Can I drive to the clinic myself? Is there parking?

There is underground parking at Torres Plaza Agua Caliente, where our clinic is located, with elevators to the different floors; once you reach the lobby, contact our front desk, and a coordinator will guide you to our offices. Before driving into Mexico, remember that Mexican car insurance is required for all vehicles, since U.S. auto insurance generally does not cover you in Mexico, and that many U.S. rental car companies do not allow their cars to cross the border or charge extra for permits and insurance. You should also not drive yourself after sedation, so plan for someone else to drive on your treatment and discharge days. Many local patients prefer to park in the San Diego area and use our transportation instead.

Some patients, especially those who live in Southern California, prefer to drive to the clinic. It is possible, and it gives you flexibility, but it also means taking care of a few details yourself. This guide explains your options, what you need to drive into Mexico, where to park and why many patients choose our transportation instead.

Your options

Option 1: our transportation

Our driver picks you up at San Diego International Airport or at an agreed meeting point in the San Diego area, takes you to the clinic and your hotel during your stay and brings you back after discharge. Your return crossing includes a medical pass, which allows you to use the medical line to cross back into the United States faster.

Option 2: park in San Diego and ride with us

If you drive to San Diego, you can leave your car at a parking lot near the airport and travel with our driver. Your advisor sends you recommended parking options, and once you choose one, the team coordinates your pick-up there. This is a popular option for local patients, because it combines the convenience of driving with the ease of our transportation and the medical pass.

Option 3: drive yourself to the clinic

If you prefer to drive all the way, your advisor can update your quote without our transportation service. In this case, you organize your own border crossing in both directions.

Parking at the clinic

• Location: underground parking at Torres Plaza Agua Caliente, where our clinic is located, inside the medical tower, Floor 2, Suite CM3.
• Access: there are elevators to the different floors, depending on your parking level and area.
• Arrival: once you arrive at the lobby, contact our front desk. A coordinator will explain how to reach our offices.
• Hotel parking: if you stay at the Grand Hotel Tijuana, in the same complex, ask the hotel about parking for your stay.

Your advisor can send you the address and a map link before your trip.

What you need to drive into Mexico

According to the U.S. Department of State:

• Mexican car insurance is required for all vehicles. U.S. auto insurance policies generally do not cover you in Mexico, and uninsured drivers involved in accidents may face serious legal consequences. Buy Mexican liability insurance before crossing.
• Valid license plates and current registration are required.
• Traffic laws must be followed, and they can differ from those in the United States.

Tijuana is within the border zone, so a temporary vehicle import permit is generally not needed for a visit to the city, but check the official requirements before your trip.

Rental cars

Many U.S. rental car companies do not allow their vehicles to be driven into Mexico, or they require additional permits and Mexican insurance at an extra cost. If you plan to rent a car, check the company's cross-border policy before booking.

Driving after sedation

Many direct injection procedures are performed with sedation, which can affect your reflexes and judgment for several hours, so:

• Do not drive on the day of your procedure, especially if you received sedation.
• On your discharge day, have someone else drive if you feel tired, had a spine procedure or the treated area makes driving uncomfortable, for example after a right knee, hip or ankle treatment.

Since you spend the night at our facilities after your procedure, the main concern is your discharge day and your drive home. If you drive yourself to Tijuana, plan for a companion who can drive you back.

Crossing back into the United States on your own

• Bring the right documents: U.S. citizens returning from Mexico must present a valid passport or other accepted document. If you do not have a passport, you may be sent to secondary inspection, which can add time.
• Trusted traveler programs: if you have SENTRI or Global Entry, bring your card. These programs, managed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, can expedite your return.
• Border wait times: they vary by day and time. Plan extra time, especially in the afternoon and on weekends.
• Medical pass: the medical pass is part of our transportation service. If you drive yourself, you cross through the regular lanes or your trusted traveler lane.

A sample visit if you drive

Arrival day: you leave home early, fasting, with your Mexican car insurance and documents ready. You cross the border, drive to Torres Plaza Agua Caliente, park in the underground parking and contact the front desk from the lobby. After your blood tests, forms, payment and consultation, you check in at your hotel. If you stay at the Grand Hotel Tijuana, you can leave your car parked for the rest of your stay.

Treatment day: you walk or are taken to the clinic in the morning, fasting, for your procedure, and you spend the night at our facilities. Your companion stays at the hotel.

Discharge day: after your final check, your companion drives you home. If you treated your right knee, hip or ankle, or had a spine procedure, it is especially important that someone else drives. Plan extra time for the return crossing, and keep your documents and discharge instructions at hand.

A sample visit if you park in San Diego

Arrival day: you drive to a recommended parking lot near the San Diego airport, where our driver picks you up at the agreed time and takes you to the clinic.

Discharge day: after your final check, the driver takes you back to your car with the medical pass. If you feel tired or had a spine procedure, have your companion drive home.

Advantages of our transportation

• No need to drive after sedation.
• No Mexican insurance or rental car restrictions to worry about.
• Drivers who cross the border every day and know the routes.
• Medical pass for a faster return.
• Door-to-door transfers between the border, your hotel and the clinic.
• Coverage for your companion.

Advantages of driving yourself

• Flexibility with your schedule.
• Your own car for extra activities during your stay.
• A lower quote, since transportation is removed from your plan.

Planning tips if you drive

• Buy Mexican car insurance before your trip.
• Check your route and save the clinic's address and map link.
• Arrive early on your arrival day, since you need to be fasting for your blood tests.
• Bring a companion who can drive you home after your treatment.
• Tell your advisor that you will drive, so the team knows when to expect you and can guide you on arrival.
• Keep your documents at hand for the return crossing.

Common questions

Is there parking at the clinic? Yes, there is underground parking at Torres Plaza Agua Caliente.

Can I leave my car in San Diego and use your transportation? Yes. Your advisor sends you recommended parking lots near the airport and coordinates your pick-up.

Is the medical pass available if I drive? The medical pass is part of our transportation service.

Can I drive myself home after discharge? We recommend that someone else drives, especially after sedation, spine procedures or treatments on the right leg.

Does removing transportation lower my price? Yes. Your advisor updates your quote without the transportation service.

Questions to ask your advisor

• Can you remove transportation from my quote?
• Where should I park, at the clinic or in San Diego?
• Can you send me the clinic's address and map link?
• Who should I contact when I arrive at the lobby?

Bottom line

You can drive to the clinic, and there is underground parking at Torres Plaza Agua Caliente. If you drive, buy Mexican car insurance, check your rental company's cross-border policy, plan your own return crossing and arrange for someone else to drive after your procedure. Many local patients prefer to park in San Diego and use our transportation, which includes the medical pass. A medical evaluation can help determine whether this type of regenerative treatment is appropriate for your condition, goals and medical history.