Instructions on getting picked up at the border by Sam Dental:
The Idea of going to a Mexico dentist can be a scary thing to someone who is unfamiliar with travel in another country. But going to a dentist in Tijuana is almost like going to just another part of San Diego, CA.. Downtown Tijuana is just 20 minutes from downtown San Diego.
We recommend parking on the US side and walking into Tijuana. It is easier to walk, and returning to the USA through pedestrian lane is much faster than via the driving lane. If you drive back into the USA by car, the line can be 1 1/2 hours long. Walking back into the USA usually only takes 20 to 30 minutes.
Although you are physically safe in Tijuana, we are more cautious about telling people to drive over. First, the way people drive in Mexico takes getting used to. Second, if you get turned around, communication can be spotty, and you may not be able to reach me to get directions. Third, you have to be cautious about locking your car up, putting on an anti-theft device, and watching where you park. Also, it is always required to buy auto insurance, not just in case of theft, but for liability reasons. The cost of insurance is about $13 per day and can be purchased online. So, unless you are wanting to drive down to Rosarito or Ensenada to sight see, it is just a lot easier to park at the border and let us pick you up.
Once you get to Tijuana, the folks at Sam Dental will take care of everything. All you have to do is get to the border and call us, Call Jim who is the Marketing Director and who lives on the US side. Jim's direct number is: 619-600-5587. Make sure you call BEFORE you cross over into Mexico, since your cell phone might not work once you cross the border. Because communication in Mexico is not always smooth, Jim might have to try several numbers to get through to the driver. When he knows that someone is on the way for you, he will give you the go ahead to cross into Mexico. Also, if traffic is bad, it can take the driver more that 15 minutes to arrive, so he needs a little lead time so that you are waiting on the street too long.
Driving to the border?
Take Interstate 5 or 805 toward the border, and exit at the "last exit in the USA", it will be exit 1-A. The exit ramps off of both freeways merge together, and you will come to a light at the cross street, "Camino de la Plaza". Don't turn at the light, go straight ahead through the intersection to get to the easiest parking. The street you are on will end right in front of the sidewalk that takes you into Mexican Customs, Turn into the UETA parking lot that you will see on your right. This is a good place to park because it has good security for you car. The cost will be $8 a day, and you can park there for a week. Once you park your car, call the Jim. Leaving the parking lot, turn to your right, going toward Mexico. You will see a pedestrian bridge up ahead, The sidewalk passes under the bridge and leads up to a turnstile gate that is the entry into Mexican Customs. (Please note that when you get dropped off to return to the USA, US Customs is on the opposite side of the freeway that goes into Mexico. The pedestrian bridge is what you will take to come back to your car after you return to the USA).
Taking the trolley to the border?
Take the trolley to the end of the line. The trolley station is located right in front of the exit from US Customs. Stepping off the train, and looking toward Mexico, US Customs is the big building in front of you to the right. Mexican Customs is on the other side of the freeway. To get to Mexican Customs and walk into Mexico, you will have to cross over the freeway. From where you get off the trolley, you will be able to see a pedestrian bridge that crosses the freeway to the other side. With your back to the trolley, the bridge is ahead of you, and to the right.You will see a lot of people walking toward the bridge, just follow them. Walk down the side walk to the bridge, and cross over. Where you come down the bridge on the other side, there is a side walk that will lead you straight toward Mexican Customs. You will come up to a turnstile gate that is the entry into Mexican Customs.
Entering Mexican Customs:
Once you walk through the turnstile gate, you are in Mexico. You will find yourself walking down a long corridor. On your right is a wall, and a series of canvas awnings. On your left is a fence, and then, a long building. Just walk down the corridor. Ahead you will see a place where there are some Mexican Customs officials, and maybe a couple of soldiers. They will probably not say anything to you. They are there to make sure Mexicans pay duty an certain things that they may have purchased in the USA. They will NOT be asking you for your passport. (You will only need to show your passport or birth certificate and I.D. to the US Customs as you re-enter the USA). After you pass the Customs officers, you will come up to a building that says "Tourist Information", there you will turn to your right. Please note: There are two exit gates from Mexican Customs. Do not go out the gate you see first. The gate you will see to the left side of the Tourist Information building is for Taxi access only, and we cannot pick you up there. You need to turn 90 degrees to the right at the Tourist Information building and exit through the gate at the end of the short corridor. (Above the wall on your left, you can see the sign for the McDonalds Hamburgers outside the Customs area, and the gate is a little further to the right). When you go through the exit, you will see the street. There will be taco stands on either side of you. Go straight ahead, crossing the street, going towards the Mustard colored pharmacy. In front of the Pharmacy is a fountain. Please stand by the fountain and the driver from Sam Dental will spot you. Don't wander off. Jim will keep in touch with you, if your cell phone still works, and most do. The driver will be there to pick you up within 5 minutes. The ride to the clinic will take 10 minutes, as the clinic is just 15 blocks away
The pick up point:
Please note the mustard colored pharmacy in the picture above. This is what you will see across the street when you go through the correct exit from Mexican Customs. We will look for you to be standing by the fountain in this picture.
Above is Oscar, our driver. He will be the one to pick you up.
Quality Tijuana dentistry at 1/4 the price of dental treatments of San Diego Dentists or Los Angeles dentists
