shari - 9-28-2006 at 05:03 PM
A huge GRACIAS to the person who suggested staying on the toll road all the way and not taking the exit that says San Diego...I doubted this as we
drove through downtown TJ but it worked like a charm when all of a sudden there we were in a nice short line going real fast until the couple 2 cars
ahead were hauled out of their car and cuffed and carted off. We crossed at 5:00 on a weekday afternoon and traffic was light.
I was telling my pals in Ensenada I was a bit worried about the toll road travel and they assured me it was no problem in the day....strangely enough
that was the day of the big shootout at the playa exit...I guess I passed just after all the hoopla....whew.
Now, something I didn't know was that the new tourist cards rule that EVERYONE crossing the border needs a tourist card that are issued at the
secondary inspection in TJ. Smartass me says to my family, oh I'm sure we can get them in Ensenada...wrong...but eventually we did. So the jefe at
immigration says Oh NO, you can't get them here, you have to go back to TJ...crap...but after alot of humming and ha-ing he says well if you pay a
fine I'll issue you one...great....the fine is 50 pesos each and then he made us pay 50 more pesos to the secretary there to fill out the
form....yeah, whatever....so the price of a tourist card in Ensenada is now up to 300 pesos...IF the jefe is in a good mood I guess. Weird. Only boat
people can get their visa at that office....silly. Anyway, it was a great trip except that travelling in a mexican suburban, we got searched alot at
the checkpoints. Oh yeah, they had a drug dog at one too. We stayed the night at Motel Sanchez which I always like in San Vicente and had a great
trip...my favorite quote of the trip was from my nephew...it was his first time ever in baja and after about an hour going through desert, I ask him
what he thinks of baja so far and he says.....it's a whole lot a nothin!! true, which is what I love.
Al G - 9-28-2006 at 05:43 PM
Shari...are you saying if I tow my boat behind my Motorhome I can get my visa in Ensenada??
SiReNiTa - 9-28-2006 at 05:45 PM
border...yuck yuck and doble yuck!!!
Bajaboy - 9-28-2006 at 10:32 PM
Shari-
I think the immigration guy might have been looking for some extra money. I know that guy has a reputation. I'm sure others will pipe in but I was
under the impression that one could get a tourist permit at any immigration office. Also, do you pay the fine to the bank or directly to the
officer?
Looking forward to visiting in Oct/Nov. I'm surprising Tracy with a quick trip to San Pedro Martir this weekend as she won't be able to join me in
October. This will be her first time to the Observatory.
See you in a month.
Zac