BajaNomad - Obtaining Tourist paperwork....

Obtaining Tourist paperwork....

Bob H - 9-27-2007 at 12:31 PM

.... in Ensenada -vs- TJ border. It's difficult for us to find a place to park our large cabover to get this paperwork done at the border. But I like the idea that you have a bank right there. What's the deal like for obtaining the paperwork in Ensenada? How difficult is it to do this in Ensenada -vs- TJ border.

Recommendations?

Thanks,
Bob H

Mango - 9-27-2007 at 12:46 PM

There was a thread about this a while back you may find interesting...

http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=25755#pid243313

Bob and Susan - 9-27-2007 at 03:13 PM

the border at tj has LOTS of good parking now

i can pull in with a utility trailer and still park
just park in one of the first stalls in secondary

really easy...

woody with a view - 9-27-2007 at 03:34 PM

even if you aren't in the far right lane when you cross just hang a right past the secondary area and tell them you need to park. there's plenty of room (unless it's 4pm on a weekday).

TJ is the best option!!!

Minnow - 9-27-2007 at 03:38 PM

Bob, you can always just head to GN. I hate dealing with the border people, and everything is available in GN. Remember if you only stay 7 days or less there is no fee.

woody with a view - 9-27-2007 at 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Minnow
Bob, you can always just head to GN. I hate dealing with the border people, and everything is available in GN. Remember if you only stay 7 days or less there is no fee.

BUT my insurance says in small letters that not having an fmt MAY invalidate my insurance. that's a LONG way to drive without an fmt.....

edit:font size

[Edited on 9-27-2007 by woody in ob]

[Edited on 9-27-2007 by woody in ob]

Minnow - 9-27-2007 at 03:58 PM

Wuss. :lol:

woody with a view - 9-27-2007 at 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Minnow
Wuss. :lol:

thank-you!

David K - 9-27-2007 at 05:11 PM

Bob H is going for more than 7 days, and the bank is not always open in Guerrero Negro (4 miles from the state border), and you have to go BACK to the official for a final stamp AFTER the fee is paid.

Bob, Tijuana has a ton of room under the giant awning (secondary)... and the 24/7 bank teller allows you to pay there, then walk back to INM (first door/ on the far right) for that final stamp making you legal for 180 days.

805gregg - 9-27-2007 at 05:40 PM

Discover Baja Travel Club has tourist cards available through the mail, why stop anywhere?

Minnow - 9-27-2007 at 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
Bob H is going for more than 7 days, and the bank is not always open in Guerrero Negro (4 miles from the state border), and you have to go BACK to the official for a final stamp AFTER the fee is paid.

Bob, Tijuana has a ton of room under the giant awning (secondary)... and the 24/7 bank teller allows you to pay there, then walk back to INM (first door/ on the far right) for that final stamp making you legal for 180 days.

Is it just me, but was DK angry when he wrote this?

Disclaimer: My paperwork is always in order.

David K - 9-27-2007 at 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 805gregg
Discover Baja Travel Club has tourist cards available through the mail, why stop anywhere?

Yes, but you STILL need to stop at the border to have the pre-paid tourist card stamped!!! Why not just do it all at the sme time since you're there? The pre paid card is NOT valid until the stamp you get when entering Mexico for the first time with it...

No Tom, I am not mad... look: :lol:

Minnow - 9-27-2007 at 06:13 PM

David, you just made me laugh really hard for the first time since, well, ever. :lol:

Congratulations.

You are weird, but your love of Baja is true. Rock on DK!!!!

Bob and Susan - 9-27-2007 at 06:41 PM

you can get a fmt in guerrero negro and pay in santa rosalia or mulege...

you don't need to pay in guerrero negro
you JUST need to pay BEFORE 7 days are up

after you'd have to get it stamped again in santa rosalia a 50 minute drive from mulege

tj is still the best stop

Bob H - 9-27-2007 at 07:08 PM

Thanks everyone - I will get it in TJ as we are crossing on Monday around 9 or 10am. The parking used to be a problem, but I think it's because I didn't turn in past secondary to get a parking spot. I just don't want to deal with going through a secondary gate/line to get the parking. If I can get to the parking after passing through the regular gates, that's great and that's what I'll do.
Nomads rock!
Bob H

DENNIS - 9-27-2007 at 07:17 PM

Bob.....

A double purpose solution for doing your stuff in Ensenada. Behind Hussongs there is a parking lot. Three bucks per day, I think, no more. It's guarded and safe and a few blocks from immigration. Take the walk and do what you have to do then return to Hussongs and celebrate.

Vaya Con Dios

woody with a view - 9-27-2007 at 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS
Bob.....

A double purpose solution for doing your stuff in Ensenada. Behind Hussongs there is a parking lot. Three bucks per day, I think, no more. It's guarded and safe and a few blocks from immigration. Take the walk and do what you have to do then return to Hussongs and celebrate.

Vaya Con Dios

or don't!!! like al g said, "just don't stop!"

Hook - 9-27-2007 at 09:00 PM

Bob, personally I think it is HARDER to try and pass through the regular gates and then get over to where you can park than to JUST USE THE FAR RIGHT LANES, PARK, AND CONDUCT YOUR BUSINESS.

It's not like you are gonna get mobbed by officials. Just park in one of the last spaces within that far right lane but before you get to the secondary inspection limit line.

It's a breeze.........

danaeb - 9-27-2007 at 09:26 PM

Bob - Hook's got it. It's really easy and the parking spaces are huge (long). Pull through the DECLARE lane and you're there.

David K - 9-28-2007 at 08:49 AM

and Bob, if officials walk up to you when you park, tell them you are getting your tourist cards and have nothing to declare... however, they may want a look anyway... When you drive out, you may be asked to push the button and see if you get a red or green light.

Baja&Back - 9-28-2007 at 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by woody in ob

Quote:

Originally posted by Minnow
Bob, you can always just head to GN. I hate dealing with the border people, and everything is available in GN. Remember if you only stay 7 days or less there is no fee.

BUT my insurance says in small letters that not having an fmt MAY invalidate my insurance. that's a LONG way to drive without an fmt.....

Woody ain't being a wuss. If you are that far south without an FMT, you are illegal, and a savvy insurance adjuster will love to use that as an excuse to invalidate your insurance claim!

This info directly from an adjuster I spoke with in Ensenada.

Thems the facts, Jack.

(Besides, driving all the way thru GN to the Banamex, standing in line for 2 hours, and driving back for the stamp is an awful waste of time in the ugliest town in Baja) :no:

Bob H - 9-28-2007 at 09:54 AM

Man, you folks are great! Now I think I've got it.
A million gracias!
Bob H

Don't use Ensenada

Dave - 9-28-2007 at 10:13 AM

They don't want to deal with tourist issues, are peey about it and will fine you.

Use TJ.

805gregg - 9-29-2007 at 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K

Quote:

Originally posted by 805gregg
Discover Baja Travel Club has tourist cards available through the mail, why stop anywhere?

You get it stamped at GN you have to stop there anyhow. It comes stamped in the mail.

[Edited on 9-29-2007 by 805gregg]

David K - 9-29-2007 at 10:25 AM

Hi Gregg... Unless things have changed, there are TWO stamps: The first one at the bank when you pay the fee (or get it from Discover Baja pre-paid)... The SECOND stamp is when you take the paid FM-T back to the official to VALIDATE the FM-T.... TWO STAMPS...

At the Eagle Monument (last July), the officer took a muy rapido look at my FM-T and didn't even want to see Baja Angel's... No inspection of it on the way back north.

Anyway, this whole discussion is mute if you just do it all at Tijuana where it is fast and easy.

[Edited on 9-29-2007 by David K]

805gregg - 9-30-2007 at 06:09 PM

Why is this so hard to understand? You pre pay Discover Baja they send you a stamped tourist card, then get it stamped upon again entering Baja Sur. Only need to stop at border if they want to inspect you. We went through GN sunday around 4 pm no imigration, I went back the next day to get stamps, glad I did they checked both our tourist cards for stamps upon leaving 2 weeks later.

David K - 10-1-2007 at 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by 805gregg
Why is this so hard to understand? You pre pay Discover Baja they send you a stamped tourist card, then get it stamped upon again entering Baja Sur. Only need to stop at border if they want to inspect you. We went through GN sunday around 4 pm no imigration, I went back the next day to get stamps, glad I did they checked both our tourist cards for stamps upon leaving 2 weeks later.

Beats me why???

So, if it is done your way, you are in Mexico illegally from Maneadero south to Guerrero Negro... It is the second customs stamp that validates the card, not the paid stamp.

It does work in reverse your way... ie. get the customs stamped card at the border and pay for it later in further south in Mexico... This is important if you cross at Tecate or another border where there is no 24/7 bank teller. I think you have up to 7 days to pay the fee?

Minnow - 10-1-2007 at 09:29 AM

I am wondering if anyone has ever been asked for their tourist card, other than at the BCS,BCN border? Or if anyone ever had their insurance invalidated because they did not have their tourist card? :no:

Baja&Back - 10-1-2007 at 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Minnow
I am wondering if anyone has ever been asked for their tourist card, other than at the BCS,BCN border? Or if anyone ever had their insurance invalidated because they did not have their tourist card? :no:

We met a guy in La Paz who had run his coach into the ditch north of there. He was livid that the adjuster had cancelled his claim ONLY for lack of an FMT. No option or recourse offered.
He was racking up phone bills trying to get the US agent do something.
What a drag!

David K - 10-1-2007 at 05:40 PM

Quote:

I don't think so Tom... in all my travels in Baja Norte, I have never been asked to show an FM-T since the Maneadero checkpoint closed back in the early 80's.

However, as Baja & Back says, it gives the minor insurance companies an excuse not to pay... Plus, you are an illegal without a stamped one (not the bank stamp) south of Maneadero (or north of if in Mexico over 72 hours).