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El buzón de las impuras

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Cars lined up at sunset at the Calexico West port of entry (Mexicali downtown crossing) — illustrative image
Border crossing · Downtown

Calexico West Port of Entry

Mexicali's historic downtown crossing (locals call it Garita Centro) — the only one open 24 hours and the favorite for walking across.

Open 24 hours Pedestrian crossing Ready Lane & SENTRI

The line at Calexico West right now

Official CBP wait time in real time, by lane type.

Calexico West (Downtown)

24 hours

Source: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), updated roughly every hour.

Long line? Compare with Calexico East (open 6 am to 10 pm).

Getting there

Mexicali side

On the Mexicali side it sits right against the city's downtown (zona Centro), steps from Avenida Cristóbal Colón. The vehicle line forms through downtown Mexicali: coming in on Boulevard Adolfo López Mateos or Avenida Cristóbal Colón, follow the "Garita Internacional" signs.

U.S. side

200 East First Street, Calexico, CA 92231. You come out right into downtown Calexico: First Street and its commercial strip (banks, currency exchange, stores) are steps from the pedestrian exit.

Park and walk across

The classic local move: when the vehicle line is hopeless, leave the car in a paid downtown lot (around Cristóbal Colón / Azueta) and walk across. The pedestrian line is almost always much shorter — you can see it live above.

Good to know

  • It never closes. It's the only crossing that never closes: between 10 pm and 6 am it's your only option. After 10 pm all of the city's crossing demand funnels here, so weekend late nights can surprise you.

  • Lanes: standard, Ready Lane (RFID documents: new Border Crossing Card, passport card) and SENTRI. Lane arrangements change through the day — the port was reconfigured by the GSA in recent years.

  • While you wait: the line runs through downtown commerce — money exchange, food and vendors. It's the livelier of the two crossings by far.

  • On the U.S. side you exit right into downtown Calexico: banks, currency exchange and stores within walking distance.

  • The vehicle line runs through downtown Mexicali — food, money exchange and shops while you wait.

  • The port was reconfigured by the GSA in recent years; lane arrangements can change through the day.

Illustrative, digitally generated cover image.

Frequently asked questions

Is Calexico West open 24 hours?
Yes. Calexico West Port of Entry operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, for both vehicles and pedestrians. It is the only Mexicali-Calexico crossing that never closes: between 10 pm and 6 am it is your only option.
Where do I park to walk across from Mexicali?
Downtown Mexicali has paid public parking lots a few blocks from the port, mostly around Avenida Cristóbal Colón and Calle Azueta. Many locals leave the car there and walk across whenever the vehicle line is heavy.
Where do I come out on the Calexico side?
Straight into downtown Calexico: the port opens onto the First Street commercial area, with banks, currency exchanges and stores within walking distance.
Does Calexico West have SENTRI and Ready Lane?
Yes — standard lanes, Ready Lane (RFID documents) and SENTRI. How many lanes are open varies through the day; this page shows the official wait time for each lane type in real time.

Documents, what you can bring and general tips: full border crossings guide.

Crossing by car during regular hours?

Calexico East usually has more open lanes and faster-moving lines between 6 am and 10 pm. Compare before you get in line.

See Calexico East