: No permit needed to drive in Tijuana but you must have valid US license plates and a valid US driver’s license.
- Passport: Apply several months in advance for a new passport. If you already have one, it should be valid for at least six months after you return home and have two or more blank pages, depending on your destination. Otherwise, some countries may not let you enter.
“How do I get to Hipodromo Aguacaliente from San Diego?”
“Hipodromo Aguacaliente Map”
“How do I get to Caliente Sports Bar & Casino from San Diego?”
Caliente Sports Bar & Casino is Caliente’s premiere sports bar, it is located inside the Pueblo Amigo Shopping Center right next to the Pueblo Amigo hotel.
“Caliente Sports Bar & Casino Map”
“How do I get to Caliente Casino Pueblo Amigo from San Diego?”
Caliente Casino Pueblo Amigo is located inside the Pueblo Amigo Hotel. There is parking at the back of the hotel as well as in the Pueblo Amigo Shopping center.
“Caliente Casino Pueblo Amigo Map”
“How do I get to Caliente Casino Club 333 from San Diego?”
Caliente Casino Club 333 is a VIP Casino located inside Hipódromo Aguacaliente. Use the main parking at Hipodromo Aguacaliente.
“Caliente Casino Club 333 Map”
“How do I get to Caliente Casino Laz Barrera from San Diego?”
Caliente Casino Laz Barrera is a premiere Casino and Sports Book in the Pueblo Amigo Shopping center across the street from the Pueblo Amigo Hotel.
“Caliente Casino Laz Barrera Map”
“Are there many things to do in Tijuana, Mexico?”
Here is a link to about all the exciting things you can do in Tijuana, it has something for everyone!