Crossing the Border–Rosarito, Mexico

San Ysidro (Crossing from America to Mexico) 

Parking near the San Ysidro border crossing was convenient and secure (for the most part). I found a parking place in Border Station Parking for $30.00 per day and made the walk across the San Ysidro bridge to the Mexico-USA border. The lights of Tijuana twinkled in the fading sunlight creating a welcome backdrop as I approached the border crossing. Entering into the first government building, I stood in a short line and showed the Mexican official my passport. He glanced briefly at the document and let me through without hesitation. From there, I walked into Mexico following a narrow trail until it opened up into a street filled with vendors, taxis, and an assortment of people milling about. The group I was with found a taxi to Rosarito for $25.00 US. The trip was no more than an hour from the Tijuana border with one brief stop at a toll bridge. 

Rosarito

Rosarito is a quintessential beach town. The cloudless blue skies framed the stretch of beach in a warm inviting hug. Colorful Shops, bustling restaurants, and vibrant bars lined the main street enriching the visual and auditory experience while stoking the desire to explore the area. I was advised to try two hotels: Hotel Festival Plaza Playas Rosarito or the Rosarito Beach Hotel. For no reason other than convenience, I chose the Hotel Festival Plaza Playa Rosarito. I should have known that the low price probably was a red flag, but I overlooked that one detail and moved forward with the reservation. If I were to do it over again, I probably wouldn’t stay there with family or persons not used to a sub-standard hotel. There was exposed wiring in our room, the paint was peeling, there were hairs (from other people) all over the bathroom floor, and it was dirty. At night, the music from the bars located one block away pulsated through the thin walls making it very difficult to sleep. 

Club Iggy’s

We started our journey at Club Iggy’s located south of Papas and Beer. The expansive covered wood deck built right on the beach drew our attention. Because it was the off season, there were literally few if any persons inside the bar area. Unknowingly, this left our small group exposed to the long line of aggressive vendors who without reservation approached our table overlooking the beach. The nachos, cold cerveza, chips and salsa, and shrimp cocktail were a welcome respite from trying to repeatedly say, “No,” to the various people trying to sell trinkets, personalized clam shells, tequila shots, massages, and hair styles. On the beach, people were lounging about enjoying the near perfect weather while horses and their associated riders cantered along the surf line. One other drawback was the tequila shooter guy who could not take a hint. I made the mistake of buying shots from him for all of the persons in my group and after that it was like fending off a shark. He would walk right up to us and start shoving the tip of the tequila bottle to our mouths as we swatted his attempts. After a while we became annoyed with the circumstances and walked to Papas and Beer. 

Papas and Beer

Papas and Beer had a security guard at every entrance which controlled who entered the establishment. I was impressed by the adult playground Papas and Beer had created from the wood walkways leading to various decks overlooking the ocean to massive video screens blaring the latest hip hop music. Chairs and tables positioned in the sand dotted the landscape and gave the feel of being at the beach. In my humble opinion, it was hard to beat the vast array of unique areas to party, relax, or talk with others inside of the compound. Drink prices reflected the tourist attraction that Papas and Beer embodied, but based on the experience, it felt reasonable to pay the higher-than-normal prices. For the most part, there weren’t many people in the bar which I felt was odd for how popular and well known the place was. I spoke with the manager and he told me that foot traffic didn’t pick up until after 10:00PM. Like a fortune teller 10:00PM arrived and the place filled to capacity.  One highlight was the mechanical bull. For ten bucks a person, you can try your luck at staying on the twisting, turning, bucking bronco. Watching several of the people try their hand trying to tame the mighty beast demonstrated the inherent futility in attempting to stay on any longer than five seconds!

Susanna’s Restaurant

A short walk from Papas and Beer was Susanna’s Restaurant. The restaurant was clean and the open-air concept made it feel part of the beach vibe. We were all in the mood for lobster and were disappointed by the small crustaceans that occupied our plate. For the price and high expectations we had for authentic Mexican food, we were extremely disappointed by the portion size and bland taste of the lobster. In retrospect, I probably would heed the advice of veteran travelers and drive to Puerto Nuevo for lobster. 

San Ysidro (Crossing from Mexico to America)

Prior to my trip to Rosarito, I had been warned to expect long lines at the border, but nothing could have prepared me for what I witnessed. The cab driver dropped us off at the intersection about two blocks from the border, and advised us to wait in the line. I knew from talking to multiple people that I was not to pay the men and women promising to take you to the front, but it was hard not give in to the temptation when I saw how long the line was. The line snaked through the streets, sometimes doubling back on its self. We finally found what we believed to be the end of the line and settled in for an hour and half wait. While waiting, I observed groups of teens running to the front and forcefully pushing their way into line, people being dropped off by the car loads and cutting in line, vendors selling an assortment of food and beverages and beggars. Patience is the key to making it through the process. I can’t give any other advice than to keep the end in mind and try to tell your brain that you will eventually get across the border. Once through the gate leading to customs, the process accelerated rapidly. Surprisingly, the people I was traveling with had no problems with their US custom agents; however, I was given the third degree treatment by the person I dealt with. After answering questions about where I had come from, where I was going, why was I in Mexico, and repeatedly asking me if I was bringing anything back into the states, he finally gave me back my passport and waved me through.