Apr 10, 2008, 10:12 PM
If you live in or near Southern California, or have family or friends there who can be your link on the "underground railroad", travel via Tijuana may be an option for you.
When you enter TJ by foot or car, fly out of Tijuana's airport, return to that airport and reenter the US by foot, there is no US airport record of your having air travelled anywhere. True, you do get a Mexican airport stamp, but there's nothing wrong with that. So you have a much greater chance of covering your tracks as another gringo tourist slumming in Mexico.
Entering Mexico: The US government does not overtly keep track of US citizens entering Mexico, just ones returning from there. There are no visible US officials questioning people who enter. There is, however, Mexico's own aduana. They are currently installing more checkpoints. I am not sure if they will be checking heavily laden baggage toting anglo looking tourists.
Because of this, I favor having someone drive you into Mexico, drop you by a taxi stand, and they then return to the US. Hopefully they are a GOOD friend or family member. They may have a long wait in line entering and returning, and will need to have a cover story-easy enough as THEY'RE not the ones going to Cuba! Still, if you can't arrange this, you can always enter TJ by foot. Just watch those bags as you negotiate the turnstyle!
Reentry to the US on foot: You've just returned from Havana, removed baggage tags and all visible signs of your Cuba trip. When you get back, the lines can be long! I have waited as little as 30 minutes and as much as 3 hours. Post 9/11 has meant more review for tourists entering the US. Program this into your schedule. Oh, and have a sunhat and bottled water and a good book with you-standing in a long line in the sun can be brutal.
Souvenirs-In my own experience, US customs has not looked over my belongings. That being said, I have returned from Cuba with JUST a knapsack or travel bag. I gave my heavy suitcases and most of my clothes and toiletries as a parting gift to Cuban friends. I also bring back few if any souvenirs, just lots of undeveloped film. If you must bring back souvenirs, don't have anything that visibly says Cuba on it. You want to be able to pass it off as Mexican, if questioned. Please, no cigars!
Passport to show or not? I think that by now, a passport is expected. You could try using a birth certificate, social security card and drivers license, but that could get you questioned more. The last time I went to TJ, I returned and showed my US passport. The guard swiped it through a card swiper, but significantly did NOT thumb through the passport noting travel stamps. I don't know if this keeps track of how often you reenter the US, but unless you go to Cuba more than 3 times a year, it shouldn't raise any eyebrows.
You can catch the trolley into San Diego. The San Ysidro trolley stop is right after you leave border control. From San Diego, you can fly out of Lindbergh airport, or even catch a bus to Los Angeles or other destinations.
When you enter TJ by foot or car, fly out of Tijuana's airport, return to that airport and reenter the US by foot, there is no US airport record of your having air travelled anywhere. True, you do get a Mexican airport stamp, but there's nothing wrong with that. So you have a much greater chance of covering your tracks as another gringo tourist slumming in Mexico.
Entering Mexico: The US government does not overtly keep track of US citizens entering Mexico, just ones returning from there. There are no visible US officials questioning people who enter. There is, however, Mexico's own aduana. They are currently installing more checkpoints. I am not sure if they will be checking heavily laden baggage toting anglo looking tourists.
Because of this, I favor having someone drive you into Mexico, drop you by a taxi stand, and they then return to the US. Hopefully they are a GOOD friend or family member. They may have a long wait in line entering and returning, and will need to have a cover story-easy enough as THEY'RE not the ones going to Cuba! Still, if you can't arrange this, you can always enter TJ by foot. Just watch those bags as you negotiate the turnstyle!
Reentry to the US on foot: You've just returned from Havana, removed baggage tags and all visible signs of your Cuba trip. When you get back, the lines can be long! I have waited as little as 30 minutes and as much as 3 hours. Post 9/11 has meant more review for tourists entering the US. Program this into your schedule. Oh, and have a sunhat and bottled water and a good book with you-standing in a long line in the sun can be brutal.
Souvenirs-In my own experience, US customs has not looked over my belongings. That being said, I have returned from Cuba with JUST a knapsack or travel bag. I gave my heavy suitcases and most of my clothes and toiletries as a parting gift to Cuban friends. I also bring back few if any souvenirs, just lots of undeveloped film. If you must bring back souvenirs, don't have anything that visibly says Cuba on it. You want to be able to pass it off as Mexican, if questioned. Please, no cigars!
Passport to show or not? I think that by now, a passport is expected. You could try using a birth certificate, social security card and drivers license, but that could get you questioned more. The last time I went to TJ, I returned and showed my US passport. The guard swiped it through a card swiper, but significantly did NOT thumb through the passport noting travel stamps. I don't know if this keeps track of how often you reenter the US, but unless you go to Cuba more than 3 times a year, it shouldn't raise any eyebrows.
You can catch the trolley into San Diego. The San Ysidro trolley stop is right after you leave border control. From San Diego, you can fly out of Lindbergh airport, or even catch a bus to Los Angeles or other destinations.