Major city · United States
Calexico
Spend a half‑day exploring the border walk and downtown; add a night if you need a base for Imperial Valley trips.
Calexico is a small border city in Imperial County, California, directly across from Mexicali. Most attractions are within walking distance of the border crossing, so a few hours suffice. Overnight is useful only for travelers using it as a gateway to the Imperial Valley or for cross‑border shopping.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Oct–Apr (mild desert climate)
- avoid Jun–Sep (very hot)
- Airports
- CXL · IPL
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Calexico911 ▾
- Police/Fire/Ambulance911
- Mexico Consulate (Calexico)+1 760 357‑3863
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Calexico, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyLow crime in downtown; stay alert at night and keep valuables hidden, especially near the border crossing.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police/fire/ambulance · +1 760 357‑3863 Mexico Consulate (Calexico)
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportCXL Calexico International Airport (Private‑pilot airport; customs for Baja trips.).
- Getting aroundWalk the downtown area and border crossing (5 min).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$2–$4
- Street or quick mealTaco (street)$1–$2
- Metro or bus rideBus fare (IV Transit)$2–$3
- Budget bedHostel/cheap motel, a night, per personUS$35
- Mid-range bedMid‑range hotel, a night, per roomUS$110
- High-end bedMid‑range hotel, a night, per roomUS$150
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$30 · Mid US$55 · High US$90
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- CXL Calexico International Airport (Private‑pilot airport; customs for Baja trips.) · IPL Imperial Airport (Nearest commercial service, 15 mi north in El Centro.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Feb
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Mar
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Apr
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
May
not flagged
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
Jun
Avoid
41°C (106°F)106°F (41°C)
Jul
Avoid
44°C (111°F)111°F (44°C)
Aug
Avoid
44°C (111°F)111°F (44°C)
Sep
Avoid
40°C (104°F)104°F (40°C)
Oct
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Nov
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Dec
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Best: Oct–Apr. Avoid: Jun–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (44°C (111°F)111°F (44°C)), coolest Jan (5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C) low), wettest Jan (2 rain days), driest Apr (0). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Calexico: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
2 rd
Feb
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
2 rd
Mar
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
1 rd
Apr
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
0 rd
May
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
0 rd
Jun
41°C (106°F)106°F (41°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
0 rd
Jul
44°C (111°F)111°F (44°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
0 rd
Aug
44°C (111°F)111°F (44°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
0 rd
Sep
40°C (104°F)104°F (40°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
0 rd
Oct
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
1 rd
Nov
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
2 rd
Dec
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
2 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walk the downtown area and border crossing (5 min). Use Imperial Valley Transit buses for trips to El Centro, Brawley, or the college. Greyhound/Flixbus connects to Los Angeles, Phoenix and San Diego (≈4–6 h).
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
El Centro
goDoor to door: ≈30 min total
IV Transit bus #1N/1S, about 15 min
Main shopping and services; bus runs frequently.
Brawley
goDoor to door: ≈45 min
IV Transit route 32D, about 30 min
Agricultural town, optional if interested in Imperial Valley farms.
Salton Sea (Salton City)
cautionDoor to door: ≈1 h
Drive north via CA‑111, about 45 min
Seasonal access; check road conditions.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Best Western John Jay Inn
Close to downtown; basic amenities.
Holiday Inn Express
Near Scaroni Rd; suitable for short stays.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $30–$45 excl. bed
- Mid
- $45–$80 excl. bed
- High
- $80+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid‑range hotel1 × 1 night × US$110 | US$110 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × US$55 | US$55 |
| IV Transit day pass1 × US$10 | US$10 |
| Greyhound one‑way ticket to Los Angeles1 × US$45 | US$45 |
| eSIM data (1 week)1 × US$15 | US$15 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$24 |
| Trip total≈ US$259 per person per day, bed included | US$259 |
2026 estimate in USD; flights and car rentals excluded.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $2–$4 |
| Taco (street) | $1–$2 |
| Bottle water (0.5 L) | $1 |
| Bus fare (IV Transit) | $2–$3 |
| Greyhound ticket to Los Angeles | $40–$55 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Summers exceed 40 °C (104 °F); carry water.Summers exceed 104 °F (40 °C); carry water.
- Border crossing lines can be long; allow extra time.
- Bus stop at E 3rd & Pauline may be under construction; verify schedule.
Emergency numbers
- Police/Fire/Ambulance
- 911
- Mexico Consulate (Calexico)
- +1 760 357‑3863
Pocket card
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CalexicoCalexico
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police/Fire/Ambulance911
- Mexico Consulate (Calexico)+1 760 357‑3863
Embassy
US consulate in Calexico (check address); nearest US embassy in Washington, DC.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- IV Transit downtown loop: about $2–$3 per ride
- Greyhound Calexico → Los Angeles: about $45–$55
Say or show
- Disculpe — Excuse me / Sorry (dis‑kul‑peh)
- Gracias — Thank you (gra‑see‑as)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much is it? (kwan‑toh kwes‑ta)
- ¿Dónde está la parada del autobús? — Where is the bus stop? (don‑de es‑ta la pa‑ra‑da del aw‑to‑bus)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Calexico. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Oct–Apr (mild desert climate) · avoid Jun–Sep (very hot) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a night at Holiday Inn Express for early bus connections.
- Use eSIM (see topic) for navigation across the border.
- Link to Imperial County guide for broader desert itineraries.
Sources
Ask about Calexico
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